How to Apply
Application Questions
How do I apply?
Prospective students may apply online only. Apply now. Applications for 2012 are now available.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for all divisions is December 1 for Fall enrollment. The application deadline for Music Education is April 1.
Can I mail my resume and essay?
Your artistic resume and essay should be uploaded directly on to your online application.
What scores do you look for on the SAT or ACT?
SAT or ACT scores are required as part of your application process. However, The Boston Conservatory does not have a minimum score requirement for admission. Scores are used as another tool to evaluate you academically. The Admissions office has no preference as to which test you take.
What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
The minimum requirement for admission is a 2.7 GPA. Lower grades in Math and Sciences are more likely to be forgiven than poor grades in English and History.
What should I do about transcripts if I have been home-schooled?
Home-schooled applicants are required to submit a curriculum, grades received, and a signed letter from their respective school district stating that the applicant has received the equivalent of a high school diploma from the district or in lieu of a letter, the GED. Please refer to the Academic Requirements section (below) for further information.
How many applications are received each year?
In general, The Boston Conservatory received approximately 2000 applications for admission each year. (1000 music, 750 theater and 250 dance).
Application Checklist
1) $110 non-refundable application fee
2) All necessary transcripts:
High school transcripts are required for all freshman and transfer applicants who have not completed two years of college work. College transcripts are required for all transfer and graduate applicants. Graduate College transcripts are required for Professional Studies Certificate applicants. (Home schooled students--please see the Academic Requirements section below)
3) Letters of recommendation:
For all BFA, BM, MM, MFA, GPD and PSC applicants, two letters of recommendation are required: A recommendation from someone who knows the applicant in an academic context, and a recommendation from someone who knows the applicant in an artistic context.
Suggested recommenders:
- Dance: Ballet or Modern and Academic
- Music: Applied Teacher and Academic
- Music Education: Employer and Academic
- Musical Theater: Music or Acting and Academic
- Artist Diploma candidates: Require four letters of recommendation
**Please note: These are guidelines. Please check the Audition Requirements for your particular instrument to ensure that further recommendation requirements do not apply. Recommendations may be sent electronically via the online application (which includes recommendation cover sheets) or mailed directly to The Boston Conservatory: Office of Admissions, 8 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02215. The cover sheets are not mandatory.
4) Artistic resumé (done online)
Relevant to the program to which you are applying, the resume should include the following elements: Applied study (e.g., instrument/discipline, with whom, for how long), Performance experience, Awards and distinctions, Festivals and summer programs attended.
5) Writing Sample (done online)
Please state in 350 words or less your career objectives and how study at The Boston Conservatory will assist you in achieving your goals.
6) TOEFL/IELTS results (for any non-native speakers of English)
Test scores must be submitted by January 15th. Scholarship priority will be given to those students who take the exam by this date. Please refer to the Academic Requirements section or International Applicants for further information.
7) SAT or ACT score (For Freshman and Transfer Applicants)
The Boston Conservatory should be listed as an official score recipient. The codes are below. We do not require a specific score on these exams. Rather, we use them to further examine academic ability.
- SAT code: 3084
- ACT code: 1790
Enrollment
Fall Enrollment
Applicants are considered for admission based on their audition results in conjunction with academic preparation and artistic and academic recommendations.
For applicants who have submitted a complete application by the December 1 deadline, decisions for openings in the incoming Fall (September) class are announced March 15 (for Graduate students in the Music and Theater Divisions) and no later than April 1 for all BFA and BM candidates.
Applicants are required to notify The Boston Conservatory regarding their intent to enroll, no later than April 15 for Graduate Students in the Music and Theater Divisions and May 1 for all BFA and BM candidates, by submitting a non-refundable online tuition deposit of $750 and housing deposit (if applicable) of $250. This can be done by clicking on the enrollment form link in the online acceptance letter.
After December 1, application reviews and status notifications are processed on a case-by-case rolling basis and will continue until all openings are filled or until June 1st, whichever comes first.
Enrollment to Multiple Programs
All applicants who intend on applying to multiple degree programs must submit a complete and separate application, including the application fee and supporting documents, for each program to which they are applying. If admitted to two programs, students must choose one program in which to enroll by the deposit deadline, as students are permitted to enroll in only one program at a time. Students are not permitted to double major or minor. *Applying to multiple programs will not increase an applicant's chance of admission.
Academic Requirements
Freshman Applicants
In order to be considered for admission, you must complete an audition and submit complete application materials. For admission to a bachelor’s degree program, a grade point average of 2.7 is expected. Applicants must have followed an academic-track preparation from an accredited high school. Applicants who have completed a GED in conjunction with some high school level coursework should send all relevant information.
Home Schooled Applicants
The Boston Conservatory recognizes home schooling as a viable educational alternative. However, there are important and explicit regulations governing acceptable documentation. The Boston Conservatory requires
- A full outline of the curriculum by subject, including textbooks for each course.
- Assessment procedures and grades.
- Evidence of official recognition by the school district and/or state department of education OR the GED.
- The Boston Conservatory reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant whose file documentation is deemed incomplete.
General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
High school equivalency diplomas are issued by states to eligible applicants who pass the qualifying examinations. Specific age eligibility and required proof thereof are an essential part of the testing process. The Boston Conservatory adheres to the regulations governing eligibility established by the State Education Department and will accept GEDs from qualified applicants. While there are valid reasons for certain applicants to obtain the GED, The Boston Conservatory does not recommend it as a substitute or shortcut for a traditional secondary education. In addition, The Boston Conservatory reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant who does not meet the appropriate state education department regulations as written.
