At about age 8 they can begin serious ballet training, although it's still only one day a week. About age 10 girls can begin pointe class, which, at first, is tacked onto the end of regular classes that are held twice a week. Students can also begin taking jazz and tap at this age. Soon ballet classes are more frequent and pointe becomes a seperate class. Very talented dancers are offered a Trainee-ship.
Trainees are basically student company members.
They have better roles in performances than regular students and often are allowed to understudy company members to learn more ballets. I made it to the highest pre-professional level, though I quit a few months before graduating high school, since I wanted to try track. Either students choose 2 of the 3 or slip a bit on each. Most professional dancers do not have a college degree, as college-age years are ideal for gaining experience. Quite often retired dancers become teachers or choreographers.