SDSU and UCI are probably my top school choices. I just recently applied to both and I am a high school senior. Just some background: I have been dancing for 3 years mostly in ballet, contemporary, and jazz at a studio. Technique is no where near fantastic, but I’m sure it could be considered respectable, or almost respectable. I would hope.
I am disappointed that SDSU does not have jazz, but I will still audition anyway as SDSU is very close to home so I wouldn’t mind going there. Does anyone know how hard these departments are to get into for the dance major? I know UC Irvine has an amazing program so it may be tough, but does anyone know how many they select for the major out of how many audition (for both schools)? And if you got accepted to either of these schools for dance, you should share some background information on your training as well!
I was also curious about the difference between the BFA and BA tracks. I originally wanted to go for BFA because it seemed more serious and as if you would get better technical training, however it may be too much with my schedule considering I want to minor in business administration. Also, is BFA harder to get into than the BA? Would love to hear more insight on some differences and similarities between the two! I’m pretty clueless to be honest, I just haven’t been given much information on it all so that’s why I’m here!
Dancing three years is not a lot of time. I would urge you to apply to several non-audition programs. I don’t know anything about the schools you are looking at but in general yes, BFA programs are much harder to get into than BA’s. Some only take 12-20 students per year. All BFA programs are audition based and you will be up against people who have been dancing since the age of 3 and at a very high level. Some BAs are audition and some are non-audition. My daughter is currently a senior Commercial Dance major at Pace University and even since she began, each incoming class is more and more talented. Be prepared for fierce competition.
That’s what I figured, however I don’t believe the universities I’m looking at are that prestigious with their performing arts programs like schools in New York would be. Especially SDSU. But thanks for the information on the BA/BFA differences. I’m trying to weigh out which would be more worth auditioning for, since yeah I know I don’t have a lot of dance experience. But dance is still my passion and I want to major in it regardless.
Sorry I’m much more familiar with schools in the NY area since my daughter only looked on the East Coast. Hofstra University on Long Island has a non-audition dance program and U Tampa as well. Also, Muhlenberg in PA is a great school and academically selective. They are known for their drama and dance and are also non-audition. I advise you to do lots of research to see if you can find in state CA schools with non-audition dance programs that you can also get into academically. Good luck!
SDSU may not be as prestigious in the arts, as NY, but, if you don’t have the stats and grades, you won’t get in to SDSU.
It is very competitive and impacted. Why would you assume that SDSU would be an easy school to gain entry?
NY schools will be expensive and even more competitive.
Oh I never meant to imply that SDSU was easy to get in, just “easier.” I mean if we’re comparing SDSU to Julliard, it is obviously easier. I know it sounds crazy to consider it a “safety,” but I only applied to UCI and SDSU and I’m pretty sure SDSU is a safety in comparison to UCI lol.
Well, I’m not opposed to community college. If that happens to be the outcome, then so be it. I really want to avoid moving out at this young of an age, as I know the dorm life would not be for me and rent in California is outrageous so it would be tough to get an apartment. Over the past few weeks, I’m actually leaning further away from UCI for the time being because of this. So basically, I’m relying mostly on SDSU right now. (UCSD doesn’t work for me because they aren’t offering business like I want to minor in)