Applying for Fall 2013

[Kand]

Hi George.

 

I'm also finishing my first year of a master's program and plan on applying for fall of 2014. Although there is still some time to build on the CV, I've been able to get a few publications in professional journals and two conference presentations this spring. Aside from that, I think finding professor(s) with similar interests is immensely important in choosing the schools you apply to. I, like you, plan on applying to an Ivy (Harvard) and match up with several of the faculty members there (I'm focused on 20th/21st cent. music, modernism, etc.). 

 

At least in my experience from the previous application season, which I unfortunately went into with little guidance, I get the sense that your GPA is the lowest bar that will basically get your application looked at (so it needs to be solid!) and where you did your undergraduate is probably of little to no importance. I personally went to an "unexposed" school for undergrad and had a bit of complex about it during the last app season. I'd like to think that it isn't a huge deal, particularly considering that where you do the master's degree is far more relevant and topical. GRE scores also appear to be hit or miss depending on the school, although it seems verbal/writing is the only thing that might be looked at. The writing samples are of paramount importance, along with the SOP and recommendations, so cultivating your personal writing style and relationships with professors is crucial.

Ultimately, I think the admission committees want to see a master's student that has demonstrated an ability to conduct quality research and has at least some experience presenting that research at a conference. Anything you can do in the publications/conference aspect of your CV would be immensely beneficial. There is still plenty of time to apply for those and the networking is great! 

I'm actually curious if anyone here is studying at UC Berkeley currently. I would love to work with Richard Taruskin, but I'm worried he may retire soon!

[music]

I will be a Fall (Autumn...) 2014 applicant too. Perhaps it's time to start a new topic! I really don't think publication and presentation experience is expected. If you plan on using your masters for advanced standing, yes it might be expected as research will have been a significant element of your recent studies, but entering direct from a batchelors means you are required to take elementary classes on research methodology, the implication being that entering students (ie the successful applicants) are not expected to have experience in this area. My GPA translates to about 3.9, I think, and I am predicted GRE scores of V165+, Q150 and A5.0+. It's tough being an international applicant from a tiny conservatoire, as I don't have much idea of expectations, so just going to do my best with applications this year and if it's not good enough, I'll learn for next time around. Personally I'm prioritising a match of methodology/specialism in making school selections. I'll be applying for ethno, focussing on aesthetics/sys mus/comparative/cognitive/identity aspects. Got a long list of about 10 schools and I'll apply for as many as I can afford. So far I have meetings lined up at 6 of those schools.

[Kand]

music,

 

at least in my experience, it is extremely difficult for a student to make the jump into a PhD program straight from a bachelors... this was my mistake in the first round of apps I did (thankfully everything managed to work out). While the option is "technically" possible in any application season, it is just hard to compete with students that have proven research experience versus a younger student with little or no knowledge/experience. I wish I had known this and just stuck with only applying to 2-year masters programs... would have saved myself some grief and stressful evenings!

[georgemckean]

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! 

[musicmage09]

Just some advice on those applyingto musicology: Research is incredibly important as is presenting. If you are applying to the Ivies without presenting you better write a killer set of essays because most people applying will have this kind of experience. As far as applying straight from an undergraduate degree: I asked about this at each place I visited. All of them said they had close to 50/50 (half without masters and half with). In my cohort I believe only one of the three (in historical) has a masters. Where you did your previous degrees does not really matter as long as you can show that you have taken as much advantage of the resources available there. Best of luck everyone! I remember being where you all are now.I am available if you have any questions!

[music]

music,   at least in my experience, it is extremely difficult for a student to make the jump into a PhD program straight from a bachelors... this was my mistake in the first round of apps I did (thankfully everything managed to work out). While the option is "technically" possible in any application season, it is just hard to compete with students that have proven research experience versus a younger student with little or no knowledge/experience. I wish I had known this and just stuck with only applying to 2-year masters programs... would have saved myself some grief and stressful evenings!

I think it's more likely that students with a masters are simply (in many cases) more advanced, or at least able to better convince the admissions panel through their application materials that they are. The best students will get offered places. Having enquired at every school I've long listed, they all have current students who came straight from Batchelors, the proportion varying significantly between schools. There is a good reason that many schools will offer advanced standing to those entering with an MA - they don't expect or require it. Also, I would highlight that the quality of Batchelors degrees is hardly uniform. Mine is five years long, for example, and in my final year I have an hour each week of one to one research supervision. A very different position to most undergraduates from this country who will have only had 3 years of class lectures. Additionally, I guess schools may favour the US liberal arts curriculum, or the British highly specialised undergraduate system... Frankly I don't know, and I don't think you do either! There are too many variables to make sweeping generalisations based on your own personal experience last time around.

[Kand]

Musicmage,

 

I was curious about how your experience has been so far at Harvard. I'm definitely considering because of Abbate, Oja, and Shreffler... their work is just outstanding!

[musicmage09]

Musicmage,

 

I was curious about how your experience has been so far at Harvard. I'm definitely considering because of Abbate, Oja, and Shreffler... their work is just outstanding!

 

I'll have to let you know! I start in the fall!!  But they are fantastic people and everyone there is very nice! Its a great community from what I have observed.

[Karajan]

Word of advice: There is no set of qualifications that you absolutely need to be admitted to top programs.  People with only BA's get in, as do people with master's degrees.  People with presentation experience get in, people without it get in.  Don't try to fit a mold because there isn't one -- Just submit your best work, have good references, have solid reasons why you want to be in grad school/attend the programs you're applying to, have some sense of your research interests, and you'll be fine.

[Karajan]

Musicmage,

 

I was curious about how your experience has been so far at Harvard. I'm definitely considering because of Abbate, Oja, and Shreffler... their work is just outstanding!

 

Sent you a PM - Check your inbox! 

[hiroshiman]

My background is in performance - I have a bachelor's and a master's (3.99 GPA for what it's worth). I was told this could be a serious detriment to me and that I would need to highlight my scholarly activity. Without a master's in musicology specifically, it's important to show otherwise that you can write well and conduct research. I have one journal publication and 3 conference reports under my belt, so I pushed these facts really hard in my applications. I used my published article for my writing sample, and have been told I was brought in for an interview in large part based on that writing sample. That is by far the most important element of a musicology application, I believe. I've been teaching for 2 years (music appreciation) at a large University, so I'm sure this helped me, as well. Still, I only was accepted to 2 universities. However, one of them was my top choice, so I am ecstatic. The reason it was my top choice was because of fit, and I have been in contact with my POI for 2 years now, so I recommend figuring out who you want to study with and get in touch with them ASAP. Since there are many good candidates and most of these programs bring in only 2 people a year, it really comes down to fit.

[musicmage09]

I always stress the importance of fit and contact with potential POIs. The national AMS conference for musicology is a great opportunity to meet with professors and attend some papers. If you currently have a mentor or adviser ask him/her to set up some meetings. Most programs with funding only accept 2-3 students and can receive upwards of 90 applications. You can definitely still get in without establishing contact with anyone (recommendations are very important especially in this case), but I do believe it helps your chances. Programs are also very interested in how you fit in with their program. Some are more picky than others. Some schools would like for you to come in with a clear idea of what you want to do. Others would like for you to be more open and flexible. Meeting with people in the departments you are interested in will help you figure out the programs and tailor your SOP to each school. 

[georgemckean]

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!