General Questions/About NEC | Programs | Applying | Auditions
Student Life | Visiting NEC | International Students | Tuition & Financial Aid
Information about NEC is also available on our Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
General Questions/About NEC
Q: How many students are at NEC, and how many are graduates vs. undergraduates?
A: About 750 collegiate students attend NEC. They are split almost evenly between undergraduate and graduate students.
Q: What percentage of applicants get accepted?
A: NEC generally accepts a little less than 30% of the applicant pool, but the numbers vary by major. Each major has a specific target number for total enrollment. We have a general number of undergraduate vs. graduate spots that we aim for in each major, but we do not adhere strictly to an undergraduate/graduate ratio. The number of admission offers in each major varies from year to year and is determined by the number of openings created by graduating students.
Q: What is the difference between a conservatory and a regular college or university?
A: Conservatories are small schools that offer programs addressing a very specific area of study--in our case, music--with an intensely focused curriculum. Although undergraduate students have liberal arts requirements in most music conservatories, the rest of the coursework and graduation requirements are centered on music. Major emphases are placed on students' private weekly lessons with their assigned faculty member and opportunities for performance. Conservatories are most appropriate for students who are quite focused on performance or composition as a career. Colleges and universities, on the other hand, offer a much broader range of programs and majors and may require additional general education courses as part of their curriculum.
Q: Do undergraduates have to take liberal arts courses at NEC? What are the required courses?
A: Yes. The undergraduate curriculum is about 80% music-related and 20% liberal arts. We have our own in-house Liberal Arts Department. Our liberal arts course offerings are arts and humanities focused (literature, languages, history, philosophy, social sciences, visual arts, etc.). All freshmen must take college writing (unless they have scored a 4 or 5 on the English Composition AP exam) and a liberal arts seminar. All other liberal arts credits are elective for every major except voice. Vocalists must take a year each of French, Italian and German languages.
Q: How are teaching studios assigned? When will I found out who my teacher will be?
A: The process for making studio assignments varies a good deal by major. In general, the Office of Admission works with the Chair of each department to make assignments for those students who have indicated teacher preferences in the admission application. Accepted applicants can contact the Chair of their respective departments or the Office of Admission once they receive their admission packet.
Programs
Q: What degrees do you offer?
A: NEC offers the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. In addition, NEC offers Undergraduate, Graduate, and Artist diplomas.
Q: What is the difference between a diploma and a degree program?
A: A diploma program focuses strictly on performance study and does not include any required academic coursework. A diploma program does not qualify a student for admission to the Master of Music or Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Please note that we encourage undergraduate students to enroll in the Bachelor of Music degree rather than the Undergraduate Diploma unless they already hold a Bachelor's degree in another field.
Q: What is the Tufts double degree program?
A: NEC has a joint 5-year double degree program with Tufts University. At the completion of this program, the student earns a Bachelor of Music degree from NEC and a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree form Tufts. Tufts offers double degree students the opportunity to major in any area except music and engineering. Students interested in the 5-year program must apply and be admitted to each school, filing separate applications. Students enrolled in the Tufts/NEC program pay tuition through Tufts University and receive any scholarship awards through the Tufts University financial aid office.
If you are interested in contacting students currently enrolled in the Tufts/NEC dual degree program please contact the Office of Admission by phone at 617-585-1101 or by email.
Please visit the NEC/Tufts Dual Degree program page for more information.
Q: What is the Harvard double degree program?
A: NEC and Harvard offer a joint 5-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard and a Master of Music degree from NEC. Because applicants auditioning for the program are being considered for the Master of Music degree from NEC, admission into the program is extremely selective--only 5-6 students are admitted each year. In order to be considered for the program, students must be admitted to both schools. There is no guarantee, however, that students admitted to both schools will be admitted into the joint program.
Please visit the NEC/Harvard Dual Degree program page for more information.
Q: Can I apply to both the Tufts and Harvard dual degree programs?
A: You can. To do so, please check the box in the NEC application for admission that indicates you are applying to "Both the Harvard and Tufts 5-year dual degree programs."
Q: What is the difference between the Graduate Diploma and the Artist Diploma?
