So much has changed & so much is the same

[FelixGirl]

We started with 12.....DD just kept saying "well I'm not 100% sure about that one" so out it went.....and then we were left with five!!

Given the chance she would only have auditioned at two....we had to insist she added just a couple of options!!

[Katymac]

Her teacher only wants her to apply for the top 3 - but I said if she gets a DADA at any of those college, she will go surely?

[FelixGirl]

I think so.... the colleges you've listed are all really good!!

[Katymac]

That's what I thought; but people keep saying some aren't so good (I was really surprised)

[Robsmumma]

What about just the nearest 3 to home, then she could perhaps travel home each weekend? She's a little young to be too far away , my dd wouldn't have coped. We live a bus ride away from Stella Mann but were advised not to send her there

[2dancersmum]

Personally I would be inclined to ignore the 'some aren't so good' advice as what suits one child/person may not suit another. Every single college will have someone who does not like it aswell as those who do. You have chosen a shortlist of well respected colleges that your DD would be happy to attend and that is what counts - your DD. As for cutting down numbers of application, all I can suggest is trying to space the auditions a little. Perhaps if her favourite college for plan B is one of the early auditions and she is offered a place, there would be no need to apply or audition at the other plan B colleges. Good luck with the whole process.

[Katymac]

Spacing it out is good as is dumping any surplus level 3s - great ideas thanks

[katkit]

Hello, DD will be applying (again) this year for 3 year diploma or BA musical theatre. Can anyone advise when it is best to apply? Especially as she is attending a foundation year at Performers (she is VERY excited, I am very broke!) so I guess she would want to benefit from some intensive training for a few months? If she doesn't apply until end of December (to ensure she doesn't miss some of the colleges deadlines) does this mean the colleges will already have given out places and reduce her chance of offers?
Also, her strength is singing (hence why a foundation year at Performers to bring up the dance level) Any ideas of which colleges are more singing focused? She hasn't done her list yet, but it is likely to be Mountview, Arts Ed (dreaming!) Urdang, GSA, Laines, Bodyworks, Bird(?) Italia (?) ...still need to sit down with her and talk it all through. Thanks

[Katymac]

I know Kitkat - we are similar (DD is at LSC Associates - not as intensive as your DD but still....)

I'd really like more advise about 'when' as well

[pg]

Rumours abound about the best times to apply. I think the only reasonable advice is: apply as soon as you are ready but not before. You need to have all your audition material sorted out before your application goes in.

There are limited numbers of spaces. However, my understanding is that colleges do not give out all the spaces early because they all compete for the best students. They will always hold back a few places for late, but brilliant applicants. If they don't get those late, brilliant applicants - they will offer the places to some of the very good applicants they have seen earlier (who will probably be on some kind of reserve list).

Some colleges give places out straight away - some will hold lots of applicants on reserve lists until they have a clearer view of the overall quality of students applying that year.
What was true last year (about when places were allocated) may well not be true this year.

Some colleges hold recalls on the same day as first round auditions - but there are lots that don't. The recalls can be months after the first round auditions for some people. For others the recall may be only a matter of days later.

Reserve lists start to fall like dominos once all the offers are made. Some applicants will have multiple offers and will therefore turn down offers they may have had at second or third choice colleges. If you are on a reserve list, the likelihood of an offer depends on all sorts of variables which you cannot predict (the college can't predict all of them either).

Trying to second guess will drive you mad. The only way to stay sane, I think, is to apply at the time that seems best for your dc and their circumstances and then stop worrying about the timing - but don't apply if they don't have their speeches/songs etc ready. Audition slots can come very quickly after application.

[Katymac]

Thanks PG - I'm not happy tho' I know you are right & I really love reading your posts (have you thought of a book?) but I like nice firm boundaries & rules (can you tell I work in Early Years)

Saying no one knows & it changes every year will turn me into a gibbering wreak I think I should rock gently in a corner while it all goes on around me

DD has 2 big shows on - so I reckon we will do them when they have finished, say late October, early November? She will have a bit more experience but not leave it too late

Should we do a thread with what each college want.......you know so my need for spreadsheets is appeased?

[Caroline A-C]

My ds applied late on the advise of his course head tutor. He was in the final audition of the year for Arts Ed and was offered a place. Having said that, all the DADA's had been handed out before this so there were none left. Not sure this applies now that the rules have changed on DADA's though. Think that pg's advise about applying when you feel ready is very valid though. Good luck.

[Jessnat22]

I don’t know if this helps at all - but thought I would put down our timetable for entry for this September.

Totally agree with PG- (great post) - our experience was that audition dates come through very quickly from applications so I would be sure you are first “audition ready” or thereabouts.

Applied early December to allow focus on a December show and then prioritise audition preparation post Christmas. Were hoping that auditions would be from Feb.

In reality – offered some dates in January which postponed (asking for one change seems accepted) - also had to juggle and move duplicated dates offered. This did mean could utilise February half term to try and minimise missing School. Also meant could ensure “favourites” weren’t first auditions. (many of these preconceptions changed during the process)

We heard back very quickly (Bird being the exception – take over a month) and then you wait for recall dates for funding (except Bird and Millennium who only had one audition).

Recalls meant still ongoing in April.

I do think the degree places go very quickly (Bird, Urdang etc) - no doubt influenced by funding and restricted numbers but I don't believe timing affects dada or scholarship funding - as long as you meet the application deadlines publicised by each school. DS attended the final audition day Laine held at the end March – invited back for funding audition in early April.

DS finished early April after receiving the offer he’d wanted - if not would have continued to end of that month and maybe longer. Maybe others could confirm but it does seem as if there are a lot of funding auditions are April?

You've definitely got time on your side - just try and think through what would work best for DD in terms of readiness and commitments.

Oh - and don't underestimate how long it takes to fill in the forms either .... maybe easier with girls! Lots of luck

[suesmith]

Thank you all for so much useful info for us newbies!

It has certainly cleared up the issue of "when" to apply, so many friends have offered advice as to the "best" time and I'm glad to see that there probably isn't any one best time - just a best time for you!

Jessnat22 - like you dd intends to put applications in during December hoping for Jan/Feb auditions as will be doing mock GCSE's in December so trying to prioritise things - hopefully that means main auditions will be done before GCSE's loom up.
Also have dance/LAMDA exams in December and possibly panto ........ so have said needs to start work on song/monologue/dance now so as to not have a major panic on Jan 1st - although I feel the coming year could be one of many panic moments

Have narrowed down to 4 colleges so not too bad compared to some of you At least coming on here makes you feel that you are not so alone in this confusing business!

[katkit]

Thank you everyone, very good and clear advise given about times to apply.Worry abounds at times and a deep calm breath is needed to focus on why we are all doing this - it takes a very dedicated parent to be able to take the stress at times, helped in great measure by our pride and belief in our incredibaly talented children, nice to know there are lots of us in the same boat