First-year undergraduate ADMISSIONS Timeline
What to Expect After You Apply
After applying to UT and the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music as a first-year student, you may receive updates from multiple offices at different times. This page explains what to expect before, during and after your audition/interview.
Before Your Audition/Interview
Academic Admission Decisions
You may receive an academic admission decision from UT before your audition and/or interview if you applied to UT by the November 1 Early Action Application Deadline.
These academic decisions come from UT Undergraduate Admissions and are separate from your admission decision from the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Refer to the UT Undergraduate Admissions website for the latest information on releases.
If you are admitted to UT during one of these Early Action rounds and you listed Music as your primary choice of study, you will be admitted as “University Exploratory.” Your major will be changed to “Music” after a successful audition/interview.
If you are deferred during Early Action, you should still complete your audition and/or interview with the College of Music. A deferral is not a denial – it simply means UT Admissions needs more time to review your academic application.
What Happens During the Audition/Interview Stage
- Faculty review your performance and/or interview and materials.
- Admission recommendations are made by faculty members. These recommendations go through the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music admissions process – separate from UT’s general admissions office.
- Please note that the college does not issue decisions on your audition and/or interview day.
After Your Audition/Interview
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music issues your music admission decision in the coming weeks. Decisions may go out as soon as faculty committees complete reviews. You will receive your music major admission decision separately from UT’s academic decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting emails from different offices?
Your application is reviewed in two parts:
- UT Undergraduate Admissions reviews your academic application.
- The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music reviews your audition/interview and music materials.
Because these reviews happen on different timelines, you may receive communication from both offices at different times – sometimes before your audition and sometimes after. This is normal.
UT already admitted me. Does that mean I’m a music major?
Not yet. UT’s academic admission and the College of Music’s major admission are separate decisions. You are officially a music major only after you are admitted by both offices.
I was admitted to UT as “University Exploratory.” What does that mean?
If you applied Early Action and listed music as your primary choice of study, you are admitted as University Exploratory until you complete your audition/interview.
If your audition is successful, your major will be updated to Music.
UT deferred me during Early Action. Should I still audition?
Yes. A deferral is not a denial – it simply means UT needs more time to review your academic materials. You should still complete your audition/interview with the college as planned.
Why did I get a UT decision before I auditioned?
UT reviews academic applications on its own schedule, and Early Action decisions are released in December.
Music decisions cannot be made until after your audition/interview, so the timelines don’t always align.
Why did I get a music admission decision before I heard back from UT?
This can also happen. The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music decisions are based on your audition/interview and may be finalized before UT releases your academic decision.
You’ll need to wait for UT’s decision before you can officially enroll as a music major.
What happens if UT admits me but the College of Music does not?
You may still enroll at UT in another major.
Many of our ensembles and some coursework opportunities are open to any UT student, regardless of major, and we encourage you to continue engaging in music during your UT experience.
Do I need to wait for UT’s decision before auditioning?
No. You may audition before or after UT makes an academic decision – whichever happens first.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my application?
Academic admission questions: UT Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected] or by calling 865-974-1111.
Music major or audition questions: NLHCOM Office of Admissions at [email protected] or by calling our front office at 865-974-3241.