Application Steps
How to Apply
To enroll at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, students must be both academically and artistically accepted into the program. To apply, follow the steps outlined below. Any questions about the application process or requirements should be directed to the Conservatory's Admissions Office.
1) Submit an Application
Applications open July 1. Submit your online application by the deadline, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee, payable online in the application portal. Boston Conservatory at Berklee also accepts application fee waivers from the College Board, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), or your guidance office. Please email application fee waivers to eo@berklee.edu.
Application Fees
$75—applications submitted through November 1
$150—applications submitted through December 1
Early Action: Undergraduate applicants may apply for early action by the November 1 deadline.
Regular Action: The deadline to submit applications and pre-screen materials (if required) is December 1.
2) Provide Supporting Materials
Boston Conservatory at Berklee does not require letters of recommendation, essays, personal statements, or SAT/ACT scores to complete an application. However, if you feel any of these supplemental materials are an area of strength, you are able to upload them directly to your application before you submit.
Academic credentials listed below are required as part of your application.
First-Time College Applicants
- You must submit official, up-to-date high school academic transcripts or General Educational Development (GED) scores.
- If you have college/university credits at another institution, you must also submit an official transcript.
- All documents must be submitted in English. If you are applying as an international student, please see the International Applicant Requirements below.
Transfer Students
Applicants who have completed at least one full semester of college-level credits are considered transfer students and are required to submit the following:
- Official transcripts of all completed college/university-level work as well as a copy of your high school diploma as evidence of graduation.
- High school transcripts are not required if four full semesters of college have been completed at the time of application.
Course selection and length of study to earn the bachelor’s degree will be determined following the audition, transcript audit, proficiency examination results, and first-semester jury results.
Graduate Applicants
All graduate applicants are required to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, conservatory, or university prior to matriculating. Graduate students must submit the following:
-
Most recent official college transcripts
International Applicants/Students Who Have Studied Outside the U.S. and Canada
Applicants with schooling that has been completed outside of the United States and Canada are required to submit a credential evaluation report.
TOEFL Requirements
If you are applying to a degree program and your first language is not English, you are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score to complete your application for admission. The Conservatory does not accept TOEFL Special Home Edition, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP, or IELTS Indicator. Refer to the chart below for score requirements for your intended degree.
If your test score does not meet the minimum score for your intended program, you may be invited to attend our Music and English Intensive Program.
The Conservatory's ETS score code for the TOEFL exam is 3084. Information about the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo exams is available at toefl.org, ielts.org, and englishtest.duolingo.com.
TOEFL and IELTS Scores Required for Admissions Consideration
Program
TOEFL IBt
TOEFL PAPER-BASED
IELTS
DUOLINGO
Graduate Performance Diploma
Professional Studies Certificate
61
500
5.0*
95
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Fine Arts
72
530
6.0*
110
Master of Music in Performance, Composition, or Conducting
Master of Fine Arts
Artist Diploma in Performance
79
550
6.5*
115
*IELTS scores listed are guidelines based on overall band scores. Individual break-out scores in the four areas (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) will be evaluated to determine eligibility for admissions to a particular program of study.
English Language Requirement Waiver
If you complete an IB Diploma (excluding the IB Bilingual Diploma), your English test requirement can be waived. If you have studied for two years of high school or two semesters of college entirely in English, your requirement can also be waived. When your transcripts arrive, we will review them to see if they meet the requirements for a waiver.
Boston Conservatory at Berklee reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant whose application documentation we deem incomplete or insufficient.
Homeschooled Applicants
There are important and explicit regulations governing acceptable documentation. The 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
3) Send Your Transcripts
How to Send Transcripts Electronically (Preferred)
Many schools utilize digital transcript delivery services to send official transcripts to our office. Examples of common services include, but are not limited to:
- Parchment (most commonly used by high schools)
- National Student Clearinghouse (most commonly used by colleges and universities)
- Naviance
- Scoir
- Scribd
When using a digital transcript delivery service, you will be prompted to select a recipient institution to receive your transcripts. Look for us listed as “Berklee,” “Berklee College,” or “Berklee College of Music.”
