Applicants should upload an unofficial copy of their transcript. Official transcripts should be mailed after admissions decisions are made.
Addresses for your parents or guardians and their employers.
Addresses and dates of study with private teachers.
Addresses and dates of study at high school and/or previous college.
A list of scholarships, awards, etc., received and their amounts.
A response to four short essay questions.
A list of composers and works, including technical studies, that you have studied intensively and consider a part of your repertoire.
At least one uploadable copy of a concert or recital program in which you have participated (featuring your name).
Three recommendations: One from your current private teacher, and two from musicians or mentors who are qualified to judge your personal and musical talents (excluding relatives). Be sure to include your recommenders’ email addresses as they will receive a link to complete the recommendation on your behalf.
For voice and opera applicants: A description of professional experience, if any, including roles and dates performed, names of performing organizations, non-operatic musical activities, and dramatic training and experience.
Bachelor of Music applicants: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) scores (optional).
Non-native speakers of English
Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Professional Studies Certificate, and Diploma applicants who are not native speakers of English: TOEFL, or Cambridge, or IELTS, and Optional SAT I scores.
Essay Questions
In the process of completing your application you will be presented with a section in which to respond to the questions below.
1. Why do you want to study at Curtis? (150 words)
2. What inspires you as an artist? (250 words)
3. Please tell us how you managed a challenging experience. What did you learn, and how might your experience inform your participation in the Curtis community? (300 words)
4. Your application details your accomplishments as a musician. In this space, please tell us about a special interest outside of music that gives you joy. (250 words)
Screening Materials
All applicants (with the exception of applicants in guitar and organ) are required to submit pre-screening materials with their application in order to be considered for an invitation to audition in person. Applicants will be notified of their application status by mid-January including decisions regarding auditions.
Please see Audition page for prescreening and live audition requirements.
Application Fees & Waivers
Application Fees
Online application fee: $150
Screening fee: $100 (required for all applicants except guitar and organ). If the applicant is invited for a live audition, the screening fee will apply as credit towards the $150 audition fee due by the department’s audition date.
Audition fee: $150
Materials submitted after deadlines incur an additional $75 late fee.
All fees are payable via the application platform. This fee must be paid before the applicant is permitted to audition. Fees are payable in U.S. dollars.
Fee Waivers
Applicants of any nationality who demonstrate significant financial need are eligible for a fee waiver request. After starting your application, please fill out this form to submit your request.
Program Entrance Requirements
Undergraduate students at Curtis are enrolled in either the Diploma or Bachelor of Music programs. Students who wish to enter the Bachelor of Music program must meet the program’s entrance requirements by submitting the most current official transcript of high school and (if applicable) college academic work, as well as optional standardized test scores and English proficiency exam results.
Learn more about the curriculum at Curtis.
Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music is open to all departments. Applicants who submit standardized test scores and English proficiency scores with their application materials are eligible to be admitted into the Bachelor of Music program upon matriculation. Applicants who do not submit scores with their application materials are automatically placed into the non-degree undergraduate Diploma program until they provide evidence of academic achievement in their first year of coursework at Curtis and entrance to the Bachelor of Music program is determined by the Committee on Academic Standing.
The following documents are required for admission to the Bachelor of Music upon matriculation.
A complete official high school or, if applicable, college transcript in English, with grades and graduation date. Bachelor of Music applicants must upload an unofficial transcript directly to the admissions application as specified.
Admitted students who wish to enter the Bachelor of Music program upon matriculation must submit an official transcript to the Registrar in advance of matriculation.
Official scores for the SAT (optional)
For non-native English speakers: Official scores on English-language tests (please see below)
Note: Curtis’s College Board Code is 2100
These documents will be reviewed as the Committee considers individual applicants. Strong academic performance in high school is highly valued. For students transferring into Curtis from another academic institution, evidence of strong academic performance will also be required.
Additional Information
Application for the Bachelor of Music degree requires a recognized high school diploma. Homeschooled students should be prepared to submit a transcript of coursework and evidence of completion of high school.
Optional SAT Scores
Note: Math scores or other SAT advanced tests are not required.
Requirements for Non-native English Speakers
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores.
TOEFL ITP written, score minimum of 550
Computer-based TOEFL test, score minimum of 213
Internet TOEFL iBT, score minimum of 79-80
IELTS, score minimum of 6.5-7.0
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Master of Music
The Master of Music is open to all departments with the exception of flute, bass trombone, and piano.
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music degree or equivalent
For native speakers of English, standardized tests are not required.
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores.
TOEFL ITP written, score minimum of 550
Computer-based TOEFL test, score minimum of 213
Internet TOEFL iBT, score minimum of 79-80
IELTS, score minimum of 6.5-7.0
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Non-native speakers of English who have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university where English is the language of instruction will be exempted from taking an English proficiency exam.
Diploma
For native speakers of English, standardized tests are not required.
For non-native speakers of English, the following tests are not required for admission but will be used for placement purposes.
TOEFL ITP written, score minimum of 550
Computer-based TOEFL test, score minimum of 213
Internet TOEFL iBT, score minimum of 79-80
IELTS, score minimum of 6.5-7.0
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma
The post-baccalaureate program is open to all departments with the exception of flute.
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music degree or equivalent
For native speakers of English, standardized tests are not required.
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores.
TOEFL ITP written, score minimum of 550
Computer-based TOEFL test, score minimum of 213
Internet TOEFL iBT, score minimum of 79-80
IELTS, score minimum of 6.5-7.0
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Non-native speakers of English who have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university where English is the language of instruction will be exempted from taking an English proficiency exam.
Professional Studies Certificate in Opera
For native speakers of English, standardized tests are not required.
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores.
TOEFL ITP written, score minimum of 550
Computer-based TOEFL test, score minimum of 213
Internet TOEFL iBT, score minimum of 79-80
IELTS, score minimum of 6.5-7.0
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Non-native speakers of English who have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university where English is the language of instruction will be exempted from taking an English proficiency exam.
Younger Applicants
For non-native speakers of English, official standardized test scores may be requested for placement purposes.
International Students
Each year musicians come to the Curtis Institute of Music from over 20 countries worldwide to study with its acclaimed faculty. Today nearly 40 percent of the students enrolled at Curtis are from abroad. After international students are admitted to Curtis they will work with the International Student Affairs Office to obtain a student visa and any other important documents needed to study in the United States. All application and audition materials are the same for all students applying to Curtis.
Program Requirements for Non-native Speakers of English
Curtis Financial Assistance Procedures
Travel.State.Gov for information about Tourism (B-2) Visas
F-1 Visa Information
U.S. Embassies Abroad
College Entrance Exam (SAT)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Additional rules and regulations apply to students temporarily residing in the United States for the purpose of study.
