Is there anyone out there who has been offered a place a either RNCM or RWCMD starting in september?? If so, can you help me because im finding it impossible to make my decicion.... !!

The RNCM has an amazing reputation, has loads more money and facilities etc, but im completly in love with the welsh college!! I felt so at home in cardiff and its a lots closer to home for me so I know that I would be completly happy there. ...but it seems to have a bad reputation? I know of a brilliant teacher at the welsh (called miriam bowen) and the student satisfaction rate is very high. HOwever, im worried that if I go there it will ruin my chances in the profession and that people will take 1 look at where I trained and will make up their mind before I even start to sing!! What I want to know is how much does reputation really matter?? Surley uni is just what you make of it? And also because Im a singer, ill surley have to do a postgrad when my voice has matured? This is just a starting point in my training right...so does it really matter where i train as long as im happy?

They seemed to really want me at the northern, giving me a place and scholarship on the spot BUT.....(perhaps its because im too much of a home girl or because ive lived in the country all my life) i found northern really overwhelming!! Im also really worried that because I dont have a second instrument I will struggle with the theory side of things (when I went to the preview day at northern, all of the other singers I spoke to had a second instrument of at least grade 5).

HELP!!! wb soon luv beth x x x

***oooh 1 more thing...trinity offerd me a 'reserve unconditional' place but when I called up they said that there are 4 other reserves on the course....but they wouldnt tell me which 1 i am!! If im 1st or 2nd reserve then i might still stand a chance....but if im 3rd or 4th I could accept that I havnt got a place and move on....but they wont tell me!! How frustrating!

Congratulations on getting offers from both places, and a reserve from Trinity. That's a nice dilemma to be in, having to choose between them.

There is nothing bad about RWCMD's reputation - the vast majority of us on this board would be more than happy to have the opportunity to study there. And as you yourself pointed out, where you go is only part of the package. It's much more important that you do the best you can in your studies, wherever those studies might be. And the best determinant of your career will be your attitude - if you are always making an issue of where you studied, then people will judge you on that basis.

Choose the place where you think you will study best and learn most. This may be where you are most comfortable, or where you have teachers with whom you are on the same wavelength.

And best of luck


Katyjay