AHHH. What is your primary instrument? Is it flute or trumpet?
My only concern - and you applied ED so itâs moot - you have no cost concerns but scholarships would be nice because you have siblings.
Well when you get into Vandy, youâre on the hook for $380-400K vs. a Bama or Auburn, less than 20% of that (assuming close to near free tuition).
Iâm guessing your folks are ok with paying more than $300K additional, knowing that you have siblings coming upâŠ
Or you wouldnât have applied ED - because thereâs certainly beyond a reasonable chance you get into Vandy and beyond a reasonable chance you get not a cent of merit (because you EDâd - although some may get).
Obviously, the big names are great but thereâs always going to be this cost anomaly especially for someone as talented as yourself, which is why tons of brilliant kids end up at the Bamas, Auburns, U of SCs of the world.
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My primary is flute, but I march and play jazz trumpet
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Isnât the binding nature of ED contingent on an aid package thatâs at least in the same universe as other acceptances? I looked at Vandyâs agreement and it says that you do not have to withdraw other apps if you are applying for aid. I think that at most places thereâs a real sense of uncertainty about how similar the aid packages have to be to make the agreement binding. But schools are in a bind; never enforcing the agreement might encourage kids to bail left and right. But being too strict about it probably gets you a reputation and kids stop applying ED. At any rate, the key here would appear to be to ALWAYS apply for aid, regardless how well off your family is.
You lost me here 
Cost Constraints / Budget
no super restrictive cost constraints, although scholarships would be nice bc I have younger siblings
This is a full pay family. They expect to pay full. So there is no release for aid purposes.
What youâre talking about is if the school is not affordable and one would know this by running the NPC first.
With those three schools listed, the student already knows Vandy will cost multiples and no, they cannot get released. If they release, then they are in violation of their binding agreement.
What you are describing is for families who need aid - they can wait to get it. But this family knkws up front they donât.
Good luck! Curious if you applied to Mich SMTD?
I did! Iâm not expecting to make it past the prescreen but weâll see what happens!
The level at Michigan is definitely a little lower than Vanderbilt so fingers crossed for you! Make sure you set up a trial lesson with her if you get through and decide to audition.
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@specksofstars Wishing you much luck with this process. If Vandy doesnât turn out, please consider Wisconsin â probably the most fun marching band out there!
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Update: Accepted to Butler with a $23k/year merit scholarship!
Also, visited UA and itâs definitely moved up the list (in part because of scholarships, but also because of the honors programs/opportunities)
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Congrats on the merit at Butler.
You never responded to the cost issue - as Vandy will be hundreds of thousands over Bama.
Is that not a concern for your family?
Best of luck with the Vandy decision.
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Ahhh, sorry for not responding about cost.
There arenât any cost concerns, and we went into my ED contract knowing that we (most likely) wonât receive any aid. My parents werenât familiar with how ED contracts work so it was a long discussion.
Also, my brother coming up isnât a concern. My parents wouldnât be paying for college for both of us at the same time, as Iâll already be graduated before he graduates high school. If we were closer in age, it may have been more restrictive.
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