All international applicants are required to submit official transcripts from their previous institution(s). Transcripts that are not in English must have an official English translation. This translation cannot be done by the applicant.

Longy only accepts translated transcripts submitted directly from the school, with the official school seal that include graduation dates and degree(s) received. All students must complete their studies and earn their respective credentials (certificates, diplomas, etc.) before enrolling.

NOTE: Transcripts that do not include final grades for all courses, graduation date, and degree(s) received will not be accepted. Transcripts that do not have this information directly published on the transcript must provide a supporting certificate from their school (with the official seal) confirming the graduate date and degree(s) received.

Longy prefers translations via one of the following services:

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)
• The Evaluation Company (TEC)

We accept official transcripts in the following formats:

• Hard Copies mailed to our Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope by your institution. We cannot accept transcripts mailed to us by the student. Hard copied should be mailed to the following address:

Longy School of Music
Office of Admissions
27 Garden St
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States of America

• Digital copies emailed directly from your institution to [email protected]

All applicants for whom English is not a first or primary language must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL or TOEFL home edition), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test.

Recommended minimum scores for admission to the Master of Music (MM), Graduate Performance Diploma (GPD), Graduate Diploma in Composition (GD), and Artist Diploma (AD):

TOEFL: 63
IELTS: 5.5
Duolingo: 90

*Our TOEFL code is : 3467

Please note that Longy requires both the total score and individual subscores to be submitted. We will review each subscore to ensure consistency across English Language skills.  Applicants who submit subscores that are below our minimum requirements, or below a 16 for the TOEFL, will be accepted to Longy under the provision that they must engage with English Language acquisition as stated on the applicant’s offer letter.

Completing a full-time degree program at a college or university where English is the language of instruction may be grounds for a waiver of the English Proficiency requirement. All students seeking this waiver must email [email protected] to request a waiver.

Most international students are required to obtain an F-1 Student Visa before travelling to the US to study at Longy, though students holding visas in various other classes may also qualify. To obtain an F-1 Student Visa, the student must first be enrolled into one of Longy’s SEVP certified programs. This includes accepting an offer of admission and paying the enrollment deposit.

Once the student has enrolled with Longy, the student must then provide documentation proving they have enough funds available to pay tuition and fees as well as living expenses during their studies in the US. Afterwards, one of Longy’s SEVP Designated School Officials (DSO) will send an I-20 Form to the student. Once received, the student may then apply for an F-1 Student Visa.

Please note: while Longy will do everything possible to help students obtain an F-1 Student Visa, it is the student’s responsibility to research and understand the requirements in obtaining and maintaining US nonimmigrant status. Please read the following websites to learn more about studying in the US:

• Department of Homeland Security – Study In The States
• USCIS – Students and Exchange Visitors
• Department of State – International Student Visas

What is an F-1 Visa?

Most international students who study at Longy will enter the United States on an F-1 visa. An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a full course of study in order to achieve a specific educational or professional objective at an academic institution in the United States. Once the educational or professional objective has been attained, the F-1 student is expected by the U.S. government to return to their residence abroad. Holders of other visa types who wish to study at Longy should contact Benjamin Nourse Gross for further information.

What is an I-20, and how do I get one?

You must receive a Form I-20 from Longy in order to apply for the F-1 visa. Longy will issue the Form I-20 only after the following documents have been received, reviewed, and accepted:

• A completed application for admission and a completed decision form with the contractual agreement to attend Longy.
• Completed I-20 Documentation Form, available on the Longy Admissions Portal after the Enrollment Deposit is paid.
• A clear photocopy of the student’s passport from the home country. If a student has obtained a visa from another school, a clear photocopy of the student’s previous visa is also required.
• Certified evidence of financial support and a letter of sponsorship where applicable. This should include official, original records of personal or family funds. These records can also include the funds of outside agencies or sponsors. All international students must submit proof of financial support that they, or their sponsors, can cover the cost of attendance and living expenses for the entire first year of their program at Longy.

Determining your Cost of Attendance:
In order to receive the Form I-20, international students must provide documents of financial support for costs associated with studying at Longy and living in Boston. Click HERE for a list of estimated expenses for the 2024-2025 school year.

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a database maintained by the U.S. government that tracks international students and their dependents. Longy’s Designated School Officials are required to update a student’s SEVIS record whenever the student changes address, program of study, etc.

