Due May 1:

• Undergraduates Confirm Enrollment
• English Language Placement (ELP) official scores are due

Access May 6:

• Review SFCM email and display name spelling and pronouns - due May 12 at 11:59 pm PST

Due May 15: 

• New ID badge photo upload 
• Sign and Upload Financial Aid Package
• Sign and Upload Terms and Conditions
• SFCM credentials released - anticipated by May 15th at 12:00 pm PST

Completion after credentials are released:

• Housing Application through ERezLife- anticipated May 15 at 5:00 pm PST
• Activate SFCM email and test universal log in
• Activate Nelnet Account 

Due June 1

• Admitted Student Survey 

Due June 15

• Housing exemption requests due 

Mid-June: Dates TBA

• Housing assignments released
• Disability Accommodations - consider contacting Student Affairs 

Due July 1

• Final transcripts due. Students who graduate after July 1st may send transcripts after they have completed their degree but must communicate with the admissions office about this delay.

Early July: Dates TBA

• Pre-bills uploaded to New Student Portals (see 'Financial Aid and Finances')

Mid-July: Dates TBA

• Health packet due through Med+Proctor  - anticipated due date July 15
• Ensemble placement requirements sent to students by July 15
• Voice production requirements sent to students by July 15
• Pre-bills uploaded to New Student Portals (see 'Financial Aid and Finances')

August 1

• SFCM student emails used exclusively starting August 1 

Early August: Dates TBD

• Orientation Check in (On campus resident): Assigned times to move in at orientation sent by Office of Student Affairs
• Orientation Check in (Off campus residents): Orientation check in time selection 

Mid-August: Dates TBD

• Health insurance proof/waiver mid-August (see 'Student Affairs')

August 24-31

• Required orientation starting on August 24 (see 'Orientation')

September

• Academic year begins Tuesday, September 3rd
• Fall semester tuition due

Upload a new photo for your security badge to the New Student Portal by May 15th.  Students who receive an extension should complete this no later than May 31st. 

Photo Guidelines:

• Color photo taken within the last year
• White or grey background only
• Front-facing
• No obstructions to the face
• No instruments 
• Glasses only permitted if worn regularly.

Approving SFCM Mail, Display Name, Pronouns (May 12)

Students will have the opportunity to request changes to their email spelling, and verify their display name and pronouns starting May 6th through the New Student Portal. All change requests are due by Sunday, May 12th at 11:59 pm PT.

SFCM Credentials 

New SFCM students are assigned credentials to access portals and their SFCM email. We anticipate posting these credentials through the New Student Portal on May 15th by 12:00 pm. Students will need to log in, reset their password, and activate their account before they can submit the housing application or access their SFCM email.

SFCM Email 

SFCM students are assigned a student Gmail account when their credentials are created. The Admissions Office will continue to communicate with personal emails through July 31st. Starting August 1st, all correspondence will be sent to SFCM emails. Please prepare for this transition to avoid missing important updates. Students will receive notification when their credentials are released in the New Student Portal.
 

Application > New Student > Current Student

• Application Status Portal: Upon submitting an application, applicants are automatically enrolled in the Application Status Portal.
• New Student Portal: After students confirm and pay their deposit, the Application Status Portal transforms into the New Student Portal. This portal provides additional checklist items to prepare for orientation, enrollment, and general financial documents
• Current Student Portal: Beginning at orientation, students will use the self-service/new student portal, which is used to register for classes, track grades, order transcripts, view updated financial aid statements, and access external systems such as ERezLife, Practice Room Reservations, Nelnet (for payments), and other important resources.

ERezLife

SFCM students use the ERezLife portal for many items pertaining to life on campus including the housing application, roommate agreement, and later on used for maintenance requests, overnight guest registration and other items. The housing application will open on May 15th at 5:00 pm PT, see the housing drop down below for more information.

Med+Proctor Portal 

The Med+Proctor Portal is used to submit the Pre-Enrollment Health Packet to the Office of Student Affairs. This is a required step due July 31, 2024. See the Student Life section for more information. 

Nelnet

Nelnet is SFCM’s student payment portal for where you will pay tuition, fees, on-campus housing, dining, and SFCM provided health insurance. Students must add an authorized user for a parent, guardian, or other, to make payments on their behalf. Students must activate their Nelnet accounts through their New Student Portal after their credentials have been created.

All students should sign their Financial Aid Offer (including merit scholarships and aid) by May 15th. Students who have received an extension should complete this task by May 31st at 11:59 pm PST. International students should prioritize completing this task promptly to initiate the I-20 process.

