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Conservatory of Dance

Undergraduate Programs
Dance BFA

Graduate Programs
Dance MFA Choreography | Dance MFA Performance/Teaching 

Be sure to review and follow all application instructions and observe all deadlines carefully. In cases where students fail to follow the requirements and instructions and/or to observe deadlines there is no guarantee the application can be reviewed and the application may be withdrawn from consideration.

Freshman

Deadline to Apply
Fall Admission: February 15, 2013
Spring admission not offered

Step 1: Apply Online:

Apply online using the SUNY Application at www.suny.edu/Student/apply.* The application fee is $50. The Common Application is not available for Dance applicants.

*Note: Dance applicants are NOT required to submit the SUNY Supplemental Admissions Form. The Supplemental Admissions Form is for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Art+Design applicants only.

Step 2:  Submit Academic Records:

All freshman applicants must submit the following information:

  • High School transcripts or GED scores

  • SAT or ACT scores

BE GREEN, GO PAPERLESS: Purchase College recommends you self-report your academic transcript information electronically through theSUNY Online Academic Record (SOAR) system.* Obtain copies of your high school transcript and your standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT) from your college counselor and/or the standardized  testing services to self-report. All information (i.e. grades, test scores, grade-point average, class rank, etc.) should be self-reported on SOAR exactly as it appears on your transcript.

Your transcript should not be mailed at the time you apply if you self-report your academic record online. Once you are accepted and indicate your intent to enroll, an official final transcript must then be sent from your high school to the address below.

NOTE: Any deliberate omission or falsification of information on SOAR will jeopardize a student’s chances for admission. Purchase College will verify your self-reported transcript against your official final transcript for accuracy. If misrepresentations are found, the college reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission.

If you are accepted to Purchase College, your high school must then submit official** copies of the following items (Official means documents are delivered in sealed envelopes from the school or delivered electronically directly from the school or testing service):

  • Your official high school transcripts or GED scores

  • Your official SAT or ACT scores (SAT/ACT scores and AP scores can be submitted electronically)

These items should be submitted electronically or mailed  directly to:

Purchase College-Application Processing
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755


Step 3: Dance Audition

 

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Transfer

Deadline to Apply
Fall Admission: February 15, 2013
Spring admission not offered

Step 1: Apply Online

Apply online using the SUNY Application at www.suny.edu/Student/apply.** The application fee is $50. Dance applicants should NOT use the Common Application.

** Dance applicants are NOT required to submit the SUNY Supplemental Admissions Form. The Supplemental Admissions Form is for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Art+Design applicants only.

Step 2: Submit Academic Records:

Transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 college credits are strongly encouraged to complete SUNY Online Academic Record (SOAR) in order to speed the review process. If you choose to complete your academic record online, please note that once you are accepted and indicate your intent to enroll, an official final transcript must be sent from your high school to Purchase College. Please see the information regarding SOAR (SUNY Online Academic Record) in the Freshman instructions above.

All transfer applicants must submit the following information:

  • Official college transcripts from all colleges attended or in which you are currently enrolled*

  • Official high school transcripts and SAT/ACT test scores, if you have earned fewer than 24 college credits** (SAT/ACT scores and AP scores can be submitted electronically)

These items must be sent directly to:

Purchase College-Application Processing
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755

*Students with under 24 college credits are required to submit official high school transcripts, SAT and/or ACT, and/or GED scores.  Students who have completed over 24 college credits at the time of application completion may choose to only submit college transcripts, but it is possible the Office of Admissions will request these additional items upon application review.  Students who have taken AP exams should submit all AP scores for evaluation and transfer credit.

**’Official’ means documents are delivered in sealed envelopes from the school or electronically directly from the school or testing service.

Please note regarding transfer credit: All new dance students are considered Freshmen. Plan on spending four years (eight semesters) in the Conservatory of Dance. Dance Technique, Improvisation and Composition credits do not transfer to the Conservatory of Dance from outside sources or other colleges. Liberal Arts & Science credits may be accepted up to 30 credits. Dance History, Anatomy, Music or Dance Production transfer credits may be accepted. Syllabi, final exams or papers from the courses you wish to transfer are to the Conservatory of Dance are required.

NOTE: Prior/current EOP/HEOP/SEEK/College Discovery student please click here for further instructions.


 

Step 3: Dance Audition


 

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Dance Audition

IMPORTANT: DO NOT CALL THE CONSERVATORY TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION. ALL AUDITIONS ARE SCHEDULED ONLINE THROUGH YOUR MYPURCHASE ACCOUNT AS FOLLOWS:

Step 1: Your application is received and processed by Admissions. Allow up to two weeks for processing.

Step 2:  Within two weeks of receipt of your application Admissions will email you the link that allows you to log into your online MyPurchase web account. If you do not have a MyPurchase account you will be prompted to create one.

Step 3: Follow the instructions in your MyPurchase web account to request your audition date online and pay the $60 non-refundable audition fee.

IMPORTANT: You must allow up to two weeks for the processing of your application before attempting to request an audition through your MyPurchase account.  Only after this two week application processing period has passed will your MyPurchase account page provide you with the link to request your audition. 

