Freshman Applicants: Dance & Choreography

Fall Applications

Presidential, Provost, and Deans’ Scholarship consideration (non-binding): November 1
Deadline to submit the Common Application for consideration for the University’s Presidential, Provost, and Deans scholarships

Regular Applications
VCU is still accepting the 2021 Common Application from first-time freshman applicants. While the recommended deadline for applying to undergraduate programs was Jan. 15, 2021, new applications received for fall 2021 will continue to be accepted and reviewed on a space-available basis. If you have any questions about applying to VCUarts, please contact our office at (804)VCU-ARTS, arts@vcu.edu, or schedule a virtual meeting with an admissions counselor here.

Spring Applications: November 1Back to top

Freshman applicants must apply using the Common Application.

Applicants may only submit one application to ONE major. Admitted students can request additional major/minor(s) during their first semester.

Applications will only be reviewed after ALL components have been received, including transcripts, test scores, and supplemental materials.

Include your Social Security number on your application if you wish to be considered for financial aid or the Hope Scholarship/Lifetime learning tax credit.

Please note: While VCU does not require your Social Security number for admission consideration, it is necessary for applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid and the Hope Scholarship/Lifetime Learning tax credit to provide a Social Security number to the university. To protect your privacy, your Social Security number will not be used as your VCU student identification number.Back to top

Request that your high school guidance counselor sends your official transcripts to VCU. Transcripts may be submitted electronically via the Common App or Naviance, or sent in the mail. If sending a hard copy in the mail, please request that your school counselor send your transcript, including:

• Senior-year courses and first-term grades, if available
• Class rank, if available
• High school profile

All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript.

Transcripts must arrive in sealed envelopes signed across the seal by official high school, university or college registrars.

Transcripts should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
PO Box 842526
Richmond, VA 23284-2526Back to top

Test scores not required for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 application review and scholarship consideration

Please note: For Spring 2021 and Fall 2021, because of the lack of standardized examinations being offered due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, VCU will review all applications for admissions and scholarship consideration without standardized test scores.

Please consult the VCU Freshmen Application requirements here.

Applicants whose native language is one other than English must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to any other required test scores.

Score Optional Review

For the upcoming Spring and Fall 2021 admissions cycle, all applicants will be eligible for test score optional review, regardless of GPA. Applicants who are able to take a standardized test and would like the scores to be used in our application review may still submit scores. All students will receive a holistic application review.

Please note the following exceptions:

Freshman applicants who wish to be considered for VCU’s merit-based scholarships (the Presidential, Provost and Deans scholarships) must submit SAT or ACT scores and cannot request the score optional review. The VCU Honors College also requires that all applicants submit SAT or ACT test scores and may not request to be reviewed without submitting these scores.

Submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College. Students interested in applying to a Guaranteed Admission Program who are unable to test due to the pandemic may contact honors@vcu.edu for additional options in a holistic review without test scores.

As always, the university will select applicants who present the strongest qualifications in scholastic achievement and potential, and through a holistic review of other evidence of potential including the strength of character. Each applicant will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis.

Request your SAT scores from CollegeBoard (school code: 5570): sat.collegeboard.com

Request your scores from ACT (school code: 4379): actstudent.org/scores/send/Back to top

Once your application has been submitted, applicants will receive an email from dance@vcu.edu with information on submitting video auditions.

Dance applicants are required to audition for admission into the Department of Dance and Choreography. The auditionee will submit a short video based on movement prompts and exercises in improvisation, ballet, modern, and West African, via SlideRoom. Applicants will select a virtual interview date at that time as well.

Virtual Interview Dates

• Friday, November 13th, 2020 (1-3pm) – All Spring Applicants must select this date; Optional Class 9-11am)
• Tuesday, January 12th, 2021
  Information Session: 1-2pm; Interviews 2-3pm
  
• Friday, January 29th, 2021
  Optional Class 9-11am;  Information Session: 1-2pm; Interviews 2-3pm
  
• Friday, February 12th, 2021
  Optional Class 9-11am;  Information Session: 1-2pm; Interviews 2-3pm
• Friday, February 26th, 2021 (1-3pm)
  Optional Class 9-11am;  Information Session: 1-2pm; Interviews 2-3pm

If you do not receive a confirmation email please reach out to the department by calling 804-828-1711.

Admission Criteria

• Talent and potential as an artist in the field of dance.
• Prior training and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of modern dance and/or classical ballet techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate musicality and dynamic range.
• A healthy, physically conditioned body that is injury-free.
• Openness to new ideas and the ability to engage in creative problem-solving.

About the Audition

VCU Dance welcomes students with varying levels of dance experience to audition for our program. The following attire is appropriate: leotards, tights, unitards, bike shorts with leotard or fitted top, leggings, and appropriate supportive undergarments. No socks. No dangling jewelry. Hair secured away from the face. Please wear either ballet or jazz shoes for the ballet section. The modern, West African and improvisation are barefoot.

Final decision letters will be mailed to all students after their application materials and audition/interview are reviewed.Back to top