Auditioning for 2021 entry

[dancelifemum]

DD has now received her Laine offer too. Glad the postman brought a yes or we might have had a miserable Easter weekend in our house.

Well that was worth waiting a bit extra for. Congratulations to your DD for her offer

Thank you! They have included the dada form (we aren't eligible sadly), but it states they have a 'talent' register and you can enquire where you are with regards to funding. Not sure I would want to know that or not or if it's only relevant if you are applying for funding?

[islandofsodor]

Yes, its for the MA.

It's a bit difficult not being able to visit. Over zoom she found she couldn't read anything from the Royal Welsh interviewer, whereas she got a really good vibe from Associated Studios. In the unlikely event she was offered Royal Academy of Music the prestige of the course means it would be hard to turn down. But its very much actor/singer which is great as after 8 years at Hammond she wants to focus on those areas but she feels that in order to keep her current dance level up she would need to source outside classes. Not an issue sourcing them in London but its a lot of extra expense (especially as the postgrad student loan doesn't cover the full fees and no maintenance) and more time in addition to the normal timetable.

When she made preliminary enquiries with RCS they said that should she be accepted there they could potentially offer extra ballet or jazz (subject to being an appropriate standard) etc with students on their classical ballet course.

Neither Arts Ed or GSA would accept her diploma for postgrad entry.

[anastasia79]

DD has now received her Laine offer too. Glad the postman brought a yes or we might have had a miserable Easter weekend in our house.

Well that was worth waiting a bit extra for. Congratulations to your DD for her offer

Thank you! They have included the dada form (we aren't eligible sadly), but it states they have a 'talent' register and you can enquire where you are with regards to funding. Not sure I would want to know that or not or if it's only relevant if you are applying for funding?

I’m genuinely so pleased for her as I remember how stressful things were for you! Does she have an idea of where she would like to go in September? Like you, I’m not sure I’d want to know where my DD would fall on that ‘talent register’. She’s now completing her Urdang recall and hopefully once she’s had that reply (yes or no) she can decide where she would like to go. Until then I can’t relax, as based on where she chooses I’ll need to find her accommodation.

[evie03]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

[Dancindan]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

I guess it depends on what you are looking for, LSC and Bird are in london, bird is much further out so cheaper but you’ll get a higher loan/dada, however what we liked about Laine is it seemed both more personally driven and also is a much smaller school, I’m not sure about LSC but Bird takes around 200 a year whereas the current Laine 1st years have about 60 in the year )

[anastasia79]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

Congrats on all your offers, you’ve done really well !!! My DD is in a similar position at the moment trying to make a decision. If you can visit the schools even if you can’t go inside due to Covid, it will help you to have a feel of the location and the surrounding areas. I’ve done that with her for a few schools so far and it’s helped. As a student what were your impressions of Urdang when you did the pre audition course?

[icantdance]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

I guess it depends on what you are looking for, LSC and Bird are in london, bird is much further out so cheaper but you’ll get a higher loan/dada, however what we liked about Laine is it seemed both more personally driven and also is a much smaller school, I’m not sure about LSC but Bird takes around 200 a year whereas the current Laine 1st years have about 60 in the year )

I think Bird's intake is around 140 a year and that includes degree, diploma and foundation students. I think Laine will depend on a) if you can get a DaDA and how much and b) if your parents can support you for the rest as it will cost around £12k-£15k a year even with a full DaDA and you can't get a maintenance grant with a diploma.

It also depends what you are looking for. Urdang is slightly more commercial than the others, so look at the programmes. Some of them have virtual tours on their websites....

[kat16]

Hi everyone, first time posting, but this board has been a huge help through these stressful few months. Congrats to everyone with offers so far. My DD has just had a rejection from Performers but has been told her videos have been sent over to IC Theatre Brighton (also part of BIMM as is Performers) as they feel she is well suited to there. Does anyone on here have any experience of IC Theatre Brighton (formerly called BRICTT) ? We have no more info on what this means but assume they are now reviewing her audition videos.

[lawn]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

Have you had a look at the funding for all your offers? Are they affordable? A quick peek at LSC for example says their fees are slightly over £15K and you can borrow just over £6K from the student loan company towards it. Is this financially feasible? What about the rest. Have you been offered a Dada/scholarship by Laine?I *think* they only offer degree top up and therefore student loan finance for the last year - I might be wrong.

