FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
Before Entering a Competition
Whether you’re thinking of entering yourself or supporting your child, interest in taking part and the current edition’s official rules come first. A competition is a choice to think through, not an automatic next step.
You can use this guide to prepare questions for your teacher or school. It doesn’t replace medical, developmental or admission advice.
Confirm the edition
You’ll need the exact organiser, city and year, as similar acronyms can refer to different events. An archived result page is not evidence that registration is open for a future edition.
- What’s the age cut-off date, and which category and entry restrictions apply?
- What are the repertoire, time-limit, costume and pointe requirements?
- Do you need school affiliation or an audition to enter?
Understand the practical commitment
Before you commit to entry fees, coaching, choreography, travel or costumes, it helps to discuss preparation time together with the teacher and dancer and ask for a full budget.
- What music and choreography permissions do you need?
- What are the refund and cancellation terms, and how are schedule changes handled?
- Are workshops included, and can non-competitors attend?
Keep the purpose in view
You can agree together what you hope to learn from the experience and how you’ll talk about the outcome. If a scholarship is announced, you’ll need to check its eligibility and coverage separately.
- A medal isn’t a promise of admission or a career.
- What does any scholarship actually cover?
- If you or your child no longer wants to participate, it’s time to revisit the plan.