<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I have applied to graduate programs in music composition at four different schools: CCM, Peabody, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Duke. I have heard back from two already, CCM and NCSA. The other two probably won't offer me anything at this point, but for the purpose of this post, just ignore them.</p>
<p>CCM said that I am #1 on the waitlist (they have accepted four others out of the initial 15-20). NCSA has not only accepted me, but they trying to offer an assistantship (w/stipend and scholarship), but it hasn't come through yet.</p>
<p>Each school being equal, I would definitely pick NCSA, because the assistantship they are offering isn't just grading papers, etc. but I would actually be teaching composition students. CCM is great--I did part of my undergrad there, so I know it's a good school, but they have obviously not offered any money to me (or even admission). I am thinking they will probably accept me eventually because one of those four they accepted will probably choose to go somewhere else, and then I will be next on the list. Do you think that's true?</p>
<p>My main question, though, is this: I've asked many people about NCSA, and I have found that it isn't very well known (most people didn't even know they had a college program at all, much less graduate programs). I'm afraid that even though the educational opportunities at NCSA will be very good (along with good financials), it doesn't carry the weight of a CCM or Peabody. Does this matter enough that I should be thinking about turning them down? Is their reputation really as unknown as it seems? Does anyone have an opinion about NCSA, positive or negative?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>