<p>I'm taking modern dance this year and realizing that it's something I may want to pursue in college (probably as a minor). I take it really seriously and was wondering how I could convey that on the common app, as I don't have any performance experience in high school.</p>
<p>In middle school, I was in several non-recital ballets. I also have 9 years of formal ballet training. As this was prior to high school, should I include it in a resume, or would it be irrelevant? (This year I'm only going to be in modern dance recitals, but I'm doing some choreography. I also do circus arts- hooping, contortion, etc. Could this hobby provide an interesting edge?)</p>
<p>In addition, I'm in visual arts. I've placed in several art shows, etc. I'm finding that I hate academic art and have no intention of pursuing it in college. When I apply to some colleges (ex. those that don't even have a Fine Arts minor), I plan on stressing my dance background rather than art background. Would this look bad, as my high school visual art resume is much stronger than that for dance? Could I emphasize both, or would that be too scattered?</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, but I really need some help...</p>
<p>If you’re minoring in dance, your lack of formal modern dance experience shouldn’t be a problem. Most kids outside of BFA programs don’t have a lot of modern dance; it’s generally not taught at standard studios. You can certainly mention your prior dance training as an extracurricular.</p>
<p>For schools without a Fine Arts major, your art background is just fine. You don’t need to downplay it. Colleges just want to see that you did something and stuck with it during your high school years; it doesn’t have to be one that you want to continue. For example, my daughter is a dancer. She’s now at a school that doesn’t even have a dance minor, but the school was impressed with her commitment to her EC over the years.</p>
<p>Seriously, girls taking dance of some form is like girls being in the girl scouts - no harm mentioning it, but it won’t matter. Your visual arts background is something to definitely mention. Keep in mind that schools want interesting students even if that’s not a ‘sweet spot’ for them. Winning or placing in shows demonstrate talent and effort - all traits that schools want. If a college has an arts supplement, you would be wise to fill it out even if you have no interest in majoring or minoring in it. Colleges know that kids change their majors all the time - that and the art department might ‘tag’ your file as a candidate of some interest. This could just be the edge you need to get accepted to a reach school. Hope that helps.</p>