Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Berklee College of Music admits about 6 in 10 applicants (55%). That puts it in the "Selective" tier, more selective than 81% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$150 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Women were admitted at 40%, men at 47%.
Where applicants live
Massachusetts applicants were admitted at 50%, applicants from other states at 55%, and international applicants at 57%.
All applicants in the same class: 55%
Of those admitted, 57% from Massachusetts enrolled, against 36% from other states and 47% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
40% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Wait list: 367 offered a place, 367 accepted, 302 admitted (82% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 31
Where you stand
How Berklee College of Music reads a record
is very important; GPA is important; class rank is considered. Scores aren't read.
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Important | ||||
| Test scores | Not considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Very important | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Very important | ||||
| Geographic residence | Very important | ||||
| State residency | Very important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Very important | ||||
| Work experience | Very important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Very important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; demonstration of competencies required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
63% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 55% of first-year applicants
949 applied · 594 admitted · 326 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
At least 23 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date November 1, apply by January 15, decisions by March 31, reply by May 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Not required
- Interview
- Required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 15 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by March 31.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within a set number of weeks if admitted later.
- $500 housing deposit, due May 5, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
Recent change: Started considering legacy status in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
The map plots acceptance rate against SAT scores. Berklee College of Music doesn't report both, so it isn't shown.
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
Not considered
Scores aren't considered, even if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Sources:Berklee College of Music Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Berklee College of Music Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Berklee College of Music Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)