First Year Abroad: Accepted Students

Accepted Students Passport and Visa Student Health Insurance Valencia Academic Calendar Orientation
 

Accepted Students

If you have already been accepted to Berklee College of Music's First Year Abroad program for the upcoming fall, then there are a number of things that you need to do prior to check-in. This section of the site is designed to help you make a smooth transition.

Acceptance Expiration

Your acceptance is dependent on successful completion of any outstanding schoolwork. Admission to the First Year Abroad program on the Valencia campus is only valid for the fall semester that you were accepted. If you decide to defer your acceptance, your only option is to enroll on the Boston campus, which you may do so in the following spring or fall.

If you do decide to defer your acceptance, you must submit a written request to refund or transfer your tuition deposit to a later semester. Your refund or transfer request must be received by the college no later than May 1.

Next Steps

Paying Your Tuition Deposit

Tuition deposits for Berklee are due upon acceptance notification. This initial deposit is credited towards your first semester charges, confirms your intention to attend the college, and secures your seat in the entering class.

Please note that your $1,000 deposit is to be paid in full by May 1.

Read more about paying the tuition deposit.

Additional Steps

Login to your account at apply.berklee.edu to see a full list of steps to complete prior to the fall. The following is a general list of what to expect. Refer back to the Acceptance Packet for helpful tips.

Check Your Passport

All participants must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the program end date. If you do not currently have a passport, apply for one now, as it could take six weeks or longer to get one. You will need your passport at least three months before the program start date in order to apply for a student visa.

Timeline
Depending on what country you are from, it can take up to eight weeks to receive a new passport. You should have this completed by May 1 to allow enough time for the student visa application process.

Learn More About Passports and Visas

Apply for a Student Visa to Study in Spain

First Year Abroad students need a long-stay student visa, which allows students to study for up to one year in Spain. The visa application process requires the student to present documentation at your corresponding Spanish consulate, and can take up to three months to process.

Who Needs a Visa?
All students on the Valencia campus need this visa unless you are a citizen or legal resident of the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Switzerland.

Timeline
It can take up to 12 weeks to process your student visa. You should have your visa completed by August 1.

Learn More About Passports and Visas

Submit Your Immunizations

Completed immunization records are required in order to finalize your application process. We recommend that you get the required immunizations and send us your form as soon as possible. Make sure that you have all of the required shots; it takes only one missing or expired shot to cause delays during check-in. If you submitted your form but are still receiving communications from us indicating otherwise, you may have omitted something, and you should contact us immediately at 800-BERKLEE (237-5533), 617-747-2222, or admissions@berklee.edu to follow up.

Special Notice: All immunizations must be completed before arriving in Spain, as some immunizations will not be available there.

Timeline
The entire immunization process can take up to 16 weeks. You should have this completed by August 1.

Immunization Form

A physician must complete this form, with signature and stamp.

Download and Print the Immunization Form

If you have questions regarding immunizations or the immunization requirements, contact your Enrollment Officer in the Office of Admissions.

Orientation and Welcome Events

Welcome Event
To help celebrate your acceptance to Berklee for the fall semester, we invite you to join us at an optional welcome event. You will have a chance to meet your future classmates, hear from college leadership about what to expect from your Berklee experience, and ask any questions you may have.

Details regarding these events will be sent separately and an RSVP will be required. Those who are unable to attend in person will be able to view the events via streaming video.

Orientation
One week before classes start, all First Year Abroad students are required to attend orientation on the Valencia campus to introduce you to everything that Berklee’s international campus in Spain has to offer. During this week, you’ll not only get to meet your classmates, faculty, and support staff, but also the rest of the campus community at the undergraduate and graduate level. The orientation dates will be published soon so you can prepare for your arrival.

Apply for Financial Aid

Whether you are attending Berklee in Boston or doing your first year abroad in Valencia the process of applying for aid is the same. You and your family begin the process of applying for need-based financial aid by completing two forms: the CSS/Financial Aid Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both applications gather information about your family's financial situation and enable you to be considered for a range of federal, state, and institutional funding.

