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Application and Auditions

Collegiate Apply / Request Information

Application and Auditions

Collegiate Apply / Request Information

We are excited to hear you!

cellist sitting in front of SF skyline

 

Congratulations on taking the first step toward joining our vibrant musical community! This page will guide you through the application requirements and audition process. If you are an international applicant or have transfer credit, please review the linked pages for additional information. We’re here to assist you every step of the way. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out at nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa .

Policies and procedures are updated each September for the upcoming spring and fall application cycles. For Fall and Spring 2026 applications, the information on this page will be updated on September 1, 2025.

 
On this page:

Timeline and Deadlines
Application Requirements
Audition Requirements
Audition Dates

Timeline

Fall and Spring 2025: The deadline to apply for Fall and Spring 2025 has passed. We are accepting late applications in some areas on a very limited, case-by-case basis. Please email us at apply@sfcm.edu to inquire.

Fall and Spring 2026: An updated timeline will be posted on September 1, 2025. We anticipate the deadline for Spring applications to be October 15, 2025, and the deadline for Fall applications to be December 1, 2025. Please note: it is likely that the following areas will not accept applications for Spring entry — Conducting, Opera Studies, Piano Artist Diploma, String and Piano Chamber Music, and all Voice degree programs. This list will be confirmed and updated on September 1.

Below is the anticipated timeline for Fall 2026 applications. An confirmed timeline will be posted on September 1, 2025. 

DateEvent
September 1Application opens
December 1Application deadline
December 15Start of pre-screening decision release
December 15Audition self-scheduling opens; virtual/remote audition requests open
December 19All pre-screening decisions released
January - FebruaryAudition time confirmations sent two weeks prior to each audition date
January 15Audition self-scheduling ends – scheduling only via direct request *
FebruaryLive and Virtual Auditions **
February 15Video auditions due (if request approved)
March (Date TBA)Admission decisions released on a rolling basis (with scholarship offer)
March (Date TBA)Full financial aid offers released on a rolling basis
April 1All full financial aid offers released
April 15Graduate and postgraduate applicant response deadline
May 1Undergraduate applicant response deadline

* Applicants will be able to schedule auditions past January 15. We will supply a request form to indicate preferred dates and times.
**Please note: Virtual auditions are only offered for RJAM, Composition, and TAC. Requests must be submitted in December and approved in order to attend a virtual audition. Virtual auditions are scheduled on different dates than the live auditions.

Below is the anticipated timeline for Spring 2026 applications. A confirmed timeline will be posted on September 1, 2025. Please note: it is likely that the following areas will not accept applications for Spring entry: Conducting, Opera Studies, Piano Artist Diploma, String and Piano Chamber Music, and all Voice degree programs. This list will be confirmed and updated on September 1.

DateEvent
September 1Application opens
October 15Application deadline
October 25Prescreen decisions and audition invitations released
November 10–14Auditions held
November 20Admissions decisions released on a rolling basis
December 5Applicant response deadline

Application Requirements

Use the drop downs below to learn about the application requirements and materials needed to apply to SFCM. Required materials include transcripts, written and video essays, test scores, and prescreening requirements for some areas, as well as prerequisites for your intended degree program.

If you're applying to a prescreened area, you will need to upload audition videos or a portfolio of compositions with your application. Check the Auditions section to see if this applies to you.

Application Fee and Prerequisites

Application Fee

A $100 non-refundable application fee is required after submission of the SFCM application, payable by credit/debit card only.

Application Fee Waivers:

The following applicants have an automatic fee waiver:

  • Current SFCM students (full fee waived)
  • SFCM alumni (full fee waived)
  • $50 discount for applicants who attend an in-person campus tour, meet admissions/faculty at a college fair, or attend an off-campus recruitment event. 

