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Curtis Institute of Music Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Requirements, Deadlines, Application Process

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaLocation

CollegeSchool type

Estd1924established year

175enrollment

Private (Not for Profit)

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The Curtis Institute of Music empowers artistry and educates exceptionally talented youthful performers to engage and participate in local and global communities. With an average acceptance rate around 4%, Curtis is one of the most selective schools in US education system.

The college currently has a student enrollment of only 175 students. Nearly 40% of these students are international candidates from over 20 countries across the globe and is one of the most desired choices among international artists seeking to study in the USA.

The institute ensures that each energetic artist gets guidance of unparalleled quality, perceived by a "learn by doing" thinking. Curtis students present more than 200 live public performances in front of the local and international audience. The institute has 113 faculty members which incorporates a high proportion of actively performing artists whose experience furnishes students with a direct connection with life as a professional musician today.

Curtis offers a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Music, Diploma, Post Baccalaureate Diploma and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. The Institute also provides various pre-college courses for its young, exceptionally talented aspirants and believes that music and art has no age limit. The Committee on Academic Standing reviews each student's application to the fullest before granting admission.

The application, all necessary supporting reports, and USD150 application charge (USD250 for screened departments) must be submitted online by December 16. (Materials submitted after this date cause an extra USD75 late expense.) An extra nonrefundable audition charge of USD150 (or USD50 for screened departments), is to be paid at the time the candidate is advised of an audition date. This fee must be received by the institute before the applicant is allowed to audition.
All admitted students are awarded a merit-based, full-tuition scholarship. The candidate, whenever acknowledged, assumes full accountability for all other costs.
Students need to apply before December 16, a year before the fall semester begins. Curtis has extended its spring break due to Covid – 19 pandemic. There are no new updates regarding admission procedure.
Curtis students have unparalleled opportunities to tour, both nationally and internationally, performing alongside renowned faculty and alumni.
Students will be asked to submit their TOEFL and SAT scores in order to qualify for Curtis Institute of Music Admissions.
Students must give live audition as part of the admission procedure; an audio-visual screening sample should be submitted by the students aiming to hone Bassoon, Clarinet, Double bass, flute, composition, conducting, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, voice, Opera and violin skills.
No age limit has been fixed. Students below the age of 18 can apply for Diploma courses at Curtis.
A waitlist is produced when the number of qualified students is greater than the seats available.

Highlights

Application Portal	Online , Official Website
Application Fee	Usd 150 [Non-refundable]
Deadline	16 December
Late Submission Charges	Usd 75
Audition Fee	Usd 150 [Non-refundable]
Application Procedure	Applying And Auditioning
Financial Aid	Merit-based, Full-tuition Scholarship
Acceptance Rate	Average 4%
Total Students	175
Standardized Test Scores Requirement	79-80 (TOEFL IBT) 500 in Critical Reading (SAT)
Admission Help Desk	admissions@curtis.edu

Curtis Institute of Music Acceptance Rate

The institute has maintained a steady acceptance rate of 4% in recent years. Admission to the institute of music is based on musical promise. In fall, 687 applications were received out of which 4% were selected. The acceptance rate of Curtis is highly competitive but should not be taken negatively as selection is based on talent. It has a total enrollment of 173 students of which 40% of the enrolled students are from abroad representing around 20 countries.

Curtis Institute of Music Admission Deadlines

While applying for Curtis Institute of Music Admission, students should be mindful of the important dates mentioned in the table given below. They should try applying a year before the fall semester begins.

September: Applications accessible
December 16: Applications due for fall. An extra USD75 late charge will be charged on applications submitted after this date.
February and March: Auditions held at the Curtis Institute
April 1: Notification of admission and financial aid status
May 1: Applicant decision due.
June 1: Standardized test results due. Accepted candidates are automatically placed into non-degree programs until all official test scores are received.

Curtis Institute of Music International Students Admission

Students need to apply at the online application portal 'Accepted'.

Some departments require 'screening material' before the live in-person audition, as part of the application procedure. The information on which can be checked under the 'Programs of Study' webpage at the official website.

Bachelor Of Music Program

Curtis requires both:

A recognized high school diploma
An SAT score of 500 in the Critical Reasoning section

Curtis also considers the score of the SAT written exam for placement. Math scores or other SAT advanced tests are not required.

