9. Recruiting Resources
Prospective Freshmen and Transfer Student Recruiting Schedule
August 1
- Baylor University Application opens
- Can apply through CommonApp, or apply.baylor.edu
- School of Music Application Opens
- BearID (first_last#) must be obtained by starting a University application before students can start a SoM application
Late October
- Undergraduate Admissions begins admitting students.
November 1
- For maximum scholarship opportunities including University Academic Awards, Invitation to Excellence, grants and assistance, etc., students are encouraged to complete their University applications by the priority deadline of November 1.
- Non-Binding Deadline - undergraduate applicants who submit their Baylor University application and all supporting materials by Nov. 1 will receive an admissions decision by February 1st. Note: a majority of the incoming class applies before Nov. 1
- Early Decision Deadline - A binding agreement in which undergraduate applicants commit (by the November 1 deadline) to attending Baylor if accepted. These students will receive an admissions decision by December 15
November 15
- Transfer Student Spring Admission Deadline
- Transfer students should submit their university application by this date.
December 1
- Prescreen Deadline for Trumpet
December 15
- Admission Decisions made for Early Decision
January/February
- Audition Season (4-6 auditions/season)
- Admission Decisions made for Non-Binding Baylor University Freshmen Application Deadline - Any incoming freshmen interested in attending Baylor should apply to the university no later than February 1.
- Priority deadline for FAFSA results to be sent to Baylor University. Students who submit on or before Feb. 1 have a higher chance of receiving a suitable award package.
February 15
- School of Music Application Deadline - All incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate music applications must be submitted via Acceptd by February 15. If you are submitting a recorded audition, it must also be uploaded to your Acceptd application by this date.
Late February
- Audition Season ends.
Mid-March
- Incoming students begin receiving scholarship offers from the School of Music.
Spring Semester
- Financial Aid notification is sent to applicants who completed and submitted the Non-Binding application, FAFSA, and CSS Profile by November 1Financial Aid notification is sent to applicants who completed and submitted the Regular Admission application, FAFSA, and CSS Profile by February 1
May 1
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline - All incoming freshman who have chosen to attend Baylor University must submit their $500 enrollment deposit before 5:00 p.m. CST on May 1. Deposit is non-refundable.
Early May
- Students begin taking online Theory, Musicianship, and Piano placement exams coordinated by Ed Taylor and Michael Clark.
Late -May
- Advising and Registration begins through Zoom meetings
June/July
- Freshman Orientation and Line Camp
June 1
- Transfer application deadline. All incoming transfer students interested in attending Baylor in the fall should plan to apply to the university no later than June 1.
Year Round
- Graduate School applications are available year-round.
- Note: students who wish to begin study in the fall must submit their materials to the graduate school by February 15.
August 1
- School of Music Application Opens
- Note: Starting with the 2026-27 school year, graduate applicants will only be required to submit one BU and SoM application through Slate. Accept’d will remain in use for undergraduate applicants.
October 15
- Graduate applicant “Spring” deadline for those wanting to begin school in the Spring (January rather than August).
December 1
- Conducting faculty will begin reviewing MM Conducting applications. Based on the conducting videos (conducting an ensemble in rehearsal and performance) submitted via the School of Music Application, conducting faculty will extend invitations for on-campus auditions. After the in-person round of auditions, a final selection of candidates will be made for admission and assistantships.
- Graduate Percussion Prescreen Deadline
January/February
- Audition Season (4-6 auditions/season)
February 15
- School of Music Application Deadline - All incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate music applications must be submitted via Acceptd by February 15. If you are submitting a recorded audition, it must also be uploaded by this date.
- Priority deadline for FAFSA results to be sent to Baylor University. Students who submit on or before Feb. 1 have a higher chance of receiving a suitable award package.
February 15
- Graduate School Application Deadline (for those wishing to begin study in the fall)
Mid- February
- MM Conducting applicants who passed the prescreening round are invited to an in-person conducting “audition” that the conducting faculty coordinate.
Late February
- Audition season ends.
Early March
- Incoming students begin receiving scholarship offers from the School of Music.
April 15
- Because Baylor is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), students have an opportunity to consider more than one offer and have until April 15th to do so - any offer acceptance after April 15 is binding.
- Graduate applicant "Summer" deadline for those wanting to begin school in the Summer (May rather than August).
9.3.1 Bear Shadow
Bear Shadow is an event in which prospective students can be a “Baylor music major for a day” by attending academic music classes, observing ensemble rehearsals, and meeting with esteemed faculty and current students. Prospective students are paired with a School of Music student ambassador at the beginning of the day and attend all classes, rehearsals, lessons, and meals until their guardian picks them up at the end of the day. Bear Shadow dates are posted on the music website under “Youth Camps and Programs”.
BearShadow | School of Music | Baylor University
9.3.2 Bear Bands
Each year the Golden Wave Band accepts high school juniors/seniors to be a part of the exciting game-day atmosphere at McLane Stadium!
The schedule includes meeting the band for a rehearsal four hours prior to kick-off. Participants will meet our designated staff and receive a t-shirt and instructions for the day's activities. Participants will meet members of the Golden Wave within their instrument section, eat a game-day meal with the band, gain entry into the game, and play their instruments in the stands with the band. Students will need to bring their personal instruments to participate (we do not provide instruments).
Please see the Appendix for recruitment posters and flyers for prospective students. Acceptd training can be found at this link: https://baylor.box.com/s/vfm6j5kw9cck9xzreca1bzrro8e1tyrl.
Scholarship Universe is a helpful resource to connect Baylor current and admitted prospective students to millions of dollars in outside scholarship opportunities. Students can create and access their account today and start answering questions in a personal questionnaire. Based on their answers they will be matched with outside scholarship opportunities in the database tailored to their talents and specific criteria. Note: School of Music Awards are only offered at the time of matriculation, by audition.