Hi. I am looking for advice about guiding a freshman son who dances (Tap, Jazz) but likely won’t major in dance in college. What should he do in the summer and after-school to distinguish himself?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I am totally lost. Like if you are chess player you would report on you application your ranking or competitions. Or in sports you might report skills wins or leadership. What do you say or show on your college application when dance is your main extra-curricular?
Or should he not pursue it as a EC if he isn’t going to be a dance major? He can always just keep doing it for fun…
ECs aren’t just those related to a possible major. The choices show adcoms something more about a kid and his interests, what he chooses and commits to, how he interacts. He doesn’t need to go after a bunch of awards. But as time passes, he can show maturity in, eg, how he mentors other kids or takes his skills to the community. He can participate in school musicals or whatever offerings can use his skills.
I’m betting most posters who will respond will say, loud and clear: do not take an interest away from a high school kid because you think colleges will respond this way or that. Let him explore various opportunities and hone in later, as he expands. After next year, you can start to think about the overall picture and fine tune. Hope that gives you and him time to learn more about how this all works.
Look for schools which have student run dance organizations which anyone can join. At my younger D’s school (Ohio University) they have a group called the Movement which is available to all. I would be surprised if there are not any number of other universities which have similar programs. Male dancers are more scarce so I am sure he could find an opportunity if he chose to continue dancing for fun.
He could also consider minoring in dance. I think doing something you enjoy in HS is more important than doing something merely because you think it might look good on a college application.
My daughter dances at a studio outside of school. She’s a freshman. By the time she’s a senior, it will be 15 years of studio dance, 7 years of competition, 5 years as Dance Assistant teacher, and 2 years as a Dance Studio Intern. I don’t intend to ask her to stop just because it is not going to be her major in college. It is a hobby, and one she really enjoys. Her years there show her level of commitment and dedication. I certainly foresee her including it on college applications.