Applicants who do not qualify for an automatic waiver:

  • Apply for a fee waiver through the Application Fee waiver form located under the "Review" tab within the SFCM application. This can be submitted at anytime and is due by December 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST.
  • School counselors can also submit the NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver form on your behalf. It must be emailed directly from the counselor to nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa by December 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST.
Additional Fees

For a full list of fees for enrolled students, including the enrollment deposit due upon accepting your admission, please visit the "Tuition and Fees" section of our Financial Aid and Affordability page. The tuition and fees information for the 2025-2026 academic year will be updated by April 2025. 

Degree Prerequisites

Degree LevelDegree Pre-Requisite
BM, FreshmanHigh school diploma or GED
BM, Freshman - HomeschoolHigh school diploma: An equivalent can be obtained through an accredited institution/body, a GED, or by passing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).
BM, TransferHigh school diploma or GED and satisfactory academic record at their most recent college/university
Master of Music, Advanced Certificate, Artist DiplomaBachelors Degree - any subject
Professional Studies Certificate:Bachelors Degree - any subject, Voice - Master's Degree

GPA Requirements

SFCM does not have an overall GPA minimum for acceptance. However, applicants with a GPA lower than our minimum listed below at their previous institution are offered admission to the Conservatory with Academic Probation status. In order to have the probation status removed, these students will need to maintain the minimum GPA requirements during their first year and receive additional advising/tutoring. 

Degree LevelMinimum GPA - Academic Probation (4.0 scale)
Bachelor of Music2.5 
Master of Music3.0

Application Materials

All applicants must complete an audition and/or submit a portfolio to be considered for admission to SFCM. Please note that many areas require a pre-screening round with materials uploaded into the application. A portfolio of works is required for the Composition and TAC (Technology and Applied Composition) degree programs.

Applicants are encouraged to connect with their area faculty to discuss the program and/or potentially take a sample lesson.

See the Auditions section of this page for full details.

Deadlines and Submission

SFCM requires only unofficial transcripts via your application and final official transcripts after you submit your application. Mid-year or in-progress transcripts are not required. 

Our mailing address is Office of Admission, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Unofficial 

December 1 (Fall Entry)
January 15 (Spring Entry)

Upload transcripts in the "Academic History" section of your application. Transcripts submitted by the student are considered "Unofficial." PDFs or screenshots from a student portal are accepted if your name, GPA, and academic records are visible.

Final Official 

July 1 (Fall Entry)
January 15 (Spring Entry)

Submit official transcripts through Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse, school/institutional email to nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa , or by mailed to Office of Admissions (see address above).  All official transcripts must be submitted directly by the school/institution. 

To be considered "Final Official," transcripts must include all completed coursework with final grades and have an official seal, stamp, or signature. If you are finishing a degree, your final transcript must also show the degree awarded and graduation date. Transcripts from international schools must be translated into English or accompanied by notarized translations and evaluations (see international school details below).

Requirements by Degree

Bachelor of Music/Undergraduate (BM).

Student TypeRequired Transcripts
BM, FreshmanAll high schools and college/universities attended (running-start and dual enrollment ordered separately from each institution)
BM, Freshman/Home-SchoolOfficial transcript from an accredited institution or a GED/CHSPE diploma
Any college/universities attended
BM, TransferAll high schools and college/universities attended
Credit assessments are completed before orientation, review policies
Graduate and PostgraduateAll college/universities attended. SFCM will not accept any transfer credit at the graduate or postgraduate level, but requires transcripts to determine academic eligibility for accreditation purposes
 

International Schools: Language & Evaluations

The following applies to all students who attended a school outside of the United States, including U.S. domestic students.

TranslationIf transcripts are not in English, a course-by-course translation is required from the school. If the school cannot provide this, students must submit notarized translations.
EvaluationAn evaluation is required for the following reasons: transcripts are not in English and do not have a translation; the GPA is not on a U.S. 4.0 scale; the degree awarded is not listed; the graduation date is not listed. If the graduation date or degree is not listed on the transcripts, schools can send a degree diploma or graduation certificate.
Accepted EvaluatorsSpantran, WES - World Education Services (wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ece.org).
 

Video Essay

All applicants must upload a 3 minute or less video essay for the faculty to get to know you. Please introduce yourself, why you chose SFCM and include anything else you want us to know about you! Past students have talked about where they are from, other musical interests, music they are currently working on, other hobbies, etc. Note that this video submission does not have an affect on admission. 

