Letters of Recommendation (Required)
•Recommendation sources: Two letters from music professionals or educators
Transcript (Required)
•Transcript: Upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university where a degree, diploma, or certificate was earned; applicants who are accepted and enroll must provide official final records from the applicable degree-granting institution or institutions
Statement (Required)
•Statement: Explain the purpose of graduate study, career objectives, and particular interest in Boston University
Resume (Required)
•Resume / CV: Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae
Portfolio / Creative Sample (Required)
•Portfolio: Submit at least three original compositions in good manuscript form, representing varied instrumental and formal types
•Portfolio: Include at least one larger-ensemble work such as chamber orchestra or chorus and an audio recording for every score; acoustic recordings are strongly preferred to MIDI
Scores / GPA (Conditional)
•TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo: Required when English is not the applicant's first language or the primary language spoken at home; prior study at an English-speaking institution does not qualify for an exemption under this published policy; official scores are due by the application deadline and exams must be no more than two years old; minimums are TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests on or after January 21, 2026 (84 for earlier tests), TOEFL Essentials 8.5, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 115; BU TOEFL code 3087
