New Grad Student Information
Welcome to the School of Music!
Please follow these steps from the Graduate College’s Quick Guide to begin your graduate studies journey:
1. Claim Your NetID
Your NetID and password are required for access to many services at the university.
- You’ll need your University ID Number (UIN) and Activation Code, as provided in your Official Notice of Admission Letter, to begin. Your UIN is a unique nine-digit number that permanently identifies you in university records.
- NETID: New students should visit the NetID claiming website at netidclaim.illinois.edu.
- PASSWORD: Set your password recovery options and select a password for your account. You can reset or change your options at any time at identity.uillinois.edu.
- 2FA: Verify.uillinois.edu will then direct you to set up your required two-factor authentication method. Two-factor authentication secures our university accounts by confirming your login using something you know (a password) and something you have (like a phone). Graduate and Professional students are required to use 2FA for many university services and websites. You can change or add a device for 2FA at identity.uillinois.edu.
2. Use Your Office 365 Email Account
Microsoft Outlook Online (Office 365) is the official campus service used for email, calendaring, and contact and task management at the University of Illinois and is vital for receiving emails and information from the university. To check your mailbox on the web, visit https://outlook.office.com. After claiming your NetID, it may take up to 4 hours before you can access your email inbox. Full setup typically takes 12-48 hours. If you have questions about your email account, please contact the Technology Services Help Desk at consult@illinois.edu or 217-244-7000.
3. Verify Personal Information in Student Self-Service
Once you have established your NetID, use it to log into the online Student Self-Service and verify your personal information, including your local address. Keeping this information up-to-date is extremely important. (Student Self-Service is also the interface you will use to register for courses and make billing payments.)
4. Submit Your Transcripts & Other Academic Credentials
Check your Official Notice of Admission Letter for a complete list of academic credentials (transcripts, certificates of degrees, translations) you may need to submit. Please refer to our website for more information: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/final-credentials.
5. Fulfill Immunization Requirements
All incoming students enrolled in on-campus degree programs are required to complete and submit an Immunization Information Form to McKinley Health Center. Students enrolled in online degree programs are not required to submit these forms. Learn about immunization requirements.
6. Understand Health Care Services
The university provides health care services, including McKinley Health Center, student insurance, the Counseling Center, and some telehealth services for eligible students. Note that the Student Health Insurance plan is required for all eligible students enrolled in on-campus programs unless you have proof of comparable coverage. Learn more about Health Care Services, including how to opt out or add dependents.
7. Explore Technology Requirements and Resources
Anchor to heading 7. Explore Technology Requirements and Resources
Check out the New Student Technology Guide to learn more about your university email account, free software, online storage, Wi-Fi, and other available resources. The Tech Services Knowledge Base can help you find answers to your technology questions. Contact the Technology Services Help Desk for all of your technology problems or questions.
- By phone: 217-244-7000
- By email: consult@illinois.edu
- On the web: techservices.illinois.edu
8. Complete Required Training
All new students are required to complete two online training programs:
Learn how to access these and other training programs.
Check with your department to find out about any other required training. Your academic program, area of research, or assistantship responsibilities may require you to complete additional types of training, such as a teaching orientation for teaching assistants.
9. Get Your I-Card
Students coming to campus will want to get an i-card. The i-card is your official University of Illinois photo ID. You will use it for services such as
- Riding the local Mass Transit District (MTD) buses
- McKinley Health Center
- Campus Recreation
- Meal plans
- Illini Cash (campus debit)
If you were an undergraduate at Illinois, you will need to get a new ID card showing your graduate student status.
Visit the i-card website for more information.
10. Set-up Payment Options / Direct Deposit
Visit the University Bursar website and complete the steps to set up payment options and direct deposit; take note of important payment due dates.
Note that paper bills are not mailed to students. Bills are posted in Student Self-Service.
International payments can be made using Flywire™.
11. Sign Up for Illini-Alert
In the event of a campus emergency, Illini-Alert sends email and text messages, posts to Facebook and Twitter and triggers the Emergency Web Alert System for university websites.
12. Register for Classes
Consult with our program and/or advisor and then use Self-Service to register for classes. Always register early and check your registration to make sure it ‘s current and accurate. Course Explorer lists courses currently offered.
13. Join the GradMAP Canvas Community
Our GradMAP Canvas community is designed to be a guide to help you get off to a good start at Illinois. You’ll also find information about campus resources, health and well-being, funding and employment, and tips for having a successful graduate school experience. Our pages include videos, tips, handouts, and opportunities to discuss topics with other graduate students. We invite you to return to our Canvas community whenever you need information and to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
School of Music Entrance Exam Schedule
All entering graduate students, except those in music education, the artist diploma, and musicology, must take the graduate entrance exams in music theory and musicianship.
The theory entrance exam will be on Tuesday, August 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, in 1030 Music Building Auditorium.
The musicianship entrance exam will be on Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, in 1030 Music Building Auditorium.
Study guides for these entrance exams are posted here.
Please note that registration for the exams is required. Please complete a registration form here. Registration closes on August 16. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare thoroughly for the entrance exams. Failing to take the exams or not passing one or more sections will require course remediation or retaking exams in the following semester. Thus, it may delay degree completion, particularly for DMA students.
If you are a current University of Illinois graduate music student continuing to a new degree program (e.g., MM to DMA) and have previously completed the entrance exams, you have met the entrance requirements; you are exempt from taking the entrance exams.
TA Orientation – details coming soon!
Helpful Links
- Registration Tutorial – learn how to register for fall classes using self-service.
- Fall Ensemble Auditions
- International Students: Please review important pre-arrival planning and check-in information with the International Student and Scholars Services Office (ISSS). Until you complete the requirements for ISSS, your registration hold will not be lifted. Review the Pre-Arrival Overview here.