Our Tiers of Service

Choose the Level of Support That Positions Your Student to Succeed

There’s no single “right” way to navigate music school admissions—but there is a right level of support for your student. That’s why we’ve structured our services in tiers.

Every family we work with receives the same core advantages: an honest evaluation, a curated list of best-fit programs, and insight into a process most applicants misunderstand. From there, the difference comes down to how much guidance, preparation, and direct involvement you want from us.

Some families need a clear strategy. Others want a partner guiding every decision.

This is where you decide what will give your student the strongest position in a highly competitive field.

Silver Tier

  • Intake interview where we review fundamental aspects of student’s academic and musical background, educational goals, and career aspirations
  • Written report of Intake Interview of student’s academic and musical background, educational goals, and career aspirations with recommendations for next steps
  • Mock audition on a principal instrument or assessment of a primary musical interest (composition, songwriting, music production, etc.) conducted by an experienced faculty member at a top conservatory or university with relevant expertise or an industry professional
  • Verbal review of music theory knowledge (as required or requested)

Gold Tier

Includes all items in the Silver Tier, plus:

  • Overall plan of action for all activities
  • Mock audition on a secondary instrument or assessment of secondary musical interest (composition, songwriting, music production, industry, etc.) conducted by an experienced faculty member at a top conservatory or university with relevant expertise or an industry professional
  • Admissions interview preparation with a simulated practice session and IMS feedback
  • Personalized list of recommended schools that best fit the student’s music, educational, and career aspirations
  • Recommendations on summer study options (if applicable)
  • Access to IMS exclusive network of top private teachers

Platinum Tier

Includes all items in the Gold Tier, plus:

  • Repeat of mock auditions/assessments and simulated interviews to track student progress, as agreed upon by the family and IMS as being helpful
  • Advanced guidance and preparation for prescreening performance videos or composition, songwriting, or production portfolios
  • Guidance for building an artistic resume
  • Review of college applications and essays, including Common App and supplementary applications and essays
  • Information on talent/merit-based scholarships
  • Ongoing one-on-one advisement until May 1 of the student’s senior year of a traditional 4-year high school program
  • Non-traditional or college transfer students’ ongoing one-on-one advisement until May 1 preceding intended transfer  

Platinum Plus Tier

Includes all items in the Platinum Tier, plus:

  • Regular private Zoom sessions with an education-service specialist to help students stay organized, balance priorities, manage multiple activities and deadlines, and make consistent progress toward key admissions goals
  • Upon request, a trial lesson with an experienced faculty member at a top conservatory or university with relevant expertise (IMS cannot guarantee the availability of any particular faculty.)

Diamond Star Tier 

Our most exclusive program, this concierge-level partnership is for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. From first conversation to final decision, your family will have all-access to IMS expertise, networks, and resources. 

The Diamond Star Tier includes all items in the Platinum Plus Tier and your choice of 60-minute Educational Sessions on video call with faculty, industry professionals, or college music students as appropriate:

60-minute Educational Sessions

  • Understanding Today's Music Industry — An educational session with a publisher, composer, Broadway performer, music director/conductor, songwriter, or industry professional, or others.
  • Stage Presence Coaching for Performers — A working session with a top faculty or performing professional on topics such as how to present yourself on stage, including the look and feel of your performance, connecting with your audience, building confidence, overcoming nervousness, etc.
  • Technology at Work in the Music Industry — An informational session with a recording studio owner, producer, audio engineer, artist, sound editor, or faculty member to discuss current trends in the industry.
  • Developing Entrepreneurial Skills — A show & tell session covering entrepreneurial skills (e.g., social media, self-promotion, networking, contracts, copyright, etc.) for music majors to begin or jump-start their careers.
  • Money Management Explained — A valuable and necessary session covering topics related to money management for students and working musicians.
  • Student to Student Advising Session — An informal conversational session with a current college/university music major or alum to answer your questions or concerns. 

" For student musicians considering music schools, finding the right fit is crucial. School X may have a big name and an excellent reputation, but if it's not the ideal environment and curriculum for the student, they won't thrive. Setting them up to succeed is what's most important. That’s exactly what Inside Music Schools does." - Karen Kerr