Scholarship Aid

<p>Hi, I originally had UMich on my list of schools to look at, but my parents limited the number of schools i could apply to because of cost, so I crossed it off my list because the tuition is very high and it’s far for me. But I keep thinking about the school, and I was wondering if anyone knows how likely it is to get scholarship money or merit money or talent money or whatever? And how much? I have high SATs, but not a perfect 2400 or anything. GPA 4.0 unweighted 4.37 weighted, AP and honors classes. I guess I thought it might be easier at some of my other school choices to get scholarship money, because they are not as academically challenging as Michigan. But I just though I’d ask for sure since I really love the school!
Also we probably wouldn’t qualify for much financial aid on paper, unfortunately.
Thanks for your input!</p>

<p>Hi, my son is a junior at Michigan in the instrumental program. Here are a few things I can tell you from our experience over the past couple years.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Scholarship and financial aid is usually best when you are accepted as a dual degree applicant. With your GPA it seems you have what Michigan looks for on the academic side. But hardly anyone completes a dual degree in 4 years. There’s just too much academics aside from music.</p></li>
<li><p>Consider applying also for vocal performance major as a second option. This would get you in the door at Michigan and sometimes there is better scholarship pools there since competition in MT is so great to get accepted. You can also do a dual degree program from vocal performance.</p></li>
<li><p>Full scholarship often does not apply to room & board. There are are hand full of scholarships in the school for full tuition with room and board.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t be disheartened by the initial financial aid package. Awards can be increased as money is freed up by applicants choosing to go elsewhere. But it sounds like all 25 spots in MT were taken by first offered.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you choose to be a vocal performance major you still can pursue other stage opportunities. A full opera is staged each semester. Music theater is alive in Ann Arbor with the Civic Theater, a non-professional community organization. And campus groups stage musicals, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society for one. But there are others.</p>

<p>Good luck. I hope this helps.</p>

<p>Preston A.</p>