college admission essay about dance

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How to Incorporate Your Dance Experience in Your College Essays

Of the many moving parts of a college application, the essay might be the most daunting. But consider yourself luckier than other applicants, because your dance experiences can only help you craft a winning essay—whether or not you’re planning to pursue a dance major.

If You’re Going to Major

If you’re gunning for a highly focused dance program, you might think that the audition is the most important component of your application. But don’t neglect to express your dance goals clearly in a general admissions or scholarship essay, says Megan Slayter, chair and associate professor of dance at Western Michigan University. “Just like any department across any university, we’re looking for good grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure,” she says. “Beyond strong written communication skills, we’re looking for your sense of identity as a dancer—that you know who you are and who you want to be as an artist, and why you think we can help you achieve that.”

Cite specific aspects of the college’s dance department that excite you—unique artistic or research resources, or a particular emphasis in the dance major that intrigues. But don’t just tell a university what you think they want to hear. “Over-the-top language that compliments our school doesn’t tell me about you,” Slayter says. “I question the authenticity of a student who tells me, ‘This is the best dance department ever and I can’t imagine being anyplace else!'”

If You’re Not Going to Major

Even if you don’t plan to major in dance, your years of dedication in the studio can show an admissions department why you’d be a great addition to their student body. “Your experience in dance has shaped who you are,” Slayter says. “Dance is a unique voice you can share with an admissions officer to talk about overcoming adversity, working hard to achieve your goals, and sharing a part of yourself with others.”

If you choose to focus on dance in your admissions essay, consider who’s reading your words—usually, non-dancers in the admissions department—and take care to translate your dance life to the language of college life. “Dance builds leadership skills, communication, collaboration, and creativity,” Slayter says. “For example, think about any time you’ve had a large, traveling spatial pattern onstage and have had to figure out who’s crossing up- and downstage. That’s problem-solving!” Brainstorm the skills you’ve built onstage and in rehearsals, and use your essay to prove how those experiences have prepared you for a successful college career—in or out of the studio.

A version of this story appeared in the November 2017 issue of Dance Spirit with the title “Essay All Day.”

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Translating Your Ballet Experience Into a Meaningful College Admissions Essay

If you’re hoping to major or minor in dance, crafting a stellar college application essay is an important part of that journey. But how can you write about your passion for ballet in a way that is meaningful to college admissions professionals—many of whom may not be dancers or artists themselves? First, recognize that “you are different in a good way,” says Brock Snyder, associate dean of high school academic programs at University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “As a trained dancer, you have a piece of the puzzle that a lot of high-schoolers don’t have. Applying to colleges is not the time to be modest.”

Here are some other tips to help you set your essay apart.  

1. Know Why the Essay Matters

Have you been honing your technique and artistry to prepare for dance department auditions? At some schools, you must be admitted to the college or university as a whole before you can audition to join the dance program or be considered for dance scholarships. That means that the essay, as part of your primary application package, carries a lot of weight.

How much weight, exactly? “It used to be that GPA mattered most, then test scores, and the essay would rank third or even fourth, after teacher recommendations,” says Snyder, who has been counseling prospective college students for 17 years, and high school dance students for 14 years. “Now, I’d say the essay is number two. That’s why it’s so important to put a lot of thought and care into it.”

“There are two main things we look for in an essay,” says Odessa Armstrong, an admissions counselor at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. “One: Can you write? The writing sample shows us if you’re ready to write at the college level. Two: Who are you, as a person? The other parts of your college application don’t tell us much about you. In the essay, you share in your own words who you are, and that helps us see if you’ll be a good fit in our community.”

2. Find the Right Story

In a college application essay, you’re aiming to tell a complete story in a relatively short word count. That said, “You have to dig deeper than ‘I started dancing when I was 6 and I remember my first pair of pointe shoes,’ ” says Snyder.

“A story has to have tension in it,” explains Perri Meeks, dean of the upper school at Brooklyn’s Poly Prep, which offers dance as part of its curriculum. Meeks previously worked in undergraduate admissions at Barnard College in New York City, as well as in graduate admissions at Columbia University’s Teachers College. “An essay that lists your resumé will never read as strongly as a more emotional or reflective piece. Why is ballet important to you? What are the values you’ve gotten from your practice of ballet? Have you developed certain skills, like discipline and focus? What friendships have you made? Was there a time you failed?”

Your essay could focus on something practical, like time management. You could talk about overcoming the odds to follow your dreams. You could discuss finding your way back to the stage after an injury or burnout. Or you could share what you learned from tackling a challenging role or entering a competition.

