Does anyone know about the dance programs at Ohio State University, Shenandoah University, or Elon University? These are currently my daughter’s top 3 programs.
@missy0822 my daughter’s best friend is finishing her freshman year as a BFA at Shenandoah. She is really enjoying the school and the program. I saw her at the Christmas break and she is very happy.
Another girl my daughter danced with is finishing her sophomore year as a BFA at Elon and also loves it. My daughter got in to Elon’s BFA with a very nice merit scholarship. We all really liked the school and the program and she had fun on a weekend with the friend. The staff was very nice and responsive. She just decided it was too rural and too far from home, but it was down to Elon and Rutgers at the end.
So helpful to read all these posts! Wish I had been involved earlier! My DD still trying to decide between a commitment/deposit toward NYU or Purchase (she is leaning toward Purchase because of the intense ballet and specific modern genres curriculum). She got a very nice financial package from NYU, but still costly nonetheless. Waitlisted for both USC and Juilliard, which perhaps was a blessing in disguise as it gave her some time to strongly consider the other programs and their respective curriculums with Purchase having a curriculum very similar to what she experienced at Juilliard summer program. Purchase, USC and Juilliard were her top three with no clear frontrunner, she saw pros and cons for all. Also accepted to BOCO, PPU, OU and SMU. Grateful to be waitlisted but as someone said above, it soooo drags out the process for sure. She is planning on making a decision and if she comes off a waitlist we will cross that bridge if or when that happens! Is anyone accepting to NYU or Purchase? Many of her mentors are suggesting Purchase as she wants modern and is interested in concert dance in a modern/contemporary company. She knows dancers at both programs that are very, very happy!
@TXmomTX my DS has also been torn between Purchase and NYU. He’s leaning NYU.
Purchase seems to really focus on developing technique, offering lots of modern and ballet, which is similar to training he’s had. It was always one of his top choices due to its reputation. However, he wasn’t terribly excited about the campus and location.
NYU seems to offer more in the way of artistic and choreographic opportunities, the alumni network is huge, academics are challenging and the location can’t be beat.
His mentors are recommending NYU because he wants to choreograph. They feel it will give him a better opportunity to grow artistically and make career connections. He’s excited about the opportunity to work with different companies during the summers as well as the possibility of studying abroad. He seems to think he can supplement the lack of modern by taking classes in the city. Financially, the cost for us is about equal due to a scholarship.
He’s on a waitlist, too. If he’s called that could make him rethink his choice.
I’ve told him there isn’t a wrong choice, just different experiences.
Good luck to your DD @TXmomTX - I’m looking forward to hearing where she ultimately ends up.
Anyone have a daughter who’s attending Oklahoma University’s ballet program? My daughter just made her decision this week, and we’re super excited. She’s looking for another freshman ballet major to room with, but she’s having a hard time locating anyone. Regardless of the rooming situation, it would be good to make a connection with incoming dance majors!
@Undercovermom1 Yes, I’ve heard good choreographic opportunities at NYU. My daughter does enjoy that but she’s more interested in repertory and guest artist residencies for performance experience, as well as great training in ballet and modern specifically. She’s been a bit spoiled being at a performing arts high school in which she’s had the amazing experience of taking consistent modern as well as being in works by some pretty incredible choreographers, many that also choreograph at the college and company level (Peter Chu, Lar Lubovitch, Aszure Barton, among many, many other strong choreographers). I think she’s concerned about having to wait until her 3rd year at NYU to participate in the dance company (when they bring in more of what she’s experienced). Both really great schools for different reasons. Such a tough choice… I do know of several of her classmates that are considering NYU and she also has a handful of friends there now.
@CTballet I have a Jr who is going to the Summer intensive at OU and has her heart set on that program for fall 2020. Where else did your DD audition and what were her choices like? What made her ultimately decide on OU? Hope you don’t mind just looking for insight into that program and the process there.
This year I had a senior who is a competition dancer and looking for more genres in the program so we went all over the place. But my Jr is my ballerina and I know that narrows down the selection for sure. Thanks for any insight!
Any thoughts on George Mason’s program?
@TXmomTX @Undercovermom1 My DD was also highly considering Purchase as well until she was accepted to Tisch! In her mind nothing compares to NYU…Undercovermom1 couldn’t have laid it out any better, ALL the same reasons my DD committed right away. They get the best of the best outside choreographers in to work with the dancers and the connections are invaluable. Some freshman this year she knows have choreographed several pieces and they love the faculty. My DD was not impressed with Purchase location for the next 4 years. Also waitlisted at USC but didn’t want to wait around, especially with Tisch an option!
@thedancermom it’s great that it was an easy decision for your DD. Purchase has such a well-regarded dance program. I consistently see Purchase listed in Dancer bios (and Tisch as well). That’s what’s making the decision all the more difficult in our house. It’s a good choice to have.
