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COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
• Main page
• Program Overview
• Package Contents
• Purchase and Financial Information
• Pickup Information
• Waivers and Purchase Eligibility
• Additional Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Major Bundles – Special Hardware and Software Required of Majors for the 2008–09 Academic Year
• Contact Information
   
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Information presented in this website is intended to be accurate as of the initial date of posting, but is subject to change without notice.
 

Waivers and Purchase Eligibility

Important computer eligibility information

In most cases, if you already own an Apple laptop that meets or exceeds the college's minimum standards (as described in the Overview section), you may apply for a waiver from the Berklee Laptop Purchase Program (ÒBLPPÓ) required of entering students. It should be noted that waivers are granted or denied at the collegeÕs discretion on a case-by-case basis after a student arrives at Berklee and presents their computer for review.

It should be noted that AppleÕs MacBook computer is not eligible for a waiver (not to be confused with the MacBook Pro). The MacBookÕs memory architecture shares its video memory with the computerÕs main memory (minimum graphics memory usage is 80MB). This design can severely constrain the computerÕs performance when running the intensive software applications used at Berklee.

Applying for a purchase waiver

If you already own an Apple laptop (desktop computers are ineligible) that meets or exceeds the College's minimum standards (as described in the Overview section), you may apply for a waiver from the Berklee Laptop Purchase Program (ÒBLPPÓ) required of entering students. If you consider applying for a waiver, please take into consideration the fact that, even if your waiver application is approved, your computer may have limited warranty remaining on the machine, and also may not be a current model. This could significantly impact your computerÕs performance over time.

Waivers are approved on a case-by-case basis. If you have financial questions about the package, please contact the Bursar's office, Financial Aid, or Admissions.

To apply for a waiver, you must bring your computer to the Student Computer Support Center prior to the start of the semester's classes (typically during Orientation Week) and have the machine inspected. Your serial# will be logged (you cannot have purchased a computer from an enrolled Berklee student), and if your ownership of the hardware is accepted and your computer meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the college, a waiver from purchasing a laptop through the Berklee Laptop Purchase Program may be granted. To prevent fraud or abuse, we cannot commit to, nor approve waivers in advance.

As part of the BLPP, Berklee provides certain software products, including updates, to students while enrolled at Berklee. Please review the Package Contents section for more information. In order to be granted a waiver from the BLPP, a Software Charge must be paid which covers these applications. This charge must be paid prior to having a waiver approved.

  • $850.00 (for students who already own an external keyboard controller with functionality consistent with the M-Audio Oxygen 8 that comes with the BLPP package), OR
  • $950.00 (for students who choose to purchase an M-Audio Oxygen 8 from Berklee)

If a waiver is granted, the Bursars office will be duly contacted and the computer charge will be removed from your tuition and fee bill.

Additional considerations when applying for a waiver:

  • Students who wish to apply for a purchase waiver must do so BEFORE signing-for and picking up a laptop package at the main computer distribution. If a student has already picked up their laptop through the BLPP, waivers will not be considered after-the-fact.
  • Please review your computerÕs warranty to ensure you have sufficient protection.
  • Support services (including repairs and loaner machines) may be limited for computers not purchased through the BLPP.

Can the BLPP package be optionally purchased?

Please contact the Student Computer Support Center to inquire on availability.

Can Berklee alumni purchase the BLPP Package?

No. Only currently enrolled students at Berklee qualify to purchase the Berklee Laptop Package. The college is not a retailer of computer hardware and software, but only facilitates providing the Laptop Package and Major Bundles that are designed to support the curriculum for enrolled students.




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