All applicants are evaluated based on their artistic and academic preparation, and on the results of their audition or portfolio review. For priority scholarship consideration, applications for Fall Semester entry must be complete by January 15th. Applications for Spring Semester entry must be complete by December 1st. All scholarship recipients will be notified of their scholarships with their offer of admission.

Required Materials of All Applicants

An application is complete when the Admissions Office has received the following items:

• Application for Admission
• Original academic records and transcripts*
• Financial Aid Application
• Two letters of recommendation
• Repertoire list & performance résumé
• Personal essay
• Application Fee of U.S. $90. (The fee for current Longy students and alumni applying to a second Longy program is $25.) Applications will not be processed without receipt of this fee.

*And official translations into English where applicable.

Additional Materials for Undergraduate Applicants

• SAT/ACT scores (recommended not required)
• College counselor/advisor recommendation (for recent secondary school graduates)

Additional Materials for International Applicants

• TOEFL score report (original only)
• Certification of financial support (Bank Letter)
• Photocopy of current passport and any current United States visa

Auditions are scheduled only after the Admissions Office has received all items listed above. Complete applications are given priority by the Admissions Office.

Requirements by Program

Artist Diploma

• Bachelor of Music Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, post-secondary Conservatory Diploma, or demonstrated equivalent.
• Applicants must demonstrate extensive performance experience at a professional level and the intent to pursue a performance career.

See Special Procedures for Artist Diploma Applicants below.

Master of Music Degree and Graduate Performance Diploma

• Bachelor of Music Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, post-secondary Conservatory Diploma, or demonstrated equivalent.
• An academic and performance record demonstrating the capacity to excel in full-time studies.
• Previous advanced study of music history and music theory and basic piano proficiency.
• Applicants in performance must present an audition, either in person or, if the applicant lives more than 300 miles from Cambridge, by recording.
• Applicants in Composition must submit a portfolio of completed compositions demonstrating advanced compositional skills in a variety of media. Recordings of performed works, as well as analytic or theoretical papers, are encouraged.
• Applicants in Dalcroze Eurhythmics may audition in person or by video and must interview with the Chair of Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Where distance precludes a personal interview, a phone or e-mail interview may be conducted.

Dalcroze Certificate

• Bachelor of Music Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, post-secondary Conservatory Diploma, or demonstrated equivalent.
• An interview with the Chair of Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Where distance precludes a personal interview, a phone or e-mail interview may be conducted.

Undergraduate Diploma

• U.S. high school diploma or the equivalent.
• An academic and performance record demonstrating the capacity to excel in full-time studies.
• Applicants in performance must present an audition, either in person or, if the applicant lives more than 300 miles from Cambridge, by recording.
• Previous study of music theory, both written and aural, and a score of at least 65% on a diagnostic music theory examination, administered at Longy on the audition day.
• Applicants in Composition must submit a portfolio of completed compositions
  demonstrating advanced compositional skills in a variety of media. Recordings of performed works are encouraged.

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Special Procedures for Artist Diploma Applicants

Longy observes a two-part admissions/audition process for Artist Diploma applicants. Artist Diploma candidates will only be admitted for fall semester matriculation.

Part I: Prescreening Process

Prospective Artist Diploma applicants have two options for the prescreening process:

Applicants residing more than 300 miles away from Cambridge may submit a prescreening audition recording consistent with the Artist Diploma audition requirements for their department. A faculty panel will review the audition recording and application materials. If the panel determines that the applicant is at the appropriate artistic level, the applicant will be invited to audition in person for the Artist Diploma.

Applicants living within 300 miles of Cambridge or who wish to audition in person must apply and audition for the Graduate Performance Diploma. A faculty panel will evaluate the applicant's audition and application materials. If the panel determines that the applicant is at the appropriate artistic level, the applicant will be invited to audition in person for the Artist Diploma.

Part II: Artist Diploma Audition

All invited Artist Diploma applicants will be evaluated by the same panel comprised of the President, Dean of the Conservatory, Director of Admissions, and faculty members or outside guests appointed by the President. The Artist Diploma audition date will be published on Longy's website each September. All invited Artist Diploma applicants must audition in person on the Artist Diploma audition date. All prospective applicants for Artist Diploma will be informed in writing of this requirement after the complete application is received.

Note: Internal Applicants

Current Longy students who wish to transfer into the Artist Diploma program must use a jury or separate audition as their pre-screening audition. The jury panel will evaluate the student's audition. If the panel determines that the student is at the appropriate artistic level, the student will be invited to audition in person for the Artist Diploma.

English Proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. All applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report. Completing one or more years of study in a college, university, or professional school where English is the language of instruction may exempt an applicant from demonstrating further English proficiency. Students who achieve the following scores may enroll without restriction.

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Deferment of Admission

Applicants requesting a one-semester deferment may retain their admission status, and may enroll for the subsequent semester, with the permission of the Dean of the Conservatory, without reauditioning. A deferment must be requested in writing and sent to the Admissions Office. Applicants are not able to defer for more than one semester.

Scholarship offers may not be deferred. Applicants who defer their admission will be reconsidered for scholarship with the pool of applicants for their new semester of entry.

International students who are unable to attend for any reason (including inability to obtain a visa) must formally request a deferment. The rules for deferments apply as stated above. The applicant must provide a new certification of financial support (Bank Letter) for the form I-20 to be issued for a subsequent semester.

Transfer Policies

Longy accepts transfer credits for the Undergraduate Diploma and, in rare instances, the Master of Music Degree programs only. No transfer credit is applicable to the Artist Diploma, the Graduate Performance Diploma, or the Dalcroze Certificate and License. Transfer credits are accepted at the discretion of the Dean of the Conservatory in consultation with appropriate Department Chairs. Students will be notified of accepted transfer credits after successfully completing their first semester of enrollment at Longy. Transfer credit can be granted only if

• The coursework was undertaken for credit at the time the student was enrolled;
• The coursework was equivalent in rigor to comparable Longy offerings;
• The grading, subject matter, performance expectations, and class hours conform to Longy academic regulations;
• Previous studies were completed at an accredited (or internationally recognized) post-secondary conservatory, college, or university;
• Previous studies received a grade of "C" or better at the undergraduate level or "B" or better at the graduate level; and
• Previous studies are fully documented with original transcripts.

Additional Transfer Policies for the Undergraduate Diploma

• A maximum of 47 credits from other institutions may be applied toward the completion of the Undergraduate Diploma. A minimum of one-half the total required credits must be completed successfully at Longy.
• Transfer credit for applied music is subject to performance evaluation at the admission audition or a subsequent jury examination.
• For students transferring one year of previous work, transferred ensemble credit will be limited to one-quarter of the total requirement for their program. For students transferring two years of previous work, transferred ensemble credit will be limited to one-half of the total requirement for their program.
• Transfer credit in Music Theory is subject to verification by examination at Longy during New Student Orientation.

Additional Transfer Policies for the Master of Music Degree

• In rare instances, a maximum of 6 credits of graduate coursework completed at another institution may be applied toward the completion of the Master of Music Degree, with the approval of the Dean of the Conservatory, Department Chair, and relevant faculty members.
• Performance credit is not transferable.
• All Master of Music candidates must pass Longy proficiency examinations in Music History, Music Theory, and Secondary Piano, regardless of previous graduate study or examination results.
• Master of Music candidates must complete at least 30 semester credit hours at the Longy School of Music.

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