<p>My D is narrowing down her college list and is trying to decide whether submitting a dance supplement would benefit her application. She does not plan to major in dance but she will be very active in her college's dance community. Dance has been a real passion for her, the past 10+ years, but she isn't by any means dancing at an elite level. So, is there any benefit to submitting a dance supplement if she isn't dancing at the highest level? Should she simply ask her instructor to write one of the optional recs and not worry about submitting a full supplement? Schools where she is interested in applying include: Middlebury, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Wesleyan, Colorado College and Carleton. Her passion for dance will show up in other areas of her application, so I am wondering (in light of the particular colleges she will be applying to) if it is worth the effort to put together a supplement. Thanks!</p>
<p>No, I would not submit one. Usually, arts supplements are for those who wish to major or minor or have won numerous awards. Colleges don’t want to see anymore than they ask for. If you wanted her instructor to write a supplemental rec, Im sure that would be fine at schools that allow supplemental recs.</p>
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No. She is competing against applicants sending in supplements who are performing at an elite level. A substandard supplement could have a negative impact on the application.</p>
<p>Think of the varsity football QB who is not a recruited athlete. Nobody other than his parents and team wants to see his game tape. AO’s have more than enough paper to wade through without spending time viewing something that will clearly not enhance the application.</p>
<p>Thanks for you replies @guineagirl96 and @skieurope - reinforces my gut feeling on the issue. I just wanted to be sure the supplement was not worth pursuing in the context of the liberal arts schools specifically listed. I do think the recommendation from her dance instructor will be suffice. Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>I agree that having that as an additional recommendation is the most sensible thing to do if she doesn’t dance at an elite level and isn’t pursuing it in college. </p>
<p>Agreed as well, @happy1. She will, however, still pursue dance in college- she will continue dance classes and be an active part of the performing community- but she doesn’t intend to major in dance. So that’s why I agree it makes sense not to submit the supplement. Thanks for your input, everyone!</p>