The Dance Audition

Admission to the Conservatory of Dance is highly competitive Acceptance and is based primarily on your dance audition, demonstrating:

Prior training and the ability to demonstrate advanced knowledge of modern and/or classical ballet techniques

Talent and potential as a performer

Musicality

Good physical proportions in a healthy body that is injury free

The dance audition consists of a ballet class and modern combinations in the center and across the floor. You might be asked to improvise. Following class, the audition panel will call back the dancers who will present their solos in the afternoon. The faculty will conduct a short  interview following the audition. The schedule is adhered to as much as possible; however, the number of people in any given audition, the weather, or other extenuating circumstances may cause changes. Please plan to spend a full day at Purchase College.

Solo Performance

Each dancer should be prepared to present a 90-second solo performance in classical ballet, contemporary ballet or modern dance. We would like to see you in a work that shows you at your best. Note the following carefully, as no exceptions will be made:

Your music should be on CD (with your name clearly printed on the label) or an iPod.

Choreography may be by you or another person.

If your dance exceeds 90 seconds, you will be asked to stop. We are primarily interested in your performance and movement ability.

Be prepared to introduce your dance: title, choreographer, composer and any additional information you wish us to know.

The audition studio has a marley floor.

No costumes are permitted.

Dance Information Requirements

All dancers are required to bring the following items with them to submit in-person on the day of the audition. DO NOT MAIL THESE MATERIALS TO ADMISSIONS OR THE CONSERVATORY.

  • Dance Resumé
  • One (1) Artistic Letter of Recommendation
  • Dance Photo (a 8 x 10 full body shot in leotard and tights in first arabesque is preferred)
  • A 200-350 word essay answering the following question: "Why do you think the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College would be a good fit for you?"

Audition Dates

On Campus

Friday, February 15, 2013: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday, February 22, 2013: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday, March 2, 2013: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday, March 9 , 2013: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Regional Locations

Baltimore, MD - Baltimore School for the Arts
Friday, January 11, 2013: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Chicago, IL - Chicago Academy for the Arts
Saturday, February 2, 2013: 11:00am - 4:00pm

Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles High School for the Arts
Sunday, February 3, 2013: 12:00pm - 7:00pm

Sample Schedule On-Campus Audition Day

9:00am - 10:00am           Registration - Complete the audition form,
                                             submit your resume, letter of recommendation,
                                             essay and photo and receive you audition number

10:00am - 10:30am          Parents meet with the Director of  
                                              Dance/Auditionees warm up

10:30am - 12:30pm          Dance Auditions

12:30pm - 1:30pm            Lunch Break, List of requested solo performances
                                              posted

1:30pm                               Audition solos, presented in order of registration,
                                             followed by an interview

Dance applicants are invited to attend the BFA Dance Senior Project Performances in the Dance Theatre Lab at 8:00pm on the evening of your audition. Dancers may sign-up for two (2) complimentary tickets when registering in the morning.

Class Audition by DVD/YouTube

Only candidates living outside the continental United States may send a class audition DVD or YouTube links rather than audition in person. This includes Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. Deadline to submit a Class Audition by DVD or YouTube link is March 8, 2013 (received in the office by March 8).

The Class Audition DVD or YouTube links should include:

Introduction: State your name, dance training, and information about your solo: title, composer, choreographer and any additional information you want us to know. Tell us why you are interested in attending the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance.

Ballet Class: Present barre work, center work (adagio, allegro and pirouette combinations) and across the floor combinations. You do not need to repeat exercises on both sides.

Modern Class: Present warm up exercises, center work including back work, and across the floor combinations.

Solo: 90 seconds maximum.

Submit the Class Audition DVD and the non-refundable $60 audition fee in check or money order payable to Purchase College at the following address:

Conservatory of Dance
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577-1400

YouTube Submission

You may also post your Class Audition at www.Youtube.com. Please follow the exact same guidelines as the DVD submission. Include the link(s) in an email to Nelly.van-bommel@purchase.edu with your name in the subject line. Mail the non-refundable $60 audition fee to the address above. Your audition class will not be reviewed until the audition fee has been received.

REMINDER: The $60 audition fee is separate and in addition to the SUNY application fee of $50.00. Both fees are required and must be paid separately.

Injury Policy

If you get injured prior to your scheduled audition date, you will be able to reschedule your audition to a further date. If your recovery period goes beyond our last scheduled audition date (March 9, 2013), you may be exceptionally granted an extension. Please contact the Conservatory of Dance in either case.

Audition Attire

Women: black leotard, with white, tan or pink tights, ballet shoes, hair neatly secured (no pony tails), no jewelry.

Men: white t-shirt, dance belt, black tights with white socks or black tights with feet, and black or white shoes.

Note: Since ballet shoes are required for ballet work and modern work is barefoot, tights should be easily adjustable (stirrup tights or tights with foot seams split).

After the audition you are free to depart, unless you have been asked to stay for an additional interview.

Admission Decisions

Applicants auditioning on February 15 & 22, 2013 will be notified of their admission status within three weeks of the February 22, 2013 audition, if their application is complete, and they have paid the audition fee.

Applicants auditioning on March 2  & 9, 2013 will be notified of their admission status within three weeks of the March 9, 2013 audition, if their application is complete, and they have paid the audition fee.

For additional information about the Dance program, visit the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance website.

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