Northwestern's Bienen School of Music. Music Composition and Early Decision

Looking for feedback about NW’s Bienen School of Music and Early Decision. Applying in Music Composition. Is there an advantage to applying ED for music at NW? My D is not applying to any music programs ED, but recently heard chances are better at ND if you go ED. She’s not ready to commit yet, and she’s still working on some music for her applications. Any experience with Bienen and ED to NW is much appreciated. Does anyone know how many composers Bienen admits a year?

The deadline for early decision audition registration was October 15, so I am confused. Did your daughter do that? It looks like there is no prescreening for composition. Is there an audition or interview? If not, then I guess that Oct. 15th date is irrelevant.

All I can find is the portfolio requirement, which for regular decision is Feb. 1, later than most- lots of time to prepare it! When is the portfolio due for early decision?

I would think that any benefit from applying early would be negated by the fact that she is 1) not ready to commit and 2) not finished putting together her best possible portfolio.

Doe she have live performances of her work? Any handwritten scores or Finale based on a handwritten score?

She is not applying ED, but we were just looking for feedback on whether or not there was an advantage to applying ED and how many of Bienen’s total composition students are accepted ED vs regular decision. We know this is a very specific question, but we thought we’d toss it out there to see if anyone knew the answer. She will have several live performance recordings of her pieces by December 1. NW also requires applicants to submit a school research paper (preferably on a music-related topic). Luckily, her junior theme was about music, so that was one less thing to do! Any information on the NW application/interview process for music composition applicants would be so appreciated.

My S had to audition on an instrument as a composer in 2009. No interview though. Back then they only admitted 2-3 composers, I believe. Not sure in those days they accepted ED composition applicants and the portfolio requirement was in December! So I guess everything has changed.

A little nitpicky, but your student may want to be aware of this when communicating with the university: It’s NU or Northwestern, not NW.