For documents that you are unable to submit via Parchment, your high school or other institution may email documents to eo@berklee.edu, but note that we only accept documents sent via email if provided directly by the issuing institution.
How to Send Additional Supporting Documents Electronically
Boston Conservatory at Berklee does not require letters of recommendation, essays, personal statements, or SAT/ACT scores to complete an application. However, if you feel any of these supplemental materials are an area of strength, you are able to upload them directly to your application before you submit.
Mailing Supporting Documents (Alternative Method)
For documents that you are unable to submit via digital delivery service or email, your high school or other institution should mail documents to:
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Office of Admissions
MS-921 ADM
1140 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
If you choose to mail your transcript and other supporting documents yourself, please do so by registered mail so your documents can be tracked.
Please make copies of all documents for your records and, whenever possible, mail all supporting documents together in one envelope.
All transcripts and supporting materials must be postmarked on or before the posted deadline.
While we are able to receive paper mail, please anticipate a 2–3 week delay in processing any materials received via paper mail and plan accordingly for all deadlines.
4) Complete an Online Interview (Undergraduate Applicants Only)
All undergraduate applicants must complete a recorded online interview in addition to their audition. This interview is designed to help us get to know you as an artist, learn about your goals and aspirations, and how we can help you further your artistry. The process is simple and there is nothing you need to prepare in advance.
Details on how to complete this interview will be emailed to you upon invitation to register for an audition.
5) Perform an Audition
Boston Conservatory at Berklee requires an audition and/or interview of all applicants, depending on your major. Once your application has been submitted, you will be invited to register for an audition in the application portal under My Events. If your major requires a pre-screen, you must first submit your pre-screen materials by the deadline in order to be considered for a live audition. For details on this process, please view the following resources:
- Audition Process
- Audition requirements for dance, music, and theater
- Audition dates and locations
1) Submit an Application
Applications open July 1. Submit your online application by the deadline, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee, payable online in the application portal. Boston Conservatory at Berklee also accepts application fee waivers from the College Board, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), or your guidance office. Please email application fee waivers to eo@berklee.edu.
Application Fees
$75—applications submitted through November 1
$150—applications submitted through December 1
Early Action: Undergraduate applicants may apply for early action by the November 1 deadline.
Regular Action: The deadline to submit applications and pre-screen materials (if required) is December 1.
2) Provide Supporting Materials
Boston Conservatory at Berklee does not require letters of recommendation, essays, personal statements, or SAT/ACT scores to complete an application. However, if you feel any of these supplemental materials are an area of strength, you are able to upload them directly to your application before you submit.
Academic credentials listed below are required as part of your application.
First-Time College Applicants
- You must submit official, up-to-date high school academic transcripts or General Educational Development (GED) scores.
- If you have college/university credits at another institution, you must also submit an official transcript.
- All documents must be submitted in English. If you are applying as an international student, please see the International Applicant Requirements below.
Transfer Students
Applicants who have completed at least one full semester of college-level credits are considered transfer students and are required to submit the following:
- Official transcripts of all completed college/university-level work as well as a copy of your high school diploma as evidence of graduation.
- High school transcripts are not required if four full semesters of college have been completed at the time of application.
Course selection and length of study to earn the bachelor’s degree will be determined following the audition, transcript audit, proficiency examination results, and first-semester jury results.
Graduate Applicants
All graduate applicants are required to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, conservatory, or university prior to matriculating. Graduate students must submit the following:
-
Most recent official college transcripts
International Applicants/Students Who Have Studied Outside the U.S. and Canada
Applicants with schooling that has been completed outside of the United States and Canada are required to submit a credential evaluation report.
