Applications Applications Applications

I have now sent off all my applications for everywhere that I am applying to this year and it's thirsty work!

So many people at school have been complaining about writing their UCAS personal statement and just over here being like 'I had to write four!' Yes the struggle is real but if you are organised and get a wiggle on all will be alright, well I keep telling myself that!

For Universities the application process I think is pretty simple and there are so many advice posts on UCAS that you really can't say you don't know what to do. The hard part of that application is deciding on which Universities to apply and how to word your personal statement while fitting within the 4000 characters and 47 lines limit. If you are struggling with this just hop onto google or track down a teacher as there is loads of advice out there. The next stage of dance degree applications for Uni is once you've sent off your UCAS and you get back offers for auditions/interviews. Now that you are at this stage time to get to listing. Some Unis want you to just turn up on the day with nothing prepared so they can see how you react to the whole situation, others want you to prepare stuff. For example for my Chichester audition/interview I have some paperwork with passport photos that I have to send off as well as an essay at least one week prior to when I go to them and I also have to choreograph a solo. Make sure that you check all of this and don't just assume that you turn up on the day. I also recommend trying to get as early audition dates as possible, this is for a couple of reasons; some Unis are more likely to offer you a place, it gives you Uni auditions as a prep for vocational auditions (if you're doing them) and it gets them out of the way. You don't want it to be coming up to your exams and you have auditions too as that's too stressful!

For Vocational schools the first thing you need to do is decided where you are going to apply - decide what you are looking for from a school and then how many you want to apply for. The next thing to do is check how you apply for them. This can differ; RCS you have to apply to through UCAS conservatoires so it's a good idea to get that application done as soon as possible, LSC is all done online too which in a way is very useful and also means that you can see the availability for different audition dates so you can make sure you can get the one you want, Rambert is done by downloading the form to fill out and then emailing it back to them and Ballet West and NBS you print off and post the forms. In with this you want to check when their closing date is so that you don't miss it, very important! Now that you know when you need to send them off by look for what they ask you to include in your application; photos? sign off by doctor? Things take time so allow for that. Compile a list of photos as they can all be done in one sitting as there are some that more than one school wants so there is no point taking that one more than once if you can use the same photo over again. Also check what the criteria for the photos are as you don't want to take them wrong and have your application rejected. Another thing to factor in time wise is if the school wants a personal statement and/or references. You don't want to leave these to the last minute as it takes time for teachers to get them to you. Once all your application sections are done send it off and pay... dun dun dun! Oh the cost of applications is a haunt to dancers! As the expense can be quite scary try to save up and pay for it yourself and then see if you can have a deal with your parents that if you pay for the applications then would they pay for/arrange the travel - this worked with mine.
Now you hopefully get auditions for all your schools, I have my fingers crossed for you! If you do get auditions you need to look into what it is that the audition will include and if you need to prepare anything. Some schools will ask for a solo so be prepared! Being sure of what auditions will include will help take away some of the stress that they bring, well I'm hoping so!

Hope that this post helped somewhat and I wish you all good luck with your auditions! Hope we all do well, I might have so many things crossed that mine go well that I'll fall over in the audition!

 (me having some fun after taking my audition photos!)   

Willow x