How to Apply
Welcome to Berklee College of Music! We’re excited that you’re considering joining our vibrant and diverse community of musicians, artists, and innovators. Our admissions process is designed to be both comprehensive and transparent, ensuring that we find the best fit for our rigorous curriculum and selective admissions standards. Follow these steps to begin your journey at Berklee.
The Application Form
Step 1: Create an Account
Start by visiting berklee.edu/apply. Create an account using an email address you regularly check. Fill out the application information.
Please note that Berklee College of Music does not accept the Common App. Our specialized application and audition process is designed to meet our needs as a performing arts school.
Step 2: Choose Your Application Type, Program, Start Term, and Possible Major
Select the Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degree or Professional Diploma), Berklee Boston Undergraduate application type, and your preferred start term. You may apply to a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, or Professional Diploma program.
Step 3: Let Us Know if You Have Transfer Credits
If you are currently attending or have completed some college, you may be eligible to transfer credits.
In the application form, please select “No” if your transfer credits are from AP/CLEP, an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, or a Berklee Summer Program. Berklee will assess these types of credits later in the application process.
In the application form, please select “Yes” if your transfer credits do not fall into any of the categories listed above.
To learn more about transferring to Berklee, attend a Transfer Student Virtual Q&A event.
Step 4: Select Your Principal Instrument and Tell Us About Your Musical Background
Select your principal instrument, which will be the focus of your studies and the instrument with which you audition. Then, answer a few questions about your musical background.
Step 5: Start Scheduling Your Audition and/or Interview
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) applicants will complete a live audition and interview. Please select two audition and interview locations from the dropdown menu in the application.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) applicants will complete an online interview.
Step 6: Provide Your Academic History, Including Transcripts
Submit an official copy of your high school transcript or GED and, if applicable, any college transcripts. All documentation must be provided in English. For more details, visit the Transcripts and Other Supporting Materials page.
Step 7: Submit Optional Supplemental Materials
These optional materials help us further understand your artistic and academic progress and goals:
- Letters of recommendation (up to two)
- Videos of your musical abilities
- Personal essay
- Indicate interest in the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program
- Indicate interest in beginning your studies on our Valencia, Spain campus in the First Year Abroad program
Step 8: Pay the Application Fee and Click “Submit Your Application”
Your application form is not considered complete until the $150 application fee is paid and you’ve clicked the “Submit Your Application” button.
Supporting Materials
Berklee does not require essays, personal statements, or standardized test (e.g. SAT/ACT) scores.
International applicants who attend high school or college outside the US or Canada must get their transcripts evaluated by a credential agency and, if their first language is not English, must submit an English test score. Review the Information for International Applicants page for more information.
Bachelor of Arts applicants are required to submit a portfolio that contains a résumé or CV and a one-page cover letter. Log in to the application and follow the instructions on the “Next Steps” tab to submit the required materials.
Bachelor of Music applicants are not required to submit supporting materials to complete their application.
Complete an Audition and/or Interview
After you submit your application form, you must then complete your auditions and/or interview as a part of your application. To help you prepare, review the Audition and Interview site for details. All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as part of the admissions process. No separate application is necessary.
What Comes Next?
After you’ve submitted all required materials and paid the application fee, your application will be reviewed by Berklee’s Board of Admissions. You will receive an admissions decision via email by the posted decision date. While waiting, we encourage you to explore these resources:
Financial Aid: Visit the Financial Aid page to explore resources for financing your college education.
On-Campus Housing: Learn about our residence halls on our Housing and Residential Education page. On-campus housing is guaranteed for fall-entering students who pay their tuition deposit and submit their housing application by May 5.
Visa Requirements for International Students: Admitted international students must obtain an I-20 and an F-1 visa. More information is available on the I-20 and F-1 Visa Information page.
Student Ambassadors: Connect with a student ambassador to learn about life at Berklee from current students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Completing Your Application
Does Berklee accept the common app?
Berklee does not accept the common application. Our own application form is designed to meet our needs as a music school.
Do I have to declare a major when I apply?
If you are applying to the Bachelor of Music program, you do not need to declare a major until the end of your second semester. Bachelor of Arts applicants may apply only to the music industry leadership and innovation degree program, which does not require a declaration of major.
Which program should I apply to, the Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Arts?
The Bachelor of Music program offers complete musical instruction in over 30 principal instruments and 15 major areas of study. The Bachelor of Arts program in music industry leadership and innovation is a music business major designed for non-musicians.
Can I apply to both undergraduate programs?
No, you must apply to either the Bachelor of Music program or the Bachelor of Arts in music industry leadership and innovation.
Does Berklee require SAT or ACT scores?
No. Berklee is test-blind and does not require SAT or ACT for admission.
How can I check the status of my application?
Log in to the applicant portal at any time to check the status of your application.
Submitting Your Transcript
How do I submit my transcript?
You have two options for submitting your transcript. Your school can send your transcript via email or through a digital transcript delivery service. Paper submissions are discouraged.
I’m applying from outside the U.S. How should I send my transcript?
If you attended high school or college outside the U.S. or Canada, please do not submit your transcript directly to Berklee. You must have your transcript reviewed by a transfer credit evaluation agency.
How do I know if you’ve received my transcript?
You can log in to the applicant portal to check the status of your transcript. This information will be updated once your transcript has been processed by Admissions.
The Audition Process
Do I have to audition?
If you are applying to the Bachelor of Music program, an audition is required. Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in music industry leadership and innovation are not required to audition.
Where can I audition?
In addition to our Boston, Massachusetts campus, Berklee offers applicants the opportunity to audition in a wide range of locations worldwide. You also may audition online.
What should I play for my audition?
For your prepared piece, you should play something that you are comfortable with and that showcases your abilities as a musician. If composing or songwriting is your primary focus, you may want to perform an original composition on your principal instrument. Check out our audition guidelines for more detailed information.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
How do I apply for financial aid?
Berklee uses two forms to evaluate your eligibility for financial aid: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. For complete information on the financial aid process, visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid page on our website.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
All applicants to Berklee’s undergraduate programs are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as part of the audition and interview process. No further application is necessary.
When will I know if I am receiving financial aid?
Students who have submitted their forms and fully completed any required documents will receive their need-based aid award along with their admissions decision.
Deadlines and Decisions
When is the deadline to apply?
Visit our admissions deadlines page for details about early action and regular action deadlines as well as spring enrollment.
When will I get my admissions decision?
Early action applicants receive notification by January 31. Regular action applicants are notified by March 31.
Is my early action decision binding?
Berklee’s early action decision is non-binding.
Information for Transfer Students
I’d like to apply as a transfer student. Will Berklee accept my credits?
You are invited to submit official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions for transfer credit evaluation.