FAQ - Curtis Institute of Music
Source: https://www.curtis.edu/apply/faq
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
FAQ - Curtis Institute of Music
Skip to content
Learn more about applying to Curtis and the audition process.
There are many questions that our admissions team frequently answers each school year which have been collected here by category to help you better understand the process of applying to Curtis. Be sure to investigate this page and others on our website to find the answers to most aspects of the admissions process.
Need Assistance?
Get in contact with admissions.
Email
:
admissions@curtis.edu
Phone
:
(215) 717-3172
Request a Visit
How do I apply for the full-tuition scholarship to attend Curtis?
All students who are accepted by audition into all degree programs receive a merit based full-tuition scholarship to attend Curtis.
Do international students qualify for the full-tuition scholarship?
Yes.
Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
No. However, need-based financial assistance is available to cover all living expenses for students who qualify. 85% of our students qualify for financial aid. Read more about need-based financial assistance here :
Financial Aid – Curtis Institute of Music
. If your question about financial aid is not answered via the website, please contact the director of financial aid, Veronica McAuley at
veronica.mcauley@curtis.edu
.
Is there an age limit to apply to Curtis?
No. Curtis sets no minimum or maximum age for application or admission.
Does Curtis have a pre-college program?
No. Curtis does not offer a preparatory music or academic program. Please note that Curtis sets no minimum age for application or admission. Younger students (e.g., pre-college aged students) are encouraged to apply and should apply for the Diploma program. Read more about programs for younger students
here
.
Additional information
Please find additional information about our school, degrees, and the application process below:
Why Curtis?
How to Apply
International Student Resources
Curriculum
Degrees & Diplomas
How do I submit my transcript?
We are no longer accepting paper or digital copies of transcripts. Please upload an unofficial copy of your transcript through your
application portal
. We only require official transcripts after acceptance to Curtis Institute of Music.
Do I need to submit my middle school/high school transcript if I’m applying to a graduate program at Curtis?
Graduate and transfer applicants are not required to upload a high school or middle school transcript.
When will the application be open and when will audition dates be posted?
The
application portal
is now open, and audition dates are posted
here
. You may review the application requirements
here
. Please note that our application is no longer hosted by Acceptd.
Can I request an application/audition fee waiver?
Applicants of any nationality who demonstrate significant financial need are eligible for a fee waiver request. After starting your application, please fill out
application fee waiver form
to submit your request.
How do I request an application fee waiver?
Please fill out this brief
application fee waiver form
as completely as you can.
When is my prescreening recording due?
All prescreening materials including recordings and scores for composition applicants are due with your application.
When are recommendation letters and unofficial transcripts due?
December 31st. Please do not send hard copies of transcripts at this time. Official transcripts will be requested after acceptance to Curtis.
Can I update my recommender information on my application after I’ve submitted it?
Yes. Use this link to update or change your recommender information:
connect.curtis.edu/apply/ref
When do I need to submit test scores from English proficiency exams, SATs, and the ACT by?
Test scores are not required to submit your application. They may be submitted after acceptance into Curtis for placement purposes.
What are the English proficiency requirements for international students?
Test scores are not required for admission to Curtis.
Once a student is accepted, test scores will be required to determine placement into a degree program.
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores for entrance into a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program. We do not accept home version of any of the tests below or any test that is not listed here.
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 in each area
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Please note: Non-native English speakers who have graduated from a secondary school where the language of instruction is English can be considered for exemption.
Can I submit my application late?
If you submit your application and prescreening materials after the deadline, (1) you will be responsible for late fees, and (2) prescreening materials received after the deadline will be reviewed at the faculty’s discretion. This means the faculty might review them, but they might not. We advise every applicant to submit all required materials by the posted deadlines.
When will I be notified of an invitation to the live audition?
Invitations to audition in person are released on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January. You will be notified at least one month in advance of your department’s audition date.
Will I be notified if I am not invited to the live audition?
Yes.
Can I request a specific audition date?
The admissions team will make every effort to accommodate requests for an audition date. However, due to the volume of requests we receive, we may not be able to accommodate every request and cannot respond individually to each request. We will take requests into consideration when building the audition schedule. Email admissions@curtis.edu including your name, department, and requested audition date in the subject line. If your department holds auditions over two days, please hold both days to accommodate finals/callbacks.
Why isn’t there an audition date listed next to my instrument?
We only hold auditions for departments that have openings in their studio.
Can I defer my admission to Curtis?
Applicants who gain admission to Curtis may request a deferral of admission. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Play to your greatness.
Request Info
Visit
Apply
Subscribe to our newsletter for Curtis news, events, announcements, and more.
