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drama school gap year or uni?
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i’m now in the process of sending off my ucas applications to drama schools, as the path i’ve always wanted to down is acting. i know drama school offers a more practical side but it’s also a lot more demanding. mentally i haven’t been the best this year so i was thinking if i would be ready for 3 years of straight training. i’m trying to decide between a gap year, uni or drama school. if i go to uni i’m even thinking about studying something completely unrelated to acting and do my acting things outside of school. i don’t know what to decide on and the application deadlines are very soon. i know that i have a big love and passion for acting but because of mental health and recent circumstances i haven’t had enough determination and it’s mentally draining. i always feel like i’m two steps behind everyone
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#2
Apply for all your options (a uni, a drama school and one with a deffered entry)
You can decline at a later date and that way you have longer to decide
You can decline at a later date and that way you have longer to decide
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(Original post by WantBeAnonymous)
Apply for all your options (a uni, a drama school and one with a deffered entry)
You can decline at a later date and that way you have longer to decide
Apply for all your options (a uni, a drama school and one with a deffered entry)
You can decline at a later date and that way you have longer to decide
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#4
(Original post by hihello__)
what’s a deferred entry?
what’s a deferred entry?
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(Original post by Interea)
It's when you apply to start a year later (so you'd get an offer to start in September 2022).
It's when you apply to start a year later (so you'd get an offer to start in September 2022).
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#6
(Original post by hihello__)
okay thank you! if you were me and strived to be in the acting industry what would your final choice be?
okay thank you! if you were me and strived to be in the acting industry what would your final choice be?
Obviously I don't know how acting school works so I can't say where they stand on gap years, but it seems logical to me that they might appreciate a bit of life experience that older applicants can offer. Also, drama school is often a riskier choice than going to uni for a common subject and doing acting on the side, but if you love acting enough and have the financial security to take that risk, then I say go for it
As a side note about deferred entry - if you got a place for entry in September 2022 and then decided you wanted to apply elsewhere in next year's UCAS cycle, you'd have to reject your place and start fresh, so it'd only really be worth applying for deferred entry at places you think you would actually want to go to.
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(Original post by Interea)
I can't really direct you on acting specifically, but I did go to uni for something I was really passionate about and ended up having to drop out because my mental health was too bad. The time out has been invaluable for me, both in getting better but also gaining skills that will make university much easier next time. As a result I'd be inclined to recommend the gap year approach, and see where you're at in a year's time. You could still apply this UCAS cycle for a mix of things in case you change your mind, but I wouldn't worry about being "two steps behind everyone" - you may end up starting later, but you'll start out in a stronger position purely through experience.
Obviously I don't know how acting school works so I can't say where they stand on gap years, but it seems logical to me that they might appreciate a bit of life experience that older applicants can offer. Also, drama school is often a riskier choice than going to uni for a common subject and doing acting on the side, but if you love acting enough and have the financial security to take that risk, then I say go for it
As a side note about deferred entry - if you got a place for entry in September 2022 and then decided you wanted to apply elsewhere in next year's UCAS cycle, you'd have to reject your place and start fresh, so it'd only really be worth applying for deferred entry at places you think you would actually want to go to.
I can't really direct you on acting specifically, but I did go to uni for something I was really passionate about and ended up having to drop out because my mental health was too bad. The time out has been invaluable for me, both in getting better but also gaining skills that will make university much easier next time. As a result I'd be inclined to recommend the gap year approach, and see where you're at in a year's time. You could still apply this UCAS cycle for a mix of things in case you change your mind, but I wouldn't worry about being "two steps behind everyone" - you may end up starting later, but you'll start out in a stronger position purely through experience.
Obviously I don't know how acting school works so I can't say where they stand on gap years, but it seems logical to me that they might appreciate a bit of life experience that older applicants can offer. Also, drama school is often a riskier choice than going to uni for a common subject and doing acting on the side, but if you love acting enough and have the financial security to take that risk, then I say go for it
As a side note about deferred entry - if you got a place for entry in September 2022 and then decided you wanted to apply elsewhere in next year's UCAS cycle, you'd have to reject your place and start fresh, so it'd only really be worth applying for deferred entry at places you think you would actually want to go to.
and yes you’re completely right, they do prefer more experienced actors especially the prestigious drama schools such as guildhall, RADA and LAMDA.
during your break did you just work etc?
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#9
(Original post by hihello__)
yeah my mental health hasn’t been the best and drama school is VERY demanding and intense so that’s why i’m considering a gap year. i’ve just heard from people that gap years tend to make you distant from the subject you’re doing.
and yes you’re completely right, they do prefer more experienced actors especially the prestigious drama schools such as guildhall, RADA and LAMDA.
during your break did you just work etc?
yeah my mental health hasn’t been the best and drama school is VERY demanding and intense so that’s why i’m considering a gap year. i’ve just heard from people that gap years tend to make you distant from the subject you’re doing.
and yes you’re completely right, they do prefer more experienced actors especially the prestigious drama schools such as guildhall, RADA and LAMDA.
during your break did you just work etc?
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#10
(Original post by hihello__)
what’s a deferred entry?
what’s a deferred entry?
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