| Application deadline | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Cost | Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Financial aid | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Financial aid requested in the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Students who request aid are contacted after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Expenses and aid conditions | Catalog terms: Housing: $0; Meals: $0; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Application fee (non-refundable): $30. A fee waiver can be requested for financial circumstances.; Financial aid requested in the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Students who request aid are contacted after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Eligibility | Grade 12 (provider uses rising grades) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grade 11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
|---|
| Additional eligibility | Residency: PA; Requirement: Open to rising grade 12; Requirement: Must have completed junior year immediately before the program | Ages 15–20; Requirement: Be age 15 or older when the program begins; Requirement: Be seriously considering music as a career; Requirement: Play violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba or harp (local percussionists and pianists may apply for partial, non-housed participation); Requirement: International students are eligible; visas are the applicant's responsibility | Citizenship: US citizen; Citizenship: US permanent resident; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 11 when applying; Requirement: Public, private, or homeschooled students are eligible |
|---|
| Session dates or duration | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 31, 2027; 5 weeks (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 29, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 20, 2026; Ends July 31, 2026; 6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Format | In person | In person | In person |
|---|
| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Location | Pittsburgh, PA | Washington, DC | Cambridge, MA |
|---|
| Selection and application | Selection: PGSS describes a statewide application and admission process but the current official pages publish neither cohort size, applicant count nor acceptance rate. Application materials: Narrative essay introducing yourself and why you want to attend PGSS; Topical essay on a significant influence on your interest in science or an achievement; Two teacher recommendations from different PGSS core subjects; School counselor recommendation | Selection: Competitive recorded audition with musical proficiency as the primary standard; essays and one recommendation inform the review, and instrument balance affects selection. No current acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Recorded video audition with orchestral excerpts; Two essay questions (written or video responses); One recommendation from a music teacher or conductor | Selection: MITES seeks strong, STEM-motivated students and prioritizes educational access in holistic review, but the current pages do not publish applications, cohort size or acceptance rate for 2027. Application materials: Three recommendations: a math or science teacher, a humanities teacher, and a school counselor or administrator |
|---|
| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24 |
|---|