<p>My D got a response today from the chair of the Voice and Opera department at the conservatory where she auditioned this past Saturday stating that the faculty had recommended her for admission.</p>
<p>The message states that: "if what you want is to be here, we want to do what we can to help you make that a reality."</p>
<p>When she sends her response, do you think that it's worth mentioning the fact that the finances of her education will be a significant consideration when her decision is made? Is it crass to point that out since they have our FAFSA to see and a lot of folks are in that boat, especially this year, or is it simply acknowledging the 500-pound gorilla in the room?</p>
<p>The gorilla is there, might a well acknowledge it. You (she) can simply say that she’d love to be there, but it has to be a financial reality. You should wait till all your scholarship and aid aid packages are in before throwing numbers at them.</p>
<p>Congrats to you all. Hope she ends up with many offers to consider.</p>
<p>'The message states that: “if what you want is to be here, we want to do what we can to help you make that a reality.” '</p>
<p>Sounds to me like you’re being asked about money, in a roundabout way. The chair is saying, if you’re serious about us, we’ll be serious about you.</p>
<p>'The message states that: “if what you want is to be here, we want to do what we can to help you make that a reality.” '</p>
<p>Sounds to me like you’re being asked about money, in a roundabout way. The chair is saying, if you’re serious about us, we’ll be serious about you.</p>
<p>Having done grad school admissions for years, I would read this statement as meaning “we will match all offers.” Is this the school she wants to attend? How wonderful to have this early interest and seriousness of intent. Congratulations!</p>
<p>First, is this the #1 on her list? If so , then agressively let them know that they are #1 and you are awaitng the financial info to make a decision. A la “she would really like to attend if the numbers work out…”</p>
<p>If it is not at or near #`1, don’t string them on. You can make a non-committal response like “we appreciate the interest and are waiting the results of all the auditions.” Someone else would appreciate the $$.</p>
<p>I have been hesitant to post this but since someone has started this thread, I feel okay about it today. Several days after my DD auditioned at one of her top schools, she received an email from the Director of Admissions sayng that despite official results not being available until the beginning of April, they would like provide her preliminary notification that they will be holding a place for her in the incoming freshman class based upon her excellent audition. They congratulated her and said not to forget to compelte the FAFSA.</p>
<p>There was no official discussion of money or inquiry as to where this school fell on her list. </p>
<p>She replied by saying thank you so much, I look forward to hearing from you in April…etc…</p>
<p>Son in similar situation. Aside from profusely thanking him/her for the information, and expressing excitement to attend, nothing much more you can say.</p>
<p>We did add that Finacial Aid will be a major consideration, and that we would like to visit again in April during spring break (turn the table and audition them for teacher selection).</p>
<p>I agree that this is their roundabout way of saying that if your child needs more money, to be able to go to their school, they will do what they can to make it happen. This message is from the department, and they will go to the financial aid office and admissions to get more money, if needed, when the time comes.</p>
<p>So respond enthusiatically with a note that finances will make a difference, then wait to se what the financial aid package or merit scholarships might be.</p>
<p>Our daugher had a similar message, verbally and by e-mail, right after her audition. It was not clear what her top school was at that point, so she just thanked them politely and then went to visit in April.</p>
<p>Another thing to know is that after receiving acceptances from schools, you can still bargain. This is apparently what the department is telling you to go ahead and do. Our daughter went to visit another conservatory after acceptance and met with the teacher she would have: he also told her he would talk to financial aid about getting her more money.</p>
<p>We couldn’t afford top conservatories even with a lot of merit aid, frankly, and probably even if our daughter had taken him up on his offer of advocacy. But hopefully your child will be able to go!</p>
<p>I haven’t posted to the forum yet but have been lurking for quite some time. We have received several of these and our response has always been the same. </p>
<p>Something like this:</p>
<p>Thanks so much for contacting me it was a pleasure and an honor meeting you and auditioning at your school. While I am certainly considering XXXXXX, I am waiting for all written acceptance confirmations and financial information before making our final decision.</p>
<p>If the school is at the top of the list, I would say that. Last year, my D got a similar letter, and at the time, the school was in her top 2. She said in her response that the school was definitely one of her top choices, and she could see herself there, but that she had to wait until financial aid packages were in before she could make her final choice. Assume the school has sent out these letters to others and the responses could affect how they see the money being used.</p>
<p>Yes! Is that school one of her top choices, or is she thinking elsewhere? This is such an exciting time, but I can’t wait for the stress of auditions to end. My last one is this weekend at Ithaca. Is your daughter finished?</p>
<p>She got accepted in December doing early action at Westminster. Since then she’s been to Eastman, NEC, & BoCo. She has one more to do at SUNY Purchase a week from Saturday.</p>