How to Apply

Audition dates vary by department and are scheduled based on the availability of the faculty. Please check the Audition page for specific information on audition procedures. 

Below you will find a general timeline for our application process. 

Application timing is as follows: 

• September 1: Applications available.
  
• December 10: Deadline to apply. Applications submitted after this date may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will incur an additional $75 late fee. 
• January: Applicants invited to audition live will be notified during this month. 
• February and March: Live auditions. Auditions are held in person on campus in Philadelphia. 
  
• April: Notification of admission and financial aid status provided.
• May: Admissions decisions released.
• June: Standardized test results due (if applicable).

Prospective students can apply to Curtis here.

You will be asked to create a username and password, which will allow you to save your application before submission. After completing and submitting your application, you will be able to download and view it. The application, all required documents, and fees must be submitted within the application platform.

As you complete the application, you will see 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 appear on any translated document.

There will be a section on the application to upload the following information.

• 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.

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)

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.

• 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.

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.

Students and parents may find it useful to review the following resources: Student Fees, Estimated Student Budget, and Net Price Calculator.

All accepted undergraduate students 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. If applicants submit an SAT score with their application materials, they can be accepted into the Bachelor’s program upon matriculation. Entrance to the Bachelor of Music program is determined on an individual basis.

The Bachelor of Music is open to all departments.

The Committee on Academic Standing reviews each student’s entire application and does not offer admission based solely on test scores.

The following documents are required in order to apply for admission to the Bachelor’s degree program.

• A complete official high school or, if applicable, college transcript in English, with grades and graduation date
• 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. All students are placed in the diploma program until they provide evidence of academic achievement in their first year of coursework at Curtis. If applicants submit an SAT score with their application materials, they can be accepted into the Bachelor’s program upon entrance.

Optional SAT Scores

If you’re submitting SAT scores, you must achieve a minimum of 500 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.

Note: Math scores or other SAT advanced tests are not required.

AP Policy

Curtis follows the AP policy of the University of Pennsylvania, available at https://www.college.upenn.edu/ap-equivalence. Foreign language AP scores of 5 may be awarded 3 college credits, if they are earned in a language that is not the native tongue of the student. No other AP credit will be awarded.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

For non-native speakers of English, official standardized test scores may be requested for placement purposes.

Pre-college-aged students must be enrolled in an accredited elementary- or secondary-school program or other approved program. (The registrar must be informed of student enrollment in non-Curtis academic programs.) It is the student and family’s responsibility to make an appointment with the appropriate person at the school of choice to discuss school schedules, classes, financial obligations, and deadlines. Students must maintain satisfactory grades (which Curtis defines as 2.0 or better) in their school programs, and they must provide Curtis with evidence of satisfactory progress each marking period or semester.

For information about schools near Curtis, contact Richard McGovern, manager of student life and international affairs.

Costs for tuition, fees, books, school uniforms, and other expenditures are the responsibility of the student and family. Contact the school of choice to request information about financial assistance available at that school. Most schools have payment plan options. Students must apply for all outside scholarships and grants before requesting financial assistance from Curtis. When meeting with the school of choice, students and family should bring the Curtis financial aid award letter. Please be advised that Curtis has limited funding for high school, middle school, and elementary school tuition. For additional questions, contact Veronica McAuley, director of student financial assistance.

High school students wishing to take an accelerated course load at their school of choice should submit requests to Richard McGovern, manager of student life and international affairs. Curtis and the student’s school of choice will consider all requests based on transcripts, English language proficiency, and placement tests. These will be weighed carefully to ensure that the student will be able to make normal progress academically and musically. Additionally, enrolling in online course work for high school credit will be considered at the discretion of Curtis. International students who are non-native English speakers are not eligible to take online courses for a high school diploma. For details and more information, contact Richard McGovern, manager of student life and international affairs.

Performance

• Major Lesson
• Chamber Music (required for pianists and orchestral instrument majors age fourteen and older)
• Orchestra (required for orchestral instrument majors age sixteen and older)
• Supplementary Piano (not required for piano majors)

Musical Studies

• Preparatory Musical Studies

In consultation with the dean and the faculty, academically advanced younger students may on occasion be permitted to enroll in academic courses for which they demonstrate superior aptitude.

Students under sixteen years of age are required to live with a parent or adult guardian.

• Assignment of a faculty or staff mentor
• Musical Studies instruction tailored to younger students, including structured courses in music theory and solfège and specialized tutorials
• Academic support programming designed by our Student Services Office, offered during the academic year.
• Peer advice through new student orientation leaders
• Courses and tutoring in English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Guidance on enrollment in high school or middle school
• Access to age-appropriate counseling services with our mental health team, for individuals or in groups

• All audition finalists and their parents are interviewed by associate dean of student services and international affairs, Meredith Tarditi, to help the family understand the unique demands of studying at Curtis. The interview has no bearing on the admissions decision.
• Members of faculty and staff members are available as a resource to help identify special needs regarding language, educational progress, adjustment issues, etc.
• Regular reviews of student progress are conducted by the Committee on Academic Standing and the Student Services Office.
• Regular meetings with faculty and staff may take place throughout the year, as warranted.
• The associate dean of student services and international affairs stays in close touch with the student’s elementary, middle, or high school to ensure satisfactory completion of coursework. (Completing work toward the high school diploma is considered essential to a young student’s success at Curtis.)
• For more information, contact Richard McGovern, manager of student life and international affairs.

