<p>I know that the official letters from music schools are suppose to be mailed the last week of March. However, I had an audition at Oberlin this past weekend, and got an email from a professor saying that they really liked the audition, and would like to see me at Oberlin next year. What does this mean? Am I "informally" accepted already? What's the deal?</p>
<p>Those letters are generally very good signs. However, I have heard of kids getting really nice letters from individual professors, and it not culminating in an acceptance letter. The letters/emails/calls from department chairs or heads of departments, saying that you have been “recommended for admission” are usually “likely letters”. I have never heard of those not resulting in admission.</p>
<p>But that is a really good letter, and probably means that you will be accepted! But don’t buy the sweatshirt or the decal yet!</p>
<p>Official Acceptance can be offered at any time. They are suppose to notify you by April 1. regardless of when they notify you, you are suppose to have until May 1 to respond.</p>
<p>One reason I could see where the Faculty loves the audition, and the kid is not admitted is: Weak Academics.</p>
<p>Our experience was that acceptance letter roll in between about february 1 and April 1.</p>
<p>The financial meltdown may be influencing this behavior. Perhaps conservatories/colleges this year are more concerned about yield than usual. Just a feeling I’m getting…</p>
<p>memake – i completely agree with you. i don’t recall the number of these coming in to CC’ers last year - only occasionally. it’s pretty weird actually that so many are getting “early” nods.</p>
<p>Maybe this year’s group is just particularly talented!! 
(To prior years’ parents: Of course I’m only kidding.)</p>
<p>Haha! Linde, maybe you’re right! ;)</p>
<p>Okay, so the letter from the professor pretty much means nothing, right? </p>
<p>I hope I get in… they have no idea how much I want to go there…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t assume it means nothing. Have you let them know how interested you are in them? What was your response to the professor?</p>
<p>I got the same thing when I auditioned at Oberlin and I am now a sophomore. What is your instrument?</p>
<p>Interesting article posting on the NY Times website about the anxiety colleges are feeling about how many to admit/financial aid offers, etc. It’s a pretty big role reversal from last year!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/education/08yield.html?hp[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/education/08yield.html?hp</a></p>
<p>This must also be true for music schools and conservatories.</p>
<p>This may help to explain why more CC’ers are getting early, informal communicactions from the music schools. The application numbers may be off and/or the conservatories are probably trying to figure out how to compete for the kids who might be considering public institutions for financial reasons - especially this year. It will be interesting to see the outcome.</p>
<p>Don’t assume it means nothing. Just don’t put all your eggs in one basket either. It most likely means you are accepted, but it isn’t a guarantee. </p>
<p>To OperaDad- Oberlin is a conservatory which means approx. 85% of your acceptance is based on the day of your audition. At Oberlin, they probably won’t deny you because of academics, especially if a teacher has sent you a message saying they want you in their program. Being a conservatory, the faculty is much more involved in the admissions process, unlike a regular university, where the music school doesn’t have the final say in overall admissions, though they can make recommendations. </p>
<p>Basically, feel excited, but not too excited.</p>
<p>beci,</p>
<p>I have a daughter at Oberlin and their Conservatory admissions (which is separate from the College admissions) people have told me that their acceptances are about 80% based on the audition, but that they sometimes do have to turn down musically qualified applicants for academic reasons. All conservatory students are required to take 24 semester hours of Oberlin College classes. These are chosen from the regular classes that Oberlin College students take, not special ones geared toward the conservatory students only. Given the students who are accepted to the college, the teachers of those classes have high expectations. While there are some classes that are easier than others, the Conservatory admissions department does not want students who are going to have serious problems passing their 24 hours of classes in the college.</p>
<p>It would be in your interest, if you’re serious about Oberlin, to write back to the professor and express your desire to go there/study with him or her/ etc, and indicate that you will be in touch again if you receive an acceptance.</p>
<p>Yup. Did that already a long time ago! Just waiting and waiting and waiting…Thanks, fiddlefrog.</p>