Whatever topic you choose, strive to include specific, rich details that are unique to your perspective and experience. “I love when writers can paint a picture,” Armstrong says. “Put me in that place, whether it’s the dance studio, a performance, or another setting. Use figurative language. Incorporate all of the senses. When I read an essay that is well-written and tells a story that captivates me, I’m excited.”

Put in the Work

At UNCSA, college essay prep starts the summer after junior year. “We encourage students to go on the common application and review the essay prompts, and then to go ahead and start outlining and drafting,” says Yasmine Bell, a guidance counselor for UNCSA’s high school academics program. Meeks recommends high school juniors and rising seniors jot down notes about what they did and how they felt. “Looking back a few months later, you can find common themes that might have a place in your essay,” she says. 

When you have a complete draft, it’s time to get feedback. Show it to your dance teacher, your English teacher, your guidance counselor, your parents—anyone you trust to be honest with you about what’s working and what’s not. Ask for comments on your themes and the story you’re telling, as well as on the grammar and general flow of the essay. Then, be prepared to revise…and revise again. (And again.) “It’s okay if the finished product is different than what you conceived at the beginning,” Meeks says. “Give yourself time to explore your ideas and to find the best way to express them.”

The goal is to send out something that only you could write. The essay should be about your dance journey, and it should feel like it’s written in your authentic voice. “Your passion, your discipline, your commitment to your art—that will all be transferable to whatever you choose to do in the future,” Snyder says. The college essay is only the beginning.

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Extracurriculars.

How Competitive Dance Can Give Your College Applications an Edge

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The value of strong extracurriculars on your college application cannot be understated. With selective colleges now receiving applications from far many more academically qualified applicants than they can accept, it is often extracurricular involvement that will set some students ahead of the rest. Presenting a profile of extracurriculars that speaks to your passions, drive, and initiative can be a critical piece of any application.

Some students think that extracurriculars must consist of school-recognized clubs or teams, and that independent interests or hobbies cannot count as an extracurricular activity, but this is not true. In reality, anything that you spend time pursuing on a regular basis outside of your required academic coursework can count as an extracurricular.

For many students, this means sports teams, art, and student government. For others it might mean debate club or math olympiad. And for thousands of students across the country, it means dance.

While some might think of dance as a sport and others might think of it as an art, how you perceive and present your participation in it will depend largely on your personal approach to it during your high school years. Some students will pursue competitions actively, while others will find other meaningful ways of participating. Regardless, one thing is certain. If you have spent significant time and energy pursuing dance during high school, your commitment and success should be highlighted on your college application.

To learn more about the many outlets for pursuing dance in high school, and the various ways in which you make sure that your avid pursuit of it shines through on your college application, keep reading.

How Might I Participate in Dance As a High School Student?

Although some people might think of dance as a hobby sometimes outgrown by the teen years, dance can in fact be a serious and rigorous pursuit. Some dancers even go on to make a career out of their dancing.

There are many different ways that you can participate in dance as a high school student. If you are taking lessons outside of school, you might join your dance studio’s competition team or at least participate in performances and recitals. If you are not participating in dance outside of school, you might join your school’s dance team, cheerleading squad, or drill team.

While there are obviously some significant differences between cheerleading or drill team and traditional dance, there are many more similarities. Many critical skills, such as rhythm, flexibility, strength, and even some of the steps and specific moves translate well between all three pursuits. If you are looking to put your dance skills to use but cannot find a dance team, consider a cheerleading team or drill team instead.

Finally, you might choose to pursue dance more casually. Perhaps you take night classes at the local community center, or you’re teaching yourself to dance salsa. These might not place you directly in the world of competitive dance, but they could still qualify you as a dancer and count as an important extracurricular activity on your college application. Later, we’ll discuss how you might pursue some of these less structured pursuits.

What Kinds of Dance Qualify As An Extracurricular?

If you’re a dancer, you already know that the varieties of dance styles and the ways in which dancers apply their craft are virtually endless. The same can be said for which varieties of dance qualify as an extracurricular.

You might be a classical ballerina, or you might prefer jazz, tap, or lyrical dance. Maybe you only dabbled casually in dance before joining the cheerleading or drill team. Or perhaps you are more involved in the performing arts, and you apply your singing, acting, and dancing skills on stage in theatrical productions.

The type of dance you pursue does not determine whether or not it qualifies as an extracurricular activity. Instead, the extent to which you pursue it, the amount of time you spend on it, the regularity with which you participate, and your passion for it are the real factors that will determine its importance on a college application.