Learn More About Student Financial Services

Housing

Housing is mandatory for every First Year Abroad student, and you will have the choice of a single room with private bath, a double room with private bath (shared by the two roommates), or a triple room with private bath (shared by the three roommates).

In addition, students in First Year Abroad will have access to a private shuttle bus on school days (Monday through Friday) that will leave the residence in the morning and return in the evening.

Learn More About Housing

Submit Proof of High School Graduation

Submit proof of high school/secondary school completion
Please 
submit your proof of high school graduation (either your official high/secondary school diploma or final transcript that includes a graduation date and an official signature and seal). Students who did not submit proof of secondary school completion as part of their application must submit a general report of their credential evaluation through a certified credential evaluation service. Transfer students should submit their most recent transcript to update their transfer credit records. Some documents may already have been submitted during the application process.

Timeline
It can take up to three weeks to order, submit, and process your documents. The office of admissions must receive them no later than August 1.

Buy a Laptop

Students participating in the First Year Abroad program will need to purchase their own Apple laptop prior to their arrival in Valencia. Please review Bring Your Own Laptop for information on Apple models that meet the acceptable criteria.

All students are required to purchase the Entering Student Software Package. The charge for this package will be automatically billed to your student account and must be paid in full along with all other student charges. Workshops to help students install and register these applications will be available during orientation.

Learning to record audio is an important part of becoming proficient with music technology. Berklee has state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest audio hardware and software where you will learn about and use music technology. For use outside of classes, Berklee strongly encourages students to own their own audio interface. Options to purchase an interface from Berklee on the Valencia campus may become available. More information will be forthcoming.

Learn More About Buying Your Laptop


Passport and Visa

Important Message About Visas

If you need a student visa, we highly recommend that you immediately begin researching the process by getting in contact with your corresponding Spanish consulate as soon as possible. The process will vary from consulate to consulate in the U.S. and around the world, so it is important to know the exact requirements at your consulate.

The long-stay student visa allows students to study for up to one year in Spain. The visa application process requires the student to present documentation at the Spanish consulate nearest your residence, and can take up to three months to process.

Students who fail to obtain the proper visas and authorizations for their studies at the Valencia campus cannot participate in their desired program and will forfeit any deposits that they have paid. Therefore, it is extremely important that you read the following information.

Who needs this visa?

All students enrolled in the First Year Abroad program participants on the Valencia campus need this visa unless you are a citizen of the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Switzerland.

Visa Checklist

Download the following visa checklist for the steps to follow to get your student visa to study in Spain with Berklee during your first year.

Download the visa checklist

Getting Your Visa

The following information describes the general process in order to obtain a long-stay student visa. However, you should check with your Spanish consulate before beginning the process, as the process varies from consulate to consulate.

Before Entering Spain

Step One: Make a Visa Appointment

Contact your local Spanish consulate and make a visa appointment. You can find the Spanish consulate that corresponds to you here.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • You must go to the Spanish consulate that corresponds to you in the country where you are a legal resident. In the U.S., for example, your consulate is assigned to you based on the state you live in.
  • Some consulates are busier than others. The first available appointment could be months away, or it could be within a few days. At your appointment you must present official documents provided by Berklee, which we will mail to you in an accept pack soon after sending the acceptance email.

Step Two: Gather Important Documents

Before your visa appointment you should get all the necessary documents together. You may need to have some documents translated into Spanish by an official translator, while some documents require an Apostille of the Hague. Check with your consulate for specific requirements. If you need documents translated into Spanish, here is a list of official sworn translators (the list is organized by the original language and where the translator is physically located).

