Upcoming Start Dates and Deadlines
Spring 2025 – April 7th (Application Deadline December 15, 2024)
Fall 2025 – October 6th (Early-Action Deadline November 15th, 2024, Application Deadline February 15, 2025)
Admissions are open for all 2025 terms. Apply here!
STEP 1: SEND YOUR DOCUMENTS
In order to receive an admissions decision, applicants must submit official transcripts from the school(s) that they have attended. International applicants may require additional documentation. All academic documents must be submitted in English and can be sent by email to [email protected] or by mail to the address below.
If your Final Official Transcripts are not yet available, please re-submit them once you have passed your graduation/completion date and before the Final Official Transcript Deadline for submission (see step #2 for your start term).
Los Angeles College of Music
ATTN: Admissions Office
300 South Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
- Applicants must request their high school or institution to submit final official transcripts or General Educational Development (GED) scores.
- If the applicant is currently in their final year of high school and has not yet graduated, they can submit an unofficial copy or scanned copy of their transcripts. They will still need to submit the Final Official Transcript before the deadline.
- Applicants must request their institution to submit final official transcripts.
- If the applicant is currently in their final year of their bachelor’s program and has not yet graduated, they can submit an unofficial copy or scanned copy of their transcripts. They will still need to submit the Final Official Transcript before the deadline.
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- Applicants must request any and all of their current and former college/universities to submit official transcripts.
- Undergrad applicants: If the applicant has not yet graduated with a Bachelor Degree or higher, they must also request their high school to submit Final Official Transcripts or General Educational Development (GED) scores.
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- Applicant must submit an English Proficiency Exam (Duolingo, TOEFL or IELTS). Visit the International Admissions webpage for details, requirements and terms for exemption.
- Applicant must submit a Foreign Transcript Evaluation. Visit the International Admissions webpage for details, requirements and terms for exemption. SpanTran is the preferred evaluation company of LACM. They offer a discount and expedited turnaround on the evaluation and will send a fee copy directly to LACM. SpanTran Application
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Bridge to Success: English and Cultural Immersion Program
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- Attend LACM 1 quarter early, and improve academic English proficiency through English and music coursework
- Earn English proficiency needed to attend LACM degree programs. Minimum scores to enter the program: Duolingo: 80, TOEFL iBT: 50, IELTS: 5
- lacm.edu/bridgetosuccess for more info
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Applicants must submit official General Educational Development (GED) scores or an accredited homeschooled transcript.
STEP 2: START YOUR APPLICATION
Please review the following start dates to ensure that your major is offered during the term of your choice. Follow the start my application link below and complete the fields on pages 1-5 to get started.
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- Applications Open: August 1, 2024
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
- Extended App Deadline: February 1, 2024
- Rolling Admission – applications open based on availability
- Housing Deposit: February 1, 2025
- Enrollment Fee & Agreement: February 1, 2025
- I-20 Requirements: February 1, 2025
- Final Transcripts & Evaluations: February 1, 2025
- Transfer Credit Evaluation: February 1, 2025
- Tuition Payment Deadline: February 1, 2025
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- Applications Open: August 1, 2024
- Early Action/Priority App Deadline: November 15, 2024
- Regular App Deadline: February 15, 2025
- Extended App Deadline: Rolling Admission (still accepting applications)
- FAFSA Open Date: October 1, 2024
- FAFSA Recommended Deadline: March 2, 2025
- Housing Deposit: May 1, 2025
- Enrollment Fee & Agreement: May 1, 2025
- I-20 Requirements: May 1, 2025
- Final Transcripts & Evaluations: July 15, 2025
- Transfer Credit Evaluation: July 15, 2025
- Tuition Payment Deadline: July 2, 2025
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STEP 3: COMPLETE AUDITION
Upload your audition materials. Each major has unique audition requirements. Please carefully review the requirements for the major you are applying to before submitting.
Please ensure that all uploads are clearly labeled.
Choose Audition Option (Upload or Open House)
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- Upload Audition Requirements to the Online Application. OR
- Audition LIVE at one of the LACM Open Houses. Register Here
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Both options are considered equally upon review.
