Straightforward college application guidance, created by the college counselor at Special Music School for students applying to college with music as their pathway. And helpful for everyone else, too.
Applying to college is one of the most exciting milestones of a student's life, and one of the most complex. There are forms, deadlines, essays, auditions, and an entire alphabet of acronyms to decode. This site is designed to help you through the steps (and the occasional confusion) so the process feels less like a maze and more like a plan.
Ready Set Apply U was designed specifically for Special Music School students, who apply to college with music as their pathway. That's why you'll find dedicated guides to conservatories, pre-screens, and audition recordings right alongside the usual essentials, plus detailed coverage of CUNY and SUNY for students staying close to home.
That said, none of this is members-only. If you found your way here from another school, another city, or another passion entirely: welcome. The guides work just as well for you, and it's a pleasure to have you here.
Curious where this guidance leads? See the Class of 2026 college acceptances →
We don't treat CUNY and SUNY as afterthoughts. For many students, these are the best options, academically, financially, and practically. We treat them that way.
Students applying to music programs deserve specific guidance, not generic advice that doesn't apply to them. Same for student-athletes, artists, career changers, and transfer students.
We tell you what actually matters in an application, not what sounds impressive to say. Sometimes the answer is "this doesn't matter as much as you think." We say that.
College applications are stressful. We take mental health seriously and include resources for getting through the process without losing yourself in the process.
Every page on this site is mobile-friendly. Because students are on their phones, not necessarily a desktop in a quiet room with good WiFi.
Questions, feedback, something wrong with a link, or a resource we should add? We want to hear it.
Tell us what's missing, what's confusing, or what helped you. We read every response.
Leave Feedback ↗Sign up to get text message reminders for key deadlines throughout the application season.
Sign Up for Texts →Broken link, outdated information, or something that just doesn't look right? Let us know.
Report It ↗Start with the area most relevant to where you are right now in the process.