Drama school applications: When your hobby becomes what you actually want to do

[Biscuitsneeded]

Posting here as opposed to Higher Ed, as I suspect there will be more parents in the know here than there. DS is nearing the end of Year 12 and is very sure he wants to apply to drama school. We know it's unlikely at 18. I am very unclear about how it all works, how it's paid for, which ones you can apply to through normal UCAS route etc. He wants acting as opposed to musical theatre. Does anyone have recent experience of DC applying, or is anyone else contemplating this same journey over the next 12 months? I think I feel anxious because my friends' kids of same age are all starting to head off to Uni Open Days, and I feel like we should be doing something, but really there's very little point going to look at a school and loving it if the chances of getting a place are about 0.00005 %. Would appreciate all advice or companionship!

Having been through the audition mill this year it is all about the audition combined with the casting balance for the year group.
Yes the degree courses have ucas points ( diplomas do not) and a tiny portion have to come from tertiary education, but most institutions allow dance, music and acting grades over grade 6.

DD had more points from these than she needed, but Conti told her she needed a single P on her OCR to confirm the place.
The audition system is brutal there are long waits, you need consider if you are prepared to risk a deposit whilst waiting to see if you get another place.
January and February this year were super stressful.

That looks great doesn’t it

with free auditions I guess they will get a lot of applications but worth applying!

Is there a directory of all acting courses in the UK?

That sounds really tough especially on top of A levels

Hi- yes I know someone on the Bristol School of Acting course- just coming to the end of the first year. They really like it and rate the tuition as lots of the staff are the same as the BoV. They were supposed to be going to Moscow for five weeks as part of the first year course but... well Ukraine.. which was very disappointing. There isn't really an alumni as yet as it's a very new course. It's very intense as a three year course condensed into two.

On another note, my own DD went through the mill of drama school auditions for 4 years ( determined she wanted Drama school as opposed to uni.) She came so close with all the main ones ( Central, Mountview, RCS, Trinity) with lots of final recalls and reserve places but she finally got a place at her dream school- RCS ( Glasgow) which is funded under the usual student loans. It was an expensive and stressful journey but so worth it in the end. In a way I was glad she didn't make it in at 18 as it's such a long way from where we live. She went there at 22 and was really ready for it.

@KnottyKnitting Thank you for the Bristol info, I think it's well worth a look. And very interesting about your daughter's journey. Was it the close calls that kept her going? It must have been hard for her seeing her friends at Uni or working. It's not like you even know that at the end of three or four years applying you'll get in somewhere, let alone your dream school. Many I guess just have to give up or try and get into the profession in other ways (which do exist, of course, not all actors trained at drama school). I imagine a lot of waitressing!

Yes it was a real haul but she was absolutely determined to go to one of the top schools as the professional training is so good and they have great links with the industry. She actually did the first year on a foundation at Mountview and then came home. She did a singing teacher diploma and worked waitressing and as a learning support assistant.

The year she got in ( which was the year covid struck) she had actually started thinking about a plan B and was offered unconditional places to do something completely different but then after four years of getting to the final round at RCS she finally got in! It's so competitive! 2000 audition from all over the world for 18 places. If she had never had a call back From anywhere I don't think she would have carried on but it was obvious she was very talented- just has to be the right place,right time and right look. Many schools gather a cohort a bit like a cast. So if they already have several tall dark haired female with a legit style of voice then they won't offer a place to another one no matter how talented. And some schools like Arts Ed have more places for boys- it's generally far more competence for girls.

It's really not an easy process but if you don't try you never know! The very best of luck!

Competitive that should say ( not competence!) 🙄

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts or advice as when the best time to apply & audition is? My DD's drama teacher said the sooner the better as the schools "cast" their intakes but I'm not sure that's true - they could miss out on a gem. I see Bristol is open for applications. It's getting real!

DD was at a performing arts college where many of the staff also teach in the big names on the degree course.
Their opinion was early, but only if your pieces are truly ready. So the sixth form we're adv. to apply earlier than foundation.
In general most places only take one person of each casting type into each year so their new grads are not competing with each other.

There are three outcomes to a final audition yes, no or waiting list. The waiting list is held till after results day.

For those considering MT - the facilities on the new Conti site are fabulous 27 purpose built studios, lovely student facilities (changing rooms, showers and common rooms).
Conti have increased intake with their new facilities ( they were winners in the HEF shake up).
DD is thoroughly enjoying it so far and even the three studios that are in full view of the shopping centre are great - she says it's only at the end of class you realise there are people watching.

@somewhereinsomerset Many of DS's friends who applied last year, both successfully and unsuccessfully, have advised to go early. Sadly DS has a lot on his plate with schoolwork and a show he is in in late October so I don't think he'll be applying before November/December, but hey ho.

Same here @Biscuitsneeded School play, another play outside, A Levels, Lamda Exams etc etc A lot on their plates to add drama school auditions!

The current edition of The Stage (October 20th) has a very good insert called "How To Choose Your Drama School". Various schools talk about what they're looking for in the audition, there's an excellent piece on funding etc

I wanted to update this thread, because I am feeling really proud to say that DS has been offered a degree place for Acting somewhere he's really happy with and that benefits form normal student finance arrangements. Phew! Thank you for all the invaluable advice.

Huge congratulations!!!!!

Well done biscuits son!

is the place dependent on A levels results or was it audition? So he goes whatever he gets?

@Biscuitsneeded whoop whoop fab news! So hard to get an acting place so he must’ve done brilliantly. Any more auditions to go or is he settled in his choice?

Thanks for the congratulations. He's going to carry on auditioning just in case something even better comes through for him (he's currently waiting for news after final recall somewhere else) but whatever happens, he'd be really happy to go where he's been offered a place. Yes, there is a minimum grade requirement, as there is with most drama schools, but it should be achievable as long as he does some schoolwork! He's actually really enjoying the process (even at the place that rejected him!) as he feels he's learning from every audition, and it's consolidating the sense that it's the right path for him. Good luck to the other DC on this thread going through the same process.

Congratulations to your DS!! That is lovely news.
My DD has first MT college audition this week. In fact, she will do 5 within 12 days!!

will be a mad 2 weeks.

Massive congratulations, he has done so well - and so soon! My DD is in the foothills of applying. She's in Year 13 at school so only wanted to take on a few this year but hasn't had a nibble yet. She's found all the schools very warm and welcoming and encouraging - you do hear some horror stories so I'm delighted about that. Good luck to everyone!

@MomOfTwoGirls2 Thank you for the congratulations, and break a leg to your DD for her 5 auditions this week! I hope they go really well. I don't know how these young people do what they do.
@somewhereinsomerset I like the mountain analogy. I feel like DS slightly bolted off up the nearest mountain without his crampons, and was very very lucky to get the outcome he did and not fall off, but his optimism alone may not be enough on the other mountains! Your DD may be slower coming out of the foothills but I suspect she is better equipped and may yet reach a higher summit.

@Biscuitsneeded that's wonderful news - so happy for him - and for you! I'll know where to come for advice in a few years 🤗

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded !
one down and an offer on the day! DD is thrilled, and had the best day.
It is an offer from a college she is really interested in.
Another one tomorrow and then a break for a few days.

I am so happy for her. It literally is a dream come true for her.

Forgot to say, DD auditioning for Musical Theatre not acting.