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Congratulations on your admission to NEC!

Your future in music starts here.

Discover your artistic community.

Your application and audition have impressed us with your musical talent and dedication to your craft. World-class faculty, a supportive community of fellow artists, and a city with a rich music scene await you at NEC. Below, you’ll find information about upcoming events, both virtual and in-person, along with necessary forms and important enrollment deadlines. We’re excited to welcome you into our community, where we believe your artistry will make a great addition.

Admitted Hero
key deadlines

For Fall Enrollment 2025

Accept Your Offer

Graduate Students

April 15

Respond to your offer of admission on the application portal and submit a tuition deposit.

Undergraduate Students

May 1

Respond to your offer of admission on the application portal and submit a tuition deposit and a housing prepayment.

Two students walking down the street on NEC's campus.

Enrolled Student Deadlines

STAY ON TRACK AFTER ACCEPTING YOUR OFFER

International Student Visa and I-20 Documents
Due May 15
international.students@necmusic.edu

Academic Testing for Theory and History
Two testing cycles: one in late May, one in late August. Participate in either or both.
student.services@necmusic.edu

NEC Email and Student Account Access
Begins releasing on May 28
tech.central@necmusic.edu

Summer English Course for Provisionally Admitted Students
Register June 1; Course dates July 8 – August 9
student.services@necmusic.edu

Ensemble Auditions
Information will be sent in early June
margie.apfelbaum@necmusic.edu

Undergraduate Student Housing
Application and deposit due June 14
residencehall@necmusic.edu

Accepting Federal Financial Aid
Accept by July 1
financial.aid@necmusic.edu

Summer English Course for Provisionally Admitted Students
Register June 1; Course dates July 8 – August 9
student.services@necmusic.edu

Submitting Official Final Transcripts and Official English Proficiency Scores (if applicable)
Submit by July 1
admissions@necmusic.edu

Student Billing and Payment Plans
Bills released July 1 and due August 12
businessoffice@necmusic.edu

Academic Accommodations and Disability Support Services
Accommodation requests are due July 15
dss@necmusic.edu

Health Forms and Immunization Records
Submit by July 15
ew8960@necmusic.edu

NEC ID Photo Submission
Submit by July 15
tech.central@necmusic.edu

Academic Testing for Theory and History
Two testing cycles: one in late May, one in late August. Participate in either or both.
student.services@necmusic.edu

Summer English Course for Provisionally Admitted Students
Register June 1; Course dates July 8 – August 9
student.services@necmusic.edu

Student Billing and Payment Plans
Bills released July 1 and due August 12
businessoffice@necmusic.edu

Students sitting on the Jordan Hall steps.

Connect with a Student or Counselor

Answers to your questions.

If you have questions about enrollment, life at NEC, financial aid, or anything else, we are here to help! Select from the options below to schedule a meeting with a current student or enrollment counselor.

Schedule an appointment with a current undergraduate student from your major or department.

Schedule an appointment with a current graduate student from your major or department.

Connect with an NEC Enrollment Counselor.

Schedule a Counselor Appointment

Admitted Student Events

Jazz Studies Information Session

Jazz Co-Chairs Anna Webber and Ken Schaphorst

Join us for a virtual information session on April 21 at 7 p.m. EDT hosted by the co-chairs of the Jazz Studies Department, Ken Schaphorst and Anna Webber! With plenty of time for Q+A, this event is an excellent opportunity to learn what to expect as a jazz student at NEC.

Jazz Co-Chairs Anna Webber and Ken Schaphorst

Financial Aid

Financing Your NEC Education

The NEC Financial Aid Office is committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions about financing your NEC education.

Get Involved

Student Clubs & Activities

There are many ways to get active within the community. Check out our list of opportunities to find a group you can connect with.

Admitted New Student
Students on stairs

For Incoming Students

New Student Orientation

students on stairs

Orientation begins in late August and is required of all new students regardless of their level or course of study. Incoming students must take placement exams and ensemble auditions and attend information sessions. Specific information about orientation will be sent by the Office of Student Services over the summer.

NEC ambassadors excitedly welcoming new students to the dormitory on move-in day.

Next Steps for Enrolled Students

here’s what else you need to know

Enrolling students must submit a final, official transcript documenting the degree/diploma earned and the date of graduation. Final transcripts must come directly from the awarding institution via email or snail mail and cannot be uploaded by the student. If we already have this final transcript on file, you do not need to submit a new copy.