For non-native English speakers, Curtis considers the SAT and one of the following TOEFL scores:

The TOEFL written score minimum of 550, or
213 on the computer-based TOEFL test, or
A post-2005 Internet TOEFL IBT [INTERNET BASED TEST] of 79-80

Masters Of Music And Post-baccalaureate Diploma

Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music degree or equivalent
Native speakers of English: Standardized tests are not required.
Non-native speakers of English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL IBT [INTERNET BASED TEST]: 79–80

Diploma And Professional Studies Certificate In Opera

Native speakers of English: Standardized tests are not required.
Non-native speakers of English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)*
TOEFL IBT: 79–80
The TOEFL scores for students acknowledging the Diploma program will be used for placement purposes only.

Documents Required

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
List of scholarships, awards, etc., received and their respective amounts
A response to two of four short essay questions
Live audition program .in compliance with each department's audition requirements
For voice and opera applicants: an interpretation of professional experience, if any, including roles and dates performed, names of performing organizations, non operatic melodic activities, and dramatic training and experience.
A list of composers and works, including technical studies, that you have studied intensively and consider a part of your repertoire
An uploadable copy of your most recent academic transcript
At least one uploadable copy of a concert or recital program in which you have participated (featuring your name)
A credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or Diner's Club) to pay the USD150 application fee (and USD100 screening fee, if applicable)
Applicants under the age of eighteen must have the application cosigned by a parent or guardian.

Supporting Documents

It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure the required documents are submitted in English. The official seal and signature of the translator must show up on any translated document. The following supporting documents are required:

The online written consent of the current private teacher
Online confidential statements from two musicians, excluding relatives and the current private teacher.
Recent official transcript of high school and/or college
One or two programs from concerts in which the applicant has participated (photocopied programs are acceptable)
A nonrefundable application fee of USD150 U.S. (payment required to complete online form)
Additional USD100 screening fee for the following departments:
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Composition
- Conducting
- Double Bass
- Flute
- Piano
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Violin
- Vocal Studies (Voice and Opera)

Screening Materials

The applicants must submit a video recording for the following programs:
Bassoon	Piano
Conducting	Flute
Double bass Trumpet	Trombone Tuba
Violin	Voice/opera

The recording for screening should include accompaniment.
Please make sure the recording is of good quality, as the permit of a live audition will depend upon this.
Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding live auditions by mid-January.

Visa process for International Students

Your course of study and the kind of school you intend to go to decide if you need a F visa or a M visa. The initial step is to apply to a SEVP-affirmed school in the United States. After the SEVP-affirmed school acknowledges your enrollment, you will be enrolled for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the fee charges.
The SEVP-approved school will give you a Form I-20. After you get the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must introduce the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.
Visa application processing fees for the students will be USD160.00
Various documents such as passport, nonimmigrant visa application, application fee payment receipt, photo, certificate of eligibility for F and M Visas, all official academic transcripts will be required.

FAQs

Ques. Does Curtis offer a wait list?

Ans. This depends on the department and the year. If there are a number of highly qualified applicants, and not the same number of open spots, then there may be a wait list.

Ques. Does Curtis offer tours?

Ans. Yes, Curtis coordinates tours and is happy to give them! Please contact him to request a tour.

Ques. What does Curtis look for in an audition?

Ans. Eventually, the most significant factor is artistic promise. Despite the fact that indicating specialized capability in the audition is a prerequisite, the strongest candidates for admission demonstrate an inherent musical gift.

Ques. What is the procedure for room assignment?

Ans. After acknowledgement of Curtis, you will receive a housing application in the mail. Included in the application are questions about your personal preferences, habits, lifestyle.

Ques. What is the acceptance rate of Curtis Institute of Music?

Ans. Curtis Institute of Music has remained steady at 4% in the recent years.

Ques. Do Bachelor of Music applicants have to submit an SAT score?

Ans. Yes, Bachelor of Music applicants are required to submit SAT I scores along with the application.

Ques. What would happen if I could not submit the required documents by the due date?

Ans. If applicants cannot submit the required documents within the due date, then you have to pay an additional late fee of 75 USD after the due date.

Ques. Does Curtis Institute put students on a wait list?

Ans. Some major departments provide a wait list. If a student is placed on a wait list, the admissions team will contact the applicants.

Ques. Can I send a recording for an audition and be accepted on the basis of it?

Ans.. Applicants must audition in person. Video recordings will not be considered instead of a live audition except the screened departments.