How to Choose a School

Self Survey for Students

•    Why do I want to enter a college dance program?

•    What do I want from a program, degree, or school?

•    What are my individual strengths? (personal, academic, dance)

•    What dance careers am I interested in?

•    Do I want to explore dance-related fields such as kinesiology, dance therapy, dance history, dance notation, and/or arts administration?

•    What kinds of techniques (ballet, modern, jazz, etc.) or styles (Limón, Graham, Taylor, etc.) do I want to study?

•    Do I want to double major or minor in a secondary subject?

•    What are my needs outside of school?

•    Am I more comfortable in a large or small city?

•    Do I want/need to be close to my family and home?

•    Will I be in or near a city that brings in professional companies?

•    Is the size of the student body a factor?

•    What are my financial considerations?

General Questions to Ask Colleges and Universities

•    Does the school offer a liberal arts emphasis or conservatory training?

•    What degrees does the school offer? Are there degrees/programs in arts management, dance theory, dance education, dance journalism, dance therapy, dance and technology, or film and video?

•    What is the size of the student body?

•    How many dance majors/minors are there in the department?

•    Does the school have a graduate program? Do graduate assistants teach?

•    What kinds of technique are offered? How many technique classes are required/offered per week? How many levels of technique are offered?

•    How much emphasis is placed on dance versus academics?

•    What is the student/teacher ratio?

•    How many different dance teachers are there?

•    Are there any honors programs in dance?

•    Do students study pedagogy? Do they get first-hand experience by assisting classes?

•    Are there grants available for travel, choreographic projects, or research?

•    Are there any internship programs available?•    Are there any summer dance programs in the vicinity?

•    Does the school participate in the American College Dance Festival Association?

•    How many guest artists does the program bring to the school?

•    Does the school offer other opportunities to meet and connect with dance professionals other than the faculty?

•    What are the opportunities to view dance in the area?

•    Who are the alumni of the program? Where have they gone, and what are they doing? (Is this what you want to do?)

•    How selective is the dance program? How many apply and how many are accepted?

•    What are the GPA requirements for acceptance? What standardized tests are required?

•    Is an audition required for admission?

Questions to Ask About Performance and Choreography

•    What are the performing opportunities? How many performances are   there per year? What venues are there? 

•    Who choreographs/directs these performances? 

•    What types of dance are presented—modern, ballet, jazz, etc?

•    Are new works and premieres commissioned?

•    Is there a company affiliation?

•    Is the music live or recorded?

•    Are students allowed to perform outside of school?

•    Are students encouraged and supported to create new works?

•    Is there an annual student choreography concert and/or workshop? 

•    Are interdisciplinary projects encouraged?

•    Are there opportunities to work backstage?

•    Are there opportunities for learning set, costume, and/or lighting design?

•    Are performances well-attended by other students?

Questions to Ask About Facilities and Student Services

•    Are the studios spacious, clean, ventilated?

•    Do class numbers reflect the studio size?

•    Are there enough studios to accommodate classes, rehearsals, and student composition time?

•    When are the studios available to students for rehearsals?

•    What is the surface you will be dancing on (marley, wood, concrete)?

•    Are the floors sprung so dancers will not sustain injuries?

•    Are dance classes accompanied by live music?

•    Is the atmosphere conducive to optimum learning?

•    Is there access to good medical personnel, physical therapists, nutritionists, etc.?

•    What kinds of on-campus organizations and student services are available?

•    How much individual attention do students receive? 

Questions to Ask About Financial Issues

•    What are the tuition and room and board costs? What is the cost of living in the area?

•    Is there a residency requirement for freshmen and/or sophomore students?

•    What scholarships are available? Are they merit- or need-based?

•    What type of financial aid is available?

•    Are there tuition deferment plans, grants, and/or work-study opportunities?

•    Does the college offer future job placement?