A: Both programs are graduate programs focused on performance with no academic requirements. The audition standards for the Graduate Diploma are higher than those for the Master of Music program, though not as high for the Artist Diploma. The Artist Diploma is our most selective performance program, and candidates for the program may have already embarked on solo performing careers or be on the brink of such careers.
Applying
Q: What are the deadlines for admission?
A:
- October 15: January (Spring) admission applications. (Please contact Office of Admission before submitting an application)
- December 1: Priority deadline for September (Fall) admission and financial aid applications and prescreening recordings.
- February 1: Filing deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- February 1: Deadline for receipt of audition recordings for applicants not requesting an in-person audition.
- March 1: Deadline for receipt of TOEFL results for all non-native English-speaking applicants.
Q: What factors do you really take into consideration when making admissions decisions? Is your decision just based on my audition?
A: As a music conservatory providing pre-professional training to performing and composing musicians, the audition (or, for composers, portfolio review) is a very important component of our admission decision. However, it is not the only component. We do carefully review school transcripts, recommendations, and other submitted application materials. We expect to see that undergraduate applicants can succeed both musically and academically at a college level. We expect to see that graduate applicants have taken their undergraduate studies seriously and are ready to benefit from continued intensive study.
Q: Can I apply to more than one major?
A: Yes, but a separate application, fee, and supporting materials must be submitted for each major. For live auditions, you must audition on the appropriate audition days for each major. If you are admitted to more than one major, you must select only one in which to enroll.
Q: Are any standardized tests required?
A: The only standardized test we require is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all non-native speakers of English. We do not require the SAT, ACT, or GRE for any students.
Q: Can I get a fee waiver?
A: Unfortunately, we do not provide fee waivers under any circumstances. However, undergraduate applicants with exceptional financial need living in the immediate Boston area may be considered for a fee reduction by submitting the NACAC Request for Application Fee Waiver. Although we do not grant fee waivers, we may reduce your application fee after reviewing your request.
Q: Do you have spring admission?
A: We offer spring admission on a case-by-case basis. Please call the Office of Admission in late September to see if there will be any openings in your area of study. We do not offer spring admission for Artist Diploma, DMA, or dual degree programs.
Q: What are the academic achievements expected of undergraduate applicants?
A: All first year students applying to the Bachelor of Music program must have a high school diploma and submit official high school transcripts to NEC. Students who are home-schooled must successfully pass the GED in their state, providing a copy to the Office of Admission. Home-schooled students who are enrolling at NEC must provide home-schooled transcripts, along with proof of GED completion or the state equivalent, before matriculating.
The minimum academic grade point average is 2.75 (on a 4-point scale). Please note: NEC recalculates all high school transcripts to only include academic subjects.
The Academic Review Committee may offer students who do not have these minimums but who successfully pass the audition portion of the application admission following special review.
Q: If I transfer to NEC, will I enter NEC at the same level I am at my current school?
A: Auditions determine students’ studio level and ensemble requirement. Placement exams and evaluation of transcripts decide class year and the number of semesters required to complete the program. International students may transfer credit if they have met NEC’s English language requirement. NEC awards transfer credit to students previously enrolled in degree programs at other institutions after approval from the Dean’s Office. Students may transfer no more than 60 credits toward the Bachelor’s degree or 36 credits toward the Undergraduate Diploma. Students transferring into the Conservatory should expect to lose credits. For further information regarding transferring, please visit Transfer Applicants.
Q: Does NEC accept AP credits?
A: Undergraduate students may receive up to four credits in addition to transfer credits toward the Bachelor’s degree through the Advanced Placement Program, provided they do not take courses covering the same material (i.e. Music Theory). NEC accepts AP scores of 3 or better in general studies and appropriate electives, but requires scores of 4 on the English Literature/Composition or the English Language/Composition exam to exempt student from the first-year writing requirement.
Auditions
Q: Is an audition required for admission?
A: Yes, for all majors, except composition, music theory and musicology. However, live interviews are required for composition majors. For audition requirements and repertoire, please visit Audition Information.
Q: Do I have to submit a prescreening recording?