@Undercovermom1 @thedancermom I think both are excellent programs… my DD enjoys the city but also loves the outdoors and found the SUNY campus to be in a really beautiful location. The campus itself nor the collegiate side of Purchase may be as impressive seeming as NYU, but because her priority is to be a dancer in a modern/contemporary company she’s really interested in the BFA ballet/modern curriculum, Purchase Dance Company opportunities early on, and the possibility of studying abroad with another dance institution overseas as part of their exchange program. I believe there are great choreographic opportunities at both. Most of her mentors are pushing her towards Purchase, which is persuasive as many of them have already danced in companies and she desires a similar path. NYU is such a cool environment overall and kinda has it all but she also keeps hearing about Purchase’s reputation as one of the stronger dance programs and the workability of their dancers when they graduate. She attended Juilliard’s summer program and loved that style curriculum, Purchase’s ballet/modern focus and curriculum is very similar with the added option of being able to take additional academic courses that could transfer to later academic pursuits (Tisch obviously offering great academics as part of their environment). I just don’t think you can go wrong with either, just depends on what type of experience you are wanting. I don’t think what matters is necessarily the school you go to as long as you’re attending a strong program and one that suits your needs and goals… it’s really what you make of it while you’re there. As a friend once told me, there are low and mediocre outcomes for graduates from the programs people consider top-notch and there are extraordinary outcomes from smaller programs that don’t have the “name”… so a name doesn’t do the work for you. I think in the end they all end up at the right fit for them… Congrats @thedancermom for having made a decision! I envy that! LOL!!! Like someone said above, it’s not a bad situation to have options, although a difficult one.
@Undercovermom1I feel you! It’s so hard to still be weighing options for sure! Although it has given mine some time to really reflect on and realize what might be exactly what she needs and is meant for. Good luck to you and let us know where you end up!! I’m ready to have closure on this process haha… If she gets off the waitlist at Juilliard that will really throw a wrench into things.
My daughter accepted Purchase but I could tell she was unsure if it was the right choice. Yesterday, she decided that George Mason was a better fit for her. Smaller program but at a larger university. She felt like she might feel “stuck” at Purchase’s campus. Of course she’s been judged because Purchase has a bigger name. Proud of her for deciding what is best for her and where she will thrive as a dancer. We are in the same situation with NYU. Waitlist’s stink!
I wanted to stop by to say congratulations to everyone! I’m personally thankful that this whole process is winding down. Good luck to all of your dancers this upcoming year!
@TXmomTX Thank you! My DD has been researching and following Tisch and comparing it to other dance programs for a few years now so she knew going into auditions that everything Tisch has to offer was a perfect fit for what she wants to do and her first choice dream school for sure… it was nice she knew exactly what she wanted but this of course was stressful as we both knew it may not play out that way in the end, actually some days still in shock! Just still so extremely grateful that it did! Wishing everyone’s dancers the best of luck in their decisions and happiness at their new chosen programs!! So glad this process is over!!!
In a plot twist, DS committed to Purchase! After very careful consideration, he decided it was the best dance program for him. I think he’s a little wistful about not being in the city, but it’s only a train ride away.
For future forum readers I’ll list a few differences in the programs we learned (aside from location)
Purchase: 4 years, summers off
NYU: 3 years, 2 summers
Purchase: Semester Abroad Opportunities (competitive so about 18 dancers go abroad).
NYU: Study Abroad is 3 weeks over summer.
Purchase: more technique
NYU: more avantegarde, artistry
Purchase: in depth modern classes
NYU: modern taught as a hybrid of styles
Purchase: repertory throughout
NYU: some repertory 3rd year
Purchase: Some dorms have community style bathrooms and the rooms are just meh.
NYU: Each dorm has its own bathroom and some rooms have gorgeous views. Living right off of Washington Square is amazing
I hope this is helpful!
@Undercovermom1 Congrats to your son! I know the decision is hard. My DD ended up declining Purchase and chose George Mason instead. She feels judged for not picking the ranked program but she didn’t think it was the right place foe her. She loves everything about Mason. She’s giving NYU one month to see if she gets off of the waitlist. If she does she will reevaluate. I feel like many kids are deciding against NYU this year and I don’t feel like it’s all financial.
@dkmm1973 I’m sorry she’s feeling judged. It’s better to spend the next four years where she feels most comfortable - and not because of silly rankings.
We’ve heard that NYU is taking a larger class this year (50 maybe) and that they are revamping the program a bit, but I don’t know exactly how.
I agree. Rankings don’t mean everything. I just want her to pick a school that’ll make her happy and I think George Mason is perfect. I’m not sure my daughter is happy with the NYU changes this year. She did their summer program after her sophomore year. NYU was her dream. Actually surprised she was waitlisted. They aren’t having an MFA this year so they expanded the freshman class. Honestly, I just hope she chooses Mason, Congrats to your DS for choosing Purchase.
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@Undercovermom1 Thank you so much for your comparisons. My daughter accepted her spot at Purchase but is waiting on the NYU waitlist.