Apply for Undergraduate Admission

Complete the following two steps:

 

Application Fees & Fee Waivers

  • U-M Common Application: $75
  • Artistic Profile: $45
    • Contact SMTD Admissions to request a fee waiver for the Artistic Profile, including specifically which of the below conditions you meet along with documentation (if available), prior to submitting the fee. Fee waivers will be granted to applicants who qualify for any of the following:
      • Common Application fee waiver
      • ACT or SAT fee waiver
      • Any government financial assistance programs (such as SNAP or free/reduced price school lunch)

All fees are non-refundable and payable by card only.

Applying to Multiple Degrees or Dual Degrees

It is possible to apply to a double major within SMTD or a dual degree with SMTD and another area at U-M. Admissions processes for doing each of these is outlined below.

Double Major

It is possible to apply to a double major within SMTD or a dual degree with SMTD and another area at U-M. Admissions processes for doing each of these is outlined below.

A double major is when a student has two majors within SMTD, such as Performance and Music Education. Students are welcome to apply to more than one major within SMTD, but we do not encourage students to apply to multiple majors with the purpose of increasing their chances of admission.

To apply to more than one major within SMTD, you can select up to two programs on a single Common Application(to apply for more than two you must contact SMTD Admissions via email at [email protected]). You will also need to submit a separate Artistic Profile for each major to which you are applying–applications without a corresponding Artistic Profile will be considered incomplete.

Dual Degree

Dual Degree programs involve a student pursuing two degrees: one at SMTD and one at another U-M college, such as the College of Literature, Science & the Arts (LSA), the College of Engineering, or the Ross School of Business (for example, majoring in Performance at SMTD and Neuroscience at LSA). Around 20 percent of SMTD undergraduates are enrolled in dual degree programs and we generally advise that it will take 4.5 or 5 years to complete.

To apply for a dual degree program, select “SMTD Dual Applicant” on the Common Applicationalong with the other U-M school or college. Be sure to check with each school to see if there are other requirements, such a s a supplemental application or portfolio. The admissions process at each school is completely separate and one school’s admissions decision does not affect the the other. SMTD admission comes with admission to U-M, regardless of the admissions decision at the other school or college. If you only see the dual degree option on your Common Application and are not planning to apply for a dual degree, you need to change your admission timeline from “Early Action” to “Regular Decision.” 

Early Action & Early Admission

U-M does not participate in Early Decision. While some other schools and colleges at U-M have Early Action consideration, SMTD does not participate in Early Action. Dual Degree applicants to SMTD and one of the participating U-M schools or colleges may elect to be considered under Early Action for the other school/college, but the admissions timeline for SMTD will not change.  If you only see the dual degree option on your Common Application and are not planning to apply for a dual degree, you need to change your admission timeline from “Early Action” to “Regular Decision.” 

Term of Admission

SMTD applicants typically apply for the Fall term, with possible openings in Winter term for our certain programs. Programs accepting Winter term applications this year are listed on the Admission Guidelines page.

We do not accept undergraduate applications to begin study in Spring or Summer terms.

 

Helpful Hints

Apply early

Auditions and interviews are scheduled after a successful review of an applicant’s complete application materials, no later than the application deadline. All audition invitations will be sent via email on a rolling basis.

Submit all required materials

Where requested, upload all materials to the Common Application or to your Artistic Profile. Submit official transcripts and test scores (if taken) directly to the U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected]. Double-check the Online Application Materials and Artistic Profile Materials menus below for a list of all the requirements. Check your application status on Enrollment Connect.

Help filling out the Common Application

Here is a reference guide that will hopefully be of use: Common App Tips & Tricks.

Online Application Materials

Please submit the following information via the Common Application.  If you are a current University of Michigan student please fill out the Cross-Campus Transfer Application.

First Year Applicants

All Undergraduate applicants are required to complete the Common Application, including the U-M supplement. In addition, please submit the following required documents; all materials must be received in our office by the December 1 deadline:

