Hi everyone,
I've been accepted to 3 MM composition programs (all small conservatories), but unfortunately have not received the aid necessary to attend. I'll be filing appeals and would like some input from those who might have successfully done so before.
First, a bit of background that may or may not be relevant. I've been out of school for 3 years working and saving money for grad school. I've saved a lot, but the price tag of these places is, well, high. Nonetheless I could afford it with something like a 20K per year award (and I know these awards exist). I have some parental support, but it's relatively small.
I want to avoid loans for obvious reasons and because anyone I've ever talked to (professors, students, etc) about this has been emphatic about it. It would also accumulate interest during the PhD I plan on completing afterwards.
I have only one financial aid offer, at 10.5K per year. I will of course include this in my appeal, along with a brief bit on why I'd like to attend and letting my top choice know they're my top choice, but I'm not sure what else to include (perhaps nothing). My desire to avoid loans would probably fall on deaf ears at schools where loans are so normal, won't it?
Do I include the exact amount I got from the one school? And do I include a specific figure I would need?
Any advice is appreciated.
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