Written Essay

All applicants must choose two of the four essay prompts to include in their application. Essays should be a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 500 words. Applicants for Technology and Applied Composition and the String and Piano Chamber Music program have additional writing prompts. Please visit the audition repertoire pages for more details.

  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. At SFCM, we value diversity in all forms. Please describe what diversity means to you and how your lived experience has shaped your path.
  4. 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. 

All applicants must have two letters of recommendation to apply to SFCM.  Letters are due via the online form by November 1 for Spring applications and January 1 for Fall applications. See more details below.

Recommenders
  1. One recommendation letter must be from the applicant's 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 about your musical abilities. TAC and Composition applicants who have not studied privately, please include at least one recommender who can speak about your musical abilities. 
  2. The second recommendation letter may include anyone who can address your work ethic and character; they do not need to be from a music field.
How to Submit
  • Submitting Contact Information: Enter the name and contact information under the "Recommendations" section of the SFCM application.
  • Online Form: Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online form associated with each application. Recommenders will receive this form automatically via email after their contact information is entered in the application.
  • When to Submit: Letters can be submitted before an application is completed. Remind your recommenders that letters are due November 1 for Spring applications, and January 1 for Fall applications.

English Proficiency

International students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores for admissions, unless they qualify for a waiver. Please see the "International Student" drop down and visit the International Applicants page for full details. 

SAT/ACT

We only require SAT or ACT scores from homeschooled Bachelor of Music applicants. The Conservatory's school code for SAT is 4744; the code for the ACT is 0403. 

SFCM will accept scores as official if they are listed on the student's official school transcript.

AP/IB Scores

Students must submit scores to the Admissions Office form College Board and/or IB for transfer credit to be considered. Please visit the Transfer Credit page for more details.

International students may need to submit additional materials beyond the standard requirements listed above. This may include notarized course-by-course translations of final official transcripts if the originals are not in English, an evaluation if transcripts do not meet our requirements, and English Proficiency Scores. International applicants should carefully review the International Applicant page for details on English Language Proficiency scores and transcript policies and procedures.

Undergraduate 

Transfer applicants should review the full transfer credit and transfer applicant policies here to understand how credits transfer to SFCM. 

Please note, the class level of an undergraduate transfer student is determined by the Office of Academic Affairs at the time of acceptance into SFCM. The musical level of a transfer student is determined by the faculty at the time of the student's audition (e.g., sophomore, junior, etc.). The academic level is determined by the Office of Academic Affairs based on transfer credits and placement exam results. The student’s expected graduation date is determined by the lower of the two class levels.

Graduate/Postgraduate

SFCM does not accept transfer credit for, or from, post-baccalaureate programs (e.g., M.M., etc.). Credit from completed Bachelor's degrees cannot be applied towards the SFCM undergraduate credit load. Transcripts from all colleges attended are still required to determine academic standing and for accreditation purposes. 
 

 

Auditions

Welcome to the auditions section! Please carefully review the audition date information, paying close attention to the audition sign up process and confirmation emails. Please note, many of our areas require a prescreening round before being invited to a final audition. 

Live on-campus auditions are mandatory for all Artist Diploma programs, as well as Piano and Strings Chamber Music. All live 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. 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.

Audition Dates and Sign Up

Audition Dates

Below are the live audition dates for Fall 2025, dates are subject to change. See the Fall 2025 Scheduling Details drop down for more details. 

All live auditions are held in San Francisco on our campus. Live auditions are required for all Artist Diploma programs, as well as Piano and Strings Chamber Music. Composition, TAC, and RJAM have live Zoom auditions for those who cannot attend. 

