The college and the Sonic Arts Center program have their own dedicated admissions procedures and application forms. You must be accepted to both the college and the Sonic Arts Center program to begin your studies. You should apply to the college and the Music and Audio Technology program at the same time to avoid any late admission issues with the college.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
We accept students into our program who are in any year of their undergraduate studies. We also accept students who have already completed a degree. For information on transferring credits, except for music and audio technology courses, please contact Melissa Odeon in the Dean of the Humanities and the Arts offices at: moden@ccny.cuny.edu.
The audio technology course sequence always starts in the Spring semester of the first year. In very rare cases we may be able to accommodate transfers into the Fall semester of the second year (skipping the first semester of audio technology courses). If students begin their studies in the Spring of their first year any audio technology transfer credits will be applied as electives. If students begin their studies in the Fall of their second year we will accept audio technology transfer credits equivalent to the two audio courses in the second semester of the first year. All other audio technology transfer credits will be applied as electives.
Registering for Harmony and Ear Training classes does not require a placement exam at this time. Please click the link below for instructions on how to determine where you should begin your Harmony and Ear Training sequence.
PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE
Theory and Musicianship
Qualified students must be able to write, sing, and recognize basic intervals, triads, scales/key signatures, and rhythm/time signatures.
Creative Musician
Our program requires students to create original music. Candidates must have some experience as an arranger and composer/song-writer in any style of music.
Audio Technology
This experience can be obtained through audio technology courses at an educational institution, internships, or through self initiated exposure to audio software, hardware, and practices.
Computers
Students must possess a basic background in computer technologies including an understanding of computer componenets (hard drive, RAM, ROM, etc.), operating system, file management, etc. Sonic Arts Center only uses Apple Computers.
APPLICATION DESCRIPTION
The application process consists of four basic components:
The Application Form, Transcripts, Evaluations, and Recorded Examples.
1. Application Form
Make sure that you fill out the Application Form completely. INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Applications must be emailed using the procedure found below.
2. Academic Transcript
Provide a copy of your academic records. High school seniors and high school graduates with less than two years of full time college credit should submit their high school transcript AND their college transcript(s) (when applicable). Candidates with at least two years of full time college experience should submit their college transcript(s). Transcripts can be unofficial or official. However, any transcript must be emailed as PDFs using the procedure found below. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD COPY TRANSCRIPTS.
3. Evaluations
A minimum of two evaluations must be provided. However, we will accept up to four evaluations. Evaluators must be teachers or mentors who have observed your work and can provide an accurate assessment of your skills. All evaluators must be provided the link outlined below in order to submit an Evaluation on your behalf. The evaluation letters should come from the following: an audio mentor/instructor, a music mentor/instructor, or a mentor/instructor who is familiar with your general abilities as a student/learner and your character. Click here for evaluation email information.
4. Recorded Examples
You must provide four recorded examples of your work. Your application will not be considered if it does not include four examples. Each example should be no longer than four minutes in length. Three of the four examples must showcase your original, creative, musical work. You should compose and arrange all of the musical elements on your own, and you should also be the primary audio technician for these examples. We want to know that you’ve had experience putting together a piece of music on your own. You can be the performer or use other musicians for these examples. The fourth example can also be of your original, creative musical work or it could focus on demonstrating your skills as a performer and/or audio engineer.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Sonic Arts Center is now accepting applications on a rolling basis. In short, we will review applications as we receive them. Candidates should expect to receive a decision from the Selection Committee within a few weeks after
a completed application is received. Candidates can apply for either Fall or Spring semester entry into the program. Make sure that you indicate on the application form the year and semester you are applying for.
SPRING APPLICATIONS:
We recommend you send your application to us sometime between October 1 and December 15. All Spring applications must be submitted by December 15. You should send your application to CUNY
no later than November 15th since their processing time is longer than ours.
FALL APPLICATIONS:
We recommend you send your application to us sometime between February 1 and July 15. All Fall applications must be submitted by July 15. You should send your application to CUNY no later than June 15 since their processing time is longer than ours.
CUNY APPLICATIONS:
The CUNY application priority deadlines are available
here. However, CUNY applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
ADOBE ACROBAT
Sonic Arts Application
Email Your Application
EMAIL YOUR TRANSCRIPTS
EValuator page info
PREPARING THE APPLICATION FORM
1. Install Adobe Acrobat
2. Download the Sonic Arts Application Form
3. Complete the Application
4. Save the completed Application Form as a PDF with this naming format:
“lastname_firstinitial_application.pdf“
– Example: “jones_d_application.pdf”
5. Email your application with “SAC Application – applicant’s last name“ in subject line.
PREPARING THE TRANSCRIPT(S)
1. Save your transcripts as PDF files with this naming format:
“lastname_firstinitial_transcript.pdf”
If you are providing more than one transcript add a number to the file name.
– Example: “jones_d_transcript.pdf” for each additional add a number “jones_d_transcript2.pdf“
2. Email your transcript file or files with “SAC Transcript – applicant’s last name“ in the subject line.
