Being dim again; level 3 or level 6?

[Katymac]

To be honest I'm not even sure what I'm asking

DD said she had to go off at 16 to London to study;

*some of the courses are from 16 and some from 18
*some of the courses are level 3 and some are level 6
*some of the courses are musical theatre and some dance

So how do you choose?
Does she audition and the college tell her what to do?
Does she decide and the college laugh at her auditioning for something way to advanced for her?
Does she decide and the college laugh at her auditioning for something not advanced enough for her?

Is the 'pre-audition course' at Urdang something worth doing; would they talk to her about stuff like this? http://www.theurdangacademy.com/part-ti ... n-courses/

[islandofsodor]

Level 6 if she wants a course that is seen as preparing students to enter the profession. Level 3 courses are offered at liCal colleges and are not true vocational training in that you usually have to continue your normal dance lessons alongside. They are good options for those who are not yet ready to go away at 16 but want to wait until 18.

A dance course us pretty much that - for serious dancers with usually a bit of singing/ drama alongside.

Musical theatre courses there is more of an even split though you will often find the students divided into actor/ singers & dancer/singers

One school (Hammond) have just introduced a common 1st year so you specialise in dance or MT from the 2nd year onwards.

[Katymac]

Yes I noticed that common first year; but I struggled to work my way round their website

We might have an offer of family accommodation in London which makes me feel much better about her going away at 16

Don't you wish they were born with a user manual?

[suesmith]

I think the pre-audition course at Urdang looks good - my DD at same stage as yours I think - year 10? I am trying to persuade her to do it next Summer. She did Laine Summer School this year and loved it but I think a good idea to try as many as possible and keep an open mind
When I rang Urdang they said some people do it twice as they give you areas to work on so can go back to see if improved in weaker areas, Laine also do a pre audition day, but not sure how useful one day would be! Urdang also cheaper than Laine

[Katymac]

5 days would be more useful as you can do anything for a day but to keep up your standard for a week seems more difficult

Yes she is yr10; are you going to Move-it as well?

I wondered if Urdang would give DD a bit of direction on the course; you know if she isn't up to the level 6 would they be honest or if they thought dance would be better/worse than MT would they say? Mind you I guess that is asking a lot

I found Laine fees but not Urdang; I think I need computer lessons

[suesmith]

We have been looking at the Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre/Dance - think at Urdang everyone follows same stream for first year then spilt into 4 streams as to their strengths dance/singing/acting not sure if all colleges do that - feel in a bit of a minefield, part of me thinks maybe dd should do A levels first but she is determined to audition even if just for the experience and would then re audition in 2 years if unsuccessful.

May do Move It but have been last two years so not sure really need to go again but worth a visit if you've not been before.

Urdang pre audition fee is £275 Mon - Fri

Laine 1 day audition class £35

Laine Summer School Mon - Sat £360

[Katymac]

Oh I thought you meant for the course

I thought £275 not bad for 5 days in London; I'm paying £199 in Norwich for DD to just have fun (never mind learn anything - tho' obviously she will)

I haven't been to Move-it yet DD has come to it all quite late really - I do wonder sometimes if she will ever catch up; then she wows me and passes a medal or wins a talent contest (we get to go to national finals in Clacton!)

[islandofsodor]

When you find the user manual send me a copy Please. Still agonising over secondary schools & only got a couple of weeks to decide where to apply.

[2dancersmum]

good luck islands with your secondary school applications.

Quick answer to level 3 or level 6 - probably both.
Apply to colleges offering Level 6 (equivalent to a degree) but do make sure you have a backup plan in place - either a level 3(at local college) or A levels and local training alongside.
My DDs approach was pretty much that of suesmiths - audition if just for the experience with the plan of trying again after A levels if unsuccesful. She only auditioned for 5 colleges as it is a very expensive and time consuming business but did include 2 where she could do A levels if she wished alongside the diploma - Tring and Hammond.
Any pre-audition courses regardless of length can be useful but as a tool to let your DD get a feel for the college and an idea of what an audition would involve but it is impossible to second guess standards of candidates on an audition day (not necessarily the same as those on the courses). It is also impossible to predict exactly what a college looks for in terms of standard already attained vs potential , hence the need for a backup plan. It is a minefield and you just have to be led by and steer your DDs as best you can for what suits them best and what suits your family and your budget. Every child and every family is different so a user manual could never be clear cut either.

[Katymac]

No I wanted a specific user manual for her make & model; not a general one at all

It's so hard isn't it, trying to guess what is best

[Katymac]

I've managed to find accommodation for her for the pre-audition course next Feb with family <phew>

That is a weight off my shoulders; now I just need to deal with her travelling on London Underground by herself