AreaLive Audition Dates
Bassoon/ContrabassoonFebruary 16
CelloFebruary 16, 23
Chamber MusicFebruary 9
Clarinet/Bass ClarinetFebruary 14, 24
Collaborative PianoFebruary 15
CompositionLive: February 2, 15, 23 
Zoom: February 9
ConductingTBA - Dates in February 2025
Double BassFebruary 24
Flute/PiccoloFebruary 14, 15, 24
GuitarFebruary 10, 21
HarpFebruary 10
Historical Perf.February 17
HornFebruary 16, 24
Oboe/English HornFebruary 9, 24
Opera StudiesFebruary 2
PercussionFebruary 9, 10
PianoFebruary 2, 9, 10, 17, 23
RJAMLive: February 9, 16        
Zoom: February 7
TACLive: February 7, 14, 21      
Zoom: February 15, 22
TromboneFebruary 3, 24
TrumpetFebruary 7
TubaFebruary 17
ViolaFebruary 7, 10
ViolinFebruary 3, 10, 14, 17
VoiceFebruary 7, 15, 16, 23
Audition Time Sign Up
  • Audition Sign-Up: During the week of December 16, applicants will select an audition day and tentative time slot through their Application Status Portal scheduling module. The scheduling module will be accessible to all areas by the end of the day on December 20, 2024. Students should not book travel until they have secured an audition slot through their Application Status Portal scheduling module.
  • Prescreen Results: Applicants from pre-screened areas will receive their pre-screening decisions by the end of the day on December 20, 2024.
  • Confirmation: Times will be confirmed within two weeks of the audition date (see next section).
  • Booking Travel: Students should not book travel until they have secured an audition slot through their Application Status Portal scheduling module.
Time Confirmation and Check In 
  • Confirmation Email: Within two weeks of the audition date, the Office of Admissions will send each student a confirmation email with their audition time. For live auditions, the email will also include required check-in details, such as arrival time and warm-up assignments.
  • Time Changes: Please be aware that audition times may be adjusted up to two hours before or after the selected tentative time slot. 
Arrive and Departure Time
  • Arrival Time: Live on-campus students should be prepared to arrive a minimum of 1.25 hours before their confirmed audition time to check in and access a practice room. More details regarding check-in and requirements will be included in the audition confirmation email.
  • Departure Time Warning: Due to potential scheduling changes, audition day delays, and navigating San Francisco, students are strongly discouraged from booking travel within five hours after their original tentative time slot.

The following applicants must attend live on-campus auditions: All Artist Diploma programs, Piano Chamber Music and Strings Chamber Music. 

Fall 2025 Applicants
  • Requests: Virtual or recorded auditions are available upon request in mid-December when the scheduling module opens, following the pre-screening decision deadline.
  • Zoom: TAC, RJAM, and Composition have required Zoom auditions for those who cannot attend live.
Spring 2025 Applicants

For entry in the Spring semester, audition options are arranged individually via email.

Practice rooms are available to applicants on their audition day and during the assigned warm up time. All applicants will receive a minimum of 45 minutes of warm up time, with transition time built into their audition day schedule between check in and movement to the audition holding space/green room. 

Applicants cannot use practice rooms prior to their audition day or earlier than their assigned warm up time. Current SFCM students must also warm up during their assigned warm up time. The Admissions Office suggests looking into the following companies in San Francisco that may offer practice room rentals: Union Music, SF Community Music Center, Music City Rehearsal, Lennon Studios, Little Mission Studio, and Secret Studios.

Audition Requirements

Non Prescreened Areas

The following areas do not require prescreening. Students will be able to sign up for an audition in December once the scheduling module opens. See the Audition Dates and Sign Up section for more details. 

Brass
Classical Guitar
Collaborative Piano 
Historical Performance
Strings (double bass and harp only)
Woodwinds

Prescreened Areas

The following areas require prescreening as a part of the application process. To apply to SFCM, all students must submit their prescreening materials with their application. In December 2024, you will either be invited to a final audition or informed of a decision based on the prescreening round.

Please visit the area page below to review the audition repertoire requirements for your specific area of study and degree type.

Conducting
Composition
Percussion
Piano
Roots, Jazz, and American Music
Strings (violin, viola, and cello only)
String and Piano Chamber Music
Technology and Applied Composition
Voice and Opera Studies

 

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