Admissions Blog: Virtual Meeting FAQs - Manhattan School of Music

Thank you to those who attended our virtual sessions with Student Affairs and President Gandre! In case you missed it, we’ve gathered your most frequently asked questions and provided a few answers below. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at admissions@msmnyc.edu.

If you haven’t already, you may confirm your enrollment by filling out the Admission Offer Reply Form on your Status Portal. The deadline to confirm is May 15, 2020.

Q: Does MSM have a contingency plan for the fall semester?

A: Although we have not officially changed our fall semester opening, we, along with the rest of higher education institutions across the US and in much of the rest of the world, are looking at various scenarios for beginning the fall semester. Three of the most popular scenarios being discussed by many colleges and universities include:

Starting in September as usual, but with modifications to how we operate the campus
Moving the beginning of the fall semester to a later date
Starting in September as usual, but continuing online for the first month or so with the classes that are most conducive to remote learning.

With the progress being made in recent days, we remain hopeful about our prospects for the fall! If you have questions about your enrollment this fall, please contact admissions@msmnyc.edu.

Q: How is the education at MSM different from the kind of education one gets as a music major at a college or larger University?

A: MSM offers music performance degrees, and what better place to pursue performance than in NYC?! These degree offerings include the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Professional Studied Diploma, Doctoral of Musical Arts, and Artist Diploma. Our faculty are all performers who are passionate about teaching, (not the other way around), who have all had fabulous careers and are excited to share their knowledge with you, our incoming students.

Q: After I send in my confirmation fee, what happens next? When will I receive my MSM email and ID?

A: Within one week of submitting your confirmation fee, you will receive an email from MSM with your new MSM email and ID, as well as information about your current student portal. Make sure to stay in touch with the Office of Admissions and International Student Services throughout the summer to complete the requirements on your checklist in your applicant Status Portal!

Q: When will I receive my tuition bill? When is tuition due? Do you have payment plans available?

A: Tuition bills will be issued mid-summer. Students can either pay their tuition in full by the deadline or they can utilize CashNet payments. To pay in full, payments can be made via cash, check, money order, wire transfer, or Flywire (for international payments). However, during the current pandemic we are asking those looking to make a traditional single payment to make their payments by check, wire transfer, or direct ACH. CashNet allows the student to take the total balance due for the semester and split it into monthly payments via ACH only. For example, the fall semester tuition can be split into 4 or 5 monthly payments and the spring semester can be split into 3 or 4 monthly payments.

Q: How do we sign up for classes? When will the fall 2020 course catalog be published? Is registration completed online? Will student class loads be similar to what has been offered in the past?

A: Class registration for new students will take place during orientation. The most updated version of our Course Catalog is available here. We anticipate class loads to remain the same in the fall. Our President and Provost will communicate changes to you, should any adjustments be necessary.

Q: Does MSM offer music business courses?

A: Our Center for Career Readiness & Community Impact (CCRCI) provides current students and alumni with “next step” mentoring through coursework, workshops, one-on-one career advising, and referral services for performing, teaching, and internship opportunities.

Q: What is it like living in Andersen Hall? When will I be able to select housing? Can I choose my roommate?

A: To learn more about living in Andersen Hall, please visit this page. You can view photos of the dorm through our Photo Tour and Instagram Story Highlight. Housing applications will be available to you once you receive your email with your MSM email and ID. Students can submit their roommate requests in the housing application, all other students are hand-matched by the Student Affairs team over the summer based on your living preferences and individual interests. If you have questions about the housing and roommate selection process, you may contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@msmnyc.edu.

Q: Will there be any changes to dorm assignments if social distancing measures continue? Will there be a curfew or rules about leaving the building?

A: A task force is currently working to develop plans for our residence policy in the fall and will ensure that it meets NYC guidelines. We do not plan to enforce a curfew or other restrictions about leaving Andersen Hall, but there may be stricter guidelines pertaining to visitors, and there may be other travel restrictions placed on our entire MSM community (though what these may be is yet to be determined).

Q: Am I required to purchase MSM health insurance? What is included in the health insurance plan? If a student does get sick, how will the administration help?

A: All international students are required to purchase the MSM health insurance plan. Domestic applicants who currently have health insurance may complete a health insurance waiver and will not be enrolled in the plan. We have a variety of healthcare resources available on campus and can provide referrals for any service we are unable to provide. Additional details about the MSM health insurance plan for 2020-2021 will be available later this summer.

Q: Does MSM have any student organizations?

A: Of course! You can see our list of student organizations here. Feeling motivated to start a new organization on campus? Reach out to Student Engagement at studentengagement@msmnyc.edu!

Q: What work opportunities available for students on campus? How can I apply?

A: We have work study and non-work study jobs available for domestic and international students. You can find a full list of job opportunities here. This list will be updated for the 2020-2021 academic year later this summer.

Q: Will the campus store reopen soon? How can I get MSM swag?

A: The campus store will be closed (along with the rest of MSM’s campus) until the Fall semester begins. In the meantime, we hope you’ll celebrate your acceptance with our “Virtual Swag”, including an MSM poster and #MSMBound Facebook frame.

Q: Are there any online groups that accepted students can join?

A: Yes! The Office of Student Engagement creates a Facebook group each year for new students. If you’ve already submitted your confirmation fee, you will receive an invite on May 18th.

Q: How often are the practice rooms and pianos cleaned?

A: Practice rooms are currently being cleaned daily, and materials are provided so that each student may clean the piano in their room before and after their practice session.

Q: If I commit to MSM now do I still have the option of rescinding my enrollment and deciding to defer at a later time? If so, when is the last date I could change a “confirm” to a “defer”?

A: Yes, you are able to confirm your enrollment now and choose to defer at a later time. You can choose to defer up to the day before classes begin! When deferring your enrollment, your confirmation fee will roll over to fall 2021. Please note, your scholarship award is not guaranteed to roll over, and you will be reconsidered for scholarship within the 2021 applicant pool.

Visit the Status Portal to submit your Admission Offer Reply Form by Friday, May 15, 2020:

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May 14, 2020