Scholarships/Financial Help

College Majors Musical Theater Major
21

<p>You are right that the merit scholarship is not simply artistic talent but the overall package of artistic and academic (and other things). </p>

<p>I believe that the girl I know (to whom MTgirlsmom refers) who got into NYU this year with the same amount of scholarship my D got....but my D got a Trustee Scholarship...but this other girl got one by another name that is earmarked for strong applicants from NYC (she lives in Manhattan). </p>

<p>Again, NYU told me when I had inquired that it was a merit scholarship (that takes into account both artistic and academic merit and other factors like leadership, etc.) and that the amount of the scholarship varied as need came into play in determining the full amount.</p>

<p>Again, I will reiterate that I have read students' posts on CC (and not just the MT forum) who have received merit awards from NYU and who were NOT Fin. Aid applicants and who filed no FAFSA.</p>

<p>Also, it makes sense at NYU/Tisch for merit awards to take both artistic and academic talent into account because after all, their admission process weighs both equally.</p>

<p>The girl you are talking about (since I know her personally) has both academic achievement AND artistic achievement on her record. She excels at both. She has been a finalist for MT in the NFAA, has been on Broadway, and has played leads many times, for example, at a summer theater intensive among a very talented pool of peers.</p>

22

<p>I am just glad that need comes into the mix when they decide what to award and to whom. For some kids, getting that kind of help will mean that they can attend a school that would otherwise be out of reach.</p>

23

<p>NMR....believe me, I am VERY glad that need comes into it. I am SO grateful for the financial aid and scholarships my children receive. I still have massive loans but these scholarship offers have definitely made a big difference. My older one is just receiving her scholarship offers (for arch grad school) and while the full price tag is daunting, it surely helps and makes a difference to get scholarships. My kids know lots of full pay peers but those peers have no financial need whatsoever. That simply is not our situation and so we feel very fortunate at whatever offers a college makes. Every bit helps!!!</p>

24

<p>Amen to that, sistah! I am praying fervently that the Gods of Financial Aid will grant a blessing our way soon, so that my kid will be able to attend the school of her choice. Are you listening, gods? ;)</p>

25

<p>My daughter got a scholarship for 9K a year and I was told it was a mix of academic/talent, not need. It is a Tisch scholarship, and I was hoping when the Giants took the Superbowl, she'd get a free ride, lol! No such luck....</p>

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<p>If your financial award package includes a Tisch Scholarship, does that mean you are accepted into their Scholars Program? or is that separate? Does anyone know anything about the Trustees Schloarships?</p>

27

<p>All scholarhips are ENTIRELY separate from Tisch Scholars. Tisch Scholars is not a scholarship. You can get a scholarship and not be in Tisch Scholars. You can be selected as a Tisch Scholar and not win a scholarship. </p>

<p>For example, my own child got a Trustee Scholarship. This came with her financial aid package. I don't know if Trustee Scholarship amounts vary. I don't think there are a lot of them. Hers is for $20,000/year. </p>

<p>In a completely separate mailing, she also was selected to be a Tisch Scholar. Again, this has NO monetary value and is not connected to scholarships. They select approximately 18 incoming freshmen for ALL of Tisch (drama, film, dance, recorded music, dramatic writing, etc.) as Tisch Scholars. This is a PROGRAM, whereas scholarships like Trustee Scholarship is just a money grant. Tisch Scholars are selected based on a combination of factors including academic, artistic, leadership, and community service and as future leaders in the arts. Tisch Scholars meets every other week and has speakers and attends events and each scholar is involved in projects in the city, etc. each year related to the arts. Also, Tisch Scholars, as freshmen, go for nine days to an arts community in Appalachia, called Appleshop. Then, during one of their three remaining years, they can go on one Tisch Scholars trip overseas, which is with the group and heavily organized to work with those in the arts in that country. They've gone to places like Viet Nam, Brazil, Cuba, Ghana, etc. These trips are entirely paid for by Tisch Scholars. My D went to Appalachia in her first year and to Brazil in her second year, both amazing experiences all expenses paid. The kids in Tisch Scholars are some amazing kids who are movers and shakers. Last year, she created a show with other Tisch Scholars that involved all areas of the arts in Tisch (her personal part was writing and performing her own short musical) and she is currently working with some fellow Scholars on a street performance in the city which they got permits for, etc. Many work in various community service projects and internship type things in the city in the arts. </p>

<p>If you get into Tisch Scholars, there will be a separate letter about that and it will describe it and I know that in my D's year, there was a special reception and buffet lunch and presentation for Tisch Scholars held the same day as Saturday in the Square, although I am not aware of what the arrangements are for Scholars in this cycle but I would imagine some sort of invitation to something about it. With only about 18 chosen per year to be a Tisch Scholar and the fact that they come from each department within Tisch, there are not TOO many per year from Drama/MT. </p>

<p>As far as Trustee Scholarships....I do not know how many get those.....I don't think a real lot but I honestly do not know the numbers. </p>

<p>The two are quite unrelated.</p>

28

<p>Thanks for explaining this, Susan. I am sure many people were wondering the same thing, as you had spoken previously about your D being a Tisch Scholar.</p>

29

<p>Thanks Soozievt, your really explained it well and answered a lot of questions.
Sounds like a great program to be selected for</p>

30

<p>Well, in the vain of "it never hurts to ask", my son sent a letter today asking if there was any more scholarship money available. He has been awarded a talent scholarship, but he has been offered much more at other schools and Tisch is by far the most expensive so he figured he would ask. Hope it is not unheard of to do this???:( And please don't get me wrong...we are very, very thankful for what he has been offered (did not expect it at all), but just a little more would make the decision much easier:).</p>

31

<p>It does not hurt to ask but my guess is that it is unlikely to happen. NYU is not a school that agrees to meet 100% of need. I also do not think it will attempt to match offers from other schools. Some schools do this (ie., the Ivy League) but typically if they even do it, they are more inclined to match offers of schools that are comparable (the total university and not so much an individual program within it). Good luck though. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Just stay realistic. :D</p>

<p>My child just tried this with MIT (grad school scholarships) and mentioned the large scholarships offered to her, for instance, by Columbia and Cornell (and other schools) to no avail. MIT arch grad school is ranked #2 in country and Columbia and Cornell are tied at #3. Made NO difference.</p>

32

<p>Yes, we sort of figured it would be to no avail and they would probably say "great, go to those schools":), but can't hurt to ask I suppose. He was offered $12,000 at first and then when we asked if we could meet with financial aid to go over the whole package they sent (that was all we asked) they called and said they were giving him $1500 more...so he figures maybe there is some more out there...who knows! Clearly, this would not come close to meeting FULL NEED:)!! We are just trying to reduce the vast amount of debt he will have coming out!</p>