DANCE AUDITIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Auditions
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and to adhere with social distancing and safety precautions, all dance auditions for the 2020-2021 academic year (for entrance in Fall 2021) will take place virtually via video submission. Both the B.A. and BFA programs require a full video audition. A more in-depth explanation of this requirement and its components can be found on the GetAcceptd website once a track of study has been selected from the left dropdown menu.
For questions regarding Getacceptd, contact dkaiser@mercyhurst.edu.
Application Process
The application process for a Mercyhurst University Dance major (as both a freshman or transfer student) is unique in that it consists of two separate applications. Please be aware that in order to audition and gain acceptance as a dance major, you must first apply to Mercyhurst University. Once you have submitted this application, you may then proceed to fill out the Department of Dance application and submit it for an audition. If you audition and are accepted to the Department of Dance, it is contingent on your acceptance to the university.
For more information about the Mercyhurst University application, contact Nina Campbell, admissions counselor, at ncampbell@mercyhurst.edu. For more information about the GetAcceptd dance application, contact Danielle Kaiser, dance administrative assistant, at dkaiser@mercyhurst.edu.
FAQs
The Department of Dance has been proactive in limiting our class sizes by expanding class facilities, maintaining 8 foot social distancing in classes, having assigned spots in the studio to allow for contact tracing, making masks mandatory for the duration of all dance courses (including studio technique courses), and undertaking careful cleaning and disinfecting before and after every class for all equipment and floors.
The dance application requires four separate attachments that are useful to already have on hand to make the application process simple and straightforward. These include a first arabesque picture en pointe, a dance resume, a dance essay, and a video audition. The arabesque photo can be a simple photo in the dancer’s home studio setting that exemplifies their best ballet technique. The dance essay should describe how the dancer views the transferable skills learned from their dance studies and how this skillset supports them throughout other various career transitions in and out of the dance world. More information about required admissions materials can be found on the GetAcceptd page.
Dress code for video auditions consists of a black leotard, tights (pink or matching skin tone), ballet shoes, pointe shoes, and hair pulled back in a professional bun or French twist.
While you should receive a confirmation message from GetAcceptd upon submission of your application, you will also receive an email from the Department of Dance confirming the successful submission of your application and addendum materials.
Department of Dance Merit Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the dance faculty and the Chair of the Department of Dance. Any prospective student is eligible to compete for scholarship assistance, regardless of financial status. Students on scholarships are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all dance courses, an overall GPA of 2.5 and abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Department of Dance student handbook. At the end of each academic year, there is an evaluation that serves as a review for maintaining scholarship status. Students who fail to maintain academic and performance levels may forfeit the Department of Dance scholarship. Additional financial aid is available through grant, loans, academic scholarships, work study, and stipends. Students wishing to apply for financial assistance must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include Mercyhurst (school code 003297) on their FAFSA.
Mercyhurst's GetAcceptd page is the best source for further information and updates about the Mercyhurst University Dance application process.