New Grad Student Information
Fall 2024 Entrance Exam Schedule and Study Guides
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 musicianship entrance exam will be on Tuesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
The theory entrance exam will be on Wednesday, August 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
Both exams are held in the Music Building Auditorium (1030 MB).
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.
New Student Orientation
Orientation for new graduate students will be held in 1030 Music Building (Music Building Auditorium) on Wednesday, August 21, from 1 to 4 PM.
TA Orientation
Orientation for new and continuing graduate TAs will be held in 1030 Music Building (Music Building Auditorium) on Tuesday, August 20, from 1 to 3 PM and Thursday, August 22, from 1 to 3 PM
Tuesday, August 20
- General information and discussion session for all TAs, 1–3 PM, 1030 MB Auditorium
- GEO presentation: 3 to 3:30 PM, 1030 MB Auditorium
Thursday, August 22
- Applied Instrumental & Jazz, 1–2 PM
- Admin TAs, 1–3 PM
- Ensemble TAs, 1–3 PM
- Classroom TAs (music ed/musicology and theory/musicianship), 1–3 PM
- Applied Vocal TAs, 1–3 PM
- Methods, accompanying/vocal coaching, 2–3 PM
Final Transcripts
All new graduate students must submit original, final transcripts to the Graduate College as soon as possible. The final transcript must display the degree name and conferral date. Students who do not submit final transcripts from previously attended institutions will have a hold placed on their account and will be blocked from registering for the spring term. If you have any questions about submitting your final transcript, please contact the Graduate College at grad@illinois.edu.
Helpful Links
- Quick Guide (critical!) – 10 quick and essential steps to help you get everything in place.
- Registration Tutorial – click here to learn how to register for fall classes using Enhanced Registration.
- Fall Ensemble Auditions
- Domestic Students: If you are eligible for need-based aid (e.g., student loans), your loans will be disbursed after class registration.
- 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.