If you're fortunate that finances don't have to make the choice for you, are you on social media for drama school applications and could ask a current student at each what a typical day/week timetable consists of? Have a look at what each of the schools alumni are doing? I think to go and look on the outside of the building and get a 'feel' for the surrounding area is good advice too. We intend doing this soon with where my daughter has been offered.

[amo185]

Great set of offers evie03. Might depend on whether dance or MT is the goal. Plus degree or diploma. Laine top up degree is not eligible for student finance so is an additional cost. Where are you at the moment and what do your teachers advise? They should know the colleges and be able to advise you accordingly. Lovely dilemma though! Well done!

[dancelifemum]

Hi! I'm a student going into training this September but I'm finding it so hard to decide between schools as I haven't been able to visit any except Urdang (I did their pre-audition course). I've got into London Studio Centre, Laines and Bird so far and am waiting to hear from Performers and I have to submit my Urdang recall.
I was wondering if anyone else was having problems deciding too and if so, how you're making those decisions! Thank you

Well done to you! My DD is in a similar position as she is unsure based on all pros cons....she loved Urdang pre audition and other courses plus it is London so has a great vibe, but living expenses would be more expensive. Laine has a good reputation but less commercial and will cost 18k without dada funding so that' s maybe a factor? We know a lot of pupils at Performers also a great reputation but larger and out of London, as is Bird. LSC needs top up funding as not all cost covered by the student finance and has shared facilities I believe the we visited. All personal factors...but maybe you can ask older students you know? It is tough but I am sure wherever you decide you can take what you need from most of these courses.

[dancelifemum]

Well that was worth waiting a bit extra for. Congratulations to your DD for her offer

Thank you! They have included the dada form (we aren't eligible sadly), but it states they have a 'talent' register and you can enquire where you are with regards to funding. Not sure I would want to know that or not or if it's only relevant if you are applying for funding?

I’m genuinely so pleased for her as I remember how stressful things were for you! Does she have an idea of where she would like to go in September? Like you, I’m not sure I’d want to know where my DD would fall on that ‘talent register’. She’s now completing her Urdang recall and hopefully once she’s had that reply (yes or no) she can decide where she would like to go. Until then I can’t relax, as based on where she chooses I’ll need to find her accommodation.

Thank you! Yes we are relieved to know, just will be the big decision to be made ....hopefully she can stop changing her mind!

Yes like you I need to know I can sort accommodation as it falls to us rather than reg uni halls...unless she chooses Wilkes. Top 3 are Urdang Performers Wilkes but I think she sways between location v smaller/ larger college etc...

[dancelifemum]

Hi everyone, first time posting, but this board has been a huge help through these stressful few months. Congrats to everyone with offers so far. My DD has just had a rejection from Performers but has been told her videos have been sent over to IC Theatre Brighton (also part of BIMM as is Performers) as they feel she is well suited to there. Does anyone on here have any experience of IC Theatre Brighton (formerly called BRICTT) ? We have no more info on what this means but assume they are now reviewing her audition videos.

Hi we know 2 people that have had similar responses and have both had subsequent offers from Brighton.

[kat16]

Hi we know 2 people that have had similar responses and have both had subsequent offers from Brighton.

Thanks dancelifemum - we will wait and see that's helpful.

[anastasia79]

Thank you! They have included the dada form (we aren't eligible sadly), but it states they have a 'talent' register and you can enquire where you are with regards to funding. Not sure I would want to know that or not or if it's only relevant if you are applying for funding?

I’m genuinely so pleased for her as I remember how stressful things were for you! Does she have an idea of where she would like to go in September? Like you, I’m not sure I’d want to know where my DD would fall on that ‘talent register’. She’s now completing her Urdang recall and hopefully once she’s had that reply (yes or no) she can decide where she would like to go. Until then I can’t relax, as based on where she chooses I’ll need to find her accommodation.

Thank you! Yes we are relieved to know, just will be the big decision to be made ....hopefully she can stop changing her mind!

Yes like you I need to know I can sort accommodation as it falls to us rather than reg uni halls...unless she chooses Wilkes. Top 3 are Urdang Performers Wilkes but I think she sways between location v smaller/ larger college etc...

My DD’s top 3 has changed since the start of auditioning to now. She’s now deciding between Performers, Bird and Urdang. We’ve got fingers crossed that after she submits her recall videos for Urdang tomorrow she’ll get an offer in a few weeks. If Urdang is a no, I think she’ll choose Performers unless she throws me a curve ball and changes her mind again.