<p>Having seen this topic come up time and time again with a couple different schools, I would say you must first decide if this school is high enough on your list to fight for your spot and/or an extension. (Perhaps you have other acceptances already that you prefer? Or you might in the next two weeks.) If you still have interest in this or any other school/department that is making this kind of restriction, it is time to have a frank phone conversation with the MT department to ask what your options are. Do this sooner rather than later. Insist on speaking with someone who can answer your questions, and feel free to ask lots of them. Get their name and title, the date and time of your call and make sure they know you’re taking notes on everything. Ask if you need to confirm any of this information with the University’s office of Admissions as well. Of course, be exceedingly polite and respectful. You might consider saying something like: “we have not yet completed all our auditions and we are waiting to see a complete picture of all our offers and financial aid packages. As such, we had planned on replying to our school of choice by the national commitment date of May 1st. I’m sure you can understand what a big decision this is for our family - especially financially - and while we respect your need to solidify your class in advance of that, I wonder if we might request more time and still be considered for your program and for your departmental talent awards.” (Also ask what happens to your spot after March 1 – do you go on a wait list? Do they offer your spot to someone else?) The answers to all of this will be yet more fuel in deciding whether or not the program is right for you – i.e., what would you do if they give you a little extra time to commit to the MT department, but perhaps not give you an extension on the scholarship deadline? Certainly it is their prerogative to reserve their departmental scholarship money for students for whom Utah is their first choice – of which there are probably many in the local area. Anyway, don’t be nervous to call them and have a conversation. You won’t be the only one. </p>