TOEFL Requirements
If you are applying to a degree program and your first language is not English, you are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score to complete your application for admission. The Conservatory does not accept TOEFL Special Home Edition, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP, or IELTS Indicator. Refer to the chart below for score requirements for your intended degree.
If your test score does not meet the minimum score for your intended program, you may be invited to attend our Music and English Intensive Program.
The Conservatory's ETS score code for the TOEFL exam is 3084. Information about the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo exams is available at toefl.org, ielts.org, and englishtest.duolingo.com.
TOEFL and IELTS Scores Required for Admissions Consideration
| Program | TOEFL IBt | TOEFL PAPER-BASED | IELTS | DUOLINGO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate Performance Diploma Professional Studies Certificate |
61 | 500 | 5.0* | 95 |
|
Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Fine Arts |
72 | 530 | 6.0* | 110 |
|
Master of Music in Performance, Composition, or Conducting Master of Fine Arts Artist Diploma in Performance |
79 | 550 | 6.5* | 115 |
| *IELTS scores listed are guidelines based on overall band scores. Individual break-out scores in the four areas (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) will be evaluated to determine eligibility for admissions to a particular program of study. | ||||
English Language Requirement Waiver
If you complete an IB Diploma (excluding the IB Bilingual Diploma), your English test requirement can be waived. If you have studied for two years of high school or two semesters of college entirely in English, your requirement can also be waived. When your transcripts arrive, we will review them to see if they meet the requirements for a waiver.
Boston Conservatory at Berklee reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant whose application documentation we deem incomplete or insufficient.
Homeschooled Applicants
There are important and explicit regulations governing acceptable documentation. The 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
3) Send Your Transcripts
How to Send Transcripts Electronically (Preferred)
Many schools utilize digital transcript delivery services to send official transcripts to our office. Examples of common services include, but are not limited to:
- Parchment (most commonly used by high schools)
- National Student Clearinghouse (most commonly used by colleges and universities)
- Naviance
- Scoir
- Scribd
When using a digital transcript delivery service, you will be prompted to select a recipient institution to receive your transcripts. Look for us listed as “Berklee,” “Berklee College,” or “Berklee College of Music.”
For documents that you are unable to submit via Parchment, your high school or other institution may email documents to eo@berklee.edu, but note that we only accept documents sent via email if provided directly by the issuing institution.
How to Send Additional Supporting Documents Electronically
Boston Conservatory at Berklee does not require letters of recommendation, essays, personal statements, or SAT/ACT scores to complete an application. However, if you feel any of these supplemental materials are an area of strength, you are able to upload them directly to your application before you submit.
Mailing Supporting Documents (Alternative Method)
For documents that you are unable to submit via digital delivery service or email, your high school or other institution should mail documents to:
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Office of Admissions
MS-921 ADM
1140 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
If you choose to mail your transcript and other supporting documents yourself, please do so by registered mail so your documents can be tracked.
Please make copies of all documents for your records and, whenever possible, mail all supporting documents together in one envelope.
All transcripts and supporting materials must be postmarked on or before the posted deadline.
While we are able to receive paper mail, please anticipate a 2–3 week delay in processing any materials received via paper mail and plan accordingly for all deadlines.
4) Complete an Online Interview (Undergraduate Applicants Only)
All undergraduate applicants must complete a recorded online interview in addition to their audition. This interview is designed to help us get to know you as an artist, learn about your goals and aspirations, and how we can help you further your artistry. The process is simple and there is nothing you need to prepare in advance.
Details on how to complete this interview will be emailed to you upon invitation to register for an audition.
5) Perform an Audition
Boston Conservatory at Berklee requires an audition and/or interview of all applicants, depending on your major. Once your application has been submitted, you will be invited to register for an audition in the application portal under My Events. If your major requires a pre-screen, you must first submit your pre-screen materials by the deadline in order to be considered for a live audition. For details on this process, please view the following resources:
- Audition Process
- Audition requirements for dance, music, and theater
- Audition dates and locations