Bienen School of Music BA App

I’m applying into Northwestern for my undergrad, and one of the audition requirements is a 5 page essay on a “musical topic” that interests me. Can anyone give insight on what is considered a “musical topic”? I’m applying for Music Cognition.

I’m also applying for the BA. I wrote about computer music for the 5 page essay, and I think the prompt simply wants us to show thinking and depth in what we are interested in. I’m more confused about the statement of purpose. Do you know what we should include in it?

Statement of purpose should be, I think, about your goals in study and career and how you plan to get there. But I could be wrong. I believe there are samples online, mostly for grad school though.

Lumivive, so you are applying to a music school for music cognition. Why are you applying to a conservatory, and why cognition? What are you interested in? The neuroscience aspects of music cognition? Electronics and computers? Theory and history of theory? Do you love early music? Popular music? The degree seems very multi-faceted (I looked it up) so where do you fit in a broad and diverse program?

Have you written papers on music before?

I am sure admissions would be happy to clarify the topic. It sounds a little confusing to me. Can you write on a very narrow topic? Are you supposed to indicate your area of interest or can it be about anything? And so on.

Good luck!