Production course in NIDA, VCA or WAAPA

hi, I'm currently in year 12 and want to know which one is the hardest one to get into and what do they look for students. I've herd lot about NIDA and WAAPA and know they're really hard to get into for Music and acting courses, but how hard is it to get in for production course? Though I haven't herd much about VCA, I want to go there the most but I was wondering it might be the hardest to get into as it's part of Melbourne university. Has anyone been through one or even tried out for the auditions? Do you know what kind of students they're looking for? Is there any other university courses for production design? It'll so be helpful if someone can give me some information about any of these schools. thanks, Jess

All three are considered tough to get into. There are other courses that do production design; check out TAFEs (for example, Swinburne Uni and NMIT offer combination acting/prod. tech courses). You should DEFINITELY read the thread on the VCA being threatened with closure, because there are a great many changes being implemented/fought that may factor into your decision. Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne

I started Production and Design at WAAPA in 1992, but I was already 30 and had quite a bit of amateur experience behind me. However, if you have been studying drama in senior, you probably have a strong bank of knowledge and know how. To be honest, I'm not sure why you are asking which one is the hardest. If you have a passion for theatre in your veins, just follow the application procedures and apply for the place you think you will be able to afford to live for a start; ie. if your home is Perth, go with WAAPA. Be brave and bold. It's okay to ask to speak to the director of the course and ask about whatever is on your mind re: the application process, as long as it is for clarification and not what is already spelt out on the website or clearly stated in the instructions. BTW, I wasn't able to finish the course and am thinking about re-applying should I go back to Perth.