Auditioning for 2017

[itsalongshot]

Hi mine was offered a place at the last round of recalls and it shows on ucas but it is still dependant on grades on results day. Has a choice now to make.
Good luck to everyone still waiting and auditioning. Well done to all those with offers.

[Stageyails]

Hi Stageyails and Soda

Was anything mentioned about grades today? Just wondering because of previous posts we've had about it.
And well done to both your DC's on getting a Recall. I think it's about 2000 that apply for that course and only a few get recalled. So I think that proves the standard your DC's are at is very high
Last week someone I know was offered a place on the day. But when my DD got her offer it was on Ucas so it's probably quite rare they do that.
Good luck with all your auditions and decision making

Hi bop2thetop my dd says no mention was made generally about grades today but it came up in her interview . Funnily enough I was looking up earlier the old notes we had made about requirements for each college etc . We had written down AAB or ABB for GSA and we made those notes in Jan this year so I think the change to AAB only is a very new change on the website and that anyone who has already applied through UCAS should be fine with ABB. The only time grades came up was at the end during my dd's interview. She has level 3 BTEC subsidiary diploma at distinction * ( which we looked up to be equal to 56 new UCAS points - same as A* at ALevel ) and she has 2 A Levels both at grade B. The interviewer said he just wanted to check out the UCAS points for her BTEC. So it sounds like they are very hot on it due to their link to Uni of Surrey . But my dd knows a boy from her 6th form that did the same BTEC as her and he has got in. Of course all of this is only our opinion and thoughts - others may know of different experiences. Good luck to all !!

[jaybeeyellow]

I know that i have banged on endlessly about this in the past, but University or no University, I still fail to see how they equate academic excellence with being able to act, sing or dance. I just find the whole thing so unfair. I cannot believe that they would make an offer to a student, and then take that offer away if he/she slips a grade on the day. A Russell group/ Red brick university would in all probability not do this.
This scenario happened to someone close to my D, and he is still not over it. How do they subsequently justify offering places on the BA course to current Foundation students, when these students do not have the grades? It is hypocritical.Is there a grade requirement or not? Or could it be that the Foundation students have already paid the fees privately for the Foundation course and that fee has of course gone to the University.
Not of it makes any sense to me. Sorry, rant over. My D is at another school, so no real grievance apart from the fact that I feel sorry for so many of the students who audition.

[kzgirl]

I know that i have banged on endlessly about this in the past, but University or no University, I still fail to see how they equate academic excellence with being able to act, sing or dance. I just find the whole thing so unfair. I cannot believe that they would make an offer to a student, and then take that offer away if he/she slips a grade on the day. A Russell group/ Red brick university would in all probability not do this.
This scenario happened to someone close to my D, and he is still not over it. How do they subsequently justify offering places on the BA course to current Foundation students, when these students do not have the grades? It is hypocritical.Is there a grade requirement or not? Or could it be that the Foundation students have already paid the fees privately for the Foundation course and that fee has of course gone to the University.
Not of it makes any sense to me. Sorry, rant over. My D is at another school, so no real grievance apart from the fact that I feel sorry for so many of the students who audition.

Sadly I think Uni's can do what they want especially when GSA have the pick of 2000 students for so few places.

[jaybeeyellow]

Think about the cast of Les Mis, and how many of their past and present cast members went to GSA. I wonder how many of them had AAB at Alevel? Probably not that many. Now think of how much potential talent they may have missed out on??
Of course they would have got in to other schools, but GSA could not have claimed them.

[Rose20]

From what I've seen, it's not that rare for talented performers to be academic as well. X

[Katymac]

And neither is it rare for them to have a significant learning disability like dyslexia or dyscalcular (sp)

[chivers61]

Hi jaybeyellow,

I don't think they can ignore the grade issue as they are bound by Surrey University rules but my understanding from last year is that they can make exceptions for 20% of the intake, so around 6/7 candidates. Also it was never clear if they only accept A levels or whether or not BTEC equivalents count.

[Munchpot]

Hi jaybeyellow,

I don't think they can ignore the grade issue as they are bound by Surrey University rules but my understanding from last year is that they can make exceptions for 20% of the intake, so around 6/7 candidates. Also it was never clear if they only accept A levels or whether or not BTEC equivalents count.

BTEC equiv does count. A friend of ours is in 2nd Year admitted with D* x3 from Brit school
When we went for open day they stressed that the grades were set by the University and they have to stick to them as part of being part of the Uni and all the benefits that brings. Saying that they did also say they did have some leeway in exceptional cases

[Nickinoo]

So DD heard from Trinity and it was a no but she has been invited to audition for the foundation MT course in May. Anyone know anything about the course- any good?

[Munchpot]

So DD heard from Trinity and it was a no but she has been invited to audition for the foundation MT course in May. Anyone know anything about the course- any good?

Same for my DD. Don't know much about the course but their teachers have a great reputation and they certainly work them hard

[Live_thedream]

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this site, but have been scouring the pages for advice as my ds is currently going through the auditioning process. I have gleaned so much valuable information from you all, I just wish I had discovered it sooner!

DS is applying for MT at GSA (1st round audition last week, waiting to hear about recall) and has Arts ed and Mountview in April. DS is a strong singer, but struggles with dance (suspect mild dyspraxia) as well as struggling academically - so we both fully understand that he has slim chances of certainly getting into GSA. I wanted to get a feeler to what attitude is towards dancing in auditions? Has anyone's DC progressed with minimal dance experience?

[Live_thedream]

And neither is it rare for them to have a significant learning disability like dyslexia or dyscalcular (sp)

First time I saw my DS excel at anything was when he auditioned in his school play in year 10 and was recognised for his singing talent. It transformed him and have him focus, something he lacked generally at school as he struggled with his studies. So I agree it is a shame he will get penalised for not being academically successful when he could like all our DCs have the potential to succeed

[jaybeeyellow]

I agree, Living the dream. I hope that nobody misunderstood the point that I was trying to make about qualifications earlier. I fear I may have not expressed myself very well.
Good luck to your son.

[Live_thedream]

I agree, Living the dream. I hope that nobody misunderstood the point that I was trying to make about qualifications earlier. I fear I may have not expressed myself very well.
Good luck to your son.

Thanks jaybeeyellow. And not at all, you only were pointing out the facts - it is what it is, you can only but hope xx