  • Your high school transcript—If you have taken courses at a non-U.S. high school, an official English translation is required to accompany the non-English language transcript.
  • A school report—The school report must be returned with your official high school transcript. We strongly encourage high school counselors to fill out this form via the Common Application and submit the transcript electronically.
  • One counselor recommendation letter (via the Common Application)
  • One additional recommendation letter (via the Common Application)
    • This letter cannot come from someone who is related to the applicant. It can be the same as the artistic recommendation letter submitted in the Artistic Profile.
  • Essays—Read more here about the essays U-M requires on the Common Application. Additional essays may be required by your SMTD program of interest, which are submitted via the Artistic Profile. Prompts are listed on the pre-screening/portfolios page.
  • SAT or ACT scores—Effective for the 2025 application cycle, beginning with the application for the winter 2025 term (if applicable), U-M will be test-optional. Prospective students have the choice to submit standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), if they desire, as part of their application. Other test scores (AP, IB, PSAT), which applicants may have available, will no longer be considered in their place. The university will review the policy on an ongoing basis. If you took the SAT and/or ACT tests, scores can be sent directly from the testing agency or self-reported. Please plan ahead—rush paper scores are not accepted. If you want to report your scores to the University of Michigan, you may request your scores to be sent online:
    • ACT (U-M code is 2062)
    • SAT (U-M code is 1839)
  • If you are a homeschooled or online high school student, refer to the page for homeschooled and online high school students to see your additional requirements.
  • TOEFL, MET, ECPE, or IELTS scores (for non-native speakers of English). Refer to the International Admissions page for more information on English language testing.
  • SMTD Artistic Profile (more below)

The University strongly prefers all documents be submitted electronically to [email protected]. However if you need to submit physical copies please mail them to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at:

U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions
515 East Jefferson Street
1220 Student Activities Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316

Transfer Applicants

All transfer applicants must complete the Common Application, including the U-M supplement. In addition, please submit the following:

  • A final high school transcript showing diploma earned and graduation date.
  • Registrar’s Report—The University of Michigan does not require the registrar’s report for transfer applicants. However, the Common Application will request the name of your college/university registrar or appropriate dean/college official who can verify your enrollment and academic standing.
  • College transcripts showing any college coursework in progress and/or all college coursework completed. Submit your official college transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions electronically at [email protected].
    • If you are a first-semester college student and do not have college course grades by the December 1 application deadline, provide an unofficial transcript showing your current college course enrollment in your Artistic Profile, send a final high school transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, then as soon as your grades are finalized have your college send a transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Be advised that we may not be able to send you an audition invitation until after the college transcript with grades has been processed.
      The University strongly prefers all documents be submitted electronically to [email protected]. However if you need to submit physical copies please mail them to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at:

      U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions
      515 East Jefferson Street
      1220 Student Activities Building
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316

  • non-artistic teacher recommendation is optional unless requested.

In addition, please visit our Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information about transfer credit.

Artistic Profile Materials

Uploading Media to the Artistic Profile

Although we will accept single file uploads, separate tracks are preferred by the faculty and will upload faster. All recordings should be unedited.  Recommendations for making recordings.

 

Headshot

Please include a recent photograph or headshot.

  • If you have a professional headshot such as a senior photo or resumé headshot, submit it in your Artistic Profile.
  • If not, please take a photo of yourself in good lighting and submit it in your Artistic Profile. This will not negatively impact the evaluation of your application.

Artistic Resumé

An artistic resumé is a great way to tell us a lot about your background. Include the items below so we get a full and accurate picture of your previous training and experience going no farther back than the 9th grade.

General Information to Include

  • Your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, U-M ID number (if known), and the program(s) to which you are applying.
  • A list of activities and awards related to academics, athletics, or leadership within your school or community, any community service in which you have participated, and a list of any work experience you have had while in school.

Arts Specific Information to Include

  • Dance Applicants
    • All dance training you have undertaken including years of study in particular styles, teachers or studios, and any intensive summer workshops or institutes.
    • All roles or company experience including school, community, or professional dance organizations.
    • Awards or recognition you have received based on your dancing including school, local, state, and national level awards.
    • All experience in acting or music including musical and non-musical theatre, participation in music organizations (bands, choirs, or orchestras), and any formal training in voice or other instruments.
    • Related experience such as choreography, teaching, gymnastics, or community service arts programs that you feel completes the picture of you as a dancer.
  • Music Applicants
    • The name(s) of your current and most recent private teachers. Include the dates you studied with them, and their contact information, if known.
    • A list of all music organizations with which you perform, and the dates of your participation. This can include school ensembles, youth organizations, and ad hoc ensembles you formed yourself.
    • A list of any music competitions in which you participated and all related awards or recognition you have received while in high school. This can include school, local, state, and national level awards.
    • A list of any related experience, such as ensemble officer or manager, teaching, theatre or dance experience, or community service arts programs that you feel completes the picture of you as a musician.
    • Applicants to Performing Arts Technology should also list the following:
      • All mathematics and computer science courses taken.
      • A comprehensive list of all software and hardware skills.
      • Any experience in sound recording.
  • Theatre & Musical Theatre Applicants
    • All roles you have had and the production company for which you performed. Include both musical and non-musical theatre, film or television experience, and other related theatre activities. Include all school, community, and professional theatre experience.
    • Any technical theatre experience, including directing. For students interested in performance, this can be a simple list of activities. Students interested in directing or design and production should include a comprehensive list of these activities.
    • All formal training in acting, dance, or music. Include particular years of classes and styles of dance studied, years of training in voice and/or other instruments, and acting classes or workshops. Include the names of teachers with whom you have worked and the dates you studied with them.
    • Related experience such as playwriting, production work, teaching, or community service theatre that you feel completes the picture of you as a theatrical person.

