The following applicants qualify for an automatic fee waiver or reduction:

• Current and previous SFCM students receive a full fee waiver. These applicants must include SFCM in the academic history section of their application.
• Event participants receive a $50 discount. Events include in-person campus tour (not including audition days), meet admissions/faculty at a college fair, and attend an off-campus recruitment event.

Applicants who do not qualify for an automatic fee waiver may request one using one of the methods below.

• Application Fee Waiver Form: Access via the 'forms and resources' page of the application.
• NACAC Fee Waiver Form: Submit via counselor to nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa

Fall Entry Deadline: December 1
Spring Entry Deadline: October 15

A non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit is required of all students accepted to SFCM to secure their spot. This fee is credited toward the first semester bill. For those who may have concerns about affording the deposit, the Admissions team will be available to offer support and guidance after acceptance.

For a full list of fees for enrolled students, including the enrollment deposit due upon accepting admission, please visit the Tuition and Fees section of our Financial Aid and Affordability page.

Note: Tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic year will be updated by April 2026.

Deadline

Due with application.

Unofficial Transcript Policies

An unofficial transcript is a record of coursework and grades that an applicant can access directly or an official transcript that the applicant submits themselves. We accept PDFs or screenshots that clearly show the applicant’s full name, cumulative GPA, and complete academic record.

How to Submit

All applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts within their application. All transcripts uploaded into the application are considered "unofficial." 

Deadline

Fall Entry: July 1
Spring: January 15

Those that are graduating after July 1, or taking summer classes, are responsible for contacting the Admissions Office to request an extension.

Final Official Transcript Policies

A final official transcript is a record of all completed coursework and final grades issued after graduation or after the completion of the final term at the institution.

Final Official Transcripts must include:

• All completed coursework with final grades
• Cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
• Official seal, stamp, or signature
• Degree awarded with graduation date (if completing a degree).
• Students who attended schools outside the U.S. should see the International Schools drop down.

How to Submit

All final transcripts must be submitted to SFCM by the institution. We will not process transcripts sent by the student. We accept records from the institution via mail/post, via institution email to nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa , or via Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse.

Office of Admissions
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
50 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

We do not require updated transcripts between application submission and the final official due. 

The following requirements apply to all students who attended a school outside the United States, including U.S. domestic applicants.

All recommendation letters must be submitted by the following deadlines:

Fall Entry: January 15

Spring Entry: November 1

Letter 1: One recommendation letter must be from a current private music teacher or ensemble director. If you are not currently in lessons or in an ensemble, please include at least one recommender who can speak to your musical abilities. TAC and Composition applicants who have not studied privately should include at least one recommender who can speak to their musical abilities.

Letter 2: The second recommendation letter may come from anyone who can address your work ethic and character; this person does not need to be from the music field.

We accept letters of recommendation only through our application-linked recommendation form. 

We do not accept recommendation letters via email, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or other portals. Recommenders will receive a link to submit their letter once their applicant has entered their information within their SFCM application. 

*High school counselors may submit recommendation letters on behalf of their faculty through the application linked recommendation form. Please enter the counselor’s email address in place of the faculty member’s so your school counselor can receive the link to submit the recommendation letter.

Submission Steps

Choose two (2) of the four (4) essay prompts to include in your application (300-500 words). All current or former SFCM students must complete the writing prompts!

1. Describe your career goals and how you envision attending SFCM will enable you to achieve these ambitions.

2. At SFCM, we bring people together to better the lives of others through music. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc.

3. Our core mission is to transform our students: artistically, intellectually, professionally, and individually. Reflect on an experience that has shaped you in one or more of these areas.

4. Music is more than performance—it’s also about creativity, expression, and finding new ways to connect. Tell us about a time when you used creativity, whether through music or another part of your life, to solve a problem, express yourself, or inspire others. How did this experience shape who you are as an artist? (300–500 words)

All applicants must upload a 3 minute or less video essay for the area faculty and Admissions to learn more about you. Please note, video submissions do not affect admission decisions and will not be judged on artistic merit, creativity, production quality, or similar criteria. 

New Applicants

• We ask that you introduce yourself clearly, but everything else is up to you!
• Past applicants have shared why they want to study music, why they chose SFCM, music they are currently working on, where they are from, their hobbies, other musical interests, and more. You’re welcome to include anything that gives faculty a fuller picture of who you are and what inspires you - both musically and beyond.

Current of Former SFCM Students

For current or former SFCM students - please include why this next degree, certificate, or diploma is meaningful to you, what new goals you hope to achieve, and anything the faculty may not already know about your background or interests. 

All applicants applying to the following programs must submit these essays in addition to the two written essays mentioned above.

Chamber Music

Students must submit an additional essays within their application detailing their career goals and skills specific to chamber music. These essays should not exceed 200 words.

