My daughter is in an unusual category I think: she has studied classical ballet for 8 years and has been in a rigorous full IB program. Most students I think would focus on one or the other, and either really excel in dance or be an academic superstar. She is straddling both and has good grades and has made a lot of progress in ballet.
It’s really hard finding a college for her. Her counselor is recommending schools with dance based on my daughter’s gpa, like Butler, but I have no idea if she has any chance of getting into the dance program. If she can’t dance, I don’t think Butler would be a good fit.
It’s also hard because I don’t know anything about ballet. 8 years of experience doesn’t mean much on its own. My daughter is on pointe, she can do multiple pirouettes in a row on pointe, but not fouettés yet. She has been told she has beautiful lines and she is very good at slow, graceful movements (adagio?). She’s not the most flexible and doesn’t jump the highest. So for these top tier programs, I’m not sure she’s there yet.
Another factor is that my daughter has made incredible progress in the last couple months with a new instructor. She says her old studio made her feel like she just wasn’t ever going to be that good. She says the new instructor makes her feel like she needs to work on her skills and that she has potential. At this rate, she could build a lot skill, made enough for a place like Butler in a year or two.
Hi! I recommend you join this FB group for parents of aspiring dancers to ask this question. Specifically, ask for recommendations for strong ballet programs with no audition. No audition is the key, because it sounds like she might not pass a prescreen for a ballet BFA (and may not be interested in that?). The folks there know all about this and you will get good ballet recommendations and you can evaluate whether the schools are a good fit otherwise. https://www.facebook.com/groups/182038899743604
There is a dance forum here on CC. You will get more informed info there.
You might want to get a copy of Dance Magazine’s college guide.
Her situation is not uncommon at all, in dance, music, theater or art.
She will need to decide if she wants to major in dance (BFA or BA), major in an academic area with dance as a minor or extracurricular, double major or double degree. It is hard to suggest schools otherwise. (Some schools have vigorous extracurricular programs).
How much experience does she have in modern, jazz, contemporary? Does she want a straight ballet program?
She may be surprised: at Juilliard, a top program of course, students get rid of their pointe shoes pretty quickly, we were told. Make sure, if she wants ballet, that that is a focus.
Barnard, Goucher, Vassar come to mind for me. If she wants a conservatory, that is a different matter. With more info I could be of more help.
What are her career goals? I am a fan of doing what you love as an undergrad, but in this case, wondering if she is envisioning a career in dance.
Not a dance parent but found this list and double checked a few, and auditions don’t seem required.
So it might be a list to look through on the actual college websites.
Obviously, also do as the previous posts note given their experience. But not knowing the admission stats or desires, but schools like Oregon or Richmond have BAs or BSs (or like Oregon both) or BFAs which Oregon has too. Some schools seem to have minors too…and they may also have auditions for dance companies so one can perhaps study but not advance.
I just want to add that even if the dance program itself has no audition there will be auditions for any dance company/performance opportunities. My D22 grew up in a small rural area and although she had good dance training she was completely unprepared for the realities of auditions. She’s done well but there have been a lot of disappointments along the way that she had to persevere through. She attends a college with no dance major (although they are adding one next year) but an excellent dance program. She doesn’t concentrate on ballet though so her search would have been different than your daughter’s. There is a parent on here whose screen name is escaping me whose daughter sounds very similar to yours. She ended up at UCI. Her voyage getting there was very interesting trying to balance ballet and academics. Hopefully she will chime in.
Yes I noted that - because the schools made it clear - but they can still do the major it appears.
It’s really just a list for OP to peruse. If any schools are of interest, they can check but they should follow the instructions of others to join the other forums for sure.
My d22 is a double major in dance and chemistry at Barnard, and it has been a good fit. I’d recommend taking a look. That said, Barnard/Columbia does have a very low acceptance rate, so don’t consider it a likely choice for anyone.
One thing to consider is how your daughter reacts to working alongside people who are brilliant, talented, and have had opportunities yours has not even imagined. If that inspires her and gives her wings, Barnumbia is the place for her.