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McGill.CA / MUSIC / Programs / Music Theory; Ph.D. / Admissions

Music Theory; Ph.D.

 Admissions
Apply in 5 Steps: Music Theory Ph.D.
Apply in 5 Steps
Already prepared? Go straight to uApply, the online application form.
After you Apply: Next Steps

Program Milestones
Step 1: Connect
Requirements and Courses
Contact Prof. Edward Klorman for more information about the program or email our admissions staff for help
Comprehensive Exams
applying.

Visit us or talk with our student ambassadors anytime about the university and student life in Montreal.
Thesis

Doctoral Colloquium
1a. Find a supervisor
Explore Music Theory faculty profiles to find a supervisor before applying. Depending on your interests, you might
want to explore profiles in other areas too. Once you've found someone with whom you are interested in working,
contact them to discuss your research interests.

You can find tips about connecting with a supervisor on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) website.

1b. Bookmark admission dates and deadlines

Application opens Deadline to apply for fall admission Admission decisions sent to applicants

September 15 December 1 (all applicants) February to March

If you've missed the deadline, email our admissions staff. Late applications may be cancelled without refund and
may not be considered for entrance scholarships/financial aid.

1c. Meet minimum admission requirements

Acceptance into this program is competitive and the final admissions decision rests with the Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies Office. To be considered, you should have:

A master's degree in music theory, or its equivalent, from a university recognized by McGill.

A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a grade point average (GPA)
of 3.2 out of 4.0 in your last two years of full-time studies.

Proficiency in English, the primary language of instruction at McGill.

Step 2: Check costs and funding options

Find out about funding and financial aid opportunities, cost of living and tuition fees.

Step 3: Prepare application materials

You will need to submit the following when you apply:

1. Online uApply application and application fee.

2. Transcripts from each college/university-level institution that you have attended.

3. Two letters of recommendation (if you are currently a McGill student, you are exempt).

4. Personal statement: Describe your reasons for applying to the Music Theory Ph.D. program at McGill
University. Include qualifications, qualities or circumstances that are significant. Outline your educational and
professional goals, your expectations of the program and your perception of your own strengths and weaknesses
(PDF format, maximum size 5 MB).

5. Research proposal: Outline the research path(s) you want to pursue during this program (2 pages, PDF
format, maximum size 8 MB).

6. Curriculum Vitae (CV): An overview of your experience and other qualifications, including employment,
academic credentials, publications, honours, awards, contributions and significant achievements (PDF format,
maximum size 5 MB).

7. Thesis summary/abstract, if you have completed or are completing a Master's thesis (PDF format,
maximum size 2 MB).

8. Your supervisor preference.

9. Proof of English language proficiency, if required.

10. Samples of most advanced work in harmony (e.g., model tonal composition, melody harmonization,
figured-bass realization), and counterpoint (e.g., invention, fugue exposition or other composition). Combine
essays into one file and upload to Writing Sample in your application (PDF format, maximum 8 MB).

11. Two recent analyses (one treating a tonal work and one a post-tonal work). Combine analyses into one file
and upload to Music Theory Analyses in your application (PDF format, maximum 12 MB).

12. One essay (in English or French) on a music history topic. Upload to Written Work in your application (PDF
format, maximum 8 MB).

13. If Schenkerian techniques have been studied, one analytic study that includes voice-leading graphs. Upload
to Music Theory Analytical Study in your application (PDF format, maximum 10 MB).

14. An interview (campus or via Skype) may be requested.

Step 4: Apply online

1. Get your supporting materials together. You will need to upload them by December 1st, right after you've
submitted your application.

2. If this is your first time using uApply (McGill's online application form), create an account. You will be given a
username and password for future use.

3. Complete the admission application in uApply. During this stage, provide the names and valid
institutional email addresses of the people providing your letters of recommendation. McGill will contact
them directly.

4. Pay the non-refundable application fee of $110.29 online. After this, you will get an email confirming that you
have successfully applied and that you can upload your supporting materials.

5. Upload your supporting material to uApply.

6. Arrange for submission of proof of English language proficiency to McGill, if required.

Step 5: Accept
Already applied and trying to track your application status? Newly admitted? Take the next steps.

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