The Harvard/New England Conservatory (NEC) program is a joint five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (AB) at Harvard College and a Master of Music (MM) at New England Conservatory. Students pursue the AB curriculum for the concentration of their choice at Harvard, while taking studio instruction each semester at NEC. Ensemble participation at either institution is encouraged.
During the first three years, students will pursue the AB curriculum at Harvard and take studio instruction each semester at NEC. In the fourth year of study, students will complete all requirements for the AB degree at Harvard while beginning to fulfill NEC's MM degree requirements. Students will receive the MM degree from New England Conservatory after successful completion of the fifth year of study.
The program is open to high school students who apply to both institutions through their normal admissions process. Performance applicants to the joint program will be expected to audition at NEC during the regular auditions period (Feb/Mar) - composition applicants to the joint program will be required to submit scores and recordings, but will not have to audition. In addition, Harvard undergraduates, who are between the freshman and junior years, may be considered for admission to the program.
Further information is available from the Department of Music at Harvard University (617-495-2791) or the Office of Admission at New England Conservatory (617-585-1102).
"The students at Harvard are the most active people I know - devoted to thier schoolwork, yes, but involved in so many activities and organizations ... What I love most are the students and their passion for the activities and academics alike."