Help...what would you do??

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>OK...so my son is working his way through his college auditions. He is planning on doing 4. 2 down...2 to go...</p>

<p>He recieved a letter offering him a nice music scholarship from one school the other day. It is on top of an academic scholarship so it makes it very affordable. The only catch was they wanted a response on the accepantance of the music scholarship by the middle of March. His last two auditions are the final weekend in Feb.</p>

<p>He liked all four of these schools on his initial visits, and can see himself at each of them. He loved the scholarship offering school at his audition and it probably moved into a #1 spot on his list. But he still really wants to go to his other auditions, just to see how he feels about the other schools after this second visit/audition. Who knows one of these could move into that #1 spot. </p>

<p>Here is the question. Do we wait until after the Feb. auditions and if the school that offered the scholarship still holds that #1 spot then send in our accecptance. Do we wait until after the Feb auditions and if one of the other schools moves into or ties into that #1 spot,send a letter asking for an extention on replying,to hear if any $$ come from the feb schools. Or do we simply send a letter in now explaining that we would like an extension.</p>

<p>I realize this is as clear as mud....hopefully its clear enough to get some opinions!! </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Schmee33 - What a great dilemma to have!
Here are my 2 cents:
a) Send a letter requesting an extension now. The worst that can happen is that the school will say no; at best, they will provide additional time and/or increase their offer.
b) When your son auditions at the 2 remaining schools, he should respectfully mention his dilemma. He should also contact the other school at which he has already auditioned to also let them know of #1 spot’s offer. He is simply providing information about his situation to these other schools. That way, they will have a full picture of his choices and can act, accordingly.
c) If, after the remaining auditions, #1 school remains his top choice, he can accept right away.
Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I agree with asking for an extension, but I thought that schools legally couldn’t require a commitment until May 1st. Isn’t this the same thing?</p>

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<p>You are correct, most programs covered by the association of colleges agreement technically cannot require a commitment until May 1st. However, I’ve seen (and experienced) the same situation arise with my son. In essence, they’re not saying you don’t have until May 1 to decide; they’re saying you have to make a decision if you want the merit-based scholarship. In our case I had a direct conversation, outlined that we did not feel comfortable committing by their deadline unless we could rescind without consequence, to which they agreed. Congrats, Schmee, I am hopeful you will be able to arrive at the same conclusion. It’s a nice problem to have ;)</p>

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<p>If the school is an NASM member you may have some recourse. Check out the NASM handbook at <a href=“http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/Handbook/NASM_HANDBOOK_2010-11.pdf[/url]”>http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/site/docs/Handbook/NASM_HANDBOOK_2010-11.pdf&lt;/a&gt; specifically section 3 of Article 3 on pages 18-19.</p>

<p>If the school is not an NASM member, they may or may not choose to follow the same guidelines, so a request for an extension would be in order.</p>

<p>Another strategy would be to tell the first school that you accept before their deadline but after auditioning at the other schools. You should have until May 1 to tell them that you have changed your mind before that decision becomes binding. You may or may not lose any deposit money sent to them, but perhaps it is worth taking that chance to keep your options open. If you did change your mind, you should notify the first school before sending a deposit to the other school to avoid the situation of having two deposits in place at the same time - a practice that most schools really dislike. Note that this could generate some ill will at the first school that may resurface if your son were to apply there for a graduate degree.</p>

<p>Crossposted with kmcmom. Her idea of bringing up in advance the possibility of rescinding your acceptance is a good one. If the school agrees, then there should be no hard feelings if that happens and you should get back any deposit money. If the school doesn’t agree then you are no worse off than you were before.</p>

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<p>Does it go without saying? Make sure you get the evidence of any agreement in writing!</p>

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<p>As always, wise advice above. A similar question from last year: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/873197-do-we-send-deposit-before-we-hear-financial-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/873197-do-we-send-deposit-before-we-hear-financial-aid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Edit: there’s a non-working link in the linked thread above with reference to a post by N8Ma. The thread that is supposed to open is here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/874241-when-do-we-hear.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/874241-when-do-we-hear.html&lt;/a&gt;, specifically post #23.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the replys. My son did sent an e-mail to the head of the music department at audition school #2 and requested an extension. He got an immediate response giving the extension with an open ending date. He also encouraged him for his upcoming auditions while reiterating how much they would like him at their school. </p>

<p>I guess being up fromt is the best way to go!!!</p>

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<p>schmee33, the music department head’s response speaks worlds of the department and school itself. And, agreed, up front is always best!</p>