@drummergirl is correct. Historically NEC ( for VP) gives little merit in comparison to other Conservatories. Last year my D ( whose pre college teacher at Juilliard also teaches at NEC) got the most merit NEC usually gives in VP. She had 3 full ride offers and although she was keen to be in Boston ( we are NYC based) she chose to go for the teacher and the money and the weather elsewhere. I also reiterate that VP is a long, long haul. She will have no debt and her school is paying for her to study with her former Juilliard teacher this Summer in Nice. We are very happy about that.