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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Conservatoire applicants

122 replies

Siriusmuggle · 11/11/2021 13:11

Probably not many of us here. Just wondering who's heard from where. Mine has had an online interview for RWCMD and has one arranged for RBC. Hasn't heard from RNCM or any Londons yet. From Instagram it looks as if RNCM are doing some auditions today so does that mean it's a no? Reckons none of his mates have heard either.

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SlippersAndCake · 23/01/2022 12:55

Being at a specialist school will probably be a help! Mine is at state and no one really knew what they were doing/how to help her. It has been difficult and I am glad she has some offers!

Tours have been difficult because of the pandemic but maybe in a couple of years it will be better. In the past university open days were big but most have been online recently.

About half the auditions were online or first round online. One that DD was due to do in person we had to switch to online because she had to self isolate. She's been able to attend offer days since which has given her a good feel of the atmosphere.

mydarkstar95 · 23/01/2022 13:05

Offer holder days sound like a good way to decide. How much of the decision was based on the teacher they wanted to study with versus the overall feel of the conservatoire itself?

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 23/01/2022 14:27

For mine it was both- he’s had various lessons at the offer holder days and prefers his current tutor over all of them. It’s fortunate that his tutor also teaches at the conservatoire he liked the feel of the most. He’s also looked at where he’d fit in the cohort- didn’t want to be the best as he’ll coast but didn’t want to be the worst as he’d feel disheartened. He reckons he’ll be middle to top half which is where he works best.

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mydarkstar95 · 23/01/2022 15:15

So helpful to understand these things better - thank you!

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 23/01/2022 15:44

It probably depends a lot on the instrument too- he knows a lot of the other players and where they’re going too. It’s a small world on his instrument.

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SlippersAndCake · 27/01/2022 11:44

Daughter pressed accept for RNCM :D

Immediately contacted by other places to find out why she made that decision... I didn't realise they had access to this info!!

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 27/01/2022 12:23

I’ll have to ask mine if he’s had similar emails. I know his friend did.

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londonmummy1966 · 27/01/2022 12:56

@mydarkstar95 my DD was at a specialist school and they really know the process as they do so many applications each year. She applied last year so everything was online but school set up a number of sessions over Zoom with heads of department and her teacher introduced her to some of the professors for consultation lessons before the application. That was worth it as she isn't confident in her abilities so having them all come back with positive feedback and constructive criticism to work on was really good for her.

School also know what to write in the references and how to help with the personal statements.

mydarkstar95 · 27/01/2022 13:11

[quote londonmummy1966]@mydarkstar95 my DD was at a specialist school and they really know the process as they do so many applications each year. She applied last year so everything was online but school set up a number of sessions over Zoom with heads of department and her teacher introduced her to some of the professors for consultation lessons before the application. That was worth it as she isn't confident in her abilities so having them all come back with positive feedback and constructive criticism to work on was really good for her.

School also know what to write in the references and how to help with the personal statements.

The main down side was that the auditions were online and as they had so many to do school only allowed 2 takes each (one can imagine a number of international piano applicants doing a lot more than this...)[/quote]
That is all helpful to know. DD's teacher did mention her doing consultation lessons next summer. I'm sure the school will sort everything but I am just curious about how it all works. It's a shame about the online auditions, and especially only getting two takes. DD always plays better in front of an audience!

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 29/03/2022 13:08

Has anyone done their SFE application yet? I'm saving it for next week. Just wondering how it works with a scholarship. Also has anyone had accommodation applications yet?

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Comefromaway · 29/03/2022 15:59

Ds was meant to start his SFE application the other week, but I got covid and he wanted me to help him.

I need to nag him as he's off to NYMT next week and we need to start the DSA process going.

