<p>Some of the information provided about the music major at Yale has been a bit misleading, so I think I should clarify.</p>
<p>You cannot be admitted to the Yale School of Music because it is only for graduate students, or students who have been admitted to the BA/MM program (meaning you have already been at Yale for three years and have successfully auditioned into the program). Though many features of Yale SOM are available to undergrads (i.e. lessons, facilities, concerts, etc.), you are not actually enrolled in the school.</p>
<p>Also, the major you list on your application is not binding because Yale does not admit by major. You are free to submit a composition supplement, but it is not for admission to a composition program, only to Yale as a college in general.</p>
<p>That said, composition at Yale is incredible. My friend, a freshman comp major who was also admitted to Juilliard, is constantly raving about the program, including his private comp lessons and all the famous competitions (such as the Morton Gould) that Yale composers dominate in. Since Yale also has countless music ensembles (YSO, BCO, JECP, etc.), there are numerous opportunities to have your pieces played for student audiences.</p>
<p>Once again, you are not admitted to a composition program, you simply become a part of it once you are admitted to Yale as a whole. Also, you must distinguish between Yale School of Music and Yale Department of Music. SOM is for graduate students but has some opportunities available to undergrads; the department of music is where the undergrads do composition.</p>
<p>About the supplement: it will not help unless you are extremely talented. Yale has musical talent that is essentially conservatory level (YSO members are all conservatory level, including many who were admitted to/transferred from schools like Juilliard and Eastman). That said, it wouldn’t hurt to submit one unless there seems to be a huge discrepancy between your supplement and the rest of your application. If you are competing against Juilliard pre-college students and beating them, I’d say that’s conservatory level, but again not unbelievably outstanding in Yale’s pool of talent.</p>