Sign Up
Skip to content
Learn more about applying to Curtis and the audition process.
There are many questions that our admissions team frequently answers each school year which have been collected here by category to help you better understand the process of applying to Curtis. Be sure to investigate this page and others on our website to find the answers to most aspects of the admissions process.
Need Assistance?
Get in contact with admissions.
:
admissions@curtis.edu
Phone
:
(215) 717-3172
Request a Visit
How do I apply for the full-tuition scholarship to attend Curtis?
All students who are accepted by audition into all degree programs receive a merit based full-tuition scholarship to attend Curtis.
Do international students qualify for the full-tuition scholarship?
Yes.
Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
No. However, need-based financial assistance is available to cover all living expenses for students who qualify. 85% of our students qualify for financial aid. Read more about need-based financial assistance here :
Financial Aid – Curtis Institute of Music
. If your question about financial aid is not answered via the website, please contact the director of financial aid, Veronica McAuley at
veronica.mcauley@curtis.edu
.
Is there an age limit to apply to Curtis?
No. Curtis sets no minimum or maximum age for application or admission.
Does Curtis have a pre-college program?
No. Curtis does not offer a preparatory music or academic program. Please note that Curtis sets no minimum age for application or admission. Younger students (e.g., pre-college aged students) are encouraged to apply and should apply for the Diploma program. Read more about programs for younger students
here
.
Additional information
Please find additional information about our school, degrees, and the application process below:
Why Curtis?
How to Apply
International Student Resources
Curriculum
Degrees & Diplomas
How do I submit my transcript?
We are no longer accepting paper or digital copies of transcripts. Please upload an unofficial copy of your transcript through your
application portal
. We only require official transcripts after acceptance to Curtis Institute of Music.
Do I need to submit my middle school/high school transcript if I’m applying to a graduate program at Curtis?
Graduate and transfer applicants are not required to upload a high school or middle school transcript.
When will the application be open and when will audition dates be posted?
The
application portal
is now open, and audition dates are posted
here
. You may review the application requirements
here
. Please note that our application is no longer hosted by Acceptd.
Can I request an application/audition fee waiver?
Applicants of any nationality who demonstrate significant financial need are eligible for a fee waiver request. After starting your application, please fill out
application fee waiver form
to submit your request.
How do I request an application fee waiver?
Please fill out this brief
application fee waiver form
as completely as you can.
When is my prescreening recording due?
All prescreening materials including recordings and scores for composition applicants are due with your application.
When are recommendation letters and unofficial transcripts due?
December 31st. Please do not send hard copies of transcripts at this time. Official transcripts will be requested after acceptance to Curtis.
Can I update my recommender information on my application after I’ve submitted it?
Yes. Use this link to update or change your recommender information:
connect.curtis.edu/apply/ref
When do I need to submit test scores from English proficiency exams, SATs, and the ACT by?
Test scores are not required to submit your application. They may be submitted after acceptance into Curtis for placement purposes.
What are the English proficiency requirements for international students?
Test scores are not required for admission to Curtis.
Once a student is accepted, test scores will be required to determine placement into a degree program.
For non-native English speakers, Curtis requires one of the following test scores for entrance into a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program. We do not accept home version of any of the tests below or any test that is not listed here.
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 in each area
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169
Please note: Non-native English speakers who have graduated from a secondary school where the language of instruction is English can be considered for exemption.
Can I submit my application late?
If you submit your application and prescreening materials after the deadline, (1) you will be responsible for late fees, and (2) prescreening materials received after the deadline will be reviewed at the faculty’s discretion. This means the faculty might review them, but they might not. We advise every applicant to submit all required materials by the posted deadlines.
When will I be notified of an invitation to the live audition?
Invitations to audition in person are released on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January. You will be notified at least one month in advance of your department’s audition date.
Will I be notified if I am not invited to the live audition?
Yes.
Can I request a specific audition date?
The admissions team will make every effort to accommodate requests for an audition date. However, due to the volume of requests we receive, we may not be able to accommodate every request and cannot respond individually to each request. We will take requests into consideration when building the audition schedule. Email admissions@curtis.edu including your name, department, and requested audition date in the subject line. If your department holds auditions over two days, please hold both days to accommodate finals/callbacks.
Why isn’t there an audition date listed next to my instrument?
We only hold auditions for departments that have openings in their studio.
Can I defer my admission to Curtis?
Applicants who gain admission to Curtis may request a deferral of admission. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Play to your greatness.
Request Info
Visit
Apply
Subscribe to our newsletter for Curtis news, events, announcements, and more.
Sign Up