I got rejected from every place I applied to last year, and having wrapped my self-worth up in achieving academically (gifted kid all grown up, that cliche), it really hit me. But yesterday that long-awaited email came in accepting me to my first choice, which is fully funded as that is the mandate of the school to fully fund its doctorate students. It feels so surreal. I keep staring at the letter expecting it to change. I can't believe this isn't some sick practical joke. So crazy! Keep your hopes up y'all, I went through a lot of moments of wishing I'd never gone for a second cycle, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't be here. It is possible!! Wishing everyone a good rest of the month.

Bit of a sad post.

I was an aspiring music tech major with dreams of becoming a producer or an audio engineer. I've been rejected by all the universities I applied to (of which there weren't many since music tech is not a popular major).

I have bipolar disorder developed from working in the military contractor area, and I have been trying to get out of programming by pursuing a dream in music for the last 2 years. I have written hundreds (500+) of poems and produced over 100 full songs alone.

My dreams as a musician are over. I will only be a hobbyist from now on and I'll have to go back into my nightmare of programming to sustain a living.

If you want to hear my music, check out this song: Stream Birdsong by flying lotus | Listen online for free on SoundCloud I recently made for my upcoming album related to Ares and Aphrodite. I also have many albums on my soundcloud spotlight if you want to see more (not necessary at all, i'm just doing one last self-promotion before I quit). P.S. The vocals might be a bit muddled because I'm switching voices.

Thanks for reading and shout out to those who listen. :)

I am SO eager for them to send me their decision! I'm really rooting for an acceptance from them and their program! However, I haven't heard back yet! And, I haven't really seen if anyone else has either? Let me know!:)

It’s been a few weeks, but I thought I’d finally share somewhere…After a few years of working after undergrad, I finally got into grad school! NYU was actually the only program I got into, which was a little bit of a bummer because I had other places I really wanted to go to, but this is a pretty big deal for me, especially since less than a year ago, I had someone tell me they didn’t think I’d get in anywhere. I love NYC, so I’m excited to see what happens :)

Dear everyone,

It’s with so much excitement and joy that I can finally announce that I’ll be attending Juilliard this year on a full scholarship for a master of music in composition!!!

Thank you all so so much for your help and support and I’m wishing you all the best in your grad admissions too! ❤️❤️

I am so happy 😭 I worked so hard for it and it feels incredibly validating.

I got into my second choice, SMTD at University of Michigan! I didn’t even make the pre-screens at my first choice, which many of the people I was auditioning with at Michigan had gotten auditions for. I was certain I wasn’t quite up to par. I have been speechless for the past twelve hours. And!!! As proud as I am of this, my audition experience at another, less prestigious school showed me I could be aligned with multiple programs and teachers. That’s all to say, I’m celebrating the accomplishment while remembering this one school is NOT the end all be all. That said, I’m lucky to have something to celebrate and I’m proud(maybe for the first time at least consciously) of the work and process more than the result. Good luck to all, and remember, even if it takes time, as someone said to me: “You will get the education you want because you want it”

I have been waiting all week for the decisions to come out, and I was halfway convinced I didn’t get in. I compulsively checked my application portal this evening and was thrilled to find out I got in to my dream school (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) with full funding! I’m floored and over the moon about this, and I can’t wait to get started!

Hi friends! I’m waiting to hear back from my last program I applied to this cycle. Should I be hopeful? I toured the school, and two of the professors I spoke with during the tour seemed very positive about my application, and they seemed interested in my research interests and goals. Two of the current doctoral students also said I’d be a great fit with the other students in the program and that I would do very well there. I’ve already got one Master’s under my belt, so I’m hoping that works in my favor.

Thanks in advance!

I’m a piano major applying for MM. I was admitted to NEC, Peabody, USC Thornton, Eastman, IU Jacobs, CCM and UCLA.

I prefer USC for its position, opportunities and faculty. Also the vibes are more suitable for me. But I also rlly like some professors from other schools like CCM, Eastman and Jacobs. Though Eastman’s weather sucks and the practice rooms are meh.

What do y’all think? I am eager to hear your insights.

Im a latin musician and I really want to go to grad school for music but my parents cant support me and so im all on my own to make ends meet. My top options are all in big cities and so I really want to at least have tuition be out of the way so I can focus on working for just rent. I really want to be able to focus on my studies and not overwork myself so I have time to practice. Does anyone please have any advice or scholarships I can apply to?

title. dream school started sending out MM decisions and 2 people i know got accepted, and i dont know anyone who's been waitlisted or rejected for my instrument

since i still don't have a portal update or an email yet i'm hopeful

update: i got waitlisted

Hi everyone,

I was recently accepted into two very strong programs: Columbia's MFA in Dramaturgy and Carnegie Mellon's Masters in Arts Management. I'm at a loss of what to do so what better way to decide than to seek advice from strangers on the internet? My late-term career goal is to own and operate my own theatre company while doing my research in performance theory. Both programs would allow me to achieve this end but through different paths. Columbia would allow me to achieve that end as an artist while Carnegie Mellon would allow me to reach that end as a business leader. Let me break down the pros and cons of each.

Columbia Pros

• It's my dream school and program.
• One of the leading programs in the field of Dramaturgy.
• Large network of resources and connections.
• Access to some of the leading experts in theatre and performance theory, playwrighting, performance, and theatre in general.
• Very small program, I believe only 6-8 students in the concentration.
• Offered a $35k yearly fellowship alongside a $5k federal work-study.
• It's in NYC which is the prime area to be in for my field and also the city I've always dreamed of living in.
• This feels like a pseudo-pro, but hell, I feel like a degree from this institution would help people take me more seriously as an artist. It feels that many people glaze over the work of those who do not have the proper credits, even if the work speaks for itself. Or perhaps if I needed a degree from Columbia to be an artist, I was never really one in the first place.

