We had one school that sent my S a hand-written birthday card. (And this is the limit of our experience being wooed. I’m sure other people can chip in more.)
My kid wasn’t truly wooed at any of the schools that accepted her. Syracuse did call with the offer of BFA in MT admission, but that is not quite the same as wooing, and apparently several programs make phone calls with their offers, though Syracuse was the only one of my kid’s schools that did that.
And things change with time -Syracuse did not call my D. None of her schools did
There is woo and then over woo. Woo is nice; over woo feels like pressure. One of my daughter’s acceptances was calling so often for a decision that my daughter was screening her calls and wincing when she saw who it was.
I think some wooing by programs is understandable if you think about the decision making process they went through to determine whom to accept, reject, and place on waitlists. Over-woo can be a turn off, but a little woo that acknowledges that they want you doesn’t hurt. 
I felt my son’s woo was about the class they put together. They chose who they wanted for that class and wanted to keep that compliment of students.
I think a little wooing is fine and even understandable for many programs (certainly some went overboard D’s year), but as with all advertisement and promotion I would just caution kids to try NOT to be swayed by it (or the lack of it).
@ChristinaCollege, you haven’t looped back so hopefully you’ve had enough input from the thoughtful commentary already on this thread but I wanted to add something about your concern about auditioning after the fact for the MT Certificate program which I haven’t seen anyone mention yet.
I have a dear friend whose unbelievably talented daughter has auditioned now twice for admission to the MT certificate program at Northwestern and not gotten in. This gal is really talented so I’ve decided there must be no particular rhyme nor reason for how it works which one can predict just like what sometimes happens in casting. Fortunately this young woman has rolled with the punches beautifully and still has been able to take all of the same classes that one could take in the MT certificate track. And, the icing on the cake is that she is getting the last laugh on all of it as she has been extremely successful (enviably so) when it comes to casting at Northwestern. Mainstage musicals, summer season, etc. etc. My conclusion is that not being in the MT certificate program does not have to be a disadvantage at NU. @momcares, is this consistent with what you know first hand?
In the end, nobody will care if your resume says MT certificate along with the BA in Theatre. Just like in Tisch (where my daugher attends) no one will care if you were in the one and only MT studio or not. Everyone at NYU Tisch gets the same degree, a BFA in Drama. It will come down to your training, your commitment and your ability to translate that to excellence on stage as well as in the audition room.
Back to the issue of wooing, read this!:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/03/21/to-woo-students-more-colleges-now-hand-deliver-acceptances.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fnational+%28Internal±+US+Latest±+Text%29
Wow. Just wow. Or…woo, just woo. 
PS…when people list on the thread about notifications, whether it was snail mail, email, portal, or phone call, they may have to add “hand delivery!” 
What the heck? 
Yes, @halflokum, the situation you describe is totally consistent with D’s conclusion that students at Northwestern can shape their curriculum to meet their individual needs whether or not they pursue the MT Certificate, so D didn’t view those auditions as being all-important. She has friends who focused on MT, TYA, circus, comedy, devising, dance, acting for film, directing, composing (the list goes on and on) depending on their talents and interests.
Even though the bulk of the feedback here as been pro-NU, to the OP I would add that ultimately my answer to “What would you do?” is that I’d learn as much as possible about both programs, visit if possible and talk to as many students as possible (each one at NU will be having a unique experience as curriculum is so flexible), make your own choice and make the most of whichever path you choose.
Best of luck to you!!
Northwestern.
@soozievt - a step BEYOND the personal phone call! Geez… For the record - I am one of the ones who would find that disconcerting…
OMG my house is a mess! They’d probably rescind my daughter’s acceptance if they showed up and saw that LOL.
U of MD-College Park hand delivered acceptances to some students a couple of years ago and recorded them. The parents knew ahead of time so there would’ve been a chance to get the house in order, @CTDramaMom. HAHAHAHAAA
Well clearly MT programs are ideally suited to producing flashmobs, so if D ever applies for an MFA I expect her acceptance to be delivered by one.
Seriously though, half of the slots at Northwestern are filled in binding ED by kids for whom the school is their unquestioned top choice, and existing students and faculty are too busy at this time of year for wooing.
Thank you so much to everyone for the extensive feedback! I really appreciate it!! After thinking a lot about these two programs, NU is officially my top choice now. Now I just wait to hear back about financial aid (fingers crossed that they are kind). Thanks again!
@ChristinaCollege - sending you good financial aid vibes! I remember we initially had sticker shock, but now that she’s graduated we all feel it’s the best money we’ve ever spent.
@MomCares Thank you! And thank you for all of the helpful info/details that you have provided!
HUGE Congrats on having amazing choices, on reaching out for information & on choosing what is best for you!! Wishing you great success!!