Create your account and submit your online application along with the nonrefundable application fee. Note that the application fee is waived for Berklee alumni.
You will be asked to submit supporting materials as part of this online application.
2. Supporting Materials
Applicants are required to submit the supporting materials below. Log in to your application and follow the instructions on the “Next Steps” tab to upload your supporting materials.
Statement of Purpose
This is your chance to tell us all about you, including your musical, academic, and professional journey, and why you would like to pursue a master’s degree at Berklee (400–500 words).
Include your personal details, educational background, and work experience.
One Letter of Recommendation
Recommendation should come from someone you have worked or collaborated with who can speak in-depth about your musical strengths and skills.
Official Transcripts and Diploma
Submit official transcripts from your undergraduate degree only; do not submit transcripts from high school. You may send your transcripts to Berklee via a digital delivery service such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse, or via an email from the issuing institution, not the applicant. You may also mail your transcripts to the Office of Admissions, but this is discouraged due to delays.
To start the master's degree program, you must complete your bachelor’s degree, but your undergraduate diploma is not required to apply. If accepted, you must provide proof of graduation to matriculate.
Applicants with a degree completed outside the U.S. and Canada are required to submit a credential evaluation report for their transcripts from an accredited credential evaluation agency. Berklee works closely with SpanTran and Educational Credential Evaluators, and we recommend their services. Please ask for a course-by-course evaluation with grades, and note that all supporting materials must be provided in English. Read the Credential Evaluation FAQ for more information.
Portfolio
This is considered your "audition." It should include a table of contents and clearly labeled sections.
1. Performance Videos
You will be asked to submit video recordings of your performance of each of the following:
A blues tune
Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” or John Coltrane’s “Impressions” or “Naima.” This tune should be in a 6/8 groove.
An original composition
A piece of your choice
At least two of these performances should be in an ensemble setting.
2. Thesis Ideas
Describe one to three potential projects that interest you as possible ideas for your culminating experience (thesis) project. These could be a musical performance idea, a recording project, an original album idea, or another initiative that you would like to pursue while at Berklee.
Each description should be one paragraph long, as specific as possible, and include how each project will foster your academic, artistic, musical, and professional growth.
3. Optional Materials
In addition to the above requirements, you also have the option to submit the following materials for consideration:
A link to your personal website or artist page that conveys a sense of your artistry; and
Your one-page artist biography, not written in the first-person voice (note that this is different from the statement of purpose and résumé).
3. Interviews
Once your application is received, the graduate admissions committee will review it and contact you for a preliminary interview.
After reviewing the portfolios and the initial interviews, the committee will invite selected applicants for a final interview. These invitations are typically sent out around mid-February.
