Admission to Dickinson College is based on academic excellence. The varied experiences and talents which students bring to Dickinson are considered in the College's application process, because the College values excellence in all intellectual and artistic pursuits.

The Music Department welcomes contact from prospective students, including on-campus visits from talented and accomplished instrumentalists, singers, and composers with a strong commitment to continuing their musical development in performance and scholarship throughout their years at Dickinson College.

In order for students’ musical interests and experiences to be considered in their application process, students must complete the following steps in addition to filing their Dickinson College Admissions Applications:

Step One

• Complete and submit the online Dickinson College Music Department Form.  The Music Department will not consider materials until a student has completed this online form. (Note: the Common Application Supplement does not satisfy this requirement.)

Step Two

For Prospective Music Majors

If you intend to declare music as a major, schedule an interview as follows:

• If you are a performer, schedule an audition with the appropriate Performance Studies faculty member.
• If you are a composer, theorist, or historian, schedule an interview with an academic faculty member, and bring samples of your recent academic accomplishments (e.g., compositions, writing samples).
• If you are unable to come to campus for an audition, please follow the guidelines for submitting additional materials.

For Non-Music Majors

• If you do not intend to major, but wish to continue your musical studies and activities while at Dickinson, you may schedule an informal audition while you visit the College, or audition at our annual fall Music Audition Night. Please note that meetings with faculty are available only as scheduled appointments. Contact the Department Coordinator or the appropriate faculty member.

Step Three

• At the beginning of each academic year, new Dickinsonians should plan to attend Music Audition Night, held at 5:30 PM on the first Tuesday evening of each academic year.

For more information about applying to the Dickinson College Music Department, review our Prospective Students FAQs, or contact us.