<p>Hello,
I'm new to the college search. My son wants to major in dance. I'm thinking that adding auditions creates some additional stress to the process! How does one begin? Do most people audition in the fall or spring? He is currently a junior. He's got some good skills and has been dancing for years, but he's not one those crazy good male dancers. He has very little flexibility. He'd like to try for some top schools, but realistically we need to look at mid-level programs. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>My DD is a sophomore dance major at Slippery Rock University. At first I wasn’t sure how good of program it was but really is up and coming. The professors are terrific and really want the kids to suceed. Many of the professors are guest teachers and the American Dance Festival in NC every year. It is also very affordable, less than our in-state schools. And the dorms are fantastic - last year she lived in the LLC and there was a dance studio in her dorm. Also they have built in refrigerator and microwave and shower in each room so no sharing other than with the roommate. </p>
<p>And I may be stereotyping but it seems guys have more success in dance programs as they are so needed and there are not as many as females. So that may or not be true for your son. The audition process does make the whole thing a bit more stressful because the person needs to be accepted into the dance program and into the university too. So, you have to wait for both acceptances and I know many dancers who get in academically but then not into the elite dance programs and vice versa, get into the dance program but not the university. This happened to many of the girls my DD danced with. They did not get into Point Park of Oklahoma City for the dance programs. Another got into Alvin Ailey but did not have the grades for Fordham. Make sure your son works on ballet, which may not be his favorite dance style but all the programs I know of have everyone audition in ballet. I have heard that there is more success having the auditions in the fall but that may just be a rumor. I have a friend who I feel had a dgt who is an average dancer but waited d/t an injury to audition at Point Park until June - she got in because they still had slots they needed to fill. </p>
<p>Look carefully at the dance departments websites for what is needed for the audition. Every one was very different. Some required and essay, others headshots, other letters of recommendation and another wanted a dance resume. Just make sure to follow the guidelines. Feel free to PM me if you have any other specific questions.</p>
<p>Hi. Good luck on your search. I would look at Shenandoah University. They are very generous with scholarships for boys. Great program. My dd is a sophomore there. She loves it. Small school and everyone there is pretty much there for the conservatory. Start now and plan your audition schedule. Sign up for his favorite ones first. They fill up fast. Get good head shots and look on individual school sites for other dance photos they want. It is a long, stressful process but the kids end up where they belong.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies. I will check those out. It is all a little overwhelming.</p>
<p>There many liberal arts colleges with wonderful dance programs that don’t require auditions. They are challenging to get into academically and pricy, but may be worth a look. Men do really well at these schools as they are rare and in high demand.</p>
<p>While visiting Shenandoah you may also want to look at George Mason, Goucher, Towson, UMD- Baltimore County, JMU, and UMD - College Park</p>
<p>The process for some of the colleges my daughter applied to is two fold - one application required for the college and another application required for the dance school. That was the certainly the case for Fordham/Ailey BFA and Dominican/LINES BFA, two of her top choices because of their affiliation with a professional dance company. </p>
<p>Not only was a college application required, but a separate application including dance letters of recommendations (not academic), photos, essays and a resum</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond. We will look into these suggestions!</p>