Application Review / Decision
File review
Notification of decision
Wait lists
April 15 and May 1 reply dates
Acceptance policy
FILE REVIEW
Once an applicant’s file is complete (i.e., contains all required recommendations, transcripts, papers, etc.) and the audition/interview has taken place, the file is reviewed by an admissions committee. Typically, the reviewers include
- The chair of the major department for a recommendation on qualification for the specific department
- A member of the academic faculty for a recommendation on overall academic fitness
- The ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for non-native English speakers, for a review of English competency
- The director of admissions, for a final determination on the admissions decision
Our goal is to make a decision based not just on technical proficiency in performance, but also on the broader criteria of musicianship, academic achievement, and personal qualities. The file review cannot take place if required materials are missing. On rare occasions, a decision to admit an undergraduate applicant may be accompanied by specific academic or musical provisions. These provisions must be met by the end of the second semester of study. If the review committee determines that the provisions have not been met, the student will be dismissed from the School.
NOTIFICATION OF DECISION & FINANCIAL AID
The admissions committee makes decisions after the majority of the applications to each department have been evaluated. Notification of admission decision may occur at any time after the application has been evaluated. Most applicants are notified by April 15. Because of the limited number of openings available each year, Eastman does not offer an early decision plan.
Undergraduate applicants will be notified about financial aid with their acceptance letters, assuming that the SAR (Student Aid Report—the result of a completed FAFSA) has been received and reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid.
Graduate applicants generally receive notice of graduate awards either with their acceptance letters or shortly thereafter. Notice of graduate awards comes from the Office of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
Undergraduates or graduates who accept an offer of any form of financial aid from the Eastman School may not have commitments to any other educational institution at the time of their acceptance, nor can they make commitments to other schools after accepting financial aid from Eastman.
WAIT LISTS
Because of the limited number of openings each year, the Eastman School of Music maintains a wait list for admission in most areas. Students receive notification of their placement on the wait list following file review. While we accept some wait-listed students each year, we cannot predict in what majors or instruments we will accept applicants, nor can we guarantee that we will accept candidates from the waitlist. We pledge to manage the wait lists in the most ethical manner possible. Wait lists are structured once all first round offers have been completed. In accordance with the NACAC Code of Ethics, remaining wait lists will be closed by August 1.
APRIL 15 and MAY 1 REPLY DATES
The Eastman School subscribes to and upholds ethical admission practices.
The College Board states: “Subscribing institutions, by common agreement, bind themselves not to require candidates admitted as freshmen to give notice before May 1 of a decision to attend any one of these subscribing institutions or to accept financial aid from it. This policy has been agreed upon so the candidates may be able to give consideration to all opportunities available to them. It should be emphasized, however, that whenever candidates can reach a decision before this date, they are encouraged to notify the institution as soon as that decision has been reached. Even if the decision is to not attend the institution, the candidate should notify the institution.”
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling, in its Statement of Principles of Good Practice, states that: “College and University Members agree that they will permit first-year candidates for fall admission to choose, without penalty, among offers of admission and financial aid until May 1. It is understood that May 1 will be viewed as the postmark date.”
And the National Association of Schools of Music Code of Ethics, states: “The acceptance of financial aid or the signing of a declaration of intent to attend a given institution shall not be binding if signed before May 1 of the calendar year of matriculation, or April 15 in the case of graduate applicants.”
Acceptance letters to undergraduate applicants state a May 1 deadline, or two weeks from the date of the letter if it is issued after May 1. For graduate applicants, the decisions deadline is April 15. Applicants are given a minimum deadline of two weeks following notice of acceptance to respond to the offer of admission. Extensions of deadlines are not granted, since it is our intent to make all first round offers before the posted deadlines, and the timing of an applicant's decision affects candidates on our waitlists.
We make every effort to provide notification of decision as soon as the audition and review process is completed; most graduate decisions are made by April 1; most undergraduate decisions are made no later than April 15. In return, we ask for the courtesy of a response as soon as the student has made a decision, and no later than the stated deadline. A prompt response from accepted applicants, even to decline our offer, allows us to proceed with decisions for candidates on our wait list. We wish to emphasize the need for all accepted students to return the Final Decision Form notifying the Admissions Office of their decisions. Notifying a department or faculty member does not constitute appropriate and official notice. An applicant’s file will remain active until he or she has notified the Admissions Office of his or her decision by returning the Final Decision Form.
ACCEPTANCE POLICY
The Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester value diversity (see www.rochester.edu/diversity), and are committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Further, the University complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. Questions on compliance should be directed to the particular school or department and/or to the University’s Equal Opportunity Coordinator, University of Rochester, PO Box 270501, Rochester, N.Y. 14627-0501 (phone 585-275-4321).