The following documents are generally required to obtain a student visa, but you should check with your consulate for specific requirements:

  • Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, with at least one empty page for the visa.
  • Visa application form and passport-size photos.
  • An official letter certifying admission to Berklee College of Music undergraduate program. (Provided by Berklee in your accept pack)
  • The program of study outlining the course content. (Provided by Berklee in your accept pack)
  • A medical insurance policy covering medical expenses and repatriation in the case of accident or sudden illness for the entire period of the stay in Spain. (Provided by Berklee in your accept pack)
  • A letter from a doctor stating that the applicant does not suffer an illness that poses a threat to public health in accordance with international health regulations. This should be on the doctor's or health center's letterhead and stamped.
  • Proof of financial means during your stay. For example, an official bank statement or a notarized letter from your parents accepting financial responsibility for you.
  • A criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of your country of origin or any country in which you have lived for six months or longer during the past five years.

Again, this is a general list of required documents. You should check with your consulate for specific requirements.

Step Three: Go to Your Visa Appointment

Arrive to your appointment early with all your documents and copies prepared.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • You will present your physical passport, plus all your documents and copies.
  • Bring money to pay the visa fee. Check with the consulate beforehand to know the accepted form of payment and the amount.
  • At your appointment, ask how long they anticipate the visa processing to take, and how you will know when your visa is ready. Ask how it will be returned to you, if you need to pick it up in person, or if they mail it to you in a prepaid envelope. Each consulate has a different process.

Step Four: Get Your Visa

At your appointment you should ask how your passport and visa will be returned to you, as each consulate works differently.

The busiest time for consulates is the summer, when they process a high volume of visas for students coming to Spain in the fall, so this process could take up to six weeks or more.

Entering Spain (or any country in Schengen Territory)

Enter Spain

As you pass through immigration upon entering the Schengen Area, an immigrations officer will stamp your passport. Make sure your passport gets stamped.

Once in Spain

Get Your Student Residency Card

From the time you enter the Schengen Area, you have 30 days to apply for your student residency card, which will be your national identification card while in Spain.

It will take approximately two months to complete the process and get your student residency card, which is valid for up to one year and renewable if you continue to meet the student visa conditions.

You will receive information on how to apply for the residency card before orientation.

Student Health Insurance

All First Year Abroad students enrolled at the Valencia campus will be covered by MAPFRE health insurance. This coverage is included in the First Year Abroad Program fee and such fee cannot be waived. Please visit Student Health and Support Services to learn more about the MAPFRE health insurance coverage, our Counseling and Disability services and Berklee's Medical Assistance Service.

Valencia Academic Calendar

Orientation

Welcome to the Valencia campus! Please refer to the information below for details about your fall 2018 orientation in Valencia, and if you have a question that is not covered below, don't hesitate to contact us at studentaffairsvalencia@berklee.edu.

Student Move-in and Check-in: Saturday September 1-2, 2018 - Orientation week: Monday September 3 - Friday September 7, 2018
(Required for First Year Abroad and Study Abroad)

Before You Arrive

Before you arrive to Galileo, complete all necessary administrative requirements, including submission of your tuition payment, immunization records, high school transcripts, and health waivers.

To check the status of your administrative requirements:

  • Log in to berklee.edu using the ID and password sent to you by Admissions.
  • Select "Campus Tools," then "My Berklee" from the menu at the top right.
  • Log in to MyBerklee, then select "Students" on the right.
  • Select "Online Check-in Requirements" from the "Check-in" menu.

Any outstanding check-in requirements will be listed there. It is important to complete all of these requirements before you arrive. You will not be able to check in until you have submitted all of your administrative requirements.

Please note that entering students cannot check in online. Entering students must check in on campus when they arrive for orientation. For more information on the steps you need to complete prior to check-in, visit the First Year Abroad: Accepted Students page.

When You Arrive

Galileo Galilei Residents

Move-in
Move-in takes place on Saturday, September, and other orientation sessions relating to general life in Valencia take place over this first weekend. If you have questions about housing policies or the move-in process, visit First Year Abroad Housing or contact the Student Affairs Office.

Check-in
Check-in takes place on Sunday, September 2 (location and time TBD).

Off-Campus Residents

First Year Abroad students living off campus should proceed directly to the check-in location on Sunday, September 2 (location and time TBD).

