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Music and English Intensive Program (MEIP)

The MEIP is an ESL program for musicians.  You can improve your English and study music with Boston Conservatory teachers at the same time!  Whether you are planning to study at a Conservatory or School of Music in the US and need to improve your TOEFL score, or just want to keep up with your music study while learning English intensively, this program is ideal for you! 

Program Description

ESL: Intensive courses cover all of the four major skill areas in the English language – speaking, listening, reading and writing – with grammar included in all areas.  Our classes will give you many chances to communicate in English and our experienced teachers will give you a lot of support along the way.  Your homework, reading and class activities in MEIP will also be related to music, giving you the vocabulary and knowledge needed to communicate effectively in English about your art.  ESL classes meet for 18 hours/week.

Music: MEIP lets you continue your study of music while you learn English.  You will have weekly lessons with a Boston Conservatory teacher and participate in other weekly music experiences.  These experiences vary by term but may include: chamber music, master classes, large ensemble (advanced students only), improvisation seminar, Alexander Technique, and others.  

Eligibility

MEIP is open to all students who have completed their secondary (high school) studies, have a strong interest in music (students must provide their own instruments), and seek to improve their English proficiency.  We recommend that students already have basic abilities in English so that they can conduct basic tasks and understand instructions from their teachers.

Program Dates

Summer Session 1: May 21 – June 29, 2012
Summer Session 2: July 2 – August 10, 2012
Fall Semester: September 4 – December 7, 2012
Spring Semester: January 23 – May 3, 2013

Choosing a Session

If you hope to begin a degree/diploma program at The Boston Conservatory in an upcoming semester, you should think carefully about when to begin MEIP and how long you will need to study in order to raise your English proficiency enough to begin your degree studies. Factors to keep in mind include your past study of English, your most recent TOEFL score, time spent in an English-speaking country, your chosen academic program, and any other commitments you may have. We can help you decide which option would be best for you.

Housing

All first-time college students 20 years of age or younger are required to live in the residence halls, except for students who commute from their homes of origin.  Based on availability, other MEIP students can also live on-campus or find off-campus housing.  Students living on campus must purchase a meal plan.  If you want to live in an off-campus apartment, you will need to make your own housing arrangements.  We will give you information to help you find a place to live but you will have to decide where you want to live and sign your own contract or lease. 

Program Costs Summer (per session) Semester
MEIP Tuition: $3,762.00 $7,981.00
Medical Insurance: $200.00 (estimated) $275.00 (estimated)
On-Campus Housing & Meals: $3,700.00 (estimated) $8,550.00 (estimated)

Academic Credit

MEIP is a non-degree program.  There is no transfer of credit from MEIP to a Boston Conservatory degree program.

How to Apply

To apply for MEIP, please go to http://activenet.active.com/bostonconservatory and click on the “Request Account” button to create your personal account.  After completing your account set-up, select “Register for Programs” from the menu of options and then click on “MEIP Registration/Deposit” to register for MEIP.  You will be asked to pay a $500 deposit to register.

Visa

All international students must have a proper visa to study in the United States.  The Boston Conservatory can issue the immigration form “I-20” to help students apply for an F1 student visa.  To receive an I-20, you must:

  • Complete your program registration and pay your $500 deposit, which tells us that you are planning to attend the MEIP
  • Give us photo copies of the biographical pages in your passport, any previous US visas and your current I-20 if you are a student in F1 status at another institution.
  • Show that you have access to enough money to pay for your life and studies in the United States, including tuition and fees, room & board, books, travel, medical insurance, and incidental expenses.  The box below lists the entire estimated cost of one summer session or academic semester in the MEIP.  Proof of finances is usually an original letter or statement from your or your sponsor’s bank.  Sponsors must also sign a statement of support certifying that they are willing to provide financial support for your studies.  All documents must be in English and no more than 3 months old at the time they are received at the Boston Conservatory.

MEIP Estimated Expenses for 2012-2013

  Summer Session* Fall or Spring Semester
Tuition: $3,762.00 $7,981.00
Housing & Meals: $3,700.00** $8,550.00**
Medical Insurance: $200.00 $275.00
Incidental Expenses: $500.00 $1,400.00
Total estimated cost: $8,162.00 $18,206.00

* Students planning to attend both summer sessions need to demonstrate access to enough funds for both sessions ($16,324.00)

** Based on on-campus housing costs.  Students living off campus may pay less, but this amount must still be used for the certification of finances for the I-20.

The US government requires that all students applying for an F1 visa pay a $200.00 fee (called the I-901 or “SEVIS” fee) before scheduling an appointment at the US consulate for their visa interview.  When we send your I-20 to you, we will give you more information about paying this fee and applying for an F1 visa. 

Questions

Please contact Gordon Homann, Director of International Student Services, with any questions.  You can reach him by email at ghomann@bostonconservatory.edu or by phone at 617-912-9154.

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