Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
Students must be accepted to and enrolled in Berklee before being considered for admission to MP&E. Please see http://www.berklee.edu/admissions/ for information about applying to Berklee.
A student must have at least one semester (minimum 12 credits) of Berklee grades before being eligible to apply to the MP&E major. Berklee International Network (BIN) students transferring to Berklee may apply in their first semester, but must provide an official copy of their BIN transcript along with their application.
What are the criteria for admission to the MP&E Department?
Criteria for admission include: demonstrated musicianship (at Berklee College of Music or another music program); music performance or writing experience; academic accomplishment at the high school and college levels; communication skills (both written and oral); any previous experience in recording or music production; maturity and acuity, as demonstrated through the application process.
Is there a minimum GPA required to apply to MP&E?
There is no specific GPA requirement for applying to MP&E. That said, an applicant's current GPA is one of several factors considered by the MP&E Selections Committee as an indicator of the applicant's ability to function in a rigorous academic environment.
Who evaluates applications for entrance to the Music Production and Engineering Major?
All applications are reviewed by the MP&E Selection Committee which typically consists of full time MP&E faculty and leadership.
How does a student apply for the MP&E program?
There are two steps to the online application:
(1) Students must create a User Account, this requires a valid berklee.net email account.
(2) The student submits the online application for admission to the Music Production and Engineering major at mpe.berklee.edu/admissions.
Applications are accepted between the first day of classes until the 6th week of classes during the spring and fall semesters. (Applications for both Summer and Fall are processed in the Spring semester.) The deadline is Friday, 4:00 PM (EST) of the designated week.
Notification of acceptance status will be sent to Berklee student mailboxes, and emailed to the berklee.net email account. See the table below for exact deadlines:
| For admission in MP&E for: | Application must be received by: | *Notification in student mailbox as well as electronically (berklee.net account) by: |
| Spring 2010 | October 16, 2009 4:00pm | November 16, 2009 |
| Summer or Fall 2010 | February 26, 2010 4:00pm | March 29, 2010 |
| Spring 2011 | October 15, 2010 4:00pm | November 15, 2010 |
How many students apply for the MP&E program and how many are accepted?
Currently, a total of 55 students are admitted to the department for the Spring semester, and 70 for the Summer (15) and Fall (55) semesters combined. The rate of acceptance in recent application periods has been approximately 35%, or 1 out of 3.
Why does the MP&E Department limit its enrollment?
Hands-on experience in the recording studios is a central component of the MP&E curriculum. In order to deliver the highest standards of education it is essential that reasonable ratios of enrollment to facilities and faculty be maintained.
Are there any particular courses students should enroll in at Berklee before applying for the MP&E major?
Yes. Students intending to pursue the MP&E major are encouraged to consult the Academic Grids, and enroll in LMSC-208 or LMSC-209 (preferred) to satisfy their Acoustics requirement. Please note that both Acoustics courses require a Math pre-requisite; this is satisfied by completing a math course, transfer credit, or passing the Math Proficiency Exam offered each semester.
Students interested in the MP&E program may consider enrolling in MP-110, Introduction to Music Production and Engineering, if they would like a broad overview of the field and the recording industry.
How does the interview work?
All applicants will be contacted to schedule a 20-minute personal interview with a member of the Selections Committee. There is no need for special preparation, and the format is informal. If the MP&E department has not contacted you within two business days, this means that your application may not have been received. Please contact the MP&E department at 617-747-2400.
When will students be informed of their status?
Students should check their student mailbox and berklee.net email account on the first day of Registration week.
If accepted to the MP&E major, are there any classes I need to add to my schedule?
After notification of acceptance and completion of your Declaration of Major paperwork in the MP&E office, you must add the following first semester MP&E courses to your schedule: MP 211, MP 214, MP 215, MP 225, as well as LMSC 208 or LMSC 209 (preferred) if you have not already taken Acoustics.
If accepted to the MP&E major am I required to own any specific computer hardware or software for use in conjunction with the Berklee Laptop Package?
Yes, in addition to owning the Berklee Laptop Package, students enrolling in the MP&E major must purchase the MP&E Major Hardware & Software Bundle, which includes a digital audio interface, digital recording, editing, and CD authoring software, plug-ins, and other required materials.
Note: The MP&E Major Bundle must be paid for and picked up by the end of the second week of classes in the semester for which you are accepted. Additional hardware or software may be required for specific upper-level MP&E classes.
Can a student who is not accepted re-apply in a future semester?
Yes, without penalty or prejudice. Re-applicants are free to contact the MP&E Office for advising.
What can students who re-apply do to enhance their application for a future semester?
It is recommended that these students strengthen possible areas of weakness from amongst the admissions criteria, including, but not limited to, bringing up their Berklee GPA.
If an applicant is not accepted, does this imply that the Selections Committee feels the student is not qualified for the Major?
No. The competitive profile and overwhelming size of the applicant pool makes it impossible to accept all qualified applicants.
Can a student defer enrollment to a future semester?
No. If you have been accepted and choose not to attend the major in the semester for which you were accepted, you must contact MP&E Department Chair, Rob Jaczko, in writing. As per arrangement with the Department Chair, you may have to re-apply upon your return.
Can a student admitted for the Fall semester begin the program early, in the previous Summer semester?
No.
Are returning students subject to the same application procedures as enrolled students?
Yes, unless they were previously enrolled as MP&E majors. Such students should contact the MP&E Office at (617) 747-2400 to make an appointment for academic advising.
Are there any special procedures for students seeking a dual major with MP&E?
No. However, in this case separate decisions and notifications will be made for each major.
Should students withhold their Registration forms until they have been notified of their status?
No. In order to avoid late fees, students should submit all Registration forms before the deadline, regardless of their status in the MP&E application process.
Whom should a student, faculty, or staff member contact if they have additional questions?
Please contact an MP&E Departmental Advisor at (617) 747-2400.
developed by Gjergji Theka '08 & David Bawiec '11