Prospective berklee (college of music) students? what are they looking for?

College Majors Music Major
1

Hey all! I’m a freshman in high school but I don’t think it’s too early at this point to start thinking about this and looking into it, especially when applying to a selective school like Berklee.

Berklee College of Music is my dream college and I’m just looking for some advice, really.

What are the things Berklee seeks in it’s students? What are the kinds of things they’re expecting from you, in terms of grades, SAT/ACT scores, extra curricular activities, audition, transcript, level of musical experience (I’m a singer) and knowledge, etc etc.
I just want to get a general idea of what I need to do in order to give myself the highest chances of getting in, and I know the sooner I start to look into this stuff the better off I’ll most likely be. I’d really love some feedback from people currently attending or who have attended the college.

P.S I’d really like to major in songwriting, any thoughts or advice on this specific major as well?

2

So great that you’ve started looking into this already. I was accepted last night :slight_smile: I would recommend doing as best as you can in school. They do take your transcript into account, and strong grades and scores will be compelling for them when they’re reviewing your admissions. That means SAT/ACT scores that you’re happy with as well (Berklee cares less about this stuff and more about musical ability/potential in their evaluation, clearly, but it doesn’t hurt, especially if you’re applying to non-music schools as well). I have a songwriter friend who got in and will be attending. Feel free to private message me with any more questions; I can describe the audition process for you as well. Maybe I can put you in touch with my friend as well, if you need it and he’s ok with it! :slight_smile: Best of luck!

3

For a music school like berklee or any music school for that matter, the biggest factor in admission is going to be the audition, how well you sing or play is going to determine admissions. In terms of grades and test scores, a lot of the conservatories don’t even reuqire the SAT/ACT (with Berklee, it is optional), and grades are generally used as a negative (ie if someone’s grades are terrible, it can keep them out), in some cases strong grades and test scores might push a borderline candidate over the line to being admitted (My S has several friends who go to Berklee and I know people who have gone there, so I know a little bit about it). Put it this way, great SAT/ACT scores, a 4.0 GPA and AP classes won’t get you into Berklee, that I can guarantee you, if you are a marginal musician that won’t get you in.

I wouldn’t be concerned about the EC’s with Berklee, I doubt again they will be impressed by that. Where things like grades and test scores matter could be if you decide to go to a music school in a university, like U Mich, Northwestern, Rice, USC and so forth, you have to be admitted academically to get into the school as well as pass the audition, and while they give lattitude to music students (it is easier to get an academic admit as a music performance student then a straight academic admit at a lot of these schools), you still need good grades and such, plus those kind of schools also may offer academic merit aid, which is based on grades and test scores, so it is definitely wise to try and keep up your grades and get strong scores on the tests, in case you don’t go to Berklee. Not to mention you are still a Freshman, and you may change your mind about music, so having strong test scores and grades is especially not a bad idea.

One thing I would tell you, is that if you are seriously pursuing music, that if you have to choose between taking honors or AP classes and having time to practice and so forth, to give weight to the music. No matter where you go for music, if you don’t play/sing well enough, you won’t get in, no matter how good your academic credentials. As far as the EC’s go, I would give them the least amount of weight, if there are things you want to do, do them, but don’t play that game, especially if it will interfere with your music study.

4

First and foremost this early in the game, discuss your college goals with your parents so that you are on the same page going into your last year of high school including the financial side of the equation. Berklee is an expensive school. Picking a school is a fun exciting process and you are wise to start thinking about it now.