Hi All-I see that acceptances are coming in for the program’s Class of 2024 and folks have questions and are making decisions. I have a DD who is a sophomore in the Dance Conservatory and I know there are other Purchase parents on this discussion group with dancers in the Class of 2023 who would be happy to answer your questions, specific to the school. Ask away!
My DD was accepted to SUNY dance. After her audition, she came away not liking the campus very much and therefore is feeling like this program is a “no” for her. Particularly the remoteness and small size of the school; and the dance building seems very run down. Does your daughter like the campus life and dance program?
@Mygirlscandance I totally get it. To be honest, when we first visited, we did not care much for the campus. It can feel remote because it is in the suburbs, and you have to take a bus or an Uber to get to White Plains to shop. I would disagree that the dance buildings are run down, but it may feel that way because the architecture is very 1970s, but the dance facilities-studios, performance spaces- are state of the art. The YAGP finals were held there last year and will be back this year. As far as campus life, my daughter hangs mostly with her dance conservatory buds, and participates in some of the on-campus activities, but she mostly comes home (we live in NYC) to hang out with her friends, see shows, take classes, etc. I am not sure that campus life is what draws people to Purchase. My daughter chose Purchase for the dance program exclusively, and its proximity to New York. She absolutely made the right choice for herself. She loves it there.
If your DD is not feeling Purchase and wants to have a more vibrant campus life, I would certainly take that into consideration as you decide on schools, because you want the best fit for her. I think it’s important as a prospective student to visualize yourself on the campus and ask yourself if you see yourself there, with the other students, socially as well as academically. I would encourage her to talk with Purchase dance students about campus life, see a performance, and possibly visit during the accepted student days if you can. I wish you both all the best in your decision-making. 
Purchase is one of my daughters top choices . Getting worried that we did not hear yet . She auditioned on 2/14 and I heard some people have received acceptances already . Should we assume that no news will be bad news ?
@nanatomz I wouldn’t assume anything at this point. Hang in there-I know the waiting is hard. I know there is a final set of auditions on 3/7.
So does Purchase notify via portal or mail? I want to prepare her for the worst , just have a sinking feeling
@nanatomz we got a portal notification and it was in the mail the next day.
My daughter is a freshman in the BFA Dance program at Purchase and I agree with what @shanniebannie has said. After visiting campus my daughter initially was not interested, but when we went back for the audition she changed her mind. She loved the audition and the faculty! We are 1100 miles away, so she stays on campus for weekends. While it is a bit remote, she has found things to do. They go into White Plains, go into NYC, etc. She has felt that the training she’s getting has outweighed any of the negatives, and is so happy with her decision!
my dd auditioned the week before yours 2/7 and found out on 2/28. It’s not over, until it’s over. Keep hope alive.
My DS is a freshman at Purchase. He is so busy during the week that he says he’s often very happy to just hang out on campus with his friends from the conservatory. They often go into White Plains or Rye for a meal or to thrift shops. They also go hiking very close to campus - the photos he sent us during the Fall were gorgeous! For Halloween they visited Sleepy Hallow which was just a short drive from campus. On our recent visit we also visited Tarytown which was adorable.
The Stood is an on campus student run venue and there are events almost every weekend - concerts, dj dance parties, I think they even had roller skating recently. He takes the train into NYC about once a month to hang out with friends that attend school there.
He is quite happy with the facilities- particularly loves the skylights in the dance rooms. A notable benefit is the dance Physical Therapist - who he has seen pretty regularly.
Continuing-
He was initially not excited about the campus when he first saw it, and in the end was deciding between attending Purchase or NYU. He made his final decision based on the dance program. Location was only a secondary consideration and with easy enough access to the city, SUNY Purchase was was the right decision for him.
He has really thrived there and has found plenty to do in his very limited free time.
Thank you all for your replies about SUNY. I will share your insights with my DD. She is waiting to hear from NYU to make her final decision. We are from Utah, so both schools are far away and I think she wants to make sure she doesn’t feel too isolated where she will be so far from home. She also got into U of U dance- so there is a close option too!