| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $2,400–$5,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | 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 |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Deposit to secure a spot after acceptance: $1,000. Waived or adjusted when alternative arrangements or financial aid are awarded.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | 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 |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: No prior engineering experience or STEM classes required | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: Has not attended MFAA in the past | 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 |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 8, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 3–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts May 30, 2027; Ends June 12, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 29, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-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 |
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| Location | San Jose, CA | Springfield, MO | Washington, DC |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Application and interview review occur in receipt order while seats remain. BlueStamp does not publish applicant counts, acceptance rates, aid rates, cohort size for the next cycle, or a guaranteed decision. Application materials: Student interview with a parent or guardian present | Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages. Application materials: Essay of about 500 words; Portfolio (visual arts, creative writing), performance video (theatre, dance, vocal, instrumental) or audio files/scores (electronic music, composition) | 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 |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 |
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