Direct Enrollment - Conservatorium van Amsterdam

• 18 years of age
• In good standing at your home school
• 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
• Junior or senior standing when program begins
  • To be considered of junior standing by the CvA, applicants must have completed four full college semesters (about 60 credit hours) by the start of the program. Transfer credits from AP Exams are not counted towards this total.
• Final admissions decision rests with the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Amsterdam School of Music)
• Applicants whose GPAs are below 3.0 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis (additional application materials below are required).
• Please note, due to restrictions by the CvA, IES Abrad students are not able to apply to the following departments:
  • AEMA (Amsterdam Electronic Music Academy)
  • Music in Education
  • Opera
  • Pop Music

Submit Your Online Application

• Applications may be considered after the published deadline on a space available basis. Please note that late applicants may be required to submit a non-refundable confirmation deposit upon acceptance in order to secure a place in the program. Please contact us with questions about applying after the deadline.

After your Online Application is processed, submit the following in your MyIESabroad account: 

1. Home School Authorization — Your on-campus study abroad advisor can either complete the Home School Authorization electronically through IES Abroad’s PartnerPortal system, or by filling out the PDF form. Consult your study abroad advisor to determine how they would prefer to complete your Home School Authorization. 
2. Transcript(s) — Submit transcripts from each college/university you have attended since high school. If you have multiple transcripts, IES Abroad will average the GPAs for all colleges/universities you have attended and use that cumulative GPA when reviewing your application. (Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. must obtain a professional course-by-course transcript equivalency report. You may choose any organization that provides professional international transcript equivalencies.)
3. Color Copy of Valid Passport Photo Page and Any Stamped/Used Pages — Please provide a scanned copy of your passport information and signature page(s) as well as any stamped/used pages. If you do not yet possess a passport or if it is not valid for six months past the end date of your IES Abroad program, we will accept a copy of your passport application; and we will also require that you provide the following information (as it will appear in your passport): first and last name, date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY), gender, and place of birth. 
4. Audition Link — An audition by means of a link to your music (such as DropBox, YouTube, etc.). Students looking to focus on composition must also submit sample scores of their strongest work. When creating the audition link, students should: 
   • In the past, students have submitted 3-5 video clips (2-5 minutes each) or have submitted one continuous video clip that ranges from 10-15 minutes. It would be best if you could show at least 15-20 minutes of your performance ability within the last year.
   • Understand that there is no perfect way to go about producing this (i.e., there is no standard number of songs, nor required type of songs/music). The school is looking to see how students choose to present themselves, the type of work they select, their playing style, the quality, etc. 
   • Be professional. Type-up the song list, and/or any explanation they wish to include about the pieces 
   • Include relevant ensemble pieces, but clearly explain, in writing if necessary, which instrument they play in the piece highlighted
   • Highlight their best work; work that shows the depth of their abilities, rather than a timeline of their progression 
5. Academic Statement of Purpose — This statement should: State your instrument(s) and department of focus: jazz or classical. Explain your past music study, what you plan to accomplish while studying at CvA, and future music goals. You do not need to specifically list all studies and performances to date, but should provide a general overview of your academic and music background. Be as specific as possible about the courses and instruction you wish to take at CvA. Mention previous study, work, or experiences overseas if any. Write your name at the top of the statement. 
6. Resume 
7. Professor Recommendation Letter — Although there is no length requirement, the recommendation must indicate a professor’s opinion of the applicant’s academic ability to pursue university-level coursework in a foreign country, in addition to any information that would help IES Abroad gain a better understanding of the applicant. 
8. (If Applicable) English Language Proficiency Exam — Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. may need to submit English language proficiency exam results. Contact your IES Abroad Representative for more information. 

If your cumulative GPA is below 3.0, submit the following in your MyIESabroad account: 

1. Professor Recommendation — Although there is no length requirement, the recommendation must indicate a professor’s opinion of the applicant’s academic ability to pursue university-level coursework in a foreign country, in addition to any information that would help IES Abroad gain a better understanding of the applicant. 
2. Personal Academic Essay — Although there is no length requirement, the essay must address your GPA, any particular academic challenges faced, reasons you chose this IES Abroad program, and how it fits into your academic career. 

Please be sure to send all physical application materials to the IES Abroad Chicago office 

This is located at 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60603. Do NOT send physical application materials directly to the CvA. 

Await the Results 

1. Applications are submitted to the CvA in one batch after the application deadline has passed. This is NOT a rolling admissions program. Admissions decisions are usually released up to eleven weeks after the application deadline. 
2. IES Abroad will contact you as soon as we receive an admissions decision from the CvA . We are not provided updates on the timeline nor on the progress of application review. 
3. Typically, applicants to this program have a backup program in mind, as admission to the CvA program is very competitive. Please contact your IES Advisor for advice on suitable alternative programs. 

Apply Now

Renew (or Apply for!) Your Passport ASAP 

Passport applications and renewals are taking longer than normal these days. Save yourself from the last-minute stress by making sure: 

1. You have a passport 
2. The expiration date is at least six months after your study abroad program ends 

Visit travel.state.gov to locate U.S. passport agencies in your area. 

Apply for a Residence Permit 

Once you are accepted to the program, you will need to apply for your Dutch Residence Permit. You will complete the first part of the application online several months prior to departure. Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you will complete the final steps to obtain a Dutch Residence Permit. Learn more about what to expect.

Not a U.S. citizen? Consult the consulate website of your passport country and contact your IES Abroad Advisor with further questions.