The music production and engineering (MP&E) major will accept applications for summer and fall 2022.
Applications open on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The submissions deadline is Friday, February 18, 2022. Applications will automatically close at 11:59 p.m. EST. It is strongly encouraged that you not wait until the last minute to submit your application. The sooner you submit your application, you can schedule your 20-minute interview.
Application interviews will be held virtually. Once you have booked your interview, you will receive a Zoom meeting link along with the date, time, and the name of your interviewer.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email from Barbara Thomas at your Berklee email address with dates and times to choose for your interview. It is imperative that you respond in a timely manner.
Once your interview date and time have been confirmed, you will either meet with the department chairs or a faculty member in person or receive a Zoom, Google Hangouts, or other link for you to use to connect with your interviewer. We will do our best to accommodate our international applicants due to time zone differences. However, we ask for your flexibility.
For an overview of the MP&E major at Berklee and a look at whether it may be right for you, please see the department's About page. If, after learning more, you are interested in applying to the MP&E major, read the information below to learn how to do so and find answers to common questions about the application process.
When can I apply to the MP&E major?
Applications to the MP&E major are accepted twice annually during the first five weeks of the fall and spring semesters. If you are a Berklee student, you can apply to the MP&E major in the fall for a spring semester start and in the spring for a summer or fall semester start.
Who is eligible to apply to the MP&E major?
You must be accepted to and enrolled at Berklee before being considered for admission to the MP&E major. You must have completed at least one semester and a minimum of 12 Berklee credits before being eligible to apply.
Students enrolled in Berklee Global Partner schools may apply to the MP&E major remotely from their home institution during their first semester of study (prior to matriculating at the Boston campus). MP&E applications are only open for the first five weeks of the fall semester (for a potential spring start) or spring semester (for a potential summer or fall start). Final MP&E selection decisions are rendered by the first day of registration for the upcoming semester(s). Berklee Global Partner applicants are required to submit an official academic transcript from their home institution along with their application. Interviews will be conducted via video conference.
If you are transferring 12 or more credits to Berklee from another (non-Berklee Global Partner) institution, you may apply during your first semester at Berklee. Final decisions on all first-semester transfer students applying to the MP&E major will not occur until final grades from your first Berklee semester have been posted.
Please contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu for additional advising.
What are the criteria for admission to the MP&E Department?
Criteria for admission include demonstrated musicianship, academic accomplishment, maturity and acuity, written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated willingness to collaborate. Previous recording or music production experience is considered a plus.
Who evaluates applications for entrance into the MP&E major?
All applications are reviewed by the MP&E selections committee, which consists of full-time MP&E faculty and leadership.
Is there a minimum GPA required to apply to MP&E?
There is no specific GPA requirement for applying to MP&E. However, an applicant’s current GPA is one of several factors considered by the MP&E selections committee as an indicator of the applicant’s ability to function in a rigorous academic environment.
Applications are accepted beginning on the first day of classes and are open until the fifth week of classes (Friday at 5:00 p.m. EST) during the fall and spring semesters.
When will students be informed of their status?
Notification of MP&E selection decisions will be sent through Berklee student email on the first Monday of the registration period. Final MP&E selection decisions on all first-semester transfer students are held until final grades from their first semester have been posted.
How many students apply for the MP&E program, and how many are accepted?
Annually, 140 students are admitted to the MP&E major. Sixty spots are awarded each fall and spring semester, and 20 students are accepted for the summer semester. The rate of acceptance is approximately 50 percent.
Why does the MP&E Department limit its enrollment?
Hands-on recording studio experience is a central component of the MP&E curriculum. In order to deliver the highest standards of education, it is essential that reasonable ratios of enrollment to facilities and faculty be maintained.
Are there any particular courses students should enroll in at Berklee before applying for the MP&E major?
Yes. If you intend to pursue the MP&E major, you are encouraged to consult the academic major grids and enroll in LMSC-209 (preferred) or LMSC-208 to satisfy your acoustics requirement. Please note that both acoustics courses require a math prerequisite; this is satisfied by completing a math course, transfer credit, or by passing the math proficiency exam (login required), which is offered each semester.
Please note that this includes only courses registered through Berklee directly. Online courses taken through Berklee Online will not be credited toward this major. Contact the MP&E office if you have further questions about this.
How does the interview work?
Upon receipt of your electronic application, you will be contacted to schedule a 20-minute personal interview with a member of the MP&E selections committee. There is no need for special preparation, and the format is informal. If the MP&E Department has not contacted you within two business days to schedule your interview, please contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu.
If accepted to the MP&E major, are there any classes I need to add to my schedule?
After notification of acceptance and completion of your Declaration of Major paperwork in the MP&E office, you must add the following first-semester MP&E courses to your schedule: MP-211, MP-214, MP-215, MP-225, as well as LMSC-209 (preferred) or LMSC-208 if you have not already taken acoustics. Note that double majors should consult their double major grid in order to verify their particular course sequence.
If accepted to the MP&E major, am I required to own any specific computer hardware or software for use in conjunction with the Berklee laptop package?
Yes. In addition to owning the Berklee laptop package, students enrolling in the MP&E major must purchase the items detailed on the Technology for Music Production and Engineering Students page. Note that all required hardware and software must be purchased and installed prior to the first day of class.
Can a student who is not accepted reapply in a future semester?
Yes. Students can reapply without penalty or prejudice. Reapplicants are free to contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu to schedule an advising appointment.
Can a student defer enrollment to a future semester?
Yes. If you have been accepted and are not able to begin the major in the semester for which you were accepted, you must contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu immediately. Otherwise, your spot in the major will not be guaranteed.
Can an admitted student begin the program early? For instance, can a student admitted for the fall semester begin during the summer semester?
No.
For further information, please contact Barbara Thomas, MP&E program associate, at brthomas@berklee.edu.
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