TAC

• What are some recent developments in music technology that you are most excited about? Why? (200-250 words)
• How did you hear about the TAC Program? (200 words max)

Applicants in the following areas do not require prescreening and must only prepare final audition repertoire. 

Final audition scheduling will open once the audition module is available — typically in mid-December for Fall applicants. Spring applicants will have auditions arranged on an individual basis.

Brass   
Classical Guitar   
Collaborative Piano   
Historical Performance   
Strings (Double Bass, Harp only)   
Woodwinds
Returning SFCM students in all areas but AD.
 

The following areas require prescreening as a part of the application process and must prepare both prescreening and final audition repertoire. Prescreening requirements must be uploaded to the portfolio section of the application.

After review, applicants will either be invited to a final audition or not advanced beyond the prescreening round. See the "recording policies" for how to prepare your recordings.

Conducting   
Composition   
Percussion   
Piano
RJAM: Roots, Jazz, and American Music   
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello only)   
String and Piano Chamber Music   
TAC: Technology and Applied Composition   
Voice and Opera Studies
All Artist Diplomas applicants, regardless of area

We will offer live auditions for all areas on campus in San Francisco, CA. If you cannot attend a live audition in San Francisco, please see the Alternative Audition Request section. 

All Artist Diploma, Conducting, and the Strings & Piano Chamber Music programs must audition live in San Francisco. We will likely offer one date for these areas. The final "audition" for Composition and TAC (Technology and Applied Composition) will contain an interview and piano proficiency portions. 

All piano applicants who advance to the final round are required to audition in person. Applicants unable to attend a live audition may request an alternative format, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis for all programs except the Artist Diploma

Students will perform for a panel of faculty from their area of study, which may not include the "faculty preference" selected in their application. However, if your preferred faculty member is unavailable to hear you live, they will review your recording. 

All final auditions are recorded by SFCM for review purposes, as needed. Recordings are not shared with applicants or any offices outside of Admissions and the relevant department.

All instrumental auditions are to be played unaccompanied. All vocal auditions will be performed with our collaborative pianist staff who will meet with applicants for 10-15 minutes prior to their audition time to go over tempos and rehearse. Applicants cannot bring their own accompanist.

Alternative audition requests are not permitted for the following areas and these applicants must attend live auditions.

• All Artist Diploma programs
• Conducting
• Piano Chamber Music
• Strings Chamber Music  

Applicants who cannot attend a live audition may request an alternative audition and must be able to attend a scheduled Zoom session. 

The piano proficiency portion of the final audition may be performed live or uploaded by 12:00 PM PT on the day before the scheduled Zoom audition. Regardless of format, applicants must have a piano or keyboard available during their Zoom audition and be prepared to read any on-screen materials if sight-reading is requested.

All Areas, Except Piano

Applicants in brass, collaborative piano, conducting, guitar, historical performance, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds areas may request to submit a final video recording if unable to attend a live audition. The only exception are Artist Diploma programs which require a live audition.

Piano Performance

Piano performance applicants are expected to attend live auditions and will be considered for an alternative audition on a case by case basis. Approved alternative auditions will consist of two parts - a live Zoom audition and the submission of all required repertoire via video. The only exception are Artist Diploma programs which require a live audition.

Applicants who cannot attend a live audition may request an alternative audition and must be able to attend a scheduled Zoom session. 

Applicants who cannot attend a live audition may request an alternative audition and must be able to attend a scheduled Zoom session. 

The piano proficiency portion must be uploaded by 12:00 PM PT the day prior to their audition.

Mid-December – January 15

Applicants can select their audition date and tentative time slot through the Auditions tab in the Application Status Portal once it opens in mid-December.

• Timing: Opens December 16 for non-prescreened areas and December 16–19 (rolling) for prescreened areas as decisions are released.
• Closes: January 15 at 11:59 PM PT.
• Note: Final confirmed times may shift up to two hours before or after the tentative slot.

January 16 – January 30 at 11:59 PM PT

After the self-scheduling period ends, a request form will be available in your portal to select an audition date and tentative time slot through the Office of Admissions. Please allow up to three business days for our office to process your request. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences; however, we cannot guarantee a specific time on your preferred date.

About two weeks before your audition, you’ll receive a Status Update email notifying you that your confirmed audition details have been posted in your portal. Please note, your confirmed time may be adjusted up to two hours before or after your original tentative time slot. 

Your confirmation will include:

• Required check-in time
• Confirmed audition slot
• Additional audition-day details including practice rooms, check in location, and more!