Repertoire List for Music Applicants

All applicants to music programs (not including Musical Theatre) are required to submit a comprehensive list of repertoire studied on their principal instrument or voice. This is optional for those applying to the BFA in Performing Arts Technology or the BS in Sound Engineering.

A repertoire list is a complete list of the musical works you have studied and/or performed on your principal instrument, which allows us to see the array of music you’ve studied so far. This list is different from the list of repertoire you will bring to the audition. Include the following information on your comprehensive repertoire list:

  • All major works you have studied on your principal instrument listed in alphabetical order by composer. You may also include any major works you have studied on a secondary or related instrument. Include ensemble pieces in which you had featured solos. Label those pieces you have performed from memory with “M” following the title, and “P” if you performed the piece in public.
  • Focus on those pieces studied during high school and college (when applicable), although you may include earlier works if they represent significant milestones in your artistic development.

Recommendation Letters

New first-year applicants are expected to provide contact information for the following recommenders:

  1. A high school counselor (via the Common Application)
  2. A second recommendation letter from a non-relative, preferably someone who has been an instructor of some kind (via the Common Application)
  3. An artistic instructor (via the Artistic Profile)
    • This recommender can fulfill both the second Common App recommendation letter and the Artistic Profile artistic recommendation letter. We ask that they upload their letter to both applications so that it can be read by all relevant staff and/or faculty evaluators. Artistic recommendations, as with Common Application letters, must be from non-relatives.

Artistic recommendation information—You are required to provide the name and email address for a teacher in an appropriate arts area who will submit a recommendation through your Artistic Profile. Only one letter is required although you may choose up to three.

Hard copy recommendation letters–Recommenders may elect to submit hard copies of their letter rather than submitting electronically. Artistic recommenders should use the Undergraduate Arts-Related Recommendation Form and mail their letter to SMTD Admissions. High school counselor and non-artistic teacher recommendations should be mailed directly to the U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Be sure your recommender includes your full name and the program(s) to which you’re applying.

Audition Date & Studio Preferences

Audition date preferences—After advancing to the virtual audition/interview stage of the application process (see your program’s pre-screening and audition requirements for details), you will be asked to select an audition/interview date. More information will be released as we continue working with faculty to determine the logistics.

Studio teacher preferences—Applicants applying to certain music programs will be asked to note their first, second, and third studio preferences (if known). Faculty bios & information may be found on our Faculty & Staff Directory.

Prescreening, Portfolios & Recorded Auditions

For details on the pre-screening or portfolio requirements for your program of interest, please see the Auditions & Interviews section.

Uploading Media to the Artistic Profile

Although we will accept single file uploads, separate tracks are preferred by the faculty and will upload faster. All recordings should be unedited. Recommendations for making recordings.

File Formats

The following file formats are accepted:

The following file formats are accepted:

Audio: aac, aif, aiff, iff, fla, m4a, mpa, mp3, ra, wav, wma
Video: avi, flv, m1v, m2v, m4v, mkv, mov*, mpeg, mpg, mp4, webm, wmv
Document: doc, docx, odg, odp, odt, pdf, ppt, pptx, rtf, wpd
Image: jpeg, png, gif, jpg

Individual files can be as large as 5GB, but keep in mind that larger files may take some time to upload.

*.mov files may not upload correctly if taken on the latest iPhone. We recommend converting these files to .mp4 if you are encountering post-processing issues.

What does unedited mean?

Unedited means that the recordings have not received any sort of ‘enhancement’.

Allowable Edits

  • Global adjustment of balance or levels (to ensure that the volume is acceptable and that the stereo is balanced).
  • Trimming the start or end of a recording to remove pauses.
  • For videos, adjustment to the image quality–color correction, white balance correction, and image stabilization–are all acceptable.

Not Allowed (not applicable to Composition portfolio submissions; Composition applicants may disregard)

  • Reverb, chorus, auto-tune, rhythm correction, or any other effects.
  • Any sort of splicing.

Troubleshooting

For technical support with your Artistic Profile, please email [email protected].

Waiting for a Decision

Admission to all undergraduate programs at SMTD requires both a successful academic review and completion of an audition, interview, or portfolio review. All application materials will be considered in the final decision. Our decisions are typically released in the first two weeks of March.

Application & Audition Feedback Policy

The staff of the Admissions Office and the faculty do not provide individual application or audition feedback. We ask your understanding and thank you in advance.

Questions?