My D is starting to receive academic admittances and honors college invites, housing info, etc. Are we okay to wait until spring on all of them or are there some schools we need to do something with now? It looks like some of the honors college essays are due before we even audition so do people just go ahead and submit them everywhere in case they get in or how does that work? One of her info sheets had a thing about housing being first come first served so do that ASAP but since we won’t know until late spring, will there be anything left? Are there any schools that we need to put down a housing deposit just in case or no? Thanks!
Do the honors (or other) essays soon if you want to be a part of those programs. By the spring, she’ll be so done with schoolwork that it’ll be hard to motivate her. As far as housing deposits, you can’t make those until you’re accepted, can you?
If an extra essay is required do it. Otherwise you just need to hang tight. Depending on the program she’ll audition and then wait until she’s accepted artistically. It will be March/April. And then you’ll visit possibilities and send in a deposit.
I agree with Ducky312 and lovetoact - do the essays now while kid is in essay mode - especially since they may impact merit aide eligibility. There are schools where a student can get accepted academically months before they even audition - and that may come with opportunities for preferential housing etc. I would say IF the school is super high on your kids list - AND you are willing to forfeit a deposit if things don’t work out… it can’t hurt. I had a friend a couple years ago who did that… the housing deposit was $150, and they decided it was worth it to them to lock it down. Happy ending- the kid WAS artistically accepted, and ended up choosing the school. But they were willing to walk away from that deposit. Up to the individual.
@lovetoact, the schools asking for housing deposits have already accepted the applicant to the college itself (academic acceptance), even though the audition hasn’t happened yet so they don’t know if the MT program will accept them.
Some schools will refund housing deposit if you change mind before May 1. Others have a small housing application fee which you forfeit if you don’t go but it holds your place ($25 at univ of Minnesota for instance). If you do decide to go there you have to pay a larger deposit later.
Just read the fine print at each school.
@actorparent gotcha. Can you make the housing deposit without the student already having chosen the college and having put the enrollment deposit down?
^^for some schools you can.
One of D’s acceptances mentions that’s it’s a two part process and you need to pass the artistic review as well but several others are just saying she’s in. Looks like they don’t care if your major accepts you and hope you’ll choose another if they don’t. They are giving enrollment, housing, orientation instructions, etc. Obviously we can’t go around enrolling anywhere but we’re wondering if the housing portion is separate anywhere and if so, should we do it? Thanks!
As noted above, it is separate at some schools and part of the enrollment deposit at others. If it is a top choice for your D and/or you are worried she won’t get housing it may be worth asking that school if the deposit is refundable. Many are refundable before May 1. If so, you could hold her spot if you feel that is beneficial. Otherwise you should be ok waiting
As with all things MT, each school is different so you will have to check with each to find out their process. Some may require you to put a deposit down on attending the school before you can put down a housing deposit. Some of these deposits are refundable up to a certain date while others are non-refundable. Others understand the MT process and will find housing for you in the Spring should you get in their MT program and decided to go there. At most schools, housing is not an issue. But at some of the larger universities where housing is more limited, you may not have the choices you want in housing the longer you wait to put in a housing deposit. This is because it is first come-first serve and students who accepted and put in their housing deposit in the fall and winter moths will have first dibs on accommodations. The only school we found this to really be an issue with was Penn State. And even there, they could make sure everyone had housing – it just might not be the residence that is your first choice.
It can be stressful when other non-MT friends are accepting admission and getting their housing settled months before you do. And they will find roommates, plan room decor, etc… long before most MTs will as well. All of that can be hard on you and your child. So just be prepared.
Other than Penn State we did not encounter anywhere where we wouldn’t be able to get housing. But again, choices might be limited.
One of the perks of some of the honors programs was that they had special housing provided. But you need to research those programs as some are more difficult than others. And every student and their ability to handle a more intense work load is different too. But for those for whom it is a good match, it may assist with getting decent housing.
@ourturn2 - lots of good advice already posted. If your D is eligible for merit aid - I’m assuming this is a possibility since your D is getting Honors College info - and this is important to you, pay attention to deadlines for merit scholarships. Some schools automatically consider all applicants for merit scholarships, while others require additional applications and/or essays. Deadlines for considerations for those opportunities are often similar to the deadlines for MT programs - November to January. It may be a drag to take those extra steps, but it would be a real bummer to get accepted to a program and then realize it’s too late to be in the running for university merit money.
Thanks everyone! @mom4bwayboy - I’m all for merit aid so will start going through all the fine print and see where it’s separate. I knew this whole process was going to be a ton of work, but I didn’t realize how much additional stuff there would be after the initial application for merit, honors college, etc. D finished one app and then did scholarship app. Finished that and got honors invite. Finished that and got invited to do another app for something that needs another essay. She’s going to do it but it’s a little crazy since if she doesn’t get in artistically she won’t go, but what can you do? And that’s just one school. Just have to invest the time in case but wow - it’s a lot. I know you all survived it but it’s definitely overwhelming. Just hoping we don’t miss anything important along the way so keep all that good advice coming please!