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Thank you for your interest in the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music! We are pleased you are applying and look forward to working with you throughout the application and audition process.
Please note that you may apply to the College of Arts and Sciences or to the Conservatory of Music, but not both. This is the application process for the Conservatory of Music ONLY. Before you begin the process, please review the definitions and timing information below.
Apply with the Wheaton College App Apply with the Common App
Definitions
- First-Year applicants (first-time, first-year) are those students who have not yet graduated from high school, regardless of the number of college credits earned, or those who have graduated but have not earned any post-high school college credit. College coursework is evaluated after acceptance.
- Transfer applicants are those who, at the time of application, have graduated from high school and subsequently earned credit at a higher education institution.
- International students: If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, please review the admissions process for International Students.
If you have already earned a Bachelor's degree, please contact the Admissions Office before applying.
Timing and Deadlines
| Application Type |
Application Deadline |
Interview Deadline |
Recorded Audition Deadline | Decision By |
Reply Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action I | October 15 | October 15 |
October 15 |
December 1 | May 1 |
Early Action II |
November 15 |
November 15 |
November 15 |
January 1 | May 1 |
| Regular Decision I | January 15 | January 15 | January 15 | March 1 | May 1 |
Regular Decision II |
February 15 |
February 15 |
February 15 |
April 1 | May 1 |
| Rolling Admission | N/A | N/A | N/A | Three Weeks Upon Completion of Application File | N/A |
| Fall Transfer | March 1 | March 1 | March 1 | April 1 |
May 1 |
Spring First-Year or Transfer |
October 1 |
October 1 |
October 1 |
November 1 |
December 1 |
*Contact the Admissions Office for more information at admissions@wheaton.edu or 1-800-222-2419.
Admissions decisions are given by secure admissions portal. We do not notify applicants of their decision in advance or over the phone. Please plan accordingly.
Steps to Apply
- Submit your Wheaton Application or the Common App.
- Complete the Faith Essay
The required faith essay will be available after you submit your application to Wheaton, as part of a checklist in your Admissions Portal. (If you use the Common App, the personal essay is a different item, with different prompts, and is not required for Wheaton applicants.) For your required faith essay, please choose one of the following prompts:
Essay Prompt #1
Wheaton College is recognized around the world for its commitment to preparing students to answer God’s call and advance Christ’s Kingdom across the globe. In answering God’s call today, we join the global church in representing Jesus Christ and honoring the image of God in people from diverse cultures and ethnicities.
Considering your own background and experiences, in what ways do you hope to learn from and contribute to the nationally and globally diverse community at Wheaton College, which is drawn from urban, suburban, and rural areas in the United States and abroad?Essay Prompt #2
At Wheaton College we encourage you to ask big questions and to search for truthful answers alongside trusted mentors and peers. We believe faith in Jesus Christ provides spiritual, intellectual, and social tools to pursue God's truth in every area of life.
What is one big question you hope to ask during college, and how do you see your time at Wheaton helping you to pursue the answer?
An audition is required for application to the Conservatory of Music and is used for scholarship consideration. To schedule your audition, you must have first submitted your application and then you may request an audition through your activated Application Portal.
We have removed the standardized test score requirement for first-year and transfer students applying for admission for Spring 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 entry. If you would like a standardized test score considered for admission, you can indicate this on your application. You can submit SAT, ACT, or CLT (Classical Learning Test) test scores. All test scores should be sent directly from the testing company to Wheaton College or included on your high school transcript.
Wheaton's Code Numbers
SAT: 1905
ACT: 1160
Superscores
Wheaton "superscores" the SAT, ACT, and CLT using the highest critical reading and math scores from any sitting of the SAT test, and calculating the highest composite ACT score using subscores from any sitting of the ACT test.
- High School Transcripts
Please request an official transcript from your high school. We accept official transcripts that are sent electronically (through an official transcript service), or by mail. The transcript should include grades earned, class rank (if available), and GPA. Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
Wheaton College Undergraduate Admissions
501 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
- High School Report (Optional)
The High School Report (PDF) is for first-year applicants only and is optional. It should be completed by the high school guidance office and submitted with your official transcript and school profile. Regular Action applicants need to send a 7th-semester-grade report or 7th-semester transcript. - Homeschool students
If you were homeschooled for any part of high school, submit the Homeschool Information Form with a transcript signed by a homeschool official. - Post-secondary transcripts
Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, whether or not credit was earned or grades were received. First-Year applicants who have taken or are taking college courses at a post-secondary institution should also submit transcripts. Post-secondary transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to the Wheaton College Admissions Office.
You will need three different recommendations, Academic, Pastoral, and Music Teacher. See the requirements below.
Academic Recommendation
A report from one of your core academic teachers (English, science, social science, math, or foreign language) is required. Homeschool students should refer to the academic recommendation form for further instructions. Transfers: Your academic recommendation should come from a college professor or advisor. However, current college first-year students may submit a recommendation from either a college professor or high school core-subject teacher. There are two options for completing this form:
- Online form: After starting your online application, you will have the option of sending an online recommendation form by email to the recommender you have chosen. From the "My Account" page of your online application account, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist, then follow the instructions for sending a recommendation request.
- Paper form: Complete Part I of the Academic Recommendation (PDF) and give it to your reference person. Ask that he or she send the form directly to the Admissions office or return the form to you in a signed and sealed envelope, which you will submit, unopened, with the other supporting documents for your application.
Christian Faith Reference
You can satisfy the Christian Faith reference requirement in either one of two ways:
- Submit a Christian Mentor recommendation letter from a pastor, youth leader, or Christian mentor (non-family members). After starting your online application, you will have the option of sending an online recommendation form by email to the recommender you have chosen. From the "My Account" page of your online application account, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist, then follow the instructions for sending a recommendation request. OR
- Interview by video or phone call with an Admissions Counselor and share more about your Christian faith. Set up an interview with an admissions counselor by emailing us.
Music Teacher Recommendation (primary instrument)
A recommendation letter from your music teacher is required. There are two options for completing this form:
- Online form: After starting your online application, you will have the option of sending an online recommendation form by email to the recommender you have chosen. From the "My Account" page of your online application account, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist, then follow the instructions for sending a recommendation request.
- Paper form: Complete part I of the Music Teacher Recommendation form (PDF) and give it to your reference person, requesting that he/she send the form directly to the Admissions Office or return it to you in a signed and sealed envelope, which you will submit, unopened, with the other supporting document for your application.
- Repertoire list
- Composition portfolio (composition majors only, see instructions)
- Recorded audition (if applicable; see instructions)
Interviews are an optional part of the application process that allow us to get to know applicants better. Appointments for on-campus and telephone interviews can be scheduled by calling the Visit Coordinator at 800.222.2419 x2. Students who are living outside the United States are welcome to schedule a Skype or phone interview. Please send a request for an international interview to admissions@wheaton.edu.
Note that this interview is separate from the audition you must complete when applying to the Conservatory of Music.
Please consult for instructions on how to apply for financial aid. Direct your questions to the Student Financial Services Office at 800.362.2674, or contact them via email. The priority processing deadline for financial aid is November 10 for First-Year Early Action and Spring applicants, January 22 for First-Year Regular Action applicants, and March 1 for Fall Transfer applicants.