We welcome applicants from around the world, and do not discriminate based on country of origin. The application process for non-US citizens is the same as for US citizens. The information below may prove especially helpful for international applicants and non-native English speakers.
In an effort to streamline the admissions process, TOFEL scores will no longer be a determining factor for students seeking admission into the Conservatory. Instead, all accepted undergraduate students whose native language is not English, regardless of citizenship status, will automatically be placed into the non-degree Performance Diploma program until they provide a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets minimum requirements and successfully pass the established Colburn ESOL curriculum (if required based on Placement Exams).
There are several circumstances under which you may be allowed to waive the English proficiency test. Please note that waivers are granted at the discretion of the Admissions office, and meeting the requirements listed below does not a guarantee a waiver.
To request the waiver, you may e-mail admissions@colburnschool.edu before December 3 and submit the following documentation:
Undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to submit TOEFL scores regardless of whether the score meets the minimum requirement for the Bachelor of Music.
Undergraduate applicants who are invited to an in-person audition and do not submit a TOEFL score by January 15 will be required to attend an English interview during the audition process.
Students enrolled in the Performance Diploma (PD) for language reasons will be monitored carefully through their first year to ensure progress towards the Bachelor of Music.
New PD students will take an English-language Placement Exam before their first semester to determine the appropriate level of English language study. Students may be placed in Developmental ESOL Intensive , Intermediate ESOL, or ESOL 3 (Writing for Humanities).
In March of the 1st year, students in the PD may apply to move into the Bachelor of Music in their second year. The criteria for moving into the Bachelor of Music include:
International students coming to the Colburn Conservatory of Music can obtain the Student Visa (F-1 Visa) only after applying to the school, receiving and accepting an offer of acceptance, returning all necessary documentation (including adequate proof of finances), and paying the enrollment deposit. At that point, the school will issue and email you a Form I-20. In that email, you will also receive instructions how to apply for your F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. First, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Please note, the visa application also has a fee, and both the SEVIS fee and the visa application fees must be paid before you can receive a visa.
If current international students need proof of enrollment for a visa renewal, contact the Colburn Conservatory of Music staff. Proof of enrollment generally includes the student enrollment date, anticipated graduation date, program of study, and whether the student is in good academic standing.
Proof of finances is only required of applicants who are accepted to the Conservatory. We ask international students to provide proof of finances because Form I-20 requires evidence of funds to cover expenses not provided by the school. Because Colburn provides full tuition scholarship and grants for on campus room and board, we require proof of finances only on the Net Price, which can be found here. Acceptable proof must be in the form of an official bank statement showing liquid funds.
The US government strictly enforces visa regulations. International students are permitted to work on campus for the Colburn School for up to 20 hours per week. Off campus employment is strictly prohibited unless it is authorized by your Designated School Official (DSO) for the purposes of CPT or OPT. Depending on individual circumstances, students may engage in curricular practical training (CPT), which includes off-campus practical training for pay. If you have specific questions about being able to work while attending Colburn Conservatory of Music, please contact your DSO at dso@colburnschool.edu.
Being able to effectively communicate in English is critical to succeeding at Colburn, which is why English proficiency is a requirement for admission. In order to demonstrate proficiency, graduate applicants who are not native English speakers must submit a TOEFL or IELTS test score. To prevent delays in the application process, it is recommended that you take the test no later than November 1 in the year prior to your desired enrollment date (i.e. no later than November 1, 2024 for a desired enrollment in the fall of 2025).
If you are invited to the live audition, you may also be asked to interview with faculty and staff for further assessment of your English proficiency beyond your submitted test score.
Find your nearest testing center on the TOEFL website. Be sure to enter the Colburn code “8477” on your test document so we receive your official score.
To request the waiver, you may e-mail admissions@colburnschool.edu before December 1 and submit the following documentation:
Applicants to the Colburn Conservatory do not always have adequate English proficiency at the time of the audition, as evaluated by the Admissions Committee. In such cases, we may choose to admit applicants as follows: