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Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BM Songwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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BM Performance

Voice

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BM Songwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

•Four-year Bachelor of Music program at Berklee College of Music in Boston

•Focuses on commercially viable, artful songs across contemporary styles

•Culminates in a professional portfolio of original songs and recordings

Training

•Coursework develops melody, harmony, lyrics, song structure, arranging, beat and track production, and vocal production

•Students can focus on songwriter-performer, songwriter-producer, songwriter-topliner, musical theater songwriter, or songwriter for sync pathways

•One-on-one faculty mentoring supports career planning and portfolio development

Performance & Productions

•Opportunities include recording sessions, department performances, open mics, ensembles, and campus-wide concerts

•Access to songwriting suites, recording studios, and music technology tools including Logic, Live, and Pro Tools

Notable Alumni

•Charlie Puth B.M. '13 - songwriter and recording artist

•John Mayer '98 - songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist

Study Abroad

•Valencia study abroad is recommended during the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester

Academic info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$49,465

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$52,040

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$42,734

$30-48k$37,987

$48-75k$47,799

$75-110k$46,801

$110k+$54,676

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 2h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Four-year Bachelor of Music program at Berklee College of Music in Boston

•Focuses on commercially viable, artful songs across contemporary styles

•Culminates in a professional portfolio of original songs and recordings

Training

•Coursework develops melody, harmony, lyrics, song structure, arranging, beat and track production, and vocal production

•Students can focus on songwriter-performer, songwriter-producer, songwriter-topliner, musical theater songwriter, or songwriter for sync pathways

•One-on-one faculty mentoring supports career planning and portfolio development

Performance & Productions

•Opportunities include recording sessions, department performances, open mics, ensembles, and campus-wide concerts

•Access to songwriting suites, recording studios, and music technology tools including Logic, Live, and Pro Tools

Notable Alumni

•Charlie Puth B.M. '13 - songwriter and recording artist

•John Mayer '98 - songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist

Study Abroad

•Valencia study abroad is recommended during the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Four-year Bachelor of Music program at Berklee College of Music in Boston

•Focuses on commercially viable, artful songs across contemporary styles

•Culminates in a professional portfolio of original songs and recordings

Training

•Coursework develops melody, harmony, lyrics, song structure, arranging, beat and track production, and vocal production

•Students can focus on songwriter-performer, songwriter-producer, songwriter-topliner, musical theater songwriter, or songwriter for sync pathways

•One-on-one faculty mentoring supports career planning and portfolio development

Performance & Productions

•Opportunities include recording sessions, department performances, open mics, ensembles, and campus-wide concerts

•Access to songwriting suites, recording studios, and music technology tools including Logic, Live, and Pro Tools

Notable Alumni

•Charlie Puth B.M. '13 - songwriter and recording artist

•John Mayer '98 - songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist

Study Abroad

•Valencia study abroad is recommended during the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Spring EnrollmentJul 1, 2025

Early Action (Fall)Nov 1, 2025

Summer EnrollmentDec 1, 2025

Regular Action (Fall)Jan 15, 2026

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

•Prepare one piece on your primary instrument, 3-5 minutes

•Perform live; prerecorded performances are not accepted for the audition

•Select a piece that highlights your strengths and best abilities

Repertoire Options

•A tune from a well-known artist or band in any style

•A standard or jazz tune with improvisation

•A composition from the vocal or instrumental repertoire

•A transcription of a well-known artist's solo

•Original compositions are welcome for songwriters, limited to 3 minutes, plus a second piece from the audition list

Accompaniment

•Berklee does not provide an accompanist

•You may use a backing track, bring a live accompanist, or accompany yourself

•A cappella auditions are not recommended unless the piece is normally performed that way

Additional Materials

Recommendation

•Up to two optional recommendation letters may be submitted

Video

•Optional videos showing musical abilities may be included

Essay

•Optional personal essay may be included

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply through Berklee's undergraduate application; Berklee does not accept the Common App

•Application fee: $150, with a 50% discount for Early Action applicants who apply by November 1

Admission Pathway

•Bachelor of Music students do not need to declare Songwriting at initial admission

•The Songwriting major has no separate entrance requirements beyond Berklee's regular major declaration process

•BM students typically declare a major after the second or third semester

Program Requirements

•Berklee is test-blind; SAT and ACT scores are not required

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Apply through Berklee's undergraduate application, then schedule an audition and interview

•Auditions are offered in Boston, at regional sites, internationally, and online

•In-person and online auditions are weighted equally for admission and scholarship consideration

•Applicants receive date and time details after submitting the application

Audition Expectations

•Audition includes a prepared piece, improvisation, sight-reading, and ear-training exercises

•Interview is a 15-minute conversation about goals, influences, and readiness for Berklee

•Total audition/interview process typically takes about one hour after check-in

Contact

•admissions@berklee.edu

•617-747-2221 or 800-BERKLEE

Scholarship Info

Merit-Based Scholarships

•All Berklee College of Music applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships through the audition and interview process

•No separate scholarship application is required

•Online and in-person auditions are weighted equally for scholarship consideration

•Scholarship decisions are issued with admission decisions

Academic info

Snapshot

3.00

Avg GPA (W)

44%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

7.5K

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$49,465

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$52,040

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$42,734

$30-48k$37,987

$48-75k$47,799

$75-110k$46,801

$110k+$54,676

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Four-year Bachelor of Music program at Berklee College of Music in Boston

•Focuses on commercially viable, artful songs across contemporary styles

•Culminates in a professional portfolio of original songs and recordings

Training

•Coursework develops melody, harmony, lyrics, song structure, arranging, beat and track production, and vocal production

•Students can focus on songwriter-performer, songwriter-producer, songwriter-topliner, musical theater songwriter, or songwriter for sync pathways

•One-on-one faculty mentoring supports career planning and portfolio development

Performance & Productions

•Opportunities include recording sessions, department performances, open mics, ensembles, and campus-wide concerts

•Access to songwriting suites, recording studios, and music technology tools including Logic, Live, and Pro Tools

Notable Alumni

•Charlie Puth B.M. '13 - songwriter and recording artist

•John Mayer '98 - songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist

Study Abroad

•Valencia study abroad is recommended during the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester

Updated 2h ago

Berklee College of Music

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Berklee College of Music

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info