Transfer students must submit final transcripts that include grades for the last semester attended. Incoming homeschooled students must submit final records indicating that they completed high school-equivalent studies in accordance with the homeschool laws of their state of residence.

Final official transcripts should be submitted before the fall term begins; students who have not submitted a final transcript will not be permitted to register for the spring semester. Final transcripts must come directly from the awarding institution, via email or snail mail and cannot be uploaded by the student.

For any questions, contact admissions@necmusic.edu.

On-Campus Housing

After completing the Intent to Enroll form, incoming undergraduates and second-year transfers will receive an email from the Director of Residence Life and Housing with on-campus housing information and a link to the electronic housing application. More information about residential life at NEC is also available here.

It is important that students complete their own housing applications; parents, caregivers, siblings, etc., should not complete the application on behalf of incoming students. The deadline to complete the electronic housing application is June 15 at 5 p.m.

Students who may need housing accommodations should complete the Housing Accommodations Request Form and provide supporting documentation from a healthcare provider. Requests for accommodations must be submitted by June 15 at 5 p.m. Students requesting accommodations must also complete the electronic housing application.

Off-Campus Housing

Resources for finding housing in the Boston area can be found on the Off-Campus Housing page.

All incoming orchestral students will need to complete an audition for the orchestra conductors at orientation. More details will be sent to incoming students in the summer.

Placements in faculty studios are determined in close consultation with department chairs and individual faculty members. Many factors are taken into consideration, including the number of openings in any given studio.

Studio placements for most majors will be included in your acceptance letter; however, composition, jazz and CMA placements will be sent over the summer. Some students are admitted to NEC without a studio and will be placed at a later date.

For more information, please contact your enrollment counselor or email admissions@necmusic.edu.

Any student who is not a citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States and who requires an F-1 student visa must complete the Certification of Finances form and submit with the appropriate documentation of funds no later than May 15.

Students will receive the Certification of Finances form only after submitting the Intent to Enroll form and tuition deposit.

If you have submitted the Intent to Enroll form and tuition deposit and still need the Certification of Finances, or have questions about the completion of the form, please contact the International Students Office at international.students@necmusic.edu.


International Student Advising

Students can view their financial aid package through the Jenzabar Financial Aid Student Portal (JFA Student Portal), which will be accessible through OneLogin in early June.

Any student with a Scholarship or Grant will have those awards auto-accepted. No action is needed to disburse awards (apply the award to the student account).

Any student with federal loans must accept or decline their awards through the JFA Student Portal. In addition, students must ensure that they have completed any required Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes (MPNs) in order for accepted loans to be disbursed in September. Students can also go to studentaid.gov to view all information related to federal loans. Students interested in Direct PLUS Loans (Parent PLUS or Grad PLUS) require additional documents and should contact Financial Aid for more information.

Any Federal Work Study (FWS) awarded student must accept or decline their award through the JFA portal.

The “Documents” page of the JFA portal contains required documents, such as entrance counseling, verification, and/or information confirming citizenship. After a PLUS loan has been awarded, students with said loans will see additional related documents here.

Only accepted Financial Aid will appear on any bill and be considered for disbursement (applied to student account).

If there are any questions about Financial Aid, please contact financial.aid@necmusic.edu.

All enrolling students must review, complete and submit several health forms.

Graduating students returning for a new degree must check with Health Services before the end of the semester to learn what information is required for their re-entry to avoid a late fee and/or registration block.

Students in the dual-degree program should submit a copy of the immunization documents required by Harvard for their NEC record. All students are required to have health insurance that meets specific standards set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

NEC offers a student insurance policy, and, in accordance with state law, all students are automatically enrolled in the plan. You may waive participation if you can demonstrate that you have a U.S.-based insurance plan that meets the state requirements.

Students will receive information about the school’s insurance plan when they receive their tuition bill.

For questions, contact Carol Abizaid, Director of Counseling and Wellness, at carol.abizaid@necmusic.edu.

Transcripts of all admitted transfer students are currently being reviewed by our colleagues in Academic Affairs. Your enrollment counselor will contact you by April 15 with further information on your preliminary transfer level.