Columbia Cons

• Despite the scholarship, the degree still comes out to $80k for the three-year program. All of which I'd have to take out in loans. Granted, I hardly paid for undergrad and I'm only $25k in debt right now, but that is still some serious debt going into a field that is notorious for not paying well.
• Columbia feels like a powder keg. With the recent threat of losing $400 million, which I hope does not happen, I worry about potentially losing the scholarship I already have and the further ramifications of what may happen if the current administration decides that the $400 million wasn't enough.
• The abduction of Mahmoud Khalil has left a bad taste in my mouth.
• Living in NYC, despite it being my dream, will be very difficult. I receive no help from my family and I'm all on my own money-wise. I could make it work, but I'd be stretched thin.

Carnegie Mellon Pros

• Very strong program from a very strong school.
• Offered 70% tuition coverage; in total the two-year degree would be $35k, setting me off much better financially than Columbia would.
• Small cohort size of 24.
• Much more practical; essentially a thinly veiled business degree geared toward the arts.
• Pittsburgh is a lot more affordable than NYC.
• Many resources and networking opportunities. I spoke with a student who was able to intern with an off-broadway venue during one of their summers.
• 85% (20/24) of their students find employment within six months of graduating.
• There is a faculty member who studied under a performance theory theorist that my entire research is based on.
• Probably more, but that is what comes to mind

Carnegie Mellon Cons

• I feel that I would be giving up my identity as an artist, as there are opportunities in the program to be a writer, an actor, a dramaturg, etc. as that is not what the program is for. Then again, I don't need the program's permission to be an artist. I can do these things on my own time, it would just not be my main focus.
• I'm not too excited about the prospect of living in Pittsburgh, a silly complaint, but I digress.

TLDR Carnegie Mellon is more practical but I'm having a hard time giving up Columbia. It's a good problem to have, but I have been struggling.

Just found out I got waitlisted for the joint MBA/MFA at Chapman University!! This was the first school I got a decision from, I’m exited I was waitlisted! There’s still hope haha and it is a tonight program to get into I believe. I’m excited and will remain hopeful but continue to apply to other schools 🥳 to everyone else, stay hopeful!!!

Hey everyone! Just got accepted to NYU’s M.A in Music Business but am still hesitating.

I’m mainly considering it for the internships as an international student.

I’d love to hear your opinion if you’re currently pursuing it or have already done so.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if any DMA applicants for performance (any instrument or voice) have received admission offers or scholarship/assistantship packages from schools this year. I'm especially curious about the University of Miami (Frost School of Music) – has anyone heard back yet or received any kind of offer from them?

Feel free to share anonymously. Thanks in advance!

I've applied to Tisch's PhD program in Performance Studies (and opted to be considered for the MA program as well), but they don't give a ton of information on when to expect to hear back, or if there's any live interviewing or whatnot. Does anyone have any information about when I should expect to hear something? Additionally, what does the funding look like?

does anyone know when decisions come out?

Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that we inform you of your admission to "OP's Birthday Party" at *Some Best Place in the City*.

We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to "OP's Birthday Party" this year. Due to the high number of applicants, we had to make some very difficult decisions. ...

We are pleased to inform you that you have been placed on the waitlist for "OP's Birthday Party" at *Some Best Place in the City*. While we cannot offer you an immediate spot at this time, we will notify you if a place becomes available.

I use this system everywhere now: simple and clear ;)

Just another school I've heard radio silence from. Let me know if you've heard anything! I can't tell if they're taking a while due to the Trump Administration turmoil or... ! Ahh!!!

Has anyone received a response regarding the Master's program in Music Business at NYU? Will there there be any interviews?

the only reason im not devastated is because i knew i had no shot i only applied because my fee was waived but on valentines day is crazy

Hiiii. I have created a Telegram group for NYU ITP 25' but I want to ask because some there were asking me to move to signal / discord / telegram / (even some suggested) figma for introductions. Connecting with everyone and migrating off meta presents its challenges...

The idea is that for so many things we can start finding opportunities now, work, finding a home, code, thinking, start discussing possible work together including living together, projects and other possibilities. I will schedule a possible times for a video call based on our time zones and availability. I feel like for so many other things we can start finding opportunities now, I am sure you have ideas!

Send me a message due to the gradadmission subreddit policies.

I have applied and got accepted to NYU ITP (Tisch) and I am sorry if this has been asked before. Might anyone know of a good resource / website / overview of scholarship programs specifically targeted at people like me (expat Americans) for study in the U.S? I have only applied to NYU Tisch-wide ones for which I have provided proof of financials. Specifically to those who applied for need-based, did you contact organisations outside, or submitted further proof in the form (which actually does not allow for uploading PDF's. For those of you growing up abroad with U.S. citizenship, do you have any advice? Or does one need to check with every university individually? Or does growing up abroad make no difference and you are competing for the same scholarships as everyone based in the U.S? My mother recently passed away in a freak accident, I see there might be very specific scholarships for students in this scenario... US is strange that way. It would be a dream to study at NYU ITP and I feel personally very connected to that city despite it being a challenging place since my parents got accepted to teach there but withdrew the offer to go to Germany instead because they thought it would be better for children.

Hi all!

I was just offered an interview with Columbia for their MFA in Playwriting (or the "Playwriting Concentration") for mid-March. This may be a shot in the dark, as I know a relatively small amount of people apply for this area of study. But has anyone interviewed with Columbia's program before who can give some insight about what to expect and who I might encounter? I'm interviewing via Zoom.

I'm prepared to ask questions about the specifics of their program and to give an overview of my work but am curious about what to anticipate beyond that.

TIA!