<p>It does seem confusing at first, but if you read it again, OCU is very clear about the May 1 deadline being the binding deadline. It is perfectly ok to accept the scholarship offer now or before January 15 as requested with the understanding that your final decision will be made before May 1. Like you, schools also have many other offers to consider in the coming months. So the sooner they know of your continued interest in their program the better so they know how much scholarship $ they can offer to those in later auditions. But they know you have until may 1 to make your final choice and that is why they state May 1 in their email.<br>
Just fyi, it is Point Park that had the possible ethics violations in regard to offers a few years ago. I’m not sure if they’ve changed their policies or not. </p>