<p>Danas and anyone else who has done this, I'd appreciate your input. </p>
<p>My daughter is a home schooled ballerina/artist/scholar, with 1001 interests, (I’m sure you’re familiar with this type of kid). She is interested in Princeton and the possibility of continuing her artistic interests there. Her SAT tutor, (a Princeton alumnus) thinks it would be a great fit, but I’m interested in getting a home schooling parent’s point of view. </p>
<p>Has your daughter been able to continue a fairly high level of dance while being there? Does she take outside classes at one of the local studios? Is she able to dance quite a bit and still have to time to keep up with her academic load? My D has spent two summers at PNB and one at San Francisco Ballet and dances with a group of girls on a professional track. She would like to continue taking ballet/modern dance while in college. She is also quite artistic and does quite a bit of Photoshop and graphic design work that she has taught herself. She would like to pursue this as well in college. </p>
<p>How has Princeton been as far as receptivity to home schooling? Was there anyone in particular you found especially helpful in the process, either in admissions or in the dance department? </p>
<p>I am trying to avoid re-inventing this wheel and would greatly appreciate any insights you can give me. </p>
<p>My daughter arranged to attend a ballet class at Princeton and asked to be evaluated by them for the admissions department.
She does ballet 6 days a week and has attended the School of American Ballet, and has appeared in children's/youth roles with the Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Chicago and the Lyric Opera here in Chicago.
Princeton has a certificate program in theater and dance which emphasizes classroom and studio work in a variety of dance forms. They offer 5 ballet classes a week on an extracurricular basis at lunchtime.
The head of the dance department in her meeting with my daughter wanted to communicate that they really did not have a program to develop professional ballet dancers, but to broaden and deepen understanding of a variety of dance forms. She mentioned one student who deferred enrollment for a year and is dancing with PNB.
New York City is a little over an hour away by train, and when my daughter starts school in September she may seek to take classes there if it works with everything else she plans to be up to.
She is excited about starting at Princeton. It was her first choice and we all feel it's a great fit. I get the impression that Princeton was later than, say, Harvard, at warming to home schoolers. However, her alumni interviewer knew of home schooled twins who were admitted to Princeton and later both became Rhodes Scholars! So I guess Princeton must be getting used to home schoolers by now!</p>
<p>Thank you danas. This was very helpful. My daughter is hoping to pursue ballet and every other dance form she can fit into her schedule. Princeton seems to provide this opportunity, along with some others in Princeton and as you mentioned, New York. I spoke with one mom from the area who said at PDT, Susan Jaffe provides good classes and brings teachers in from the city as well. </p>
<p>She's hoping the visual arts opportunities abound as well. We need to investigate those further, especially since she has been completely self-taught, going through used textbooks and art books she buys on the internet. </p>
<p>Congradulations and best of luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>riser, you might find interesting this piece on an "unschooler" who does ballet, was recently accepted into princeton's class of 2011, and, incidentally, posts here on college confidential:</p>
<p>I know you mentioned Princeton, but another school she might enjoy is Columbia (or Barnard). Barnard has a program specifically for dancers, and I'm sure Columbia could work something out. It's worth looking into, anyway.</p>
<p>As far as admission goes they are very receptive of homeschoolers.
I did a count on the hard copy of Princeton's Facebook and there is a minimum of five per class.</p>
<p>Putting together a great application along with videos, digital art files and excellent rec letters to substantiate the extra curricular achievements and talent will be essential.
The essays are another thing your daughter can use to set herself apart.</p>
<p>Hmm, Columbia is one we have not considered --we'll look into it. Thanks!
D was accepted to School of Ballet's summer program, but we were hesitant to let her go that far (we're in CA). NY would probably be fun, dance-wise. </p>
<p>Nonpoisonivy, has your son taken many art classes at Princeton? Has he found them enjoyable? My D doesn't really want to major in art, but will take every class possible and may minor in it. Her interests are primarily with photography/Photoshop. I'm curious about any limits placed on enrollment and the accessibility of art classes if you major in another concentration.
Your son's work in the paper is great! Thanks for sharing this. </p>
<p>Thank you for your input. Much appreciated.</p>