02.09.01 Eligibility and Application Procedures
Non-matriculated students are those who are not candidates for a degree 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. A limited number of applicants may be eligible for non-matriculated enrollment status at the School. This status may be granted to (1) Conservatory Exchange students (see https://www.esm.rochester.edu/academic-affairs/exchange/); (2) Eastman alumni; (3) Eastman faculty and staff who meet the criteria stated below; (4) previously enrolled non-matriculated students; or (5) applicants accepted by special permission.
The following information applies to non-matriculated 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 review or approval through Academic Affairs.
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. Non-matriculated 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 non-matriculated students to the enrollment will be in the best interest of the regular students and the faculty.
Students interested in pursuing educational opportunities as non-matriculated students should first contact the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and submit their application. Interested students should not contact faculty members until they have been granted permission to take a course. The decision to accept a non-matriculated student is made by the Associate 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 non-matriculated student is normal for Conservatory Exchange Students and may be requested by others. The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will act as advisor to all students in this category.
Non-matriculated students may choose to audit a course or take a course for credit. Audits will be granted only in non-performance-based courses. Due to the specialized nature of programs offered by the Eastman School of Music, students interested in taking a course for credit must demonstrate sufficient musical 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 and the availability of space in applied studios. Interested applicants should consult the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs for additional information regarding possibilities for applied study. (Please refer to Audition Repertory for details: Undergraduate Audition Repertoire and Graduate Audition Repertoire )
Non-matriculated 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 will be referred to the Eastman Community Music School at (585) 274-1400 or www.esm.rochester.edu/community/
Application and Tuition
An individual interested in attending the Eastman School of Music as a non-matriculated student must complete an application form and submit it to the Office of Academic Affairs. The deadline for applications for fall semester is August 1; the deadline for spring semester is December 1.
In the majority of cases, it may not be possible to verify acceptance of non-matriculated students until after the beginning of the term during which instruction is desired because enrollment priority must be given to matriculated students. The applicant must 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. For specific costs, consult the Bursar’s information at: https://www.rochester.edu/adminfinance/bursar/billing-and-payment/tuition-fees-2020-2021/.
