The Ohio State University Department of Dance

Application and Audition for the BFA Program

Application and Audition for the BFA Program

Dance Major Audition

Acceptance into the BFA in Dance program requires an application to The Ohio State University Undergraduate Admissions (Columbus campus) AND the Department of Dance Audition. The Admission Common Application will open in August; the Dance Audition application will open in mid-June. We encourage all auditionees to prepare and submit BOTH applications simultaneously, though the two decisions operate on independent timelines and processes that coordinate efforts. 

We do not pre-screen auditionees, but the audition application deadlines are firm. We look forward to seeing all auditionees at our audition events! We DO recommend you list DANCE as your intended major on the university application, even if you plan to add a second major later. 

Please note: you will receive a university admission decision between December/January and March so we recommend you audition in-person as soon as possible. You will receive an audition decision about acceptance to the dance major between November and February (after each audition). Dance scholarships will not be awarded until March/April.

We are committed to accessibility and safety. The goal of the audition process is to:

  • "Audition us" - see if you can thrive at Ohio State in the Department of Dance by taking class, watching class, listening to BFA degree Q & A session, and going on a brief tour of our facilities and campus during the in-person Visit Days.
  • "Audition you" - are your abilities, goals, and potential a good match for our BFA program? The faculty look at your current skill and future potential with as you share your solo, participate in a faculty interview, and engage with contemporary, African, and ballet movement phrases.

 

Please choose ONE of the following auditions

 

Off-site auditions: faculty representatives attend selected events throughout the year, but not all events are audition events to join the Dance major. Please email dance@osu.edu to confirm if an event can be your audition for the Dance major or if you need to follow an in-person or online audition timeline. 

Dancewave Through College & Beyond is an audition event (see Dancewave timeline above). Please be sure to stop by our booth at Dancewave to introduce yourself and email dance@osu.edu to request a dance audition application fee waiver. 

 

For best consideration, all auditionees plan to attend an in-person audition. You may also select the online or Dancewave option. In order to be considered for admission to the university and accepted as a Dance major, you must fulfill all of the items in one of the timelines above! 

All applicants must complete the Department of Dance Audition Application. You will receive further instructions after submitting the audition application. If you have any questions, please contact the Academic Program Coordinator. 

Acceptance into the BFA Program is determined through careful consideration of your:

  • dance training, experience, and goals
  • essay for Ohio State Admissions
  • activities and interests outside of dance
  • required creative prompt (solo) and interview responses. You will receive instructions about creative work to share and preview the interview prompts after you submit the audition application. The faculty are MOST interested to see and learn about YOUR choreography or improvisation (not a dance that was created by someone else for you to perform). 
  • required movement audition: includes a variety of movement practices, such as African, contemporary, and ballet.  No separate headshot or dance resume are required as part of the audition. Please wear comfortable clothing with clear and simple lines. It is best to wear a bright colored leotard or top. Bare feet and ballet shoes requested. No pointe shoes.

Considerations in the movement audition are:

  • basic skills/coordination
  • strength, flexibility, and alignment
  • kinesthetic/spatial awareness
  • mobility/weight transfer
  • movement flow
  • rhythm/musicality
  • artistry
  • stylistic versatility
  • presence/performance quality

 

Dance Major Acceptance Process

Please note that all university admission materials must be submitted by November 1 for full consideration of competitive merit scholarships, honors, and scholars programs. If after the November 1 deadline, please apply prior to February 1 for FAFSA and university scholarships. The Common Application will be available beginning on August 1; the FAFSA and Scholarship Universe will be available beginning on December 1.  

Transfer applicants to dance are encouraged to apply for admission to the Ohio State Columbus campus prior to February 1, which is the FAFSA and university scholarship deadline, and must apply no later than March 1 to be considered for admission to the university in autumn. Ohio State students changing/adding the Dance major or changing campus from regional to Columbus must audition in person; it is strongly recommended to schedule a meeting with the Academic Program Coordinator to plan coursework to prepare for the audition or if you wish to be considered after published deadlines. 

