Agree! And I truly believe dance helped my kiddo get in. She only applied to 3 and dance was pretty much her only EC since 7th grade. The two she did not get into don’t have dance programs at Deerfield’s caliber. I mean everything else has to be there too, but one lowish score should not matter. There is also a place to submit additional information with your application. If you did great on the SAT in 7th grade then submit that score too. Or take it again this fall and submit that.
1 Like
A really lesser known school that allegedly has a ballet program is the Ross School in Easthampton NY. Performing Arts — Ross School
(Ross School is rarely mentioned here, and they seem to want to be hidden. But they seem to plenty of $, and are in the Hamptons.)
1 Like
@ameridad Thanks, that eases my mind a bit! When you see everyone posting 90-99% scores and many getting rejected, it’s hard to see the big picture. My SSAT won’t be terrible, but verbal may only be 80%. Totally due to vocabulary, which I obviously need to improve!
@AnonMomof2 Anyone who says they do much more than dance isn’t really dancing. It’s a huge time commitment! I have some other ECs, but not a huge list. I look at what others here are doing and it’s unreal.
@stalecookies I will check out that school now, thanks!
So true! To be a great dancer, there is no extra time for anything else. So glad we didn’t find this site until after she applied. As it is, reading everyone’s stats made for a very nervous wait for M10!
1 Like
Remember: There is more to everyone’s application than their score. You have to be someone that the AO can imagine in their school’s community - whether it be just a great “fit” or some attribute that is a “feather in their cap”. You come across here as very likable - if you interview as well as you present yourself here, there should be some schools that love you.
2 Likes
@dancingboy26
My DD2 (non-dancer) had an 80 overall and her verbal was in the low 70’s if I recall correctly (this was 2 cycles ago). (Maybe even high 60’s?) And yes she is a great involved student, advanced academics/grades, and an outgoing interviewer but honestly zero hooks or any major things that made her stand out or fill an institutional need. She got into Deerfield, Andover, HK etc.
If your lowest score is in the 80’s then I promise you, if you don’t get into a school, it won’t be because of your SSAT score. Of course this doesn’t mean you will get in — there are too many students who are completely competent and wonderful — but it does mean you’ve cleared the threshold to be considered seriously.
2 Likes
Dance is considered a sport at SAS, so it was basically the afternoon. My kid doesn’t give me too many details, so I can’t give you a specific number. I don’t consider height a positive or a negative, more just a factor that Mr. Gold is able to teach to. You seem very passionate about dance and Mr. Gold is very kind, as well as being an accomplished dancer. If you are considering applying to the SAS Dance program, I would recommend emailing him and asking if you can chat with him. I’m sure he would be happy to do so.
1 Like
…since I cannot answer any of your questions properly (sorry!)
In my research, I have come across Kent. Does anyone here have any knowledge of that dance program? My feeling is the academics may still be strong, but less time-intensive on the homework side (?). I need a balance between school, dance, and life. Two hours max of homework on a normal day would be ideal, if I’m honest.
This is an interesting topic and it’s a slow Saturday, so I went over to the Kent School website and looked up the dance department. Though it looks like a super beautiful school, the dance faculty does not appear to be all that impressive. Three folks, with the top one specializing more in Broadway-type stuff than ballet.
Why not Interlochen? I myself spent several summers there, as did one of my children (orchestral music). Probably the dance is good there and the academics are probably OK.
And 2 of them are English teachers, so dance is their side gig.
1 Like
Interlochen is not one to give full financial aid, they generally max at 85% need (I know many who have been there or couldn’t go bc of aid).
Some of the dance videos from Kent were actually not the worst technique I’ve seen and I’ve looked through websites of other schools noted to be good for dance. Maybe the students already had decent training before attending Kent? Lots of girls take ballet growing up, so it’s like the chicken or the egg-what came first. Not SPS quality, of course, but maybe quality training is accessible there.
And I guess I’m looking for better academics than Interlochen, but less intense than the big name schools. I’m thinking for great ballet training this mix does not exist. Mercersburg looks like a good school, but I haven’t been excited about the level of ballet that is available.
Though I’m no expert, I think you really should look hard at Saint Paul’s School, because it’s likely the main conventional (as opposed to Arts-centered) boarding school that has experience with other serious dancers, along with the financial resources to provide a lot of financial aid.
1 Like
Kirov Academy in DC looks solid.
The dance program at Kirov has a good reputation, I will look into the academic side. I was unaware they had a “real” school. Most conservatories have online school. Thanks!
,
What about Walnut Hill? Can’t remember if that was already mentioned.
Kirov does have an academic program (or at least it used to when we considered it a few years ago for my dancer), but it’s not known for being very rigorous. However the bigger issue is they have had a number of pretty big financial problems so I would look closely. (And I’m pretty sure they won’t have the resources for FA needs expressed by OP.)
Same for Walnut Hill, not enough FA available. Now that it is with Boston Ballet, it is super competitive, even for boys. I’m not as advanced as the guys that get into that program.
I am fine staying home another year and dancing at my home program. At least I know I will get good training.
3 Likes