<p>David, is she planning to concentrate in ballet? Butler's dance program is probably the most selective on your list. I know a very good dancer, with strong SI experience, who was not accepted there for ballet last year. This surprised me, because she is a stronger dancer than another student I know who was accepted in 2005. This could mean that the national trend of increasing selectivity at many institutions is reflected in audition-based dance programs. The program at Butler is ballet-centric. The degrees offered are a BFA in performance and a BA in dance pedagogy.</p>
<p>Mercyhurst has a lovely dance program - one of my d's friends is there as a freshman now, and another has been accepted for next year. An audition is necessary for the dance major; the degree is a BA, not a BFA. The concentrations are in performance, pedagogy, or choreography. I saw some nice youtube videos demonstrating the strength of the ballet productions - there are some fine dancers there. One point about Butler and Mercyhurst - are there programs at each that your d would want to pursue if she changes her mind about a dance major, as many kids do? The dance programs are among the best offerings at these schools.</p>
<p>You mention SUNY Brockport - is SUNY Buffalo out (too big, maybe?). Another of my d's friends is at Buffalo now as a double major. She didn't care for the dance program at Brockport, and finds the one in Buffalo more challenging.</p>