Which colleges charge and which don't?

[Robsmumma]

From your experience, which colleges charge to keep the place until they decide to award DaDa's and which don't? I know Millenium charge £75 for the privilege!

[Caroline A-C]

Two years ago Arts Ed charged £350 which was payable within two weeks of the offer letter. This is refundable at the end of the course. If you didn't take up the place you had to give four week's notice before the beginning of term. You didn't apply for a DADA until you had the offer. Don't know what other colleges charge I am afraid.

[pixiebelle]

From experience last year most colleges seem to ask for deposits & were non refundable at Italia Conti, Millenium, Performers & Laine. Deposits for these colleges DD offered places £100-£150 each. Also bear in mind doctors letters, Italia Conti asked for an examination & report, think varies at different surgeries, ours charge £75...gulp

[Robsmumma]

So no one just accepts you and offers you a DaDa straight off? You pay all these deposits and might still be left with nothing except an empty bank balance? Nice money making excercise, it pays the colleges to offer as many places as they can to rake in the deposit money knowing most wont be able to take it up without funding!

[Caroline A-C]

I have a feeling that the deposit was refundable - just think you had to give at least four week's notice before the beginning of the first term. Don't quote me though as it is all so long ago now.

[Robsmumma]

Millennium dont refund

[pg]

I explained that I couldn't accept a place without a DaDA and was given an indication that I would receive one before having to pay the deposit. DS was offered a DaDA after audition but then went to a different school with maintained funding so didn't take it up. It does seem to vary from school to school and quite possibly varies with how much they want a particular student (though I don't know this for certain). I think it would be perfectly reasonable to ask these questions and get written answers before applying/sending your audition fee.

[Robsmumma]

My daughter is on the Urdang foundation course and already committed to 5 auditions! Just have to keep slugging away and hope we get some funding otherwise its all going to come to an abrupt end! The stress is killing me lol

[Wolfie39]

My Dd has an offer from italia. They want 250 pounds non refundable to secure place. She has told them direct that without dada funding she can't take up a place i hope one is offered otherwise i have wasted my money. I understand the dada principal ie best auditionees get offers but this means waiting until the round of auditions completes so they can then make up their minds as to who they will offer a dada too. If this is the case ALL deposits should be refundable otherwise it becomes a moneymaking exercise as lots of parents must be in this boat

[Caroline A-C]

I was under the impression that the DADA's are offered as they go along and not at the end of the whole audition process. I know a lot of people who auditioned early and knew they had a DADA before others had even auditioned so hopefully you won't have to wait too long.