<p>Yale does not have an undergraduate school of music. Yale undergraduates who want to pursue a performance program MIGHT be able to study with a Yale School of Music professor, but usually the school will offer no guarantees before September of freshman year. Some students may receive assurances in advance from the professors, but this is actually quite rare. Others (like our DD) might find out from a teacher in advance that there will be NO possibility of lessons while a Yale undergrad, but that graduate student instructors are available. This is generally because even at the Yale School of Music the professors are all part time and usually only on campus one or two days per week.</p>
<p>Yale undergrads who successfully pursue performance can apply (in their junior year) to the 5-year Yale BA-MM program, so that they become part of the school of music their senior year.</p>
<p>We were also quite confused about this, and visited the school several times, consulting with Yale School of Music administrators and with the instrumental teacher. We were never able to get beyond the secretary of the music department to speak with the head of the department about majoring in music as an undergrad. (Even AFTER D. was admitted, they were completely unresponsive!)</p>
<p>I know several cellists who have attended or considered Yale. One is a current undergrad, happily studying with the teacher of her dreams. Another opted for another school where she can pursue a double degree, another spent 4 miserable years at Yale commuting to a teacher at Mannes, where she is now a grad student.</p>