common app tips & tricks

of 13

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance presents the

Common Application Tips & Tricks A guide for completing the Common Application for the University of Michigan

How to Begin Step 1: Go to www.commonapp.org (If you are already enrolled at the University of Michigan and will apply as a Cross Campus Transfer, you will need to fill out the Cross Campus Transfer application.) Step 2: Login! First time users need to register for a new account by clicking the “Never Registered?” link. You will be directed to a Registration page where you will create an account. The Registration page is where you will tell us who you are and whether you are applying as a First-‐Year student (incoming freshman) or a Transfer student. Once you have created your account, go back to the Common Application homepage and enter the User Name and Password you just created.

of 13

Selecting the University of Michigan

Step 1: After you’ve logged in, add the University of Michigan to your “My Colleges” list. Simply search for the school by name and Click “QuickAdd.” Or Click “Search for Colleges” and proceed to Step 2. Step 2: University of Michigan should display for School or City Name. Click “Search.”

of 13

Step 3: Select the checkbox for University of Michigan and Click “Add”

Result: The University of Michigan is now added to your list of colleges on the home screen.

You may now begin filling out your application!

of 13

Completing the Application There are 2 parts to the Common Application for the University of Michigan, both of which are required to complete the application process:

1) The first part is the Common Application. This includes questions that collect personal data, contact information, education, demographics, family background, academics, activities, and two essay questions. In addition to submitting this information to the University of Michigan, the Common Application will also submit this “common” data to any other institutions you may choose.

2) The second part you must complete is the University of Michigan Supplement, which collects additional personal

and family data, two additional essay responses, the School or College to which you are applying, and your intended term of enrollment. If you are applying to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, you will also indicate your choice of program major, 1st & 2nd choice of audition dates, audition repertoire selections, resume, repertoire list, and the name of your music/arts-‐related teacher recommender.

Completing the Common Application Step 1: Future Plans In the Future Plans section of the Common Application, the first question you encounter is “Term Decision and Plan”. Notice there are only two options: “Fall 2013” and “Spring 2013”.

Spring 2013 If you want to begin your college studies in January, choose Spring 2013.

of 13

Fall 2013 If you want to begin your college studies in September, choose Fall 2013. Early Action As an applicant to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), you should only select this option if you are applying as a dual degree applicant to the SMTD and another UM school or college (LSA or Engineering). Although the School of Music, Theatre & Dance DOES NOT offer Early Action for its programs, you may still be considered for Early Action for LSA or Engineering if you complete your application by Nov. 1st. Please see Completing the University of Michigan Supplement on Page 10 of this document for more information about applying as a dual-‐degree applicant. Rolling Admission If you are applying ONLY to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance for Fall 2013 consideration, you should select the “Rolling” option. PLEASE NOTE: The deadline listed here for Rolling Admission DOES NOT apply to School of Music, Theatre & Dance applicants! In most cases the deadline for SMTD programs is December 1; please check our website for deadlines listed by program.

Step 2: Completing the remainder of the Common Application Continue to fill out the rest of the Common Application. These sections should be straightforward, but you may always check a page by clicking “Save & Check for Errors” at any time. The application will also prompt you to complete any errors before you complete the final step (signature page).

of 13

Inviting Your Recommenders You are required to invite three recommenders to submit a letter of recommendation before you may submit the Common Application.

Step 1: Click on the “School Forms” link shown below. Note: You will need to complete the Release Authorization before you can proceed. Step 2: Select the type of recommender (counselor or teacher). Select “Teacher” for your Music/Arts-‐related teacher recommender.

When you click “Send Invitation” your recommender will receive an email from the Common Application with options of how to proceed.

of 13

Submitting Recommendations To the applicant: This information may be helpful if your recommenders have any questions. Recommenders have two options for submitting their recommendations: 1.) Submit online through the Common Application – Your recommender will be notified by Email with the address you

designate on your Common Application. Please note: your recommender must be affiliated with a secondary school in order to use the online system!

2.) Your music or arts-‐related recommender may choose to opt out of the online process when he or she receives the

Email invitation from Common Application. Your recommender may complete the Common App Teacher Evaluation Form or simply submit a personal letter without the form. Either will do!

For faster processing, have your music or arts-‐related teacher include your full name and UMID on the recommendation and send the recommendation directly to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Via Email: [email protected]

Or hard copy: School of Music, Theatre & Dance Office of Admissions and Student Services University of Michigan 2290 Moore Bldg 1100 Baits Dr Ann Arbor, MI 48109-‐2085

of 13

Completing the University of Michigan Supplement

The University of Michigan Supplement is part two of your application. Access the Supplement either by clicking the “Supplement” tab on the left column or the Supplements link within the University of Michigan box on your home screen.

Step 1: Click ‘Continue’ to open the University of Michigan supplement.

of 13

Step 2: Complete the

personal information and other intro sections of the Supplement.

of 13

Note: Pay special attention to the “Plan of Study” section, which is where you need to indicate the school or college within the University of Michigan to which you are applying.

Step 3: There are three options if you are interested in being considered for a program within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance:

1.) School of Music, Theatre & Dance – Select this option if you are interested in being considered for only programs in music, dance, musical theatre or theatre.

2.) School of Music,

Theatre & Dance Dual Applicant – Select this option if you would like to be considered for an SMTD program and the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) or the College of Engineering.

3.) School of Art and Design Dual Applicant – Select this option if you would like to be considered for an SMTD program and the School of Art and Design

FYI: Liberal arts courses can, and will, be a part of all SMTD degree programs. You are not required to apply to LSA to be eligible to take liberal arts courses.

of 13

Step 4: Decision Plan If you have selected the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, your only option for “Decision Plan” is Regular Decision. Don’t forget, December 1 is the application deadline, not February 1! If you are applying as a School of Music, Theatre & Dance Dual Applicant, your only option for “Decision Plan” is also Regular Decision. Rest assured, if you are hoping to be considered for Early Action to LSA or Engineering, you simply need to complete your application by the November 1 Early Action deadline, and you will receive a decision on your LSA or Engineering application by Dec. 23rd.

Step 5: Select the program(s) within the SMTD to which you would like to apply.

Step 6: The Ross School of Business and the School of Information offer Preferred Admission, which is a way for those Schools to reserve places in the program for competitive applicants. If you would eventually like to obtain a degree from the Ross School of Business or School of Information, choose “yes” at the next question.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

of 13

Step 7: If you are applying as a School of Music, Theatre & Dance Dual applicant, the final question in the “Plan of Study” section allows you to select LSA or Engineering for your dual degree program.

Or

If you are applying as a School of Art and Design Dual applicant, the final question allows you to select Music for your dual degree program.

You’re almost there!

of 13

Note: In this very important section you will indicate your intentions for completing your audition/interview and submit the required Resume and Repertoire List. Please refer to our website to confirm the Audition/Interview dates and requirements for the program to which you are applying: http://www.music.umich.edu/prospective_students/admissions/ug/auditions.htm

Step 8: Select the audition type, first and second preferences for Audition/Interview date and location, and list your audition repertoire. Note: Should your repertoire change, please send your updated selections to [email protected] Step 9: Upload your professional resume and a comprehensive repertoire list (if applicable) in the last 2 sections of the supplement. Make sure to check and repair any errors, and be sure to submit both the Common Application proper and the UM Supplement. You will receive an Email from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Michigan confirming receipt of your application. After all that hard work, we certainly look forward to receiving it!

Go Blue!

common app tips & tricks

Documents

common application step

university of michigan

common application tips

common application homepage

application process

common data

school of music

um school