02.09.01 Eligibility and Application Procedures
Special Students are those who are not candidates for a degree (non-matriculated) at the Eastman School of Music and/or the University of Rochester, but who are enrolled at the School for one or more courses carrying credit. This includes students participating in the Conservatory Exchange Program.
The following information applies to Special Student applicants for study during the fall and/or spring semesters only. Non-matriculated students may enroll for summer programs through the Summer Session office without special approval.
The resources of the School (instruction, performance opportunities, facilities, etc.) usually are made available only to its degree candidates and to students enrolled in the Community Music School. Special Students are given access to these resources only when it can be ascertained that degree candidates and Community Music School students are enrolled for the instruction they desire and that the addition of Special Students to the enrollment will be in the best interest of the regular students and the faculty.
The decision to accept a Special Student is made by the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs in consideration of a completed application and the availability of the School's resources. Acceptance is for one semester only, although an extension of enrollment as a Special Student is normal for Conservatory Exchange Students and may be requested by others. The Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs will act as advisor to all Special Students.
Due to the specialized nature of programs offered by the Eastman School of Music, interested students must demonstrate sufficient musical training and background necessary for the coursework for which they are applying. Placement in music history or theory courses will be on the basis of tests administered at the beginning of each semester by those departments. Applied music study will be granted only in consideration of results of an audition or audition tape presented to a member of the Eastman School faculty. (Please refer to Audition Repertory for details: www.esm.rochester.edu/apply/aud_rep.php)
Special Students taking undergraduate courses must have a high school diploma, GED, or other documentation of college preparation. If a prospective student does not have sufficient academic and/or musical background to enroll at the collegiate level, and is not seeking college credit, s/he should be referred to the Community Music School at (585) 274-1400 or www.esm.rochester.edu/community/
Application and Tuition
Application form: www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/forms/non_matirc_app.pdf.
Individuals interested in attending the Eastman School of Music as a special student must complete an application form and submit it to the Office of Academic Affairs. The deadline for applications for the current semester is the end of the second full week of classes.
In the majority of cases, it may not be possible to verify acceptance of Special Students until after the beginning of the term during which instruction is desired. It is the responsibility of the person applying for acceptance to maintain contact with the Office of Academic Affairs to learn of the decision regarding acceptance.
Please note that tuition charges for non-matriculated students will be calculated on a per-credit basis. Please see: www.rochester.edu/adminfinance/bursar/eastmangrad.htm.
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