San Francisco Conservatory of Music

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is an expensive institution, with tuition prices around $54,550 per year. However, 100% of students receive financial aid, with the average total aid awarded being $34,237. The conservatory also offers a variety of scholarships, with 99% of students receiving them and an average scholarship amount of $30,398, covering 61% of tuition on average.

Admissions to SFCM is fairly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 52%. The audition process includes a prescreening round with essays and video recordings, followed by a final audition in San Francisco. The faculty values the applicant's personality and musicianship in the auditions, with some areas like composition being more competitive.

SFCM offers a rigorous program of performance and study with an intimate atmosphere where students work closely with faculty and staff. The conservatory balances rigorous artistic training with intellectual exploration, offering undergraduate students the option to pursue concentrations in business, teaching, or technology. Students praise the jazz faculty and voice department for their dedication and international renown, emphasizing personalized guidance.

SFCM graduates have gone on to achieve impressive careers in the music world, performing with renowned orchestras, opera companies, and music ensembles globally. Many alumni secure positions in prestigious ensembles like the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, while others work in film scoring, video game sound design, and music production for companies like Disney, Pixar, and Electronic Arts.

SFCM fosters a close-knit, supportive, and non-competitive community among its relatively small student body. Students appreciate the friendly atmosphere where peers collaborate musically and socially, often engaging in music-related and other group activities. The school is located in San Francisco's urban arts and tech district, providing students with access to a vibrant cultural life and diverse food scene.

SFCM takes campus safety and security seriously, with a closed campus configuration allowing access only to students, faculty, staff, and guests. Security officers are on-site around-the-clock, and students are issued a badge to access living, dining, classroom, study, practice, and performance spaces. The conservatory also utilizes SFCM Alerts, a mass notification system for disseminating critical information.

SFCM offers a variety of programs and degrees designed to meet the needs and interests of aspiring musicians, including a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program. The DMA program is the highest level of study offered at the conservatory and is designed for aspiring performers, composers, and scholars.

SFCM has a diverse student body with 28% international students, creating a rich multicultural learning environment. The conservatory attracts students from across the United States and internationally, with students representing over 32 countries. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.