To begin, download your Financial Aid Offer PDF from the Application Status Portal. After reviewing, accepting, signing, and dating the document, upload it back to the portal. Please circle 'A' to accept or 'D' to decline each award offer.

If you have not received a full financial aid package/offer, please contact the Admissions Office at apply@sfcm.edu

Download the Financial Aid Terms and Conditions Form from the Checklist Items in the Application Status portal. Sign and date before uploading. 

All SFCM students offered scholarships must have a FAFSA (US Domestic) or CSS profile (International) in order for their scholarship to pay out in Fall 2024. Please complete these applications no later than August 1st if not already completed. 

Nelnet is SFCM’s student payment portal for where you will pay tuition, fees, on-campus housing, dining, and SFCM provided health insurance. Students must add an authorized user for a parent, guardian, or other, to make payments on their behalf.

Students must activate their Nelnet accounts through their New Student Portal after their credentials have been created.

Pre Bills

SFCM provides what is called a ‘pre-bill’ to show applicants a summary of charges and financial aid based on full-time status without the health insurance charge**. The pre-bill will be uploaded to the New Student Portal in early  July, 2024. It is, as the name suggests, a preliminary estimate to help students and their families plan for the first semester of tuition. 

The bill will be finalized after registration at orientation and once all paperwork is submitted for financial aid and health insurance. 

**All full-time students need to have health insurance that is accepted by California and are automatically enrolled in health insurance SFCM. Those that have health insurance can submit a waiver to avoid the charges. See the Health Insurance drop down for more details. 

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments are typically made through the Nelnet portal which can be activated after SFCM credentials are given to students. International students will be prompted to activate their Nelnet account once further instructions are received from Nelnet. 

Additional payment options include mailing checks to the business office: Checks can be mailed to SFCM, in care of the Business Office (50 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94102), or they can be brought in person. Checks should be made out to “The San Francisco Conservatory of Music” or “SFCM.” 

Payment Plans

Applicants may enroll in a term payment plan which typically includes four installment payments throughout the semesters. The Student Business Office can also work with families to find alternative payment plans for each semester.  Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more payment information and email the Business Office at studentaccounts@sfcm.edu.

Further Research

Visit the Tuition & Fees page to read about late registration fees and the refund policy.

Final official transcripts are due by July 1st for all admitted students. Transcripts must be sent by the institution through post/mail, secure online portal, or email (apply@sfcm.edu). Those that graduate after July 1st may order transcripts when the degree is completed, but must communicate with the Admissions Office regarding this delay.

Final transcripts must meet the following guidelines: 

• Issued in or translated to English
• Indicate degree completed
• Show a cumulative GPA on the US 4.0 scale
• Must contain an official seal or signature

Read full details regarding transcripts per degree type and international students. 

All new students will be required to take an academic integrity quiz no later than August 23rd at 11:59 pm to attend orientation and enroll at SFCM. This checklist item will be added to the New Student Portal no later than August 1st.

Read full policies and procedures here.
 

Who must take exams/assessments?

All new SFCM students are required to take placement exams/assessments. 

What exams/assessments are required?

The type of assessments will be determined by your application status, degree level, major, and transfer status. An Exam Summary PDF, along with study guides, will be included here and on the New Student Portal by the beginning of June. Please refer to the exam summary to prepare for exams/assessments at orientation.

A confirmation of assigned assessments/exams will be sent to SFCM emails during the week of August 19th, including specific times and rooms for each assessment. Students must attend assessments during these times.

International Students

In addition to the music-related exams and assessments, all non-native international students must complete an English assessment to determine placement or exemption in ELP classes. 

A review of final transcripts and any submitted AP/IB scores will be processed over the summer. Credit awarded for humanities (general) courses will be reflected on the student’s individual degree checklist sent the week of orientation. 

All students will take placement exams according to their degree type and level. Class level will be determined officially after placement exams. 

Please read full details regarding transfer credit on the Transfer Student page.

During orientation (August 24-31), all new students will be assigned an academic advisor, receive advising, and register for classes. Prior to academic advising sessions, all students will attend seminars and presentations to familiarize themselves with the curriculum, degree checklists, and portals. For more details, please refer to the orientation section.

Housing Application

The housing application will open on May 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm PST and close on June 10 at 11:59 pm PST. Students will access this application through their New Student Portal, which will take them to eRezLife for the first time. The housing application is NOT first-come, first-served, but students are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.

On-campus housing is required for all undergraduate students. Graduate and post-graduate students can request housing through the application. Undergraduate students who wish to live off campus should see the next drop down items to review the residency waiver requirements to see if they are eligible.

