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

• Current and previous SFCM students receive a full fee waiver, including pre-college students. These applicants must include SFCM in the academic history section of their application.
• Applicants applying to the Denis de Coteau Fellowship receive a full fee waiver.
• Event participants receive a $50 discount. Qualifying events include an in-person campus tour (excluding audition days), a college fair with admissions staff or faculty, or an off-campus recruitment event.

• 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 .

Fee Waiver Request Deadlines:
Fall Entry: December 1
Spring Entry: October 15

A non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit is required of all students accepted to SFCM to secure their place. This fee is credited toward the first semester bill. If you have concerns about the deposit, the Admissions team is available to offer support and guidance after acceptance.

For a full list of fees for enrolled students, 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. Please note, all transcripts uploaded into the application are considered "unofficial," even if they are official copies provided by an institution, as they have been handled by the student. 

Deadline

Fall Entry: July 1
Spring Entry: January 15

Those who are graduating after July 1, or taking summer classes, are responsible for contacting the Office of Admissions 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. Students who attended schools outside the U.S. should also refer to the International Schools dropdown below.

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)

How to Submit

All final transcripts must be submitted to SFCM directly by the institution. We will not process transcripts sent by the student. We accept records from the institution via mail or 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 transcript due date.

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 an ensemble — including TAC and Composition applicants who have not studied privately — include at least one recommender who can speak to your 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 the recommendation form linked in your application.

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 the applicant has entered their information in their SFCM application.

Note: High school counselors may submit recommendation letters on behalf of their recommender through the recommendation form linked in the application. Please enter the counselor's email address in place of the recommender's so your school counselor receives the link to submit the letter.

Submission Steps

Choose two (2) of the four (4) essay prompts to include in your application (300–500 words). Each essay will be typed or pasted directly into the application.

Note: 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?

All applicants must upload a video essay no longer than three minutes for the area faculty and the Office of 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 or 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

Applicants must submit an additional essay within their application detailing their career goals and skills specific to chamber music. This essay 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 maximum)

Applicants in the following areas do not require prescreening and need only prepare final audition repertoire. Current SFCM students do not need to submit prescreening unless applying to an Artist Diploma program.

Final audition scheduling opens once the audition module is available — typically mid-December for Fall applicants. Spring applicants will have auditions arranged individually.

• Classical Guitar
• Collaborative Piano
• Historical Performance
• Strings (Double Bass and Harp only)
• Woodwinds

The following areas require prescreening as part of the application process. 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. Current SFCM students do not need to submit prescreening unless applying to an Artist Diploma program.

• All Artist Diploma applicants, in any program, must complete prescreening.
• Chamber Music – Strings and Piano
• Conducting
• Composition
• Percussion
• Piano
• RJAM (Roots, Jazz, and American Music)
• Strings (Violin, Viola, and Cello only)
• TAC (Technology and Applied Composition)
• Voice and Opera Studies

Note: Applicants to the Technology and Applied Composition program may edit or produce their submissions due to the nature of the program.

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. 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.

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.

Applicants in brass, collaborative piano, guitar, historical performance, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds who cannot attend a live audition may request to submit a final video recording. Artist Diploma applicants in these areas are not eligible and must attend a live audition.

Piano applicants are expected to attend live auditions. Alternative formats are considered on a case-by-case basis for all programs except the Artist Diploma. Approved alternative auditions consist of two parts: a live Zoom audition and the submission of all required repertoire via video.

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 before their audition.

Live auditions are offered for all areas on campus in San Francisco, CA. All Artist Diploma, Conducting, and Strings & Piano Chamber Music applicants must attend a live audition; alternative formats are not available for these programs.

The final audition for Composition and TAC applicants will include an interview and piano proficiency portions. All piano applicants who advance to the final round are required to audition in person; alternative formats are considered on a case-by-case basis for non-Artist Diploma programs only.

Audition Panel

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

Audition Recording

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

Booking Travel

• 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.

Live audition scheduling opens in mid-December and occurs in two periods:

1. Self-Scheduling Period (Mid-December – January 15 at 11:59 PM PT) — Applicants select their own audition date and tentative time slot through the Auditions tab in the Application Status Portal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule during this period.
2. Assisted-Scheduling Period (January 16 – January 30 at 11:59 PM PT) — Applicants request an audition date through the Office of Admissions via a request form in the portal. Please allow up to three business days for processing. We will do our best to accommodate preferences; however, a specific time on a preferred date cannot be guaranteed.

The scheduling module opens on a rolling basis between December 16–19 by area. Applicants should watch for a Status Update email with their decision or next steps. Notifications will be sent throughout the week and into the evening on December 19.

Confirmed Audition Time

About two weeks before your audition, you will receive a Status Update email confirming your final audition details in your portal, including required check in time, warm up time, and confirmed audition time. Please note your confirmed time may be adjusted up to two hours before or after your original tentative time slot to accommodate hall or room changes, conflicts, or gaps in the schedule.

The following are the planned audition dates for Fall 2026. Dates are subject to change. Instruments and areas marked with an asterisk (*) may offer additional dates.

All applicants are assigned practice room slots following their check-in time. You will have at least 45 minutes of practice room time before your audition, with transition time included between check-in, the practice area, and the backstage area.

