Home Page - University of Colorado Denver

MSRA Admission Components

:: Graduate Admissions Application – Parts I & II
:: In-State Tuition Classification Application
:: Official GRE scores
:: Transcripts
:: Letters of Recommendation
:: Application Essay
:: Resume
:: Portfolio
:: Application Fee

1.  Graduate Admissions Application – Parts I & II

  • Students are required to complete the Application for Graduate Admissions form.
  • Students may also request an application packet by calling 303-556-2279.  Please be sure to include your mailing address.
  • Program of Study - On the application, the code for all Master of Science in Recording Arts candidates is: GR-RAMS. The degree is M.S.

International Students

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2.  In-State Tuition Classification Application

Students who feel they may qualify for Colorado In-State Tuition (aka: residency) should fill out the In-State Tuition form.  The Office of Admissions will make the determination of residency.  For more information on residency criteria, contact: Office of Admissions, 303-556-2704.

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3.  Official GRE scores - Graduate Records Exam (GRE) www.gre.com

All applicants to the MSRA degree program must submit scores from the GRE tests. The “General Test” offered by Educational Testing Service will assist in evaluating applicants to the degree program. It evaluates verbal, quantitative and analytical writing skills of the candidates. This examination is offered internationally by Educational Testing Service on a continuous schedule. Minimum required score is 50th percentile, although each student’s score will be evaluated as part of complete application process. This examination is not intended to exclude any applicant from the degree program, but rather to assist in academic advising.

Scores must be received by the application deadline, therefore students should plan accordingly when scheduling their testing dates. Late GRE scores are not accepted, and these applications will not be reviewed.

Information on the GRE can be obtained at: www.gre.org.

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4.  Transcripts

Most recent official academic transcripts must be sent from the Registrar of all previous institutions to the Registrar of the University of Colorado at Denver. Official transcripts should be mailed to:

Karin Hunter
MSRA Graduate Admissions Committee
Campus Box 162, P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

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5.  Letters of Recommendation

    • Three (3) letters of recommendation from responsible persons that can attest to your academic and professional accomplishment are required. The names of persons from whom you have requested letters should be included in your Part II of the application.
    • Letters of recommendation must be accompanied by the Letter of Recommendation form.  
      • In some cases, Letters of Recommendation may be sent via email. Please contact the MSRA graduate advisor for details.
    • Incomplete Letters of Recommendation will not be considered, and the application will not be reviewed.

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6.  Application Essay

    • The essay should summarize the educational and professional history of the applicant relative to a career in the audio/music industry, and should include:
        • Complete name and contact information.
        • Educational Background
        • Career Objective
        • Anticipated Dates of Attendance
    • Essay must be typed, double-spaced and in English. Preferred length of essay is 3-5 pages.

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7.  Resume

  • Students are required to submit a 1-2 page typed resume, including educational background, work experience and relevant skills.  Students are also welcome to include any published works, exhibitions, performances, awards or other relevant achievements.
  • The resume should be chronologic, beginning with your educational background, and progressing to your employment history.  Please refrain from “functional” resumes, or those that simply summarize qualities or competencies.
  • This "professional vita" complements the Essay you will author by providing a chronology of all education and work experiences and of scholarly/creative work.

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8.  Portfolio

  • All applicants will submit a Portfolio of recordings that represent the best accomplishments in audio production.
  • Submission format is Compact Disc (CD), with an annotated discography (index) to the materials in the Portfolio, and a clear and accurate labeling of all materials.  Discography MUST include applicant’s function on each track (ex: artist/performer, engineer, producer, arranger, etc.)
  • Presentation, breadth of experience, technical and artistic quality will be evaluated.
  • DVD portfolios may be submitted if student’s primary experience is in visual media (Film, TV, etc.).  DVD portfolios must also contain annotated discography.
  • Portfolio submissions that do not follow these guidelines will not be evaluated, and the application will not be processed.
  • Helpful tips for a good portfolio are available here.

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9.  Application Fee

  • $50.00 non-refundable for domestic (within the USA) applicants
  • $75.00 non-refundable for International applicants. The fee has changed. The previous fee of $60 listed previously has increased and that all International applications for the Fall 2006 semester will require the $75 fee.
  • Fee must be paid with check, money order or by credit card.  Cash will not be accepted.  Fee must be paid in US dollars.

Applications which do not include all of the requirements listed above, or that include partial components are considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed. Send everything to:

Karin Hunter
MSRA Graduate Admissions Committee
Campus Box 162
PO Box 173364
Denver CO 80217-3364
USA

APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall Admission Only

Domestic Students, Feburary 15
International students, January 1

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