Please note that admissions application and the dance audition are separate processes; in other words, you may hear about one decision before the other. While it is possible to hear from the dance audition first and then the university admissions office, it may also be that you will not hear an admissions office decision until after the audition. We recommend auditioning and applying early!

Within the audition application, you will be able to select your audition date. We do not pre-screen auditionees - we look forward to seeing all auditionees at our audition events! You will receive a confirmation email closer to the chosen date. All auditionees are notified of the audition decision within two weeks after the audition, with both audition dates being considered equally. Our goal is to have approximately 30 incoming first year students to the BFA Program for the Autumn Semester. Transfer, major change/add, and campus change students may join the major in Spring semester if accepted at the October audition if openings are available.

If you are unable to attend the audition events, please contact the Academic Program Coordinator. Family members are encouraged to attend. Review accommodation and transportation info for your convenience and reference. You will receive instructions for the online video audition process after submitting the audition application. Our goal is to be accessible (you need a phone and the internet, no paid choreographer or space rental necessary) and we can also collaborate with the admissions office for need-based travel grants once you are both accepted to the dance major and admitted to the university. 

 

University Undergraduate Admissions

First, please check the University Undergraduate Admissions webpage to access procedures and deadlines. Freshman applicants need to complete the Common Application for Ohio State University. Transfer applicants new to Ohio State must complete the University application in order to be considered for admission to the University. We strongly recommend listing Dance as intended major, even if a second major is desired.

Current Ohio State students wishing to change majors to the BFA in Dance need not complete the University application. U.S. residents who are applying to Ohio State as freshmen or transfer students may qualify for an application fee waiver based on financial need. If you are eligible for a Common Application fee waiver, please email dance@osu.edu to request a dance audition application fee waiver as well. 

You may complete the Dance Audition Application prior to completing the University Application; however, we strongly encourage you to complete your University Application and submit ALL materials, including test scores and any letters of academic recommendation, no later than the priority deadline of November 1  in order to be considered for competitive university merit scholarships.  Any applications and materials not submitted by the regular deadline of January 15 will impact you receiving a university admission decision. 

IMPORTANT: ACT or SAT scores are required for University Admissions for Autumn 2026 onward! There is NOT a minimum score requirement.

While it is not required, we strongly recommend that Dance applicants submit a letter of recommendation from a core academic subject high school teacher or counselor that will specifically address any insights into your academic context (academics outside of dance). 

The Ohio State application does not need to be submitted or completed by the time you audition but it IS your responsibility to follow the university undergraduate admissions policies and deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to begin the university review process as early as possible, especially if the applicant wants to be considered for merit scholarship opportunities.  Deadlines are November 1 for merit scholarships and February 1 for FAFSA and university scholarships.

The University also offers Honors and Scholars programs. Visit the Honors and Scholars website for details; Scholars opportunities are ONLY available to incoming freshman while Honors is available to all eligible students either upon admission or after you have been enrolled at Ohio State. 

We strongly recommend that transfer applicants do indicate interest in STEP on the application. The Second-Year Transformational Experience Program is an excellent mentoring and research opportunity that includes a potential research/study abroad funding opportunity.

We encourage all Ohio residents to also select the Newark campus as an alternative choice to the Columbus campus. In special cases, a student may be eligible to start academically at a regional campus and later join the Columbus campus.

For all admitted applicants and accepted auditionees, the Department of Dance requests your decision about coming to Ohio State by May 1 in order to prepare for our incoming class.

 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For information on university financial aid please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. Deadlines are November 1 for university merit scholarships and February 1 for FAFSA and Scholarship Universe. You do not need to wait for the release of your financial aid "package" to come from Ohio State in March/April - be proactive and seeking additional and external scholarships early. Refer to our Undergraduate Tuition Scholarship page for helpful resources and tips.