Studio levels as determined by your audition are considered alongside academic credits to make an initial determination of your transfer level. In the event of a discrepancy between your studio level and overall transferable credits, your transfer level will be the lower of the two.

Final transfer level will be confirmed upon receipt of a final transcript (due July 1), showing successful completion of any courses still in progress at the time of the initial evaluation.

Please direct questions about transfer levels to admissions@necmusic.edu.

On Campus Housing

NEC's Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC) contains rehearsal and performances spaces, library facilities, the Green Room Café, and NEC's residence hall.

Living in the Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC)—built in 2017—offers unmatched convenience, community, and support so you can focus on your studies and music.

We’re excited to offer expanded on-campus housing opportunities for the 2025-2026 academic year, including a lower cost, triple-room option, and opportunities for graduate students to apply for on-campus housing. Please note that undergraduate students are required to live on campus for their first and second year.

NEC's Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC) contains rehearsal and performances spaces, library facilities, the Green Room Café, and NEC's residence hall.

After NEC

Explore the Residence Hall

  • NEC's 10th Floor lounge, which offers panoramic views of Boston's Back Bay and South End neighborhoods.

    Tenth-Floor Lounge

    Every floor in NEC’s Residence Hall comes with a community lounge. Each lounge has a TV, seating, and tables to relax or do work, and the views of Boston can’t be beaten.

  • A double residency room in NEC's Residence Hall.

    Double Room

    The majority of NEC’s rooms are double rooms in the Residence Hall. All are equipped with a bed, dresser, armoire, desk, and chair. Rooms are WiFi compatible and have temperature control for heat and air conditioning.

  • Kitchen in NEC residence hall.

    Community Kitchen

    The Residence Hall’s fourth floor has a communal kitchen equipped with an electric stove top, microwave, two refrigerators, and a freezer. Students have access to the kitchen 24/7.

  • Laundry room in NEC Residence Hall.

    Laundry Room

    The residence hall has a laundry room, which students have 24/7 access to. It is equipped with seven washers, seven dryers, and one commercial dryer for larger items. Students can pay for laundry using a smartphone app or with coins.

  • Fourth-floor lounge in NEC residence hall.

    Fourth-Floor Lounge

    The fourth-floor lounge is the largest in the residence hall. Students often hold table tennis competitions or run movie and video game nights on the 88-inch flatscreen television.

Living and Learning at NEC

Benefits of Living On Campus

  • Modern and Convenient – No landlords, no utility bills—just move in and focus on what matters.
  • In The Heart of Campus – Live steps away from classes, practice rooms, and performance spaces
  • On-Site Dining – Enjoy a full meal plan included in housing costs
  • Safety and Security – 24/7 support, secure access, and a built-in community
  • Student Amenities – Amenities in the SLPC incude:
    • Lounges on each floor featuring views of Boston
    • A communal kitchen
    • Laundry facilities
    • TVs and a ping pong table

Secure Your Spot

Interested in living on campus? Follow the steps below.

  • First-year Undergraduates and Second-year Transfers – After completing the Intent to Enroll form, incoming undergraduates and second-year transfers will receive an email from the Director of Residence Life and Housing with on-campus housing information and a link to the electronic housing application.
  • Graduate Students – Complete the Housing Interest Form. Housing assignments are made in the order forms are received, based on availability. Submitting the form places you on the waitlist to be considered once required housing assignments are filled.

Room and Board Costs

Below are 2025 on-campus room and board costs based on room type. This cost includes a meal plan with 19 swipes per week.

Double Occupancy Room$21,000
Single Occupancy Room$26,500
Triple Occupancy Room$19,600
Suite-style Room$22,850
Event spotlight

Explore upcoming performances at NEC

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March 27, 2025

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  • New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School Celebrates 75 Years with Performances, Special Events, and a Concert for the City

    April 4, 2025

    New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School Celebrates 75 Years with Performances, Special Events, and a Concert for the City

  • Institute for Concert Artists Showcase Features Extraordinary Collaborations and Clear Camaraderie

    March 27, 2025

    Institute for Concert Artists Showcase Features Extraordinary Collaborations and Clear Camaraderie

  • NEC Community Mourns the Passing of Scott Nickrenz

    March 24, 2025

    NEC Community Mourns the Passing of Scott Nickrenz

Check out the view from the Avenue of the Arts.

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@necmusic