Fall 2018 Orientation Schedule

Orientation week is full of informative and fun events and activities to help you learn about Berklee, get to know Valencia, and meet other new students. The fall 2018 orientation schedule will contain a full week of activities, including:

  • information sessions presented by various Berklee offices and departments,
  • social activities with other students, and
  • many more fun events to welcome you and your new classmates to Berklee.

You will receive a detailed schedule with descriptions and locations for all orientation events before orientation and you can find additional information below.

All weekend activities and sessions are open to parents and families of First Year Abroad students. Furthermore, morning sessions on Monday and Tuesday will address important information for parents as they plan the year ahead with their students. We encourage all parents and families to attend those morning sessions.

Saturday September 1 and Sunday September 2:

  • Move in and Galileo Galilei orientation activities at Galileo Galilei.
  • Official check-in for all First Year Abroad students.

Monday September 3 - Thursday September 6:

  • Important information about all aspects of the First Year Abroad experience will be shared throughout the week. Sessions will include essential academic information (courses, policies, deadlines, proficiency assessments, ensemble auditions and an overview of your first semester schedule), as well as information on important services and resources that will support and enrich your experience in Valencia (healthcare services, student life, and cocurricular programs, residency card information, technology tools, community standards, career services and more!).
  • Social gatherings will also be held so to help build a sense of community. You'll be able to ask returning students about their experience at Berklee in Valencia, and get to know all Fist Year Abroad and Study Abroad students and key members of our staff and faculty.

Friday September 7:

  • The Valencia Convocation will be attended by all Valencia students (including all graduate students) and the week will close with an open-air concert featuring faculty and alumni at the end of the day!

Accessibility and Accommodation

We are committed to welcoming and accommodating all entering students and their families at our check-in and orientation activities. Participants who need assistance or accommodations to fully experience the week's events are encouraged to contact the Student Affairs team well in advance as some accommodations take time to implement. In consultation with the Disability Services team, we will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

Valencia Administrative Offices

If you need to contact one of these offices to schedule an appointment during your orientation in Valencia, please do not hesitate to reach out to them in advance.

Academic Affairs in Valencia: academicaffairsvalencia@berklee.edu

Registrar in Valencia: registrarvalencia@berklee.edu

Bursar’s Office in Valencia: bursarvalencia@berklee.edu

Student Affairs in Valencia: studentaffairsvalencia@berklee.edu

Financial Aid Office: financialaid@berklee.edu

Disability Services Office: disabilityservices@berklee.edu

Admissions in Valencia: admissionsvalencia@berklee.edu

Important Links

Congratulations, incoming students! #BerkleeBound

Check-in/Orientation in Valencia FAQs

Click on a question below for answers to frequently asked questions about orientation at the Valencia campus.

What are the dates of orientation?

Please refer to the Academic Calendar or the orientation schedule for information regarding the fall, spring, or summer orientation week schedule in Valencia.

Valencia fall 2018 orientation: September 3-7

Valencia spring 2019 orientation: January 15–18

When I arrive on campus for orientation, what should I do first?

If you are living in the Galileo Galilei residence hall, your first step will be moving into it. Once you are moved in, you’ll need to follow the orientation schedule and any updates from the Berklee staff who will be there helping you settle in.

What do I need to bring to check-in?

Prior to your official check-in, which will happen on Sunday, September 2, you need to make sure you have completed, printed, and signed your student agreements to hand out to Berklee staff during orientation, and completed all required steps as stated on the First Year Abroad: Accepted Students page and the Next Steps page of your apply.berklee.edu portal.

I will be arriving late to orientation. Who should I notify?

Orientation is mandatory. We highly encourage you to plan to arrive on the first day of orientation for check-in (Saturday, September 1), but we understand that sometimes this is not possible. Please contact studentaffairsvalencia@berklee.edu for information on the steps you will need to take if you check in late.

What is the orientation week schedule going to be like?

