September 2015

[Katymac]

For most people it's about funding; so you accept the ones you can afford

But mainly you delay, delay, delay - until you know

[Lorry]

For most people it's about funding; so you accept the ones you can afford

But mainly you delay, delay, delay - until you know

That's what I thought, trouble is DD wants to go to Laine guess re mortgage will be on the cards if we can't get some help with funding, so stressed about it already, I guess it's not going to get any easier either

[Katymac]

Nope

& remember accommodation, food,travel, uniform, extra expenses (trips to Move It, cost of photos etc)

Are you eligible for a DaDA?

[Lorry]

Oh gosh katymac , we are borderline for dada depends if they change the criteria we are def at top end but I have been told that they may re band not sure how true that is.

[Katymac]

So have you worked out how much you will need? whether on a degree or a diploma? Are any colleges close enough to commute?

[Lorry]

We looked at the 3 years at Laines, thinking another £10k per year would cover living but not 100% sure if she did the 1 year at Urdang that she has been offered there is the possibility to commute but it would add 4 hours onto her day and cost around £600 per month just for the train, but she doesn't want to do the foundation course, if she gets a degree then I think she can claim a student loan which means we would only have to do the living side of this which we would be able to do.

[Katymac]

\it's massively tricky

DD is doing the pre-voc at Performers & loving it - my parents paid for the course, uniform & pocket money and we are using our tax credits to pay for her accommodation (we got a very good deal) & food. it's very hard

However her dancing has developed amazingly as has her growth as a person (living by herself)

I think (personally) 4 hours commute would be too much - DD starts at 8, finishes at 4:30 & is asleep by 8:30

[Lorry]

I agree Katymac, commuting far too long.

I am hoping that she gets more offers, she has Birds on 9th January and waiting to hear back from LSC and still awaiting news of audition dates for the other 5.

Really glad your DD is enjoying it, glad you have supportive parents that are happy to support their grand child.

I think I am more stressed about it all than my DD

[Katymac]

You will be more stressed & for the next few years

DD's first is Urdang in Feb & Bird in March still waiting on Performers, Millennium & Masters for dates

[2dancersmum]

Congratulations to your DD for her Laines and Urdang offers. Short answer to your question is that you can accept as many offers as you want to at this stage. It is a long process. DADA offers do not normally start going out until March, although some colleges do not even finish their auditions until May so final college places/funding offers etc do take quite a while to be sorted. Degree courses do qualify for student loans and these are in 2 parts for loans and accommodation but make sure you check for each place if the full course fees are covered by the loan. I don't believe for LSC for example that you can get a loan for the full amount. Foundation courses do not qualify for any sort of funding as far as I am aware.
Once you have answers from all your DDs auditions then you can see which suits your DD best and what you can afford as you will know if she has a DADA or loan and the amount of the parental contribution. It has to be said that not many have the luxury of much choice as some of the places you audition at get ruled out as either no offer received or no funding offered etc. It is a rollercoaster ride and at times stressful but try and enjoy it. My DD viewed each audition as a positive experience and an opportunity to dance/perform in a place she would not normally get to see and we enjoyed our time spent together.
I totally agree with Katymac that 4 hours of commuting a day is too much. My DD is in her 3rd year of a 3 year dance diploma. Her days have typically begun between 8 and 9 am and finished between 6 and 7:30 pm - very long physically and mentally exhausting days - and it takes a bit of getting used to that first half term.

Good luck with it all.

[Lorry]

2dancersmum,

Thano you, that makes sense I guess to except offers at this stage. I am just so clueless and worried I will steer her into making the wrong choices etc.

Mind you she knows what she wants I guess.

Katymac,

Good luck to DD in her auditions

[suesmith]

We'll done to your dd Lorry - we were in your position last year. Dd has just completed her first term at Laine on Diploma - it was always her first choice and she is living her dream! We fell just outside eligibility for Dada so with help from family and friends and lots of hard work we are self funding. We live within an hours commute so don't have the addition of living expenses - it's a long and tiring day so I agree 4 hours of travel probably too much. Lots of luck with future auditions and decision making - happy to answer any Laine questions

[Lorry]

Ah thank you suesmith

[Lorry]

Oh gosh DD got recall for London Studio Centre

[Katymac]

Lovely