• Program Requirements
• Curtis Financial Assistance Procedures

The Curtis Institute of Music is a tuition-free school, providing merit-based, full-tuition scholarships to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their financial situation. No application for financial assistance is required for the full-tuition scholarship. Students can be considered for financial aid for living expenses.

Find more about financial assistance at Curtis.

Applicants can upload unofficial transcripts along with application materials in the application portal.

There is a $150 nonrefundable application fee for all applicants. For major departments that require prescreening, there is an additional $100 screening fee. 

Applicants invited to a live audition will pay an additional $150 audition fee (the screening fee will apply as credit towards this audition fee).

Applicants who complete a live audition should be prepared to pay $300 in fees.

All fees are payable via the application platform. Please review the Curtis website to learn more about which major departments require prescreening.  

Yes. Students who want to double-major must audition and gain admission separately for each major instrument department.  

Curtis sets no minimum or maximum age for the admission of exceptional students to most of its programs. Students younger than college age are considered candidates for the Curtis Diploma. These students pursue their musical studies at Curtis and their college-preparatory academic studies at an accredited public or private middle or high school of their choosing. They may opt to transition to the Bachelor of Music program when they reach college age.

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree when they enter Curtis may pursue graduate-level work toward a post-baccalaureate Diploma, or, if accepted into the program, a Master of Music degree or a Master of Music in Opera.

The acceptance rate at Curtis varies from year to year and across programs. Overall, it has remained steady at about 4 percent. Do not let this discourage you. Many current students  didn’t believe they could be accepted but auditioned anyway.

They are now thriving at Curtis.

The most important factor is artistic promise. Though showing technical proficiency in the audition is a requirement, the strongest candidates for admission demonstrate the potential to develop into exceptional artists.

Curtis offers a warm welcome to musicians who arrive from other continents, from across North America, and from Philadelphia.

We have found that students who have the most success in their growth as musicians, artist-citizens, and human beings are those who are curious; have a desire to learn and apply their learning; are able to manage their time and well-being within an intense schedule of classes, lessons, chamber music coachings, rehearsals, and performances; and have a deep and abiding love of music and music-making. Rigorous study, self-discipline, and an openness to new musical ideas and experiences will serve students well in an exciting environment where amazing colleagues share musical discoveries with one another in classes, practice rooms, and on stage.

Campus visits are by appointment only. Tours last approximately one hour, and appointments must be made in advance. If you are interested in visiting our campus in Philadelphia, you can check availability here.

Interested in visiting Curtis but not local to Philadelphia? Our Virtual Tour page provides an inside look at the main buildings comprising the Curtis Institute of Music campus, located on Locust Street in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.

In some cases, applicants to Curtis can take lessons with Curtis faculty (i.e., trial lessons) for instructional purposes or to get a sense for a teacher’s style. The availability of informational lessons varies by faculty and major department. Such lessons will have no bearing on an applicant’s chances for admission and are not required to be seriously considered for admission.

Candidates are encouraged to learn more about Curtis through all avenues, including tours, conversations with current students, the Curtis website, Curtis YouTube channel, and Instagram page. In some cases candidates may be able to take an informational lesson with a Curtis alumnus. Please email [email protected] for more information.

The graduation scroll will reflect the successful completion of whichever specific accredited program the student completes. Students earn one of the following: a Diploma; a Bachelor of Music degree; a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma; a Master of Music degree; or a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera.

Learn more about degrees and diplomas available at Curtis.

Preparation for outstanding achievement in the highly competitive world of classical music begins with focused internal growth that leads to extraordinary external expression.

The process of learning, whether in a practice room or a library, or in interactions with performance teachers, coaches, classroom teachers, peers, alumni, or guest artists, does not end when the semester ends. At Curtis, students have the opportunity to apply their learning immediately when they create programs and perform in varied venues and engage with new audiences across Philadelphia and the world. But Curtis also provides students with a learning and growth mind-set, so that they have the resilience, contextual understanding, and practical knowledge to design and build a future that reflects their values and allows them to explore their fullest potential as performing artists.

Curtis follows the AP policy of the University of Pennsylvania, available at https://www.college.upenn.edu/ap-equivalence. Foreign language AP scores of 5 may be awarded 3 college credits, if they are earned in a language that is not the native tongue of the student. No other AP credit will be awarded.

If students would like to transfer college credits to Curtis, the Petition to Transfer Credits form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office after admission but before the first semester begins.

Curtis Institute of Music is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including admission, employment, service, and educational programs. Curtis complies with all laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or gender identity. Curtis is an equal-opportunity employer.

The safety, security and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors at the Curtis Institute of Music are of paramount importance.

Read our Annual Security and Fire Safety Report to see safety statistics from 2018, 2019, and 2020.