VanderCook College of Music
How to Apply
Undergraduate Application Procedure
Students considering enrollment in VanderCook’s undergraduate programs should contact the Admissions Office. Our admissions personnel are trained to assist you in completing your application and answering your questions about VCM. Campus tours, interviews, and auditions may be arranged at most times throughout the year. We operate on a rolling admissions basis; however, there are firm deadlines to keep in mind for priority scholarship consideration, and the final day to apply for fall admission is August 1. Applicants for undergraduate programs should complete the following steps:
- Complete the Undergraduate Online Application. Please refer to the Admission Requirements page for details about completing your application.
- Submit required materials.
- $40.00 non-refundable application fee
- Official High School Transcript or GED certificate
- Written essay (writing prompts are included in the guidelines within the application)
- Test Optional – ACT or SAT accepted, not required
- Audition & Interview – (in-person or online) – see audition requirements. Contact the Admissions Office at 312.788.1120 to schedule an audition and interview.
Applicants are notified via email once their application is complete and ready for review. A decision will be posted within two – three weeks of a completed application notification.
Students accepted into the College must submit a tuition deposit of $100 by May 1 (or December 1 if beginning study in the spring semester) to indicate their intent to enroll at VanderCook College of Music. This deposit is non-refundable.
Deadlines:
All required materials must be received by the Admissions Office no later than the following deadlines:
- March 1st: Undergraduate application due for priority scholarship consideration
- May 1st: Deposit for fall semester due
- August 1st: Final rolling acceptance deadline
VanderCook Scholars Timeline
High school seniors looking to turn their passion for music into a career may be eligible for the VanderCook Scholars Program. A student who is accepted into the VanderCook Scholars Program will receive a four-year FREE tuition scholarship. To be eligible, candidates must be accepted into the Bachelor of Music Education Program and attend VCM as a full-time student for four years.
Tuition will be paid in full after Federal and State grants and/or scholarships are applied (e.g. PELL, MAP, MTI, Golden Apple, etc). Scholarship recipients are responsible for housing expenses and fees normally associated with the cost of attendance.
