<p>What schools (if any) offer Early Action programs for the MT programs as well as general admission? I know that many state schools and larger Universities (public and private) allow for early application for general admission (Northwestern, NYU, *Michgan?) but one would, upon early acceptance, still need to wait for the regular audition dates for the BFA programs, correct? Or are there some schools the have early auditions for early action applicants (who have been accepted)? As I understand it, BoCo has no early action program and neither do many other conservatory-type programs but it follows that they also don't have two seperate application processes for the school and department. </p>
<p>I have an uncomfortably large "final" list of schools that I would be ecstatic to attend and am trying to narrow it down based on, some might observe, increasingly trivial criteria. However as the college application process is a long and often painful one, I'm sure my desire to shorten it is understandable.</p>
<p>As always, thanks in advance for any and all input!</p>
<p>NYU has Early Decision, and, no, you would not "need to wait for the regular audition dates". Early Decision auditions are in early November and you'll have your decision by mid-December. You get one decision/acceptance from NYU. There is no separate application/admission process there. Please understand the ramifications of E.D and only apply if it is your top choice school and also if you do not need to explore financial aid offers.</p>
<p>You're welcome! Maybe I didn't explain myself clearly. The point I was trying to make about financial aid as it relates to E.D. is that if you apply and are accepted, you are expected to attend. You must then withdraw all other applications. So, you will not get the opportunity to compare financial aid offers from other schools on your list. So, if financial aid is a consideration for you, then E.D. is not a good option for you. With E.A. schools, you won't have this issue. As to how financial aid amounts compare at NYU between E.D. and R.D. acceptances, well, I don't think that there's a single definitive answer. I've known kids in both categories who have received a good amount of aid, and also kids who have not been happy with their f/a package. NYU does not have the reputation of being generous with f/a but there are certainly kids who get a good amount of aid. There's really no way to predict so that's why it's usually a better idea to be able to compare offers, and thus, E.D. is not the best choice for most applicants.</p>
<p>Just chiming in here, to make sure the OP understands.</p>
<p>ED does not mean that you won't get any financial aid offers from NYU. It only means that you basically <em>have</em> to take what you are offered.</p>
<p>Have you visited each and every college on your list? Have you met with the faculty and heard their curriculum and program and compared with all the other programs? Are you 500% sure that you want to go to that college? </p>
<p>The thing is when we actually did visits and had auditions colleges that my D KNEW were dream colleges that she absolutely loved she detested, schools she had just a little interest in she found she replaced near the top and a college in the middle zone of interest was the clear winner. There just aren't words to describe the importance of shopping. </p>
<p>The other thing is go back to old threads and read the possible repercussions to you and your high school and your future should you consider backing out.</p>
<p>When I say "that school" I didn't mean NYU or anything adverse to NYU- I meant whatever school turns out to be anyone's ED commitment. I just wanted to clarify that</p>
<p>I've visited a few but I'm going to finish my list in the fall. As it happens, I've thoroughly enjoyed all of the schools I've visited so far, but I understand the very real possibility of chanigng my mind upon really getting a good look at the others. Also, financial aid is a pretty important factor in my own admissions process and will surely influence my final decision. Thank you all for your help!</p>
<p>To help clarify there is a difference between binding Early Decision and non-binding Early Action or Early Admissions. Early Decision applicants apply in the fall and are accepted usually sometime in December. If accepted to the Early Decision school the applicant agrees that they will attend that school, and pull any applications to other schools. Some schools have this process for Musical Theatre others do not. I believe that NYU/Tisch does. </p>
<p>Early Action or admissions in non-binding. A student will apply to the school in the fall, and usually knows if they have been admitted by late December or early January, but they do not need to make a final decision on whether or not to attend until the regular decision deadline. At some schools a student will also know whether or not they have been accepted to the Musical Theatre program early, at other schools this is not the case. For example, where I teach students accepted to the University Early Action still have to wait until regular decision acceptances are sent out to find out if they have been accepted to the Musical Theatre program. </p>
<p>Each school will have a different policy, so it is important to check with each school individually.</p>
<p>FA is one reason I am down on ED. When I read up about pursuing MT I got the impression if they liked you they offered a full ride. Boy those books were wrong or outdated. I have yet to hear of anyone getting a full ride. I know plenty of kids admitted to top programs where they were loved and getting only a small portion of their tuition. And most of them renegotiated to get better FA offers. They had leverage on their side because they had other offers at other schools on the table. You just don't have this advantage with ED.</p>
<p>Early Decision is not a good idea for ANY student who has a financial aid concern, not just those who are applying for theatre. Schools make it clear that if you need to compare financial aid packages, you should apply R.D. so that you have that opportunity. There's no reason to be 'down on ED', no one is forced to apply early. :) </p>
<p>Getting a full ride is a separate issue. It's a small percentage of students who receive a 'full ride' for any course of study, at any college. And, of course, a full ride has a different definition to different people. The number of kids across the country who get everything paid for is miniscule compared to the total number of kids in college. Theatre departments, in general, rarely have the same degree of funding and scholarship dollars available as other departments. As a result, theatre kids often end up with less scholarship $$ and more in loans in their financial aid packages. This tends to be true at most colleges where theatre kids apply. The number of kids who can leverage financial aid packages by showing other offers is small. Most financial aid offices are not going to be influenced by such 'leverage' to the extent that they would match an offer.</p>
<p>Elon offers Early Action, and I highly recommend that MT prospectives apply Early Action. An MT acceptance is separate and is pending academic acceptance. If you apply EA, you know by mid-Dec. if you are in academically. This EA is non-binding.</p>
<p>I really do not recommend Early Decision for Elon's prospective MT students. ED means you are required to go to the school whether or not you are accepted into the BFA program. Since Elon does performing arts admissions separately from academic admissions, do not go this route.</p>
<p>From our experience, those students we knoe who got a good amount of financial aid received most as a result of grades and SAT scores at colleges that offer nice packages on the academic side. That is, while there is some talent money at many programs, it may be less a part of the total package than one might hope.</p>