georgemckean

I didn't think so. I wonder how they get any one to apply. They must rely on alumni or other locals applying. Anyway, is it time to apply to schools yet?

Here is what their site says: Applicants for all graduate programs in music are required to take entrance exams in the areas of music theory (aural and written) and music history. The purpose of these exams is to discern the applicant's readiness to pursue graduate work in music. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of skills and knowledge on the entrance exams in order to be accepted into the program. For students who are accepted, the exams indicate whether they need review classes in specific areas before entering into graduate-level course work. Admission of students who need review classes will be provisional until these requirements have been completed, which should be before the student has accumulated 12 graduate credit hours. Applicants in some areas of specialization (indicated below) are also required to take an additional exam in the proposed area. All applicants should take the exams seriously and attempt to do their best work. Because the exams are also a factor in admissions decisions, applicants should not consider the intention of taking review classes as an alternative for satisfactory performance on the exam. Regular Entrance Examinations are scheduled on 4 dates per year at the School of Music. Additional dates may be scheduled to accommodate various programs. The dates usually fall in these months (but may vary year to year): November January/February February/March June (Please note that most programs will have made all their decisions regarding admission and financial assistance well before June. You are strongly encouraged to take the exams on one of the earlier dates to be considered for Fall admission..) Musicology, applicants for the Ph.D. degree In this exam, students are given a musical element and/or genre and asked to trace it through several epochs of the history of music. Students will also be asked to discuss one or more specialized topics in areas including music research and bibliography, music in vernacular and cultivated traditions, music and culture, and Western idioms and styles. CONFIRMATION OF EXAM REGISTRATIONS: Applicants who have registered for the graduate entrance exams will receive a confirmation email a day or two before the exam date when we have the details (room, proctor, etc.) and a complete list of those who have registered for that date. We are not able to supply detailed information before that time, but scheduled exams generally begin at 9:00am and are finished between noon and 1:00pm. If you need to change your exam date, please resubmit the exam request form. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the exam in order to be settled and ready to begin on time. Location (usually in the Fine Arts Building or Fine Arts Library) will be provided in a confirmation email a day or two before the exam. Students wishing to be considered for Fellowships are advised to take the exam in November, but may be eligible for consideration if they complete it before the end of January. Students wishing to be considered for TA must take it no later than March. Students may audition the same day if they take the exam in February or March. It still seems super weird to me though. I will call them tomorrow just to find out if you can take it remotely. Otherwise, it might not be an option.... Anyway, I hope I didn't scare people from this thread! Please feel free to talk about other schools and plans you have this summer to prepare for application season!

I think with your experience you have some strong credentials. The three tests are entrance exams, much like the diagnostic exams you take anywhere. They include music theory and history and so on. I am not worried about passing them. I am worried, however, about paying $1000 to fly out there just to apply. It doesn't add up for me. If it were my #1 school, I might consider it. My uncle is on the faculty in a different department there so I would at least have a place to stay... But, regardless, it seems like a weird requirement and one I have not come across in my research into different grad school possibilities. So, if I find out they have a stellar program that I would be crazy not to try for, I'll fly out there. But at this point it just seems ridiculous.

I figured I'd start a new topic. Has anyone heard anything about University of Kentucky's musicology program? According to the website all applicants have to take three entrance exams. And if I am understanding correctly, they are taken on campus. I do not live anywhere near Kentucky. I just wonder if it's worth going all the way out there for a chance at admission. Thanks in advance!

Thank you all for your replies! I am looking forward to the AMS Conference in November! I am also going on a research trip next week for my master's thesis and I'm hoping that will be something else that will help my chances at my top choice schools. Thanks again for all of your help!

Thanks, Harmonie! Both my undergrad and my masters are from state schools but my masters will be from ASU which is much more well-known than my undergrad. I taught school in AZ for two years before applying to ASU, so I don't even know what other schools I would even have been accepted to had I applied. I have a family and knew I would continue teaching at the charter school while I was going to ASU so I didn't apply anywhere else. I'm really anxious about applying and I wish we could start now!

So, I realize the majority of you will not be checking this forum now that you have been accepted and are all set for the Fall. However, I am planning on applying for Fall 2014. I am working on my Masters in Music History and Literature now and I am just finishing up my first year. I was just wondering what credentials you all have. I understand this is very personal information so if you don't care to reply I understand. But I have been wondering about my chances at some of the Ivy Leagues and other more selective PhD programs in musicology. Where did you get your undergrad? What was your GPA? What did you get on the GRE? Do you have a Masters? Where did you get it? What was your GPA? I don't want to waste thousands on application fees to school where I have no chance. Thanks in advance!