For more about what types of specific activities should be included on a college application, see our post What Counts as an Extracurricular? . -->

How to Reinforce Dance As a Serious Endeavor on Your College Applications

Competitions.

Dance competitions exist at just about every scale imaginable. There are small, local competitions, sometimes held within a single studio, and there are huge international competitions held as large, annual events, taking over entire hotels and conference centers. If you’re interested in competitive dance, there is something to suit every level of involvement.

One thing that differentiates dance from other competitive events is that dance competitions are organized and conducted by independent competition production companies. This means that private companies are always the ones running the competitions and responsible for making the rules for each competition.

Because there is no national oversight or governing body, every competition will be slightly different. You need to be certain that you know the specific rules at each competition, so that you don’t unknowingly break one or enter your routine in the wrong category. There are usually rules governing time limits along with rules specific to dance styles (for example, no acrobatics allowed in ballet routines).

While there is no national governing body, there are smaller governing bodies that oversee dance competitions at certain levels. This is particularly true of high school dance competitions. In fact, the National Dance Team Championship is endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations, which is the same national service and administrative organization responsible for high school athletics and fine arts programs in speech, debate, theater, and music. In addition, many states have state-wide high school dance competitions.

At a dance competition, dance routines can be solos, small groups, or teams, but you will usually compete on behalf of a team, with your individual scores counting towards your team’s score. Each routine will be judged by a panel of judges, usually current and former dance professionals themselves.

If you participate in dance competitions consistently enough, you’ll find that there is a community of friends that forms in the dance competition circuit. Especially if you are traveling to out-of-state competitions, you will likely make friends with other competitors staying at the same hotels as your team, since there is often time to socialize between routines and before and after the daily competition schedule.

In addition, larger competitions usually include some fun, bonus activities. Some are social in nature, and others are rooted in dance. These usually include workshops, master classes, and banquets.

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If you are interested in pursuing dance competitively, here are a few top tier competitions to consider:

National Dance Team Championship

NDTC is the only national-level dance team championship that is endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations. It usually takes place at Disney World, and certain routines are aired live on ESPN. It is administered by Universal Dance Administration (UDA), which also runs dance camps along with multiple other dance competitions. 

NexStar National Talent Competition

The NexStar National Talent Competition is run by the Star Dance Alliance and features several national events throughout the country each year. It is also a feeder to the World Dance Championship and World Dance Pageant, both of which are open by invitation only.

Youth America Grand Prix

For more classical dancers, the Youth America Gran Prix calls itself “ the world’s largest global network of dance.” It holds workshops, scholarship auditions, master classes, and audition classes throughout the U.S. and abroad, and culminates in a the week-long New York Finals, where the world’s most promising dancers receive in-depth mentoring and increased scholarship, professional, and performance opportunities.

If dance competitions aren’t entirely your thing, there are other ways to exhibit your passion for and dedication to dance. Here are a few ways to get involved:

Teaching Dance

Teaching dance allows you to give back to your community, share your passion with others, and demonstrate important leadership skills.

You can volunteer to teach dance informally as a teaching assistant at your dance studio, or you could organize a more formal class through your local library, community center, or elementary school. You might teach a weekly class that meets over the course of a few months, or you might teach a single workshop once a month. Either way, you are participating in dance in a meaningful way and serving others at the same time, so it’s a win-win.

Start a Dance Club At Your School

Another way to pursue your passion for dance outside of competitions is by starting a non-competitive dance club at your school. You might focus on a particular style of dance and choreography, or you might study broader varieties. You could even start a cultural club geared towards a specific style of dance. 

Starting a club shows a real ability to take initiative, and it’s not as difficult as you might think. You can read more about the general process for starting your own club in our post, How to Start a Club in High School .

Organize a Talent Show

Talent shows are a great way to showcase talent in a safe, non-competitive environment. While some talent shows do have an element of competition, it’s not a necessity, and generally people participate because they want to perform, not because they want to win.

Organizing a talent show gives you the perfect opportunity to perform in front of others without the pressure of being judged and having your score impact the performance of your team. It also provides other students at your school with the same opportunity. Sometimes, students are too shy to share their talents that aren’t readily apparent in a traditional high school environment. Talent shows are a great way to coax hidden talents out from under the surface, and they are usually a fun experience for all involved.

To take your talent show a step further, you might even turn it into a fundraiser by selling tickets and donating the money to an important cause.   A local nonprofit supporting visual or performing arts would be a fitting and grateful recipient of any money raised.

Create an Online Portfolio

One final way to showcase your passion and success in dance is to create an online portfolio. You can use a blog platform with free templates to design it . Then, upload video clips of your performances and other relevant material, such as costume design or teaching experience. You can even upload an artist’s statement to highlight how dance has impacted your life and who you are today.

