New England Conservatory Admissions

New England Conservatory Admissions Overview:

New England Conservatory, as a music conservatory, has different admissions processes than other schools. It is test-optional, which means that applicants are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. To apply, interested students will need to submit an application, high school transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Also, students will need audition--recordings are accepted, and some students may be asked to come to the campus for an in-person audition. For completed instructions and guidelines, be sure to check out the school's website, or get in touch with an admissions counselor.

Admissions Data (2016):

• New England Conservatory Acceptance Rate: 35%
• NEC has audition-centered admissions and is test-optional
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
• SAT Critical Reading: - / -
• SAT Math: - / -
• SAT Writing: - / -
• What's a good SAT score?
• ACT Composite: - / -
• ACT English: - / -
• ACT Math: - / -
• What's a good ACT score?

New England Conservatory Description:

Founded in 1867, the New England Conservatory of Music is the oldest independent school of music in the country. It is also the only American music school that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The urban campus is located in Boston, Massachusetts on Huntington Avenue of the Arts, surrounded by some of the best musical and artistic venues that the city has to offer. NEC has a student faculty ratio of just 5 to 1, allowing students to interact closely with their instructors. In addition to a pre-college preparatory school and a continuing education program, NEC offers bachelor of music, master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees in several concentrations, and students can also pursue joint double-degree programs with Harvard University and Tufts University. Campus life is active, and students are involved in various musical and recreational organizations and activities both on campus and around Boston.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 819 (413 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 57% Male / 43% Female
• 92% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $44,755
• Books: $700 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $13,900
• Other Expenses: $2,734
• Total Cost: $62,089

New England Conservatory Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 95%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
• Grants: 95%
• Loans: 41%
• Average Amount of Aid
• Grants: $18,520
• Loans: $10,942

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Jazz Studies, Piano, Strings, Woodwinds

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 90%
• Transfer-out Rate: 1%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 71%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 81%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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