Bachelor of Science, Computer Science + Music

Talent Requirements for Application

1. Personal Statement: Applicants must submit an essay or personal statement (approximately 300-500 words) that includes a summary of academic achievements in music, computer science, and/or related areas, a description of interests and experiences relevant to the degree program, significant accomplishments, and career goals.
2. Portfolio: Applicants must submit an online portfolio that demonstrates their experience and readiness for the CS + Music degree. The portfolio should be viewed as an opportunity to provide a greater sense of depth beyond grades and test scores, by documenting the applicant’s unique strengths, demonstrating potential for continued growth and success, and showcasing activities, interests, and accomplishments relevant to the CS + Music program. Portfolio items may include (but are not limited to) music compositions, recordings, performance videos, websites, games or apps you’ve developed, code project repositories, etc. The portfolio must include a Table of Contents (in doc, txt or pdf format), that lists each item with a title, the date of creation, a concise description of the item and its significance, along with a link to the content itself (e.g. YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Drive) if not uploaded directly.
   • Important Guidelines for Portfolio Submission
     • Large files, such as high-resolution videos, should only be included via link to an external site. Smaller files, such as audio and text, can be uploaded directly or via external link.
     • Do not upload files in platform-specific formats. Common examples include music notation software files (MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius, Dorico, etc.) and DAW session files (Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, GarageBand, etc). All uploaded items must be in standard text/image/audio/video formats. Examples of valid formats include (but are not necessarily limited to) doc, docx, txt, rtf, pdf, jpg, png, mp3, aiff, wav, mov, and mp4.
     • If your application includes code-based projects, you may upload the code files directly, or link to an external site where the project is hosted, such as GitHub. In either case, the applicant is strongly encouraged to include a short video or set of image files that document the code project in action.
3. Interview: Applicants will participate in a short interview with members of the Composition, Theory & Technology faculty. Interview topics may include the applicant’s academic background, educational interests, and professional goals. Applicants will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

About Bachelor of Science, Computer Science & Music

This degree will prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level for many existing programs on music and audio technology, as well as equip them with the proper skills to successfully join and lead a vibrant workforce community centered around the creation and distribution of entertainment media through constantly evolving technological platforms. The CS + Music curriculum provides a broad knowledge of the theory, design, and application of computer systems integrated with the theory, history, and application of music. The curriculum is formed around courses in music, mathematics, science, and computation. Strong math and science skills are strongly recommended for student success in this program.

Prospective Students are welcome to visit the CS+Music Discord server to connect with current students and ask questions about the program.