Background: my son was offered a full-tuition+ scholarship (cello performance) at a state university. There is another university in the same system and the head of strings, as well as the cello professor, have both indicated that they really want him. He hasn’t been admitted yet since he just submitted his audition a week ago Friday, but hopefully, he’ll hear in the next week or two.
What would be the protocol for letting the second school know that he got a full-tuition+ scholarship from the first school? Wait until he’s admitted and see if he’s offered any scholarship and then if there’s either no scholarship or a smaller scholarship, bring it up? Don’t bring it up at all?
That scholarship is really tempting (me) because it will make the school much more affordable. My son might be inclined towards the second school because it’s a conservatory vs. a music school.
Thoughts?
Wait until he’s admitted and you have the offer in hand. Then, if School #1’s offer is higher, and if you have the offer in writing, share it with the other university and they may match it. The only time this doesn’t work is when the offer you hope to match is from a school considered less selective. In my own kids’ case, this kind of negotiation worked well in the instances of the schools they ended up attending.
Obviously, if School #2’s offer is higher, the strategy works in reverse. You might be able to get full tuition ++.
Thank you, @glassharmonica. How is the information shared? With the head of strings or with the cello teacher? Both schools are basically similar in admit rate for transfer students (34% vs. 38%).
No advice,just wanted to say I am so excited for your talented son!
I’d share it with the Financial Aid office. Maybe cc the head of strings and teacher.
Ok, thank you. The first school’s scholarship came from the school of music (it was embedded in the acceptance letter into the school of music) so copying to the conservatory or head of strings, since he was the one that emailed my son, makes sense.
Thank you for your support, @akapiratequeen. My son’s circuitous journey has not been easy; it really would be something if he would end up in a place that works for him so he can actually earn a degree which has been his goal since he graduated high school 4 years ago.
I hear you @sbjdorlo — my oldest S was in the 8 year plan! He graduated at last (not in music) and is doing well. Sounds like your S is very talented and well on his way to good things.
Although admit rates are similar, a difference between programs (BA vs BM?) or in your son’s feeling for teachers could majorly impact your S’s experience. And amounts of awards may depend more on which campus is best known for their music program—they may have better funding.
Interestingly, the scholarship offer came from the school that doesn’t have a conservatory. Both are BM Music Performance degrees. However, we’ll have to wait and see. He’s not been admitted to the conservatory school. The teacher and strings directly have just expressed a strong interest in him and the cello prof there acknowledged that he knew the other cello teacher and that the other teacher was no doubt trying to recruit my son. I guess it’s true that the music world is small and particularly if they’re from the same area of the country.
sbjdorlo, Just wanted to say congratulations and be proud of your “snail/Turtle” student. Sometimes those who take their time getting there end up rising to the top. It sounds like your son has the passion and drive to excel regardless of where he ends up. Good Luck with his future pursuits.
@StacJip, thank you for your kind words! He still struggles daily but keeps moving forward. We are super proud of him for enduring all that he’s endured and yet not giving up.