Advice from Rising Voices Staff
“First and foremost, it’s really crucial for you to have a certain direction/subject/field in mind before applying to graduate schools in Ethnomusicology. Then, look up professors that align with your interests and visit their respective institutions’ websites. Kindly reach out to graduate students of these institutions to inquire about the program—sometimes information on the websites might be a bit misleading! Contact professors that you’re interested in working with via email and set up Zoom meetings to see whether you might or might not be compatible with them. Ultimately, this is a two-way street: the professors are the ones selecting you for a program, but you also have the power to choose programs that you like.”
Timothy Yu
“I’m from the USA and currently in a Master’s of Music program in Musicology and Ethnomusicology in the UK. I was advised by my mentors to only pursue funded graduate programs, and I followed that advice closely. When I applied, I ensured that I already had received funding from external sources, was in the process of doing so, or knew that if I was admitted, I would have funding at that institution. For me, considering my financial situation was a priority for my graduate applications, so I’d recommend that you take the time to consider your personal situation when applying and think carefully about what funding needs to look like for you to thrive as a grad student! Additionally, interdisciplinarity is important to me, so I specifically chose a program that combined both musicology and ethnomusicology. I’d definitely say to think about your disciplinary needs and how they are served not only by potential advisors, but also by the structure of the degree program you’d be pursuing and the broader resources of the university. Finally, a note to folks who are simultaneously applying to both Masters and PhD programs right out of their undergrad degrees: you don’t have to go straight into your PhD! I felt a lot of pressure to go directly from my BA into a PhD, and though I think I would have been totally fine at the end of the day if I’d chosen to do so, I’m ultimately very grateful I decided not to, because doing a Master’s—especially one outside of my home country of the USA—has given me the opportunity to meet people I’d never thought I could have met before, explore a new research topic from my undergrad without the pressure of developing it into a doctoral dissertation, and refine my skills before entering a PhD program. I felt a bit funny about not doing a PhD straightaway at first, but over the course of the Master’s I’ve come to know that when I go through the whole application process again, I’ll be much more confident, because I’ve already done it, in a way. And now, I have a strong secondary research area, more ethnographic experience, and a clearer understanding of my own approach to ethnomusicology. Particularly as ethnographers, I think we have to spend some time reflecting on how risks and challenges in our personal and professional lives shape our ontological conditions such that our experience with applying to grad school can be embodied in a refreshing way. Best of luck as you pursue further study in and out of our wonderful discipline!”
Hermán Chávez
“When applying, remember that you aren’t just convincing the admissions committee of your own qualifications, you are convincing them that your experiences make you a strong match for their specific program. Speak directly to that program’s mission statement and explain how you will thrive in and reciprocally contribute to the department’s environment.
Faculty don’t expect you to know everything! In fact, they probably prefer that you don’t. They want to know that you are eager to learn and grow while trusting that you have enough experience to set you up for success.
Every grad program is different and no matter how talented or intelligent you are, you won’t be a good fit for all of them…and they won’t all be a good fit for you! If you get an interview or visit a campus, you are interviewing them, too. If you get a rejection, it means that the committee believes you will be better suited somewhere else, not that you are lesser than other applicants!”
Emily Kaniuka
“A majority of PhD students in ethnomusicology don’t have Bachelor’s degrees in music history/musicology/ethnomusicology. I’ve known engineers, history teachers, and touring musicians who eventually came to and thrived in ethnomusicology programs; I’ve also known people with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in musicology that have dropped out. Getting into a PhD program is less about your content background and more about your skills. Interpersonal and problem-solving skills, strong communication/reading/writing, and a work ethic are just a few skills that can prove really useful in a PhD. I’d highlight your abilities that show your potential to learn about and advance the field, and don’t hold back from applying because you’re worried that your background isn’t right. (With that said, I’d read some ethnomusicology journals and books before you write your application—it’s good to have some grasp on the field. :)”
Lydia Wagenknecht
“I applied to graduate school having no ethnomusicology faculty at my undergrad and having read two books in the field. Let’s just say, I had no idea what I was doing, nor what schools were considered ‘good.’ I found universities that had professors working in my geographic location—Latin America—and visited all of them thanks to an undergraduate grant I received. For me, communicating with the faculty, whether it be face-to-face or virtual, was crucial, as I would be working with them for many years. It mattered (and still matters) to me how my potential advisor interacted with me and others, and how I felt I could grow under them. In many ways, I chose the graduate school I went to based solely on my gut—not on the prestige of the school, but where I felt I could thrive most and have an enjoyable learning experience. That, and the financial package, of course. All that to say, let yourself be surprised and remain open to your options.
Two quick notes:
If you are a weak writer, sharpen your skills before applying. Faculty want to work with graduate students who already have writing skills; they want to focus on theory and research and such, not teaching paragraph structure and grammar. Acquiring strong writing skills early will benefit you in every stage of the graduate school and professional process.
Find people to write you Letters of Recommendation who you are confident will write only the best about you. Recommendations hold a lot of weight and demonstrate that what you say in the application is actually true. If you are concerned someone won’t say amazing things about you, pick someone else.”
Hannah Snavely