Upload your audition materials. Audition requirements differ for each field of specialization. Please refer to the audition requirements for your intended major.
Please ensure that all uploads are clearly labeled.
The link to our online graduate entrance exam will be made available after the general application has been submitted. Prepare for Master’s program entrance exam. A study guide is available for download.
Incoming students can opt into scholarship opportunities by selecting a box on their application for admission. By doing so they will automatically be considered for Academic or Merit scholarships. Applicants will be evaluated for Merit awards based on a review of their audition/portfolio. Applicants with unweighted incoming GPA scores of 3.0 or higher will be considered for Academic awards. Not all scholarship awards at LACM require an incoming academic minimum. The number of scholarships disbursed depends upon the availability of allocated funds.
STEP 4: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Once your application is complete, please submit the application. Do not forget to opt-in to scholarship consideration on your submission, if you would like to be considered. Upon receipt of your completed application, audition material and supporting documents, LACM will be able to process your application and provide an admissions decision.
Application Fee: $75
What to do after submitting your application:
Follow up with LACM to ensure that any transcripts, evaluations, or English proficiency scores have been recieved by LACM. Contact us today to confirm receipt: 626-568-8850 | [email protected]
As we audition our applicants, we invite them to audition us as well. Learn more about Open Houses, Virtual and On-Campus Visits at LACM to experience the difference of our community for yourself. We look forward to meeting you!
See what is going on at LACM. Connect with us on social media and join the conversation today. #LACMofficial
STEP 5: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
If you are considering financing your future at LACM with the help of Federal Financial Aid, it is very beneficial to complete your FAFSA application and book a financial aid appointment while your program application is still in process. Our team is ready to help you explore your options and advise you throughout the process.
Book an appointment with LACM Financial Aid:
LACM Financial Aid | [email protected] | 626-568-8850
Before considering Federal Financial Aid, please confirm that you meet the following criteria:
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- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
- Not been previously defaulted on student loans
- Have not exceeded their annual and/or aggregate student loan limits for a particular award year.
- Valid Social Security Number
- High school diploma or equivalent
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Requirements for the Federal Financial Aid include:
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- Males between the ages of 18 and 26 must be registered with Selective Service
- Maintaining satisfactory academic progress while attending LACM
- Satisfactory repayment status of prior Federal student loans
- Satisfactory payment arrangements of prior Federal grant over payments
- LACM must have record of your Final Official Transcripts proving graduation/completion.
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Complete Your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application
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- Complete the FAFSA Application www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- In order to submit your application online, you must first apply for a PIN to use as your electronic signature (parents of dependent students must also apply for a PIN).
- Once you have received your PIN, return to the website to complete your FAFSA and make sure to enter LACM’s School Code: 038684.
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STEP 6: RECEIVE YOUR DECISION
Once you have completed the application process you can expect to receive a decision by mail or email. Applicants will either be accepted, denied, provided a conditional acceptance or invited to apply for their second program of choice.
Confirming your acceptance to LACM: Welcome to the #LACMFamily!
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- Choose LACM: Your acceptance email will give you instructions on how to “Choose LACM” and confirm your intent to attend the school. After confirming your attendance, you will receive a link to the Enrollment Form.
- Complete the Enrollment Form: The form allows students to sign the enrollment agreement, view student performance factsheets and pay the enrollment fee ($150 domestic students, $335 international students). Please note that you must submit the Enrollment Form by the deadline to guarantee your place in the program.
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In your acceptance letter, you will receive information on how to register for Student Housing. Enjoy the convenience of fully furnished apartment living with shuttle service to and from campus. The non-refundable housing reservation fee is $100, and does require a $1,000 security deposit. For more information, please review the reservation form or visit the Housing and Roommate Connection webpage. You may also email [email protected] with any remaining questions.
Show your pride for the LACM Family and announce your acceptance on social media. We recommend posting a photo of your acceptance letter, pictures in LACM swag, or screenshots of your acceptance email. Be sure to tag LACM and hashtag #igotacceptedLACM to discover other future students online.