Then, when you list dance as an extracurricular activity on your college application, you can link to your online portfolio. Of course there is no guarantee that any of the admissions committee members will click through to view your work, but if it influences even one person’s opinion, it will have been worth it.

The world of dance can be confusing to navigate from a college admissions standpoint. It is not as closely tied with your high school activities as many other extracurriculars are, and if you choose to pursue it outside of dance competitions, you might feel as though you have little to show for the time and energy you’ve expended. By participating in competitions, teaching dance to others, or finding other ways to highlight your hard work, you’ll prove that your pursuit of dance is as serious and ambitious as any other extracurricular activity.

Looking for help navigating the road to college as a high school student? Download our  free guide for 9th graders  and our  free guide for 10th graders . Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from  academics ,  choosing courses ,  standardized tests ,  extracurricular activities ,  and much more !

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For more information about extracurricular activities in high school, check out these posts:

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• Extracurriculars for the Prospective BS/MD Student
• Extracurricular Ideas for the Aspiring Journalist
• How To Become President of Your High School Club    
• Demonstrating Leadership as a High School Sports Captain
• How to Start a Club in High School
• Community Service Projects for Music Majors
• A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business In High School

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College Essay: Freedom Through Dance

 I watched my dancers walk out from the wings, wearing the white costumes we carefully picked out, and onto the brightly lit stage, presenting themselves to the audience that was concealed by shadows. The dance that I have choreographed no longer belongs to me. My hands are shaky, my breathing is rapid, but I am not anxious or scared. Instead, I am excited because my long history in dance has given me the courage to be vulnerable and share parts of myself with the world.

  The beginning of my sophomore year was incredibly lonely. By some cruel twist of fate, I ended up without any of my friends in my classes. I ate lunch alone for almost two months. Each day, I hoped no one would look at me and see the shame written all over my face. The feeling of isolation was so consuming that I could not bring myself to tell anyone, which made me feel even more alone. Near the end of the year, my school dance teacher approached me about choreographing a piece of my own and teaching it to a group of dancers. This opportunity to choreograph granted me the chance to divulge my emotions, and share the stories that were vulnerable and personal to me through movement instead of words.

Ever since I began dancing at my local rec center at the age of 2, dance has empowered me to express myself. When I decided to take dance more seriously, I switched to a studio where I began to train in many styles, like ballet, tap, modern and jazz. Dance quickly became one of the most important things in my life. My studio was my second home and the friends I had made became my second family. The performing aspect of my studio was my favorite. This feature allowed me to share what I had learned and show off what I could do. These performances made me more confident in sharing myself with the world, and gave me a lesson in discipline and responsibility, lessons that would help me now with my choreography project.  

My creative process began with interweaving all the lessons I had learned in dance with the emotions and feelings I had experienced throughout that year. I had to find movements, lighting and formations that could convey a story of isolation and loneliness. There were auditions to run and choreography to teach, as well as taking charge of a large group of dancers by myself. Emotional work also needed to be done. I had to be honest with myself about what I had gone through and build up the strength to be vulnerable, not just with my audience but with myself, which was the hardest thing of all. What made it easier was the connection I had built with dance, knowing that I don’t always have to express what I’m feeling through words.

Before I knew it, I was standing in the wings, clenching and unclenching my fists, praying that the dance would go well. Throughout the performance I felt myself getting lost in the piece; the only thing that woke me was the sound of the audience’s applause. I knew I had succeeded in conveying my story. The process of confronting my emotions and translating them into choreography had paid off. My eyes were opened to the realization that I was so lucky to have found such courage and freedom of expression through dance. Even in my hardest moments, I will always have dance to turn to as a creative outlet, a way to express my emotions and an instrument to tell my story.

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Take modern forms of communication, social media, twitter precisely, choreograph a few communicative moves, add captivating video, and you have a breathtaking dance performance, as a result. During this spring semester of 2014, I happened to attend a dance performance that warranted the description of outstanding. Directed and choreographed by David Roussève, "Stardust" is a trendsetter in the world of dance. Performed in the amazing auditorium at the University of Maryland, the movements, and the accentuations of video and lighting effect were breathtakingly presented, making the 85 minutes the dance lasted worth the sacrifice.

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How to Ace Your College Admissions Interview

You’ve polished your resumé, written your essay and nailed the technique class. Now only an admissions interview stands between you and your dream school. Although you might think it’s just a formality, that conversation can sometimes make or break your admissions decision, says Seán Curran, chair of the dance department at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. “Don’t dismiss the interview,” he says. “It’s just as important, if not more important sometimes, than the other aspects of the audition.”