Transfer Applicants
In order to be considered for admission, you must complete an audition and submit a complete application packet. Applicants who have completed at least one full semester of college level credits are considered transfer students and are required to submit the following:
- Evidence of one semester of college credit demonstrating an overall grade point average of 2.7.
- Official high school transcripts.
- Course selection and length of study to earn the bachelor’s degree will be determined following the audition, transcript evaluation, proficiency examination results and first semester jury results.
- Completed NASM form for music students.
As programs of study, course selections and financial aid are often affected by transfer of credit, it is in the best interest of the applicant to be sure that this documentation is received by the general application deadline (December 1).
**Transfer admission to the Theater Division is only available for freshman entrance.
Graduate Applicants
In order to be considered for admission, you must complete an audition and submit a complete application packet.
- Applicants applying to the graduate degree programs are required to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. It is recommended that the program of study represent at least four years of focused, intensive training similar to that at The Boston Conservatory.
- It is expected that applicants will have earned a minimum of a 3.0 or “B” average in their coursework upon graduation.
Professional Studies Certificate
In order to be considered for admission, you must submit an application and materials and complete a live audition. Recorded auditions may only be accepted in special cases. Please inquire within the Admissions Office.
- Applicants applying to the Professional Studies Certificate program are required to have earned a graduate degree from an accredited college or university. It is recommended that the program of study represent at least two years of focused, intensive training similar to that at the Boston Conservatory.
- It is expected that applicants will have earned a minimum of a 3.0 or “B” average in their coursework upon graduation
Artist Diploma Applicants
Artist Diploma applicants are required to submit a pre-screen audition portfolio in the form of a press kit along with a submitted appplication by December 1. Qualified applicants are expected to be actively pursuing a professional career and have demonstrated success through concert programs, reviews, orchestral employment, etc. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree to be considered, and based on the pre-screen may be invited to a live audition in Boston.
Pre-screen portfolio/press kit must include the following:
- Copies of concert programs (Note: Please make sure you only send copies, as we cannot return originals.)
- A complete repertoire list
- Four letters of recommendation
- An artistic resume detailing your career and study to date, and a one-page essay describing your reasons and goals for pursuing an Artist Diploma at The Boston Conservatory
- A pre-screen audition recording (video preferred)
- Instrumentalists should prepare 20 minutes of contrasting material that demonstrate a high level of musical and technical artistry.
- The voice department requires a preliminary recording consisting of no less than 10 minutes of music, including song literature in English, Italian, German and French, as well as one oratorio or operatic aria in the original language.
Our preferred method of receiving your recording is online via DecisionDesk. Please register and submit your recording by December 1. More details about Artist Diploma audition requirements can be found here.
Re-Admission Applicants
Students seeking re-admission after an official leave of absence of less than two semesters must contact the Registrar to re-enroll. These students are not required to complete an application or re-audition. Students seeking re-admission after an official leave of absence of more than two semesters must submit a new complete application and re-audition. Students seeking re-admission without an official leave of absence must submit a new complete application and re-audition.
International Applicants
Checklist for International Applicants:
- All international transcripts, diplomas, and certificates MUST be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service. All evaluated documents must be sent to the Admissions Office no later than January 15th. The following credential evaluation organizations are recommended.
- International Educational Research Foundation (IERF): www.ierf.org/ **Identify yourself as a Boston Conservatory applicant, account # 957.
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): www.ece.org
- World Education Services (WES): www.wes.org
When an applicant is ordering their transcript to be evaluated, The Boston Cosnervatory requires a Detailed Report which includes the grade point average and U.S. equivalency.
- English Proficiency Exam Results: All non-native English speakers must submit an official score report from the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Score results must be received by January 15th. The Boston Conservatory’s score code for the TOEFL exam is 3084. If you are applying for an undergraduate program and have attended an English-speaking secondary institution for at least two years, you may submit the SAT or ACT in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Either way we require a standardized test score. This score must also be received by January 15th.
If an international student is accepted and decides to enroll, then they must submit the following documents:
- Financial Documents: Original, official bank documents showing availability of funds for the first academic year (should be sent after acceptance).
- Sponsor Letter(s): If the bank account listed is not in the student’s name, the sponsor must submit a letter of support (should be sent after acceptance).
- Passport: Photocopy of personal data pages in passport (should be sent after acceptance).
- U.S. Visa Documents: Photocopy of all previous U.S. visa documents, including I-20s (should be sent after acceptance).
*Visit the International Students section of the web site for more information related to international student requirements for admissions.
Deadlines
December 15 (deadline extended!)
Deadline for submission of all applications for Fall enrollment consideration for BFA, BM, MM, MFA, GPD, PSC and ADP candidates.
Deadline for pre-screen recordings and portfolios. See Audition Requirements for details.
January 15
Deadline for supporting documents (transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores, recommendations, etc.) for Fall applications.
Deadline for recorded auditions.
Deadline to receive TOEFL/IELTS scores and evaluated transcripts from international applicants.
February 15
Recommended FAFSA submission.
March 15
Notification of all admission and financial aid offers to GRADUATE candidates in the Music and Theater divisions (except MM and GD Music Education).
April 1
Notification of all admission and financial aid offers for ALL UNDERGRADUATE candidates.
April 1
Deadline for all applications and supporting materials for Summer enrollment consideration for MM and GD candidates in Music Education.
April 15
Tuition deposit deadline for MM, MFA, GPD, PSC and ADP candidates, except Music Education.
April 28
Notification of all admission and financial aid offers for MM and GD candidates in Music Education.
May 1
Tuition deposit deadline for ALL UNDERGRADUATE candidates.
May 15
Tuition deposit deadline for MM and GD candidates in Music Education.
Application
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