Accordion
Before applying, please make sure to familiarize yourself with The Herb Alpert School of Music, faculty, facilities, curriculum, and student work.
Due to its specialized and highly selective nature, students interested in the Music Technology: Interaction, Intelligence, & Design Program (MTIID) should read the program’s description and qualifications carefully, review student work, and, before applying, email a brief description of their musical and technical background to akapur@calarts.edu.
This process helps potential students understand the direction of study undertaken at CalArts in the MTIID program. A strong preference is given to applicants with previous experience in mathematics, computer science, physics, or engineering. The focus of the MTIID program is not in sound engineering or recording, although students have the ability (and are required) to pursue some classes and opportunities in that field.
You cannot make any changes to your application after it has been submitted.
Create an account to begin the application process. This is where you’ll complete each step in the application and receive updates on your application status. Add your personal background and academic history.
You’re invited to submit a portfolio containing three to five examples of your artistic work via the portfolio section of the CalArts application. Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest ones—reviewers will examine them in the order that you indicate.
The faculty are especially interested in reviewing work that emphasizes:
Materials to upload might include recordings, videos, scores, writings, and/or other relevant materials. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers have permission to view this media. For all media, please clearly indicate (in a separate PDF if necessary):
If you experience technical difficulties while uploading your portfolio, please email admissions@calarts.edu.
Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250 to 500 words that includes all of the following:
The faculty want to learn more about you, directly from you! We ask that you record a 60–90 second short video of you introducing yourself. You should discuss:
In your video introduction, you should:
The Music Technology BFA and MFA programs do not hold required auditions. Instead, if needed by our faculty, we will contact you about scheduling a virtual interview.
Three letters of recommendation are required for the MFA program. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your work, such as a performance instructor or art teacher.
All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it’s important that you contact your recommenders months before. We ask that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when we receive your requested letters.
If this is not possible, you may download the Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF) and have your recommender send their letters by mail to the Office of Admissions. Please choose only one method—either through the online application (preferred) or by mail—per recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via credentialing services such as Parchment or Naviance.
Mailed letters of recommendation should be sent to:CalArts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
United States of America
Letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.