• When to Book Travel: Only book travel after scheduling your audition - either during the self-schedule period or by submitting a request form afterward. Do not book travel to San Francisco before your audition is scheduled.
• When to Arrive: Applicants should plan to arrive a minimum of 1.5 hours before their confirmed audition time to check in and access a practice room.
• Traveling to SFCM – Same Day (not recommended): Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is strongly discouraged. If necessary, applicants should arrive in San Francisco at least four hours before their tentative audition time to accommodate possible schedule changes.
• Departure Time Warning: Avoid booking departures within four hours after your original tentative audition time to allow for possible confirmation time changes, audition delays, and San Francisco transit.

• Horn: Feb 8, 9
• Trombone: Feb 9, 23
• Trumpet*: Feb 15
• Tuba*: Feb 14

• Chamber - Piano: Feb 5
• Chamber - Strings: Feb 6

Feb 13, 22

 Feb 8, 15, 22

Feb 22

Feb 6, 20

Feb 9

Feb 12, 23

Feb 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 27

Feb 20, 27

• Cello: Feb 6, 8, 22
• Double Bass: Feb 9, 16
• Harp: Feb 20, 23
• Viola*: Feb 6, 9
• Violin: Feb 9, 13, 16, 20

Feb 6, 13, 20, 27

• Voice: Feb 8, 14, 15, 22
• Opera (AD): Feb 14

• Bassoon: Feb 9, 23
• Clarinet: Feb 16, 23
• Flute/Piccolo: Feb 6, 8
• Oboe*: Feb 6

1. I cannot attend a live audition in San Francisco, can I request a remote audition? Yes, for most areas we allow applicants to request an 'alternative audition format.' Applicants in the Composition, Piano, RJAM, and TAC areas must attend a Zoom audition for their alternative format, all other areas will submit a video recording. Alternative audition requests will open alongside the live audition scheduling process. Please note, all Artist Diploma, Piano Chamber Music, Strings Chamber Music, and Conducting applicants must attend a live audition in San Francisco.
2. When do I need to check in? The Office of Admissions will send you an assigned check in time two weeks before your live audition. As we are a closed, vertical campus, we schedule audition arrival and transition carefully to ensure applicants are given access to the correct floors in time to transition to their audition room and practice room. Keep in mind that your check in time will likely be 1.5 hours prior to your confirmed audition time - this time takes into account transition to the practice area, warm up time, and transition to the backstage area.
3. Will my final audition time change? Roughly two weeks prior to live and zoom audition dates, applicants will receive their confirmed audition time, which may change up to two hours before or after the tentative time they selected. Times are adjusted to accommodate changes in the schedule such as hall/room changes, conflicts, and gaps in the schedule.
4. Can I bring my own accompanist? No. All instrumental auditions are to be played unaccompanied. All vocal auditions will be performed with our collaborative pianist staff who will meet with applicants for 10-15 minutes prior to their audition time to go over tempos and rehearse.

1. I am arriving __ days before auditions - can I use a practice room? Applicants may only use practice rooms on their audition day during their assigned practice room time. Unfortunately, access cannot be provided earlier. If you need a room beforehand, we recommend contacting churches or companies in San Francisco. The following businesses may offer practice general space: Union Music, SF Community Music Center, Music City Rehearsal, Lennon Studios, Little Mission Studio, and Secret Studios.
2. I don't need my practice room time, do I still need to arrive at the designated check-in time? All applicants are expected to arrive at their assigned check-in time. The check-in time ensures you have sufficient time to complete check-in, receive instructions, and transition to the audition space. If you choose not to use your practice room time, a form will be provided to opt out, and an adjusted check-in time will be sent. This form will close one week prior to each audition day. Please note that if you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.

1. I want to arrive the same day as my audition, is this possible? We strongly discourage applicants from traveling to SFCM on the same day as their audition. Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is not recommended. If same-day travel is unavoidable, applicants should plan to arrive in San Francisco at least four hours before their tentative audition time to accommodate the final audition confirmation. Please note that if you miss your audition, we cannot guarantee you will be heard that day.
2. Which is the best airport to fly into? The closest and easiest route is to fly into SFO. See more information on the SFCM Getting Here page.
3. Do you have any hotel discounts? We have a 15% discount with Hotel Enso in Japantown, located about a 10–20 minute taxi or ride-share trip from campus. More information is available on the SFCM Getting Here page.
4. Where do you recommend we stay in town? In addition to Hotel Enso in Japan town, past applicants have had success with the Inn at the Opera, Inn on Gough, Hayes Valley Inn, or short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) in the Hayes Valley area. We also encourage applicants to consider accommodations in Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. While San Francisco has excellent public transportation, we recommend using taxis or ride-share apps for a quicker, more direct route on audition days!
5. Do you have on-campus housing accommodations? We may have a few rooms available for live audition attendance for a fee (under $100 total). More details about the exact fee and requests will be posted in December. Requests will open on January 15 and are not guaranteed. Attendees must have a refundable option booked.