Applicants cannot use practice rooms prior to their audition day or earlier than their assigned warm-up time. If you need access to a practice space beforehand, we suggest contacting churches or music businesses in San Francisco. The following may offer general practice rooms: Union Music, SF Community Music Center, Music City Rehearsal, Lennon Studios, Little Mission Studio, and Secret Studios.

If you do not plan to use your assigned practice room time, a form will be provided to opt out and an adjusted check-in time will be sent. This form closes one week before each audition day. Please note that if you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.

• When to Book: Only book travel after scheduling your audition — either during the self-scheduling period or by submitting a request form during the assisted-scheduling period. Do not book travel to San Francisco before your audition is confirmed.
• When to Arrive: Plan to arrive at least 1.5 hours before your confirmed audition time to check in and access your practice room.
• Same-Day Travel (not recommended): Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is strongly discouraged. If unavoidable, plan to arrive in San Francisco at least four hours before your tentative audition time to accommodate possible schedule changes. Please note that if you miss your audition, we cannot guarantee you will be heard that day.
• Departure Time: 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.
• Best Airport: The closest and most convenient option is SFO. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more information.
• Hotel Discounts: We have a 15% discount with Hotel Enso in Japantown, located approximately 10–20 minutes from campus by taxi or ride-share. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more details.
• Where to Stay: In addition to Hotel Enso, past applicants have had success with the Inn at the Opera, Inn on Gough, Hayes Valley Inn, and short-term rentals in the Hayes Valley area. We also recommend considering accommodations in Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, and Pacific Heights. While San Francisco has excellent public transportation, taxis or ride-share apps are recommended for a quicker, more direct route on audition days.

• Instrumental Performance: All instrumental auditions are performed unaccompanied. Applicants may not bring an accompanist and a piano will not be provided.
• Voice and Opera: All vocal auditions are performed with our collaborative pianist staff, who will meet with applicants for 10–15 minutes before their audition time to review tempos and rehearse. Applicants may not bring their own accompanist.
• Collaborative Piano: Collaborative piano applicants will audition with SFCM students and may not bring their own soloists.

1. Can I request a remote audition if I cannot attend in person? Yes, for most areas we allow applicants to request an alternative audition format. Applicants in Composition, RJAM, and TAC must attend a Zoom session; all other eligible areas submit a video recording. Alternative audition requests open alongside live audition scheduling in mid-December. Please note that Artist Diploma, Conducting, Piano Chamber Music, and Strings Chamber Music applicants must attend a live audition in San Francisco.
2. Can I reschedule my fall audition? Yes. During the self scheduling period you can reschedule your audition through the Auditions tab in your application status portal. During the assisted scheduling period, you can submit the audition reschedule form through your Auditions tab in your application status portal and we will assist you with rescheduling, if possible. 
3. How long is the audition? Auditions vary by length depending on the area. You can expect a minimum of 10-15 minutes. 
4. Will I receive feedback after my audition? We do not provide feedback regarding your performance or audition rankings.
5. When will I receive my check-in time? Your assigned check-in time will be sent approximately two weeks before your audition alongside your confirmed audition details. Check-in is typically 1.5 hours before your confirmed audition time to allow for transition to the practice area, warm-up time, and transition to the backstage area. As SFCM is a closed, vertical campus, arrival and transition times are scheduled carefully to ensure applicants reach the correct floors in time.
6. Will my audition time change after I select it? Yes, it may. Roughly two weeks before your audition you will receive your confirmed time, which may be adjusted up to two hours before or after your tentative slot to accommodate hall or room changes, conflicts, or gaps in the schedule.
7. Can I bring my own accompanist? No. All instrumental auditions are performed unaccompanied; a piano will not be provided. Vocal auditions are performed with our collaborative pianist staff, who will meet with you for 10–15 minutes before your audition to review tempos and rehearse. Collaborative piano applicants will audition with SFCM students and may not bring their own soloists.

1. When will I hear back about my prescreening decision? Prescreening decisions are released on a rolling basis beginning December 16, with all decisions released by December 19. Watch for a Status Update email with your decision or next steps.
2. What happens if I am not advanced past prescreening? You will receive a notification that you have not been invited to a final audition. Applicants who are not advanced beyond prescreening are not eligible for admission for that cycle.

1. Can I use a practice room before my audition day? No. Practice room access is only available on your audition day during your assigned warm-up time. If you need a space beforehand, we suggest contacting churches or music businesses in San Francisco. Options may include 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 my check-in time? You may opt out of your practice room time using the provided form, and an adjusted check-in time will be sent. This form closes one week before each audition day. Please note that if you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.
3. Is same-day travel to San Francisco recommended? No. Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is strongly discouraged. If unavoidable, plan to arrive at least four hours before your tentative audition time. Please note that if you miss your audition, we cannot guarantee you will be heard that day.
4. Which airport should I fly into? SFO is the closest and most convenient option. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more information on transportation to campus.
5. Are there hotel discounts available? Yes. We have a 15% discount with Hotel Enso in Japantown, approximately 10–20 minutes from campus by taxi or ride-share. Past applicants have also had success with the Inn at the Opera, Inn on Gough, Hayes Valley Inn, and short-term rentals in Hayes Valley, Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, and Pacific Heights. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more details.
6. Is on-campus housing available during auditions? No, we do not currently offer on-campus accommodations for audition days.