When you check in, you will receive a printed schedule of the week's events, and we encourage you to participate in as many planned events as possible. In addition to required academic and administrative tasks, the week is filled with opportunities to interact with faculty, learn about Berklee programs and services, and connect with fellow entering students in Valencia.

How can I review the policies for my liberal arts transfer credits before I check in?

Please refer to the Transfer Credit section of our website. For specific questions, you may contact the Office of the Registrar directly at 617-747-2240 or registrar@berklee.edu.

Do I need to bring my own laptop?

Students are required to bring their own laptop. Here you can find the Minimum Requirements for your laptop.

Recommended Specifications:

Apple Macintosh MacBook Pro computer with 15.4" retina display, 2.5GHz i7 Quad, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD hard disk, Intel Iris Pro Graphics, AirPort card built-in, El Capitan OS (OS 10.11).

Minimum Specifications:

Apple Macintosh MacBook Pro computer with 13.3” retina display, 2.9GHz i5 Duo, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD hard disk, Intel Iris Graphics 6100, AirPort card built-in, El Capitan (OS 10.11).

(Please note that if you have a newer model laptop you may need adapters to connect peripheral devices.)

When can I pick up my required software package?

You are required to purchase the Entering Student Software Package from the college, which will provide you with the tools you need to succeed in your Berklee coursework and in your career. Because this suite is offered as a package, you must purchase the full package even if you already own some of the software included in it; for this reason, please refrain from purchasing music software in anticipation of attending Berklee.

Software bundle registration codes and installation instructions will be sent to students’ Berklee email addresses during Orientation Week. Pro Tools iLoks will be distributed to students once they arrive to campus. For students who have problems installing the software bundle, there will be scheduled "office hours" with Technology Services in the first weeks of the semester for students to receive support.

Do I need to purchase books?

Students are not required to buy textbooks before they arrive on the Valencia campus. The Valencia library will have copies of all required and suggested books for classes. Depending on the class, however, some students will be required to buy Berklee workbooks. If that’s the case, these workbooks should be purchased (via credit card only) during the first weeks of classes at the library. Faculty will notify students if they have to buy these workbooks on the first day of class.

Are practice rooms open during orientation week?

Yes. Practice rooms will be open during orientation, and they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Information on locations, hours of operation, and rules and procedures for using practice rooms will be given during orientation.

Where can I ship my belongings prior to classes beginning?

The Galileo Galilei residence hall can only hold a limited amount of belongings from future residents. Should any student want to ship any belongings prior to their arrival date, they will need to contact Monica Ortega (a Galileo Galilei staff member) directly for approval at monica.ortega@galileogalilei.com and to provide her with all the details regarding the shipment.

If I or my family require special assistance due to a medical, physical, or disability-related reason, will Berklee be able to provide the necessary assistance?

We are committed to welcoming and accommodating all entering students and their guests at our orientation week activities. As some accommodations take time to implement, participants who require special assistance in order to fully experience the week's events are encouraged to contact both the Disability Services Office and the Student Affairs Office in Valencia (studentaffairsvalencia@berklee.edu) well in advance, and we will do our best to provide you with the appropriate assistance.

Where do I stay during orientation?

For Galileo Galilei residents, the residence hall will open on Saturday, September 1. If you will be living off campus and will not be ready to move into your apartment or house, please refer to our temporary housing options for locations where you can stay in the area of the Valencia campus.

What orientation week events are planned for parents, guardians, and guests?

Upon arrival to orientation, parents and families will be provided with a list of sessions that are intended to cater to their needs, concerns, and interests.

Where can parents, guardians, and guests stay during orientation?

We recommend that families choosing to stay overnight in Valencia make arrangements for accommodations well in advance of the first day of orientation week. There are a number of options for accommodations in the area of the Valencia campus.

Can siblings attend orientation events?

We recommend that any siblings accompanying parents, guardians, and guests only attend family events. We leave this decision to the families since our programming is geared toward guests with a guardian relationship to the entering student, and siblings may feel out of place, but they are certainly more than welcome to attend.