<p>Traditionally, Eastman has been one of the schools which notifies later in the game but that has improved somewhat due to a change in administration. This is currently on ESM’s website:</p>
<p>The Eastman application process includes a thorough review of each applicant’s file following his or her audition/interview. The Admissions Committee makes decisions after all applications in each department have been evaluated. Undergraduate admissions notifications will be sent via email between March 1 and April 15. There is no early admission program at Eastman, and applying by Nov. 1 will not result in an earlier admissions decision. Undergraduate applicants normally receive notification of financial aid and scholarships concurrent with their notification of admission.</p>
<p>While I understand that Fullerton would like to know your decision as soon as possible, I’m not sure that they are allowed to apply such pressure.If you accept their offer and the scholarship and pay the deposit then hear favorably from Eastman, you’ll lose the deposit you paid to Fullerton and have a very rough going accepting anything ESM offers because of the NASM regulations. My advice would be to send a polite email to the Fullerton office explaining that you have applied to several schools and that, while you are flattered by their offer of admission and the funds, you do need to wait until you have heard from all of the schools before making a final commitment and that they will hear from you then. I don’t think that they can rescind the scholarship offer before the 5/1 deadline.
Let us know how this works out…</p>