Room Assignments

Room assignments will be made by the end of June. Resident life typically assigns the first or second preference of room type (single, double, etc.) contingent on availability. 

About You and Roommate Survey

In the housing application, students select room preferences and complete a roommate questionnaire. Roommate assignments consider factors like age, degree level, and instrument, with those over 21 on separate floors. We accommodate requests for specific roommates but do not mix self-identified gender identities unless requested. A comments section is available for questions or concerns in the application, and students are welcome to contact the reslife@sfcm.edu to discuss this more.

Requesting Specific Roommate

Students who know each other and would like to request a specific roommate can do so through the comments section of the housing application, followed by an email to the reslife@sfcm.edu. Please note, all parties requesting a specific roommate must include this in their application and email Residence Life. 

Exemptions to the Residency Requirement may be granted by the Office of Residential Life. Students seeking an exemption must submit a Residency Requirement Exemption Form, and will be required to provide documentation during the housing application process. Students must provide appropriate documentation in support of the exemption request. A separate Residency Requirement Exemption Form is required for each year a student is seeking exemption. For consideration, this form must be received by the Office of Residential Life no later than July 1.

Exemptions are granted for the following reasons:

• The student lives at home with a parent or legal guardian within 45 miles of SFCM. If the student changes residence, it is the student's responsibility to promptly notify the Office of Student Affairs.
• The student is married, in a registered domestic partnership that is recognized by the state of California, and/or is a parent with whom one or more dependent children reside.

Students are automatically assigned a minimum dining plan based on their class level and residency status. Students may upgrade their dining plan through the housing application or at a later date, however, they cannot reduce their plan.  Refer to dining plan details on the Tuition & Fees page, further information can be found on the Dining Services page. 

On Campus Minimum

• Undergraduates: Gold 
• Graduate/Post Graduate: Silver

Off Campus Minimum

• Undergraduates (Approved Waiver): Bronze
• Graduates: Bronze

Health Insurance

SFCM requires all full-time collegiate students to have health insurance. If students and/or their families already have health insurance, they can submit a health insurance waiver to avoid being automatically enrolled and charged with fall tuition. The updated waiver form will be included here and on the New Student Portal by the beginning of June and due by July 15.

It is highly recommended that all students, along with their parents or legal guardians (if applicable), carefully assess and compare different health insurance alternatives. Domestic students without a comparable US-issued health insurance policy must purchase the health insurance offered through SFCM. Similarly, international students are mandated to enroll in health insurance provided through SFCM. 

Medical Packet

All SFCM students are required to submit a pre-enrollment health packet through the Med Proctor portal by July 31st. This information submitted will be held in the Office of Student Affairs and not within your academic record. The packet will include required immunizations, vaccinations, and other questionnaires. You may preview the 2023-2024 AY Pre-Enrollment Health Packet, the updated 2024-2025 AY packet will be linked here and uploaded to New Student Portals by the end of June.

We’re committed to providing equal opportunity to attain an education regardless of disability. If you have a special need as a student at SFCM, please tell us about it.  Students who request accommodation of a disability should contact the Office of Student Affairs at osa@sfcm.edu, who will assist and advise them in their registration and accommodation request procedures.

Students are responsible for initiating and documenting a disability-related request for accommodation. For Fall 2024, students should consider starting the conversation of accommodations in June or July.  It is recommended that students begin the disability accommodation registration process at least two weeks before the start of each semester, although the Conservatory will consider the merits of each request at the time the request is received. 

Final Official Scores - Due May 1

International students whose first language is not English are required to submit in person TOEFL/IELTS scores for final admission. Final official score must be sent directly from TOEFL, IELTS, or ordered through ETS. Students who did not receive an ELP waiver should arrange for final scores to be sent to us no later than May 1st. Students who have not met this deadline should reach out to the Admissions Office as soon as possible.

ELP Probation

Those that admitted on English Proficiency/TOEFL Probation must submit new scores to the Admissions Office by May 1st for review. If scores are not within the threshold to be fully admitted, we will notify students of next steps to petition an extension. 

Review full International Student Requirements here. 

I-20 Overview

Below is an overview of the I-20 process at SFCM. Please visit the Student Visa & Documentation page and the International Student Resources page for full details. Please note, a scan or photo copy of your passport page is required. If you did not submit this in your application, please send it to the Admissions Office at apply@sfcm.edu to add to your file. 