PaddingtonPaddington · 31/03/2022 09:57

SFE done and was surprisingly easy. DSA had the assessment just waiting for the report and entitlement letter. I think accommodation is from tomorrow as it’s April so will be reminding DD to check emails!

nicpic71 · 03/04/2022 10:43

Hi there,
I am so glad I found this thread. My son is studying composition at junior Guildhall and we are staring to think about applying for conservatoires and look at open days. Did your children apply for both universaties and conservatoires? He has dropped an Alevel as he is finding the travel to london on saturdays and keeping up with studies for three Alevels too much. He will hopefully gain extra Ucas points with an EPQ and grade 8.
he has been told bu his tutors at JGSMD that he should find out about turors at the conservatoires he wants to apply to and get incontact with them, Has anyone done this?
He is at a good state sixth form and there are a few others in same boat but this is new to me. I dont want to get it wrong.
What is the offer open day?

nicpic71 · 03/04/2022 10:45

apologies for typos I have covid and brain is addled...

SlippersAndCake · 03/04/2022 11:24

@nicpic71

Hi there, I am so glad I found this thread. My son is studying composition at junior Guildhall and we are staring to think about applying for conservatoires and look at open days. Did your children apply for both universaties and conservatoires? He has dropped an Alevel as he is finding the travel to london on saturdays and keeping up with studies for three Alevels too much. He will hopefully gain extra Ucas points with an EPQ and grade 8. he has been told bu his tutors at JGSMD that he should find out about turors at the conservatoires he wants to apply to and get incontact with them, Has anyone done this? He is at a good state sixth form and there are a few others in same boat but this is new to me. I dont want to get it wrong. What is the offer open day?

My daughter applied to uni and conservatoire. She is taking 4 A levels but dropped EPQ due to workload. No JD though so that has kept her weekends free for study. Her initial first choice of uni she discounted because they didn't audition her and she is yet to decline her uni choices even though she accepted RNCM. Not going to SMS or JD (& also not being particularly musical myself!) meant I had no idea how the whole thing worked. Probably not contacting tutors was a mistake - we didn;t do anything other than apply!! But it seems to have worked out ok.

nicpic71 · 03/04/2022 22:02

wow 4 alevels that's impressive. I wish he hadnt dropped the Alevel but hey ho. he says he will just reapply following year if not sucessful and get third Alevel. I like the look of RNCM, he has heart set on Guildhall.
Congrats to your daughter. I am not musical either, this has been a whole new world to me.

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 04/04/2022 22:38

Mine only applied to conservatoire as that’s all he wants to do. He’s chosen the one that will
mean he carries on with his current tutor. He’s doing 3 A levels and I really hope he passes at least two of them.

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londonmummy1966 · 07/04/2022 00:26

@nicpic71 mine applied to both but then got her conservatoire offers so withdrew her university applications. Whilst unis prefer 3 A levels even Holloway say they understand musicians sometimes only take 2. Uni offers for music are quite high though in the experience of DCs fellow pupils. As far as conservatoires are concerned it should be possible to look at summer courses and see if any of the key tutors are teaching on them (JG usually run a composition course in the summer). Also worth seeing if he could get a consultation session with professors - ask JG if they can help. DC was at JG until specialist 6th form and loved it but the conservatoire doesn't offer her instrument until post grad. ALso bear in mind that Guildhall has very limited accomodation so if you live in London or near it the chances of getting it are next to zero whereas RAM/RCM etc can offer it to all first years (and RCM 2nd years as well).

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 12/04/2022 13:01

Does anyone know about scholarships? He's been offered one for his first year but how and when will he receive it? I've done the sfe application and there's no mention of it in his payments. We don't want it offsetting against tuition fees but I can't tell if that's happened. Or does it come direct from the conservatoire? I'm confused.

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londonmummy1966 · 12/04/2022 17:01

@Siriusmuggle - my DC was asked how they wanted the scholarship - the default was against the fees but it didn't have to be. Your DC could contact the admissions team and ask.

Original poster

Siriusmuggle · 13/04/2022 13:43

Thank you. We’ve opted not to set it against tuition.

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londonmummy1966 · 13/04/2022 18:58

It should come direct from the conservatoire as it is their funds that are paying the scholarship. Best bet is the admissions team who will know who to speak to to get it paid to your son instead.

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