Know These Common Interview Questions

“Why are you applying to our program?”

This question reveals whether or not you did your research. Avoid generic answers, like “It’s a good school” or “Because it has a strong dance program.” Do a deep dive on the university’s website, or even set up a conversation with a current student so you can talk about specific things that drew you to the program. Mention a particular ensemble you’re excited to join or a class in the curriculum that piques your interest. This shows that you’ve been thoughtful in your decision to apply.

“Tell me about yourself.”

The broadness of this question can catch some dancers off guard, but don’t overthink it. Most of the time directors have already seen your resumé, so don’t simply list your past accomplishments. Instead, talk about your interests both in and out of the studio that have shaped you as a person. Colleges are looking for students who have both intellectual and artistic pursuits.

“What do you hope to accomplish?”

You don’t need to have your whole life figured out at age 18. But you should be able to articulate some of your professional aspirations and areas of the dance world you’d like to explore, says Rubén Graciani, director of the School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University. This helps the faculty discern whether or not it’s the best program to help you meet your goals.

Don’t Make These Mistakes

Mistake: Not having any questions

Asking the interviewer questions indicates that you’re genuinely interested in the program. Come with a few queries tailored to the school, but don’t be afraid to ask questions that arise naturally during the discussion.

Mistake: Giving robotic answers

Some dancers overprepare for interviews by memorizing their responses beforehand. While this might seem like a foolproof tool for success, it can actually make you seem inauthentic, cautions Rubén Graciani, director of the School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University. Remember that interviews are an opportunity for directors to get to know you, so focus on being real rather than rehearsed.

Mistake: Only talking about dance

Directors aren’t just looking for stellar dancers, they’re seeking well-rounded students who are interested in the artistic and academic aspects of the program. Don’t be afraid to talk about your life outside of dance, Curran says. Mentioning a volunteer project you’re passionate about or a hobby you enjoy shows that you’re multi-dimensional.

Mistake: Letting your nerves take over

Having confidence and maintaining eye contact go a long way in the interview room, Graciani says. “Take a deep breath and just know that, in the end, there’s not really a wrong answer.”

Think You’ve Got Your Acceptance Letter in the Bag?

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How Dancing Connects Me to My Irish Heritage

• University: University of California Santa Cruz

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Words: 466 |

Published: Jul 18, 2018

Words: 466 | Pages: 1 | 3 min read

The stage trembled under the rhythmic tapping of wood on wood as glossy ringlets bounced in the summer sun. After an energetic jig, a dozen grinning and giggling girls filed past me in their sparkling dresses. Meanwhile, I anxiously adjusted the straps on my black leather shoes and prepared to take the stage. After nearly a year of weekly Irish dance lessons, in just a few moments, I would be competing in my first Fèis -- a traditional Gaelic cultural festival -- at the tender age of seven. I was about to embark upon a path that would spark my interest in performing, inspire me to dedicate myself to my passions, and connect me to my Irish heritage.

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Since that first Fèis, I have danced in over twenty competitions, and my initial nervousness has long since faded away, replaced by a self-assurance that I carry with me in everything I do. Years of practice to reach the third of four levels in each of my dances have shown me the rewards of perseverance. The pride that my family felt for me and that I felt for myself after winning each of my 85 trophies and medals only encouraged my competitive spirit. Along the way I also met many girls who shared the same drive and forged several close and long-lasting friendships.

The joy I took from Irish dance led me to pursue other styles of dance as well. For example, I joined my middle school’s cheerleading team, danced in several musicals, and choreographed modern concert dance pieces in high school. Expanding my focus to other styles of dance reduced the time I could spend on Irish dance, however. I did not devote enough practice time to do well in Feisianna, and Irish dance slowly moved down my list of priorities. After my freshman year of high school, I had stopped competing altogether, and I practiced just enough to perform once a year in my school’s international assembly. Although I enjoyed learning a range of other disciplines, I ultimately realized that I missed having a deeper sense of cultural meaning behind my passion for dance.

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Making Irish dance one of my top priorities again has brought only positive results. Now that I am older and more educated about my heritage, I find even greater significance in sets, reels, and treble jigs than ever before. I now attend weekly group classes at Cairde na hÉireann to practice my technique, and I also take private lessons to learn new competition-level dances. I am proud that I have been able to reconnect with my cultural identity and rekindle my childhood ambitions -- in fact, this summer I am planning on competing in the same Fèis that ignited my enthusiasm for dance in the first place.

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