• Reply to Offer of Admissions Form
• Pay enrollment deposit
• Sign and Upload Financial Aid Offer (no later than May 15)
• Sign and Upload Terms and Conditions (no later than May 15)
• Wait for instructions on submitting the International Certification of Finances and Affidavit. Preview documents here
• Submit bank statements with documents above
• Make changes to documents as directed by the Financial Aid Office, if needed
• Review draft of I-20 sent by Office of Student Affairs

Acceptance Letter

The SFCM acceptance letter required for the Visa application can be downloaded at any time through the Application Status/New Student Portal. 

All SFCM students offered scholarships must have a FAFSA (US Domestic) or CSS profile (International) in order for their scholarship to pay out in Fall 2024. Please complete these applications no later than August 1st if not already completed. 

Event Overview

All students must attend check in on August 24th. Students living on campus will move into their dorms and check in for orientation on the same day. 

• Bowes Center Dorm move in
• Expo (final check in with main offices)
• Academic placement exams/assessments
• Auditions: Voice production, instrumental ensemble placement
• Information sessions: finances, curriculum, registration
• Academic Advising and Registration
• Job and Club Fair

Important Emails (SFCM Gmail)

Starting August 1st, all communication will be sent to SFCM emails only. Please prepare for this transition and make note of the following essential emails you need to enroll.

• Early August: Assigned dorm move in and check in (on campus students) 
• Early August: Check in sign up (off campus students only)
• Week of August 19th: Placement exam assignments with specific time slots
• Week of August 26th:  Academic Advising assignments, degree checklist, assigned registration times 

On Campus Students

All students living in the dorms will be assigned a specific check in time between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm via email by the Office of Student Life. This email will include information about parking, drop off spaces, and more details to help prepare you for arrival. 

Off Campus Students

Students not residing on campus will have the change to sign up for a check in time before one is assigned. Full details will be posted on the orientation page and sent via email by the Office of Student Affairs. Parents are encouraged to attend the expo. 

Who must take exams/assessments?

All new SFCM students are required to take placement exams/assessments. 

What exams/assessments are required?

The type of assessments will be determined by your application status, degree level, major, and transfer status. An Exam Summary PDF, along with study guides, will be included here and on the New Student Portal by the beginning of June. Please refer to the exam summary to prepare for exams/assessments at orientation.

A confirmation of assigned assessments/exams will be sent to SFCM emails during the week of August 19th, including specific times and rooms for each assessment. Students must attend assessments during these times.

International Students

In additional to the music-related exams and assessments, all non-native international students must complete an English assessments to determine placement or exemption in ELP classes. 

Students will be assigned an academic advisor, receive advising, and register for classes during orientation week. Here is what to expect:

1. Degree Checklist: Receive a personalized degree checklist via SFCM email the week of August 19th.
2. Preparation: Attend required seminars/presentations regarding curriculum, degree check lists, and how to register.
3. Assigned Advisor: Email from Office of Academic Affairs with assigned academic advisor sent by the end of the day on August 28th.
4. Meeting with Advisor: Arrange a meeting with your assigned academic advisor by the end of the day on August 30th
5. Registration: Receive assigned registration time via email. Register for classes on August 31st through the Current Student/Self-service portal. 

Instrumental Ensembles 

• Required Placements: All instrumentalists in the following areas must complete an Instrumental Ensemble placement audition: brass, harp, percussion, strings, and woodwind. Repertoire requirements and excerpts will be posted on the orientation site and New Student Portal by July 15th.
• Optional Placements: Students may also audition for the following ensembles: chamber music (strings and piano); guitar ensemble; historical performance/Baroque. 

Voice Auditions

All auditions for voice area productions (opera, baroque opera, musical theater, opera scenes/productions) will take place during orientation week. Repertoire requirements and production details will be posted on the orientation site and New Student Portal by July 15th.

The Job Fair is an opportunity for students to meet with on-campus departments that are looking for student employees. Dress nicely and come prepared with questions for positions that interest you! (Need help with your resume and cover letter?)

Student Employment Guidelines

• While school is in session, students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week. Students with multiple campus jobs may be asked to relinquish one of their positions if the total number of hours exceeds 20 hours per week.
• International Students with F-1 visas must speak with Timothy Dunn (Tdunn@sfcm.edu; 415 503-6281, Director of International Student Services, regarding USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) guidelines about permissible employment. 

Read more about general paid opportunities and off-campus opportunities. Please note, more jobs may become available over the summer!

The Office of Student Affairs presents the Campus Club Fair to kickoff the start of the semester! New students will be able to check out different campus clubs and groups offered at SFCM!