A: All applicants in Cello, Conducting, Contemporary Improvisation, Flute, Jazz Studies, Percussion, Piano, Viola, Violin, Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy are required to submit a prescreening recording. Applicants in Composition will have their composition portfolios prescreened. In addition, all applicants to the Artist Diploma and DMA programs are required to submit prescreening recordings. Prescreening recordings are due with the application for admission on December 1. After review, qualified applicants will be invited to present a live audition or interview at NEC. For prescreening recording guidelines, please visit Recording Guidelines.
Q: What if I can’t come to an audition?
A: Applicants living outside of North American may submit a video recorded audition unless they are applying to the DMA, AD, or Harvard/NEC dual degree. Applicants living in North America and more than 500 miles from Boston may submit a video recorded audition unless they are applying to one of the following majors for which we require a live audition: Cello, Collaborative Piano, Conducting, Contemporary Improvisation, Double Bass, Flute, Guitar, Jazz Studies, Percussion, Piano, Viola, Violin, Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy. Applicants to the DMA, AD and Harvard/NEC dual degree must present a live audition if invited to do so regardless of their country of residence. If you will be auditioning by video recording you must note this choice on the application.
Q: Do you conduct regional auditions?
A: No. All live auditions take place on the NEC campus. This provides applicants with the opportunity to visit Boston and the NEC campus, as well as possibly dropping in on classes or rehearsals. This also provides our faculty with the opportunity to listen and see you in person, as opposed to a video.
Q: How long will my audition be?
A: The length of auditions varies from 10 to 30 minutes by major and degree. While it may be a long trip for what seems like a short audition, the faculty are able to ascertain an applicant’s talent level and potential, within a short period of time. In fact, most music schools, as well as festivals and competitions, allow the same amount of time for their auditions.
Q: Can I use the NEC practice rooms if I arrive early for my audition?
A: All auditioning students will be provided with a reserved warm-up room for a short period of time, prior to their audition. However, because we want to ensure that our current students are still able to practice during the auditions, it is not possible to practice at NEC any other time prior to your audition.
Q: Are accompanists required?
A: Accompanists are not required for instrumental auditions, although applicants wishing to audition with their own accompanist (personally arranged) may do so. Accompanists are provided for Vocal Performance auditions for a fee of $25. Vocal/instrumental soloists are provided for Collaborative Piano auditions for a fee of $25. A live rhythm section is provided for free for Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation auditions.
Q: Is audition feedback available?
A: Generally, no. Faculty audition comments are confidential. However, a limited number of departments are willing to provide general feedback if requested.
Student Life
Q: Where can I live on campus?
A: The Conservatory Residence Hall provides double rooms, with a small number of single rooms and graduate suites. All students residing in the hall are on the meal plan, and dining dollars can be used in our recently renovated dining hall. The Residence Hall is also directly across from the Jordan Hall building, which makes it very convenient for students who need to be on campus often.
Q: Do I have to live in the Residence Hall?
A: All new undergraduate students, including transfers, are required to live in the Residence Hall for their first year. Undergraduate students who are married, over age 21, or living at home with parent(s) at their permanent address in the Boston area may request an exemption from this requirement.
Visiting NEC
Q: Do you have campus tours?
A: Yes. We offer tours at 11am, Monday through Friday and additional tours at 2pm on Mondays and Fridays during the school year. During the summer months, we offer tours at 11am only. If you are interested in a campus tour and know the date in which you would like to be scheduled for a tour, please contact the Office of Admission. Tours are led by current NEC students and begin at the Office of Admission, which is located in the St. Botolph building (241 St. Botolph Street, Boston). We are two blocks from Symphony Hall, off the Massachusetts Avenue stop on the Orange Line and the Symphony stop on the Green Line.
Q: Can I attend rehearsals and/or classes when visiting?
A: Yes. If you know the date in which you would like to visit NEC, please contact the Office of Admission to schedule a rehearsal and/or class visit. View the current schedule of classes.
Q: Can I take a lesson with an instructor at NEC before I apply?
A: Many members of the faculty will meet with prospective students, according to their availability. Students should contact the chair of the department of interest, who will assist them in contacting and arranging a time to meet with members of their department. Students may also contact the Office of Admission for assistance in this process.
Q: Where can I stay when I visit?
A: There are many hotels within walking distance of NEC. For more information, please visit Accommodations in Boston. The hotels nearest to the campus are the Midtown and Colonnade Hotels.
2010-06-17
SARAH VAUGHAN