I would like to study modern or contemporary dance in college, preferably at a school in a city or a large state school, pre out of the state of GA and Southeastern region. I am also looking for dance composition and improvisation classes. I have a fairly strong ballet background and am a pointe student, but will be focusing on contemporary dance, partly because I have just recovered from a hip injury that causes extra difficulties in ballet. Also, I would like to be able to study psychology as a double major or minor, or at least have the opportunity to take psychology courses.
I have a 3.98 GPA unweighted and a 33 ACT score as well as 8 college credits from NYU.
Currently, I have applied to Ailey/Fordham, NYU Tisch, Marymount Manhattan, Indiana University, and Point Park. I am also considering SUNY Purchase.
What other universities can you recommend? Obviously, there are no “safety” schools in the dance world, but I would like to find some with less-competitive audition processes yet still strong programs that could help me improve my dancing if I am not accepted to any of the previously mentioned programs.
James Madison in VA is worth looking at. Strong modern program with a large emphasis on developing student choreographers, and lots of guest artist choreography residencies. Not in a big city, but a good college town, about 2 hours from DC. You mention wanting to get out of the southeast… James Madison does not have a particularly “southern” vibe. Quite a few students from northern VA (right outside of DC), MD, PA, NY, NJ, and New England. It is an auditioned program, but slightly less competitive for admission than many of the schools on your list .
Jessica, most of the schools you list are on our list as well. We also did Rutgers, Towson, SMU, George Mason and Oklahoma. Got into all, got wait listed at Indiana. Just did Ailey/Fordham audition, have NYU/Tisch mid-January. Dropped Marymount, SUNY and Point Park due to concerns over academics for non-Dance classes.
My oldest D is currently a senior dance major at Pace. My absolute favorite school when she applied was George Mason. Also look at Muhlenberg…it’s a non-audition program and you can double major. Great academics there.
I’m a little confused. Are you applying to conservatory/BFA programs? Are you going to double degree? Have you checked out the ability to double major with dance and psychology at the schools you have applied to?
Also, it seems that for most schools it is too late. (This post is even later and might not help you, but others)
I would have suggested Dance Magazine’s college guide.
Goucher, Barnard, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, Bennington,and Bard all offer programs that have their own takes and nuances. Many state schools, including UMass Amherst, Purchase, Ohio State.
Update: I loved MMC and UCI! I am currently deciding between Marymount’s BA in Dance with a concentration in body science in motion (where I got both dance and academic scholarships and will minor in psychology) and UC Irvine (where I also got an academic scholarship), where I would start as a BA dance student and apply for the BFA dance choreography program. I also considered Indiana, but I would like to be closer to a large city. I’m still waiting to hear back from Ailey/Fordham! @compmom I forgot to respond to this, but I did use Dance Magazine’s college guide and it was really helpful!
Congrats on your acceptance my dd will be a senior this year and her dream is to attend MMC. Which program did you choose? Also curious what kind of merit scholarship was offered my daughter will need one…