What is a DSO?

Designated School Officials (DSOs) are available to help international students understand and comply with all applicable rules and regulations. Longy’s DSOs for international student affairs are:

• Benjamin Nourse Gross, Assistant Director of Admissions & PDSO
• Caitlin Laird, Admissions & Enrollment Coordinator
• Tyler Reece, Associate Dean of Enrollment and Student Success

What should I do after receiving my I-20 from Longy?

Upon receiving the completed Form I-20 from Longy, students outside the U.S. should:

1. Pay the SEVIS Fee. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires proof of payment of the SEVIS fee before issuing a visa or approving any benefits of status. F-2 dependents are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. Click HERE to pay the SEVIS I-901 processing fee.
2. Make an appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country in order to apply for the F-1 visa. It is recommended that appointments be made well in advance of traveling to the U.S.
3. Prepare for your interview. Click HERE for a fantastic preparation resource.
4. Students should bring the following documents to their official interview:

• Valid passport (must be valid at least six months beyond the date you intend to remain in the U.S)
• Completed and signed Form I-20
• Certified evidence of financial support (including the same financial documents used by Longy to complete the Form I-20)
• Longy acceptance letter (and scholarship award letter where applicable)
• Proof of English proficiency, such as a TOEFL report
• Travel documents and other forms as specified by the local U.S. embassy

These documents should be retained and may need to be presented when traveling to the U.S. In some cases, a person applying for an F-1 visa may be asked to provide evidence of intent to depart the U.S. after completion of studies.

What should I do after I am approved for my F-1 Visa?

The student will be issued an F-1 visa. Visas can be obtained only outside the United States at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa allows a student to enter the U.S. when accompanied by the Form I-20 and is only valid for the purpose for which it was issued. The expiration date on the visa does not determine how long a student may stay in the U.S.; the completion date printed on the Form I- 20 is the determining date.

Unlike the Form I-20, visas may expire while a student is in the U.S. However, before re-entering the U.S. after any international travel, the visa must be renewed.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the requirement to possess a visa to enter the U.S.; however, they are still required to pay the SEVIS fee before starting their program. Proof of SEVIS fee payment for these individuals will be verified at the U.S. port of entry before they are admitted to the United States in F-1 status.

What if I’m already in the U.S. with an F-1 Visa?

The SEVIS fee is not required from international students currently in the U.S. in valid F-1 status. The fee is not required when a student transfers to a new school or changes degree program or level within five months of completing a previous F-1 program.

Longy will provide a student coming from another U.S. school with a SEVIS Transfer Form to be completed by an official at the previous school so that the student’s SEVIS record can be transferred to Longy and a new I-20 issued.

What happens if I do not come to Longy after I receive an F-1 visa?

The SEVIS fee must be paid by students who have studied in the U.S. in F-1 status in the past but have departed the U.S. for longer than a five-month period or changed to another immigration status, whether or not a new F-1 visa is needed.

Do I need an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility?
If you are an international student at Longy, a valid I-20 Certificate of Eligibility is required for the 2025-2026 school year. We recommend scheduling time to speak with Benjamin Nourse Gross (Longy’s PDSO) about your individual circumstances. If you are joining us in person for the first time, you should have an I-20 with a start date corresponding to your program. To obtain this document, please provide updated financial documentation by completing the I-20 Documentation Form on your Longy Admissions Portal as soon as possible, but no later than May 01, 2025 for Summer 2025 applicants May 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 applicants. The I-20 allows you to complete an F-1 Visa application and schedule an appointment at your regional U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Whom do I contact with questions?
Benjamin Nourse Gross, Longy’s PDSO, will be your primary resource for all matters related to the visa process. Our entire Academic Affairs team looks to his guidance for these matters, and it is vital that you do the same. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with him at any time to discuss your situation. Schedule a meeting with Benjamin!

About Longy’s International Student Intensive

Kickstart your Longy journey with a two-week immersive program designed for new international graduate students! Experience life in Cambridge while strengthening your English through daily classes, rehearsals, and cultural excursions. Discover new music, explore the city, and acclimate to Longy’s academic and performance culture—all while building connections with fellow students. Join us for this unique opportunity to settle in before the semester begins!