Each year, the Admissions team hosts events for accepted students at the LACM Campus. This is a great opportunity to meet other students in your cohort, get acquainted with faculty, and discover what it takes to pursue a career in entertainment. Students also have the opportunity to tour student housing and request future roommates. We look forward to seeing you!
Graduate Audition Portfolio
Music Performance
The audition recording (in video format- audio only will not be accepted) may be solo, self-accompanied, accompanied by other musician(s), or by a band as long as the applicant is prominently featured. The use of pre-recorded accompaniment tracks is acceptable. The audition recording should be performed in one take and not edited, and best demonstrate the applicant’s performance, artistic, and creative abilities. The use corrective studio effects such as pitch or timing correction is not allowed.
Twenty minutes of solo and/or ensemble pieces, which includes a minimum of one jazz standard and one published song in any genre, and a minimum of one original composition.
Music Production
Applicants to the Music Producing and Recording program are required to submit:
- Minimum of five (5) audio tracks that you have recorded, as producer/engineer (you may be the artist also). Tracks must be between 2:00 – 5:00 in length.
- Detailed explanation of your involvement with each track, the tools used, the challenges you faced and the musician credit lists.
- A resume that lists experience, credits and computer skills.
Applicants are required to have the following proficiencies in Music Technology:
- Prerequisite in ProTools 210M. Transcript and/ or certification required. Applicants without this prerequisite may take the ProTools courses offered in the baccalaureate program prior to entering the graduate study.
- Baccalaureate level proficiency in the use of microphone technology, signal processing, mixing and mastering – entrance exam to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency.
- User proficiency with MIDI production techniques – general functions of MIDI control, recording and editing.
Music Composition
Composing for Visual Media: Applicants to the Composing for Visual Media program are required to submit:
- Full-score manuscripts in PDF format of three (3) original compositions. Score manuscripts be professionally created, using software such as Finale, Sibelius, or Dorico, and accurately reflect the audio recordings.
- Quicktime recordings of submitted compositions with the music in sync to video picture. The compositions should convey an ability to capture mood, color and action through both composition and orchestration. Live recorded works are appreciated whenever possible; however, MIDI-generated recordings, as well as hybrid recordings (MIDI combined with live recordings), are quite acceptable.
Songwriting: Applicants to the Songwriting program are required to submit:
- Recordings of and lead sheets to three (3) songs to which the applicant has significantly contributed.
- A statement of the nature and degree of the applicant’s contribution to each song (songs that are the product of collaboration are acceptable).
- Two (2) printed scores of arrangements for varied instrumentation (these can be arrangements of the applicant’s song submissions or of other material). MIDI arrangements are acceptable and recordings may be included.
- A video of you demonstrating competency on an instrument (keyboard or guitar)
Music Industry
Applicants to the Music Business program are required to submit:
- A 300-500 word essay describing the origins of your interest in the music industry, as well as any background experiences that are relevant to the field. Please include a specific description of your experience in music, either in the creative or business aspects. Include both if relevant.
- A 500-800 word essay responding to one of the following prompts:
- The music industry is constantly changing. Please describe your assessment of the current state of the music industry, the anticipated trends that might set the tone for the next change in the music industry, and any specific challenges you believe will need to be navigated and addressed in the next 3-5 years. Please provide research-based assessments and cite all sources.
- In the role of artist manager, what do you feel are the most essential aspects needed in order to insure success for an independent songwriter and/ or artist in today’s current music industry? Please provide research-based assessments and cite all sources
- Please submit a video performance that establishes competency on a primary instrument(s). Guitar or piano preferred, but alternate instruments including vocals will be permitted.
Admissions Directory
PHILLIP SINGLETON
Admissions Counselor
Bass Performance, Guitar Performance, Music Producing & Recording
MEL JOHNSON
Admissions Counselor
Drum Performance, Saxophone, Trombone or Trumpet (BWW) Performance, Music Business, Songwriting
RAM ZHANG
Admissions Counselor, China & Taiwan
All majors except for Music Producing and Recording