I am weighing if the help of ED towards aadmission outweighs chance at merit aid. Lots of people she plays with have gotten merit aid.
But not completely sure if it was
Merit or need based. We may just ask director, but D24 feeling bashful.
Merit aid covered over 60 percent of my tuition at the Mannes School and was very important for me across my four years of undergrad. I know that composition (my program) is not particularly well funded (no one in the past four years in composition here is fully funded in my understanding). Generally, merit aid is half of the listed tuition for Mannes in Composition. I would not consider going to a conservatory if I was not awarded Meritā¦
At Mannes, there is 3-4 fully funded and 3-4 75% funded Merit scholarships especially for instrumentalists from less common families (tuba, doublebass, oboe, etc). Piano and violin more competitive for those awards.
edit: to be clear, at Mannes, a Merit award is ENTIRELY based of off the audition and NOT academics. I have close relationships with many faculty on our composition jury who have mentioned this to me as I prepare for MM auditionsā¦ Could be different in non-conservatory environments
1 Like
Iām not musician. I teach high school. Last year I heard from one student (string player) that he was encouraged (after trial lesson) to ED without merit scholarship. He was certain he would get scholarship from some schools so he did not ED. Eventually (during RD) this school offered him merit scholarship as well, along with three other schools. It might be Rice or Northwestern or Vanderbilt or somewhere among similar schools.
Iāve had several musician students in the past several years. I donāt remember any of them applied ED to music performance major. My impression is most of them (music major) receive some scholarship.
4 Likes
DD24 has not done ED - she is aware that merit is variable across years and instruments and her view is the best opp is not to ED esp given they need time to test out studios/ teachers etc which they may not have been able to do across schools pre the ED process. She is applying for mostly duel degrees but a few BMus
1 Like
If the website is correct, CIM should release prescreen results today. Can someone virtually hold my hand while I wait? 
I think Iām more anxious about it than my S is, but I know this one is a big deal for him.
3 Likes
I feel the same way about Oberlinā¦and I do think they will surely come today. Virtually holding your hand and please hold mine!!
4 Likes
Hand hold also 
4 Likes
Thanks, yāall! Itās good to be with people who understand!!!
2 Likes
@CJTwinMom and @MommaBerd - I am literally situated right between CIM and Oberlin, and my D is a Senior at CIM studying voice. She speaks highly of Dr. Fitch at CIM and has several friends in the Comp department who have done great things- premiered micro-operas, won several awards as UGs, etc. I am holding your hands and sending great vibes your way!
2 Likes
Right here with you! Waiting is the worst.
3 Likes
Hoping for UMich and Oberlin today 
2 Likes
Yes, my S met Dr. Fitch last spring and is the main reason he wants to go there. He was the only professor who invited me to sit in on a meeting, which totally surprised me. (I had to work really hard not to talk. 
) I love hearing such great things from someone who is there!
2 Likes
UMich is the one we are desperate for! We have others we expect in January, but Iād be lying if I said UMich wasnāt Dās dream pick. I believe theyāve started releasing prescreens, so hoping today as well! I feel certain we will hear by the end of the week at the latest, but sooner would be a great Christmas gift no matter the outcome! Weāll either celebrate or commiserate in our house and move on with things!
2 Likes
I think in general, ED is good if your D24 knows without a doubt where she wants to go and wants a little edge in admissions, but I believe it means less or even no merit money. Now, this really depends on the school and whether that particular school is known to give merit money or not.
I personally am not in favor of the ED process because I feel that a 17-18 year old needs options when it comes to decision day in May and ED eliminates those options and you are stuck with the school you thought you wanted back in August/September.
But there are reasons to do it-- we know of one student who was absolutely sold on a school but was concerned about their chances of getting in- got in ED, zero merit money, but is totally happy and loving the school.
So, itās a very personal decision. If you are looking for merit money though, I really believe ED is not the best way to apply.
4 Likes
Waiting is the worst. I am sending you all the good vibes. My son is very happy with Dr. Fitch. If you want to talk, let me know.
2 Likes
Just checking in with everyone over here in Central Time as the āwitching hoursā grow nigh.
1 Like
Dd just got a happy holidays and office closure dates email from Oberlin 
What the heck.
I mean, I guess at least they let you know not to expect anything definitive before the holidays? Iām sorry. That stinks.
Oberlin and CU Boulder sent pre-screen results. For us it is NO on Oberlin and YES on CU Boulder. Good luck to everyone waiting!
5 Likes