Dancersmum1 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:56 am
Jumping on the post my DD is auditioning this year for Diploma courses, she has decided where she wants to audition and we are in the process of compiling a list of all the different photos she needs, I’m concerned my camera skills might not be up to it!
All the best of luck to her and all others auditioning this year for 2022 entry! My daughter recently went through the video audition process and has just started at Urdang. If you can, buy her a basic tripod that holds her phone. This will let her record herself and take all her own pictures. That will save you from the ‘mum, you haven’t done it right’ conversation which we had before she could do them herself.
Hello. Anyone know whether reference on UCAS should be school reference or performing arts reference? Also, employment section... do we put in professional theatre credits? Thank you.
Hi all, jumping on post as my DD will be starting her auditions soon for next year's intake.......scary! I just wanted to ask do most people go to the open days? We are in Cornwall so to go to each of the schools she's interested in just for a morning or afternoon will be a bit of a nightmare, should she just go straight for the auditions? Also she's just turned 16 so will be doing her GCSEs soon, does anybody know how schools feel about them taking time out to go to auditions?
NicoleT1978 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:48 pm
Hi all, jumping on post as my DD will be starting her auditions soon for next year's intake.......scary! I just wanted to ask do most people go to the open days? We are in Cornwall so to go to each of the schools she's interested in just for a morning or afternoon will be a bit of a nightmare, should she just go straight for the auditions? Also she's just turned 16 so will be doing her GCSEs soon, does anybody know how schools feel about them taking time out to go to auditions?
I would go to the open days if possible. Schools can't refuse visits for further education reasons (I know this because my daughter's school once tried saying when she was in yr11 that it would be unauthorised her sixth form visits which were all out of area)
My daughter is back auditioning for degree courses this year despite an offer. She has instead chosen to do a foundation she was offered last minute (losing us a £500 deposit!). Due to lockdowns she hadn't visited anywhere in person, so when she got her offer through online auditions she hadn't seen the school. When they were able to offer an open day a few months later, she went and she didn't get a 'vibe' from it. She kept this quiet though as she wanted to go somewhere rather than have another year at home and it's why she jumped at the chance of going elsewhere. However she hadn't told me any of this, it's pure chance we weren't further tied financially in to her original offer.
Perhaps do a mix and match to limit how many times out of school she'll need to be and do some open days and some straight to audition.
NicoleT1978 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:48 pm
Hi all, jumping on post as my DD will be starting her auditions soon for next year's intake.......scary! I just wanted to ask do most people go to the open days? We are in Cornwall so to go to each of the schools she's interested in just for a morning or afternoon will be a bit of a nightmare, should she just go straight for the auditions? Also she's just turned 16 so will be doing her GCSEs soon, does anybody know how schools feel about them taking time out to go to auditions?
It’s very hard to get a feel for a place without going to look round.
But many audition days include an introduction talk - some of which parents can stay too. And some include a tour.
So it’s not always necessary to do both the open day and the audition. Maybe try to find out what the audition day includes?
That’s assuming the auditions will be in person this year. If they are online then I would definitely go to an open day if you can.
It’s been very hard for those starting this year to make decisions about a place they’ve never been to!
We did open days in Year 10, which obviously wasn’t possible for this years cohort.
We did limit visits in year 11. We did one open evening for which dd needed to leave school slightly early to get there but saved the time off fir actual auditions. At all the auditions she attended there was a talk and tour for parents.
NicoleT1978 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:48 pm
Hi all, jumping on post as my DD will be starting her auditions soon for next year's intake.......scary! I just wanted to ask do most people go to the open days? We are in Cornwall so to go to each of the schools she's interested in just for a morning or afternoon will be a bit of a nightmare, should she just go straight for the auditions? Also she's just turned 16 so will be doing her GCSEs soon, does anybody know how schools feel about them taking time out to go to auditions?
Open days I think are essential we visited some places that DD thought would be perfect and when she got there they just didn’t feel right. Time of for auditions was fine, lots of people move for sixth form so had interviews etc. I didn’t ask though I just informed them.
DD auditioned for her first choice first got offered a place and cancelled her other auditions as she didn’t want to go elsewhere.
Now looking at degree courses as someone who likes to plan she is struggling with not knowing exactly where she wants to go. Fortunately college is calming her down and saying take a deep breath there is time.
What she is finding hard is that everything is based on opinion - we go round in a circle between Bird, Urdang and Conti with PPA jumping in occasionally. I just keep saying audition for them all.
I would honestly say audition to everywhere you are interested in if at all affordable and feasible. Few students get offers from every college they apply for. Bird Urdang Performers accept more students than other colleges so more of a chance of getting in perhaps- but take nothing for granted. Be prepared for surprise offers and disappointments too. This is a strange old business! And not easy. DD starts properly tomorrow at ArtsEd after Freshers Week. It's all worth it - especially once that first offer comes in-and you see how excited they are even if they eventually choose somewhere else. Good luck to everyone!
I’m not sure how relevant this will be for those auditioning this year. For those who are planning to audition for Urdang, they do not appear to be offering a diploma programme for 2022 entry, only degree or foundation. I’m not sure why. My DD has just started here, I’m happy to help with any Urdang related questions if I can. All the best of luck to everyone on their audition journey this year
anastasia79 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:58 am
I’m not sure how relevant this will be for those auditioning this year. For those who are planning to audition for Urdang, they do not appear to be offering a diploma programme for 2022 entry, only degree or foundation. I’m not sure why. My DD has just started here, I’m happy to help with any Urdang related questions if I can. All the best of luck to everyone on their audition journey this year
A few years ago, Tring lost their DaDa funding due to an error in form completion. They had to wait 3 years before they could apply again. I obviously don’t know what has happened at Urdang but it will be a bit of a blow to them and many auditionees if they aren’t offering a diploma this year.
Urdang have not used the Dada funding system for a few years now preferring to offer their own non means tested scholarships . As to why they have stopped the diploma for 2022 , I have no idea . Unless there money pot has been a little damaged due to the pandemic and not gaining the funds from venue hire and associate schemes ??
The AVT has stopped due to a withdrawal of funds I believe .
anastasia79 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:58 am
I’m not sure how relevant this will be for those auditioning this year. For those who are planning to audition for Urdang, they do not appear to be offering a diploma programme for 2022 entry, only degree or foundation. I’m not sure why. My DD has just started here, I’m happy to help with any Urdang related questions if I can. All the best of luck to everyone on their audition journey this year
A few years ago, Tring lost their DaDa funding due to an error in form completion. They had to wait 3 years before they could apply again. I obviously don’t know what has happened at Urdang but it will be a bit of a blow to them and many auditionees if they aren’t offering a diploma this year.
Yes I had heard. Potentially it may be that by offering the degree it guarantees all qualified students the certainty that they can get a student loan. Though, it will be a shame for those students as some have no interest in the academic side and would prefer to specialise by doing the diploma.
Hi All, thanks for the previous replies about the Open Days. We've hit a brick wall, we were getting all excited booking the open days and looking into auditions and I've just found out that they can't get Student Loans at 16 for the Diploma. I know she could possibly try to get a DADA but it would be the living costs we would struggle with, we are in catch 22, we earn too much for the Maintenance help with the DADA but not enough to be able to support DD in moving to London. I've looked into the Bursaries available but that would be minimal. Does anybody have any further information that I may have missed
I have a horrible feeling I may have to break it to my DD that she has to wait another 2 years
Clairecm1076 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:22 am
I have noticed that they dont have AVT or diploma on their list of courses for Sept 2022 entry, wonder why?
The AVT has been cancelled due to funding withdrawn for that course
