<p>So I am a 21 y/o tenor. I have studied voice for the last 4 years with a pretty awesome Baritone teacher. I am looking for Graduate studies. I have a fairly large voice, looking like I may be Helden/Dramatic tenor in the future. I need to make a decision on if I should go to Manhattan School of Music of Indiana University. I am freaking out because they both have pros and cons. I have been offered a good scholarship to MSM, but Indiana has informed me that there is a possibility of full scholarship in the Spring if not the fall. I just need some advice and inside info! PLEASE HELP!</p>
<p>I suggest that you go with the real offer, not a “possibility”.</p>
<p>Bigvoice91, I am including your acceptances on the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1427644-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2013-a-46.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1427644-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2013-a-46.html</a></p>
<p>If you were accepted elsewhere, even if not considering attending any of those schools, we would like to hear about those as well. Good luck in making your decision.</p>
<p>To be honest, I think it is crappy for Indiana to even tell you ‘there is the possibility’ of a full scholarship in the future, that is like telling me i should go into politics because there is the possibility I could run for president and win (believe me, folks, isn’t going to happen <em>lol</em>). Was that communicated in writing, or was that something someone told you in person? It is in effect enticing you with something that may not happen, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t use that as a reason to go there, it sounds to me like someone, even if their intentions are good, holding out a will o’ the wisp to get you to go there…and what if it doesn’t happen? </p>
<p>What I would suggest is the following, because right now that statement is basically not worth anything, there is no way of knowing if even the person saying that has any kind of real authority to say that (was that a financial aid person? Was it a teacher in the department? Someone in admissions? Makes a difference). …you may want to try and clarify that, tell them you are seriously interested in going to Indiana and that would be an enticement, but also that without it Indiana would be at a serious disadvantage, compared to other programs you are looking at.</p>
<p>My take? If Indiana and MSM are otherwise relatively equal, in terms of teachers and so forth, then the real question is which is financially more doable (like i said above, forget the full ride scholarship, treat it as it is, speculation). If you can swing Indiana with what they have offered officially, right now, and it won’t put you in deep debt to do that for the years you will be there, then I might lean towards Indiana, and if the full ride came through, well, that would really be the icing on the cake.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if Indiana, as opposed to MSM, would put you into deep debt or other financial strain to go there for the whole time based with what is on the table, then to me it would be clear to go to MSM, assuming it will not put you into a hole. </p>
<p>To be honest, basing going to Indiana based on what might happen is like running up credit card debt believing you are going to hit lotto. Among other things, I would assume that something like that full ride scholarship is based on projections of how much money they would have available, which in turn depends on the total amount of money required for students, and also the rate of return on the endowment(s) that fund it, or donations from donors, and that is always tenuous. I have to be honest, I find someone telling you that almost borders on the unethical, given that they are in effect hoping that will entice you to go there, and could end up with you being buried alive financially if it doesn’t come through if you would otherwise be paying a lot to attend.</p>
<p>Mark Oswald at MSM is terrific. I know several students who auditioned there, specifically to study (MM) with him this year and were turned down. You should be very proud of yourself! That would be my choice in a heartbeat-and also because the performance opps are better there- much smaller program.</p>