The quality of BFA dance programs seems to change from year to year - D17 is Florida in state and has a Modern / Commercial leanings.
I’ve noticed some of the Florida state university options on some of the “Top 10” lists, but I didn’t find any reference to Florida programs in the (informative) 23 pages of the 2017-18 application/audition discussion.
Please share any thoughts on the current status of the FSU, USF, (and seemingly lesser known) BFA programs. D17 is applying to programs for Fall 2020, and has a Modern / Commercial focus.
My thought is that DD would have a good experience in one go the in-state programs, - with the extra funds being used to fund summers dancing in NYC, Paris, etc.
FSU has the Semester in Paris program (shared with Pace, I think), and FSU participates in a Summer in NYC program.
I am not sure about USF other than I know some girls who auditioned there and liked it but did not choose it. They were more ballet only though. I know another one who was accepted with scholarship to SMU, modern at OU, and a couple other hard to get a slot type schools that chose to go to USF. These were all dancers from GA FYI. So there are definitely some good dancers there.
My competitive dancer auditioned at FSU as did one of her teammates. They have had the same background and styles that they dance. Her team mate loved everything about the style of dance there and mine absolutely did not. I will say that the school, instructors, program, and facilities are top notch and I really thought the option for 4+1 to a masters was a great option. And mine wanted to love it because of all the great opportunities and fantastic program. It just came down to stylistic differences and preferences among dancers. That is why, as we went around the country (literally), I really was interested to hear how the dancer in my daughter evaluated it all. And the more she had seen the more she knew what she wanted and was looking for also. I was really glad we had started looking and visiting dance departments her junior year so she could really hone in on what she was looking for. She still didn’t get everything she wanted (no program actually had it all of course) but she did get to prioritize by auditioning and visiting and talking with not just the current students but also those auditioning. There is a lot to be said to getting to know the type of student each program will attract in any given year. Good luck in this adventure!!