open days please help

[Robin64]

Hello

We are starting on the path to applications for MT diploma or BA for 2017. First idea was to try booking open days. First 3 I have looked at do not have open days but say "the audition day is an open day" and for example Central said they are offering all applicants an audition. However these are all charged for and look to be between £35-£55 each. My question is how can you narrow down applications without an open day before shelling out loads of fees just to look? Is it just me or is this just a massive money making scheme at the expense of young people?

I did uni application for my eldest for an art degree and we did not pay for open days. We looked round, decided on top 3 and applied then had interviews and offers as per normal.

I can see open days offered at Bird (can't get through to anyone to book), an audition support day at Laine (charged for but would seem helpful) none at arts ed or mountview or Central, GSA dd has been to summer school so don't need to look.

Anyone know of any colleges that will let us look round first without paying!? I understand a charge for auditions (to a point) but not offering an open day seems a bit cheeky or is it just me?

[islandofsodor]

Hammond have an Open Day coming up in Chester on 1st October

[Katymac]

Tiffany's have an open day, Hammond & Millennium, do too & I think Performers do as well

I think we did courses at Urdang, Bodyworks & Stella Mann to get a look round

[princess1]

Bird, urdang, performers and LSC all have open days x it's good to go to get a feel for the place!

[Robin64]

Thanks very much. I will check those out.

[beanie-bean]

Hi Robin 64
You can email bird and with your preferred day and time slot. The email address is on the Open day page, and I think the ladies name is Jennifer. Don't leave it too long as they get booked up really quick. We missed out last year but managed to get booked on this year by sending the email. I'm not sure if Performers, Masters, Millenium and LSC are on your list to do but they all have open days advertised on their web pages. Urdang also do open days, but I think you have to register online for that one.

My dd did a Laines audition support day last year and really enjoyed it. It included a tour and a talk for the parents with the faculty and students. There were also opportunities to ask questions. xxx

[2girlsmum]

Hi Robin 64
You can email bird and with your preferred day and time slot. The email address is on the Open day page, and I think the ladies name is Jennifer. Don't leave it too long as they get booked up really quick. We missed out last year but managed to get booked on this year by sending the email. I'm not sure if Performers, Masters, Millenium and LSC are on your list to do but they all have open days advertised on their web pages. Urdang also do open days, but I think you have to register online for that one.

My dd did a Laines audition support day last year and really enjoyed it. It included a tour and a talk for the parents with the faculty and students. There were also opportunities to ask questions. xxx

The Laines pre-audition day is in October this year, Performers open day is in November. Millennium had one that we went to in June so don't know if they will have another one

[2dancersmum]

Hammond have a general open day on 1st October, as previously posted but they tend to also offer a free taster day(s) in December/January aimed specifically at the post 16 dance and musical theatre diploma courses. The website still shows details for last years at the moment - in the section under dance titled 'outreach'.

[Robin64]

Hi Robin 64
You can email bird and with your preferred day and time slot. The email address is on the Open day page, and I think the ladies name is Jennifer. Don't leave it too long as they get booked up really quick. We missed out last year but managed to get booked on this year by sending the email. I'm not sure if Performers, Masters, Millenium and LSC are on your list to do but they all have open days advertised on their web pages. Urdang also do open days, but I think you have to register online for that one.

My dd did a Laines audition support day last year and really enjoyed it. It included a tour and a talk for the parents with the faculty and students. There were also opportunities to ask questions. xxx

thanks for that, yes I have emailed Bird so hopefully will get a slot and going to book an audition support day as I think that will be useful. I have followed other year's threads a little but now it is our turn it feels a bit overwhelming with all the different fees / funding / diploma /BA choices. We have had to find quite a lot of money to support DD1 at uni already as loans don't even cover the accommodation so the thought of 2 lots to find is quite daunting even without all the audition organisation.

[Robin64]

and thanks for the other suggestions and dates all, I think we will try about 5 places and see how it goes this year.

[jasmine2]

bodyworks Cambridge do an open day...well worth a look x good luck x

[Katymac]

It's not going to help you much Robin, & I am sorry this is too late to be relevant

We did most of our open days the year before we auditioned as some were in the summer.

By this time, most of our applications were written (or at least outlined on last years form ready to be transferred when the new form was released) Photos taken and medicals booked & ready to go - all our forms were submitted by the end of October (if I remember right)

But we were only applying for Diplomas & I know nothing about degrees or applying for them

[Robin64]

It's not going to help you much Robin, & I am sorry this is too late to be relevant

We did most of our open days the year before we auditioned as some were in the summer.

By this time, most of our applications were written (or at least outlined on last years form ready to be transferred when the new form was released) Photos taken and medicals booked & ready to go - all our forms were submitted by the end of October (if I remember right)

But we were only applying for Diplomas & I know nothing about degrees or applying for them

oh dear I am totally not that prepared and yes it does make sense to start the year before I guess. Okay then looks like the next few weeks might be busy! We are looking at the degree courses as the funding is via student loans so will get the UCAS form looked at and gather all the info needed for the applications. Getting photos done is a good idea, thanks.

Can I ask if it is possible to choose when to audition or do you just get a date? DD would like to do them after Christmas and preferably post January due to starting skin treatment.

[Katymac]

I wouldn't apply until Dec as the auditions often come through quite fast

We did all ours later the second year as we were advised to by the pre-voc people (to get the most benefit from the extra training)

[Katymac]

Look at all the forms work out how many poses & get them all done at once - plain as possible background