Why participate? 

• Practice and improve your English skills by studying interesting & relevant topics
• Study American musical terminology in a practical setting
• Make music with classmates and faculty!
• Better understand expectations of graduate students in an American conservatory
• Get accustomed with restaurants, banks, grocery stores, and entertainment in the U.S.
• Explore public transportation
• Familiarize yourself with Longy’s campus and the cities of Boston and Cambridge

Dates of Instruction:
Week 1: Monday, August 18 – Friday, August 22, 2025
Week 2: Monday, August 25 – Friday, August 29, 2025
Class Times: 9 am-4 pm, Monday – Friday

Tuition Pricing*
Weeks 1 and 2: $2,000
Week 2 Only: $1,300

*A non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit is required at the time of registration.

Housing and Meals (optional)
A housing and meal plan is available through Lesley University, which is a 10-minute walk from Longy’s campus. The pricing below is for a double room (with one roommate), bed linens included, and three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). If you opt out of housing at Lesley, you will be responsible for securing your own accommodation in the Boston area. More information is available on our Housing Resources page. If you use Lesley’s housing, you are responsible for securing your own housing beginning August 30.

Weeks 1 & 2 (Move in August 17, move out August 30):  $3,750
Week 2 Only (Move in August 24, move out August 30): $1,900

Registering for the Intensive

To register for the International Student Intensive, you must first accept your offer of admission by completing the Decision Form and paying the $500 enrollment deposit for Longy’s degree program on the Longy Admissions Portal. Then, you must complete the International Student Intensive Registration Form, indicating your desired program length and housing/meal option. A separate $500 enrollment deposit is required upon completing the registration form, which will be applied towards your tuition. Your bill for tuition, housing, and meal costs (if applicable) must be paid in full by June 1, 2025.

My first major professional gig in New England—a solo cantata premiere with well-established musicians—was made possible through a recommendation from one of my teachers. It was an invaluable experience, highlighting the importance of cultivating strong relationships in our field.

Social media has also been a surprising source of opportunities. I keep in touch with colleagues and friends on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and a lot of gigs have come from casual conversations, commenting on a post, or offering to help with a project. I also joined gig-posting groups, where I sent my resume even if the position was already filled.  

I’ve also used sites like Indeed and LinkedIn to look for jobs, keeping my resume and a flexible cover letter ready so I can tailor them quickly for each application. 

Understanding Longy’s CPT process, making sure I was authorized to work, and getting my Social Security number sorted out early made everything smoother.  

File your OPT application at least two months in advance to account for any processing delays. 

I also view OPT as a natural extension of CPT, so actively seeking job opportunities while still in school can be incredibly helpful. Building relationships with potential employers, gaining experience through internships or part-time roles, and maintaining a strong professional network can set you up for success once your OPT begins. 

When job-hunting, focus on roles that align with your long-term goals and skills while ensuring they meet OPT eligibility requirements. Keep track of your OPT start and end dates to stay on top of your timelines, and explore resources like your school’s career center, alumni networks, and professional organizations. 

Lastly, always keep copies of your documentation, including your I-20, employment offer letters, and other important paperwork, as these may be needed for future applications.  

Boston isn’t cheap—no surprise there! When I started working here, I taught a couple of students through an online network, then started taking one-time gigs. Those helped me meet people, and over time, I built up more regular work.

I’ve also learned to be ready for last-minute opportunities. If someone needs a pianist or harpsichordist on short notice, I quickly check if the music is doable and confirm all the details—where, when, and who I’ll be working with. Saying yes to these gigs has helped me grow my network and skills. 

To keep living costs down, I share housing with roommates, take public transit everywhere, and take advantage of student discounts and income-eligibility programs around Boston. Beyond saving money, staying flexible and resourceful has helped me feel more connected to the city and its community. 

Language is a lifelong goal. While speaking with native speakers helps, I believe building a strong foundation in grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary is key. Once those are solid, communication becomes much smoother. 

As musicians, learning music-specific terms in English before grad school is helpful. It lets you engage in classes, collaborate better, and fully immerse yourself in the learning experience.  

On a larger level, I’ve found that being open to new experiences—whether it’s different learning tools, new genres of music, or cultural events—can lead to unexpected growth. Grad school is all about stepping outside your comfort zone.