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Cornish College of the Arts

Seattle, WA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Training

Rigorous daily physical practices rotating between contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, West African, street styles, hip hop, authentic jazz, global forms, and somatics

Emphasis on anatomically sound technique fostering long-term well-being

Small class sizes with close faculty mentorship from active practitioners

Performance & Productions

Student-led productions, dynamic concerts, and site-specific works

Performances created by faculty and renowned guest choreographers

Professional studios, performance venues, motion capture labs, and digital media centers

Notable Alumni

Merce Cunningham — modern dance pioneer who studied at Cornish (1937–1939) and founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, shaping avant-garde dance for over 50 years

Professional Development

Entrepreneurship training: resume/CV design, grant writing, concert production

Internships and community partnerships in Seattle's thriving arts scene

Guidance on career options and personal artistic goal-setting

School Info

Snapshot

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

54%

Grad Rate

488

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$60,756

Before aid

Average Net Price

$40,062

After aid

Tuition · cornish.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 1, 11:48 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Rigorous daily physical practices rotating between contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, West African, street styles, hip hop, authentic jazz, global forms, and somatics

Emphasis on anatomically sound technique fostering long-term well-being

Small class sizes with close faculty mentorship from active practitioners

Performance & Productions

Student-led productions, dynamic concerts, and site-specific works

Performances created by faculty and renowned guest choreographers

Professional studios, performance venues, motion capture labs, and digital media centers

Notable Alumni

Merce Cunningham — modern dance pioneer who studied at Cornish (1937–1939) and founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, shaping avant-garde dance for over 50 years

Professional Development

Entrepreneurship training: resume/CV design, grant writing, concert production

Internships and community partnerships in Seattle's thriving arts scene

Guidance on career options and personal artistic goal-setting

Program Highlights

Training

Rigorous daily physical practices rotating between contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, West African, street styles, hip hop, authentic jazz, global forms, and somatics

Emphasis on anatomically sound technique fostering long-term well-being

Small class sizes with close faculty mentorship from active practitioners

Performance & Productions

Student-led productions, dynamic concerts, and site-specific works

Performances created by faculty and renowned guest choreographers

Professional studios, performance venues, motion capture labs, and digital media centers

Notable Alumni

Merce Cunningham — modern dance pioneer who studied at Cornish (1937–1939) and founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, shaping avant-garde dance for over 50 years

Professional Development

Entrepreneurship training: resume/CV design, grant writing, concert production

Internships and community partnerships in Seattle's thriving arts scene

Guidance on career options and personal artistic goal-setting

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$60

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Audition Requirements Dance · cornish.edu

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Dance

Two Choreographed Solos, Approx. 2 Min Each

Prepare two solos in two different styles of your choice

Example styles: contemporary, modern, jazz (concert), ballet, African traditions, street styles, hip hop, jazz (authentic), folklorico, Butoh, Spanish, Balkan, Bharata Natyam, and more

Each solo should demonstrate your skill and connection to the form

Improvisation, 2-3 Min

Explore variations of time (slow, fast, stillness)

Explore shifts in space (level changes, direction, traveling)

Explore varied qualities (textures and dynamics)

May incorporate any style or blend of styles

Music of your choice or no music

Optional Choreographic Work

One sample of your own choreography, up to 5 min

Additional Materials

Artist Statement (Required)

Submit via Redhawk Admissions Portal

Arts Recommendation (Required)

One recommendation from a teacher who can speak to your artistic or performing talents

Separate from the general teacher and counselor recommendations required by Seattle University

Audition Requirements Dance · cornish.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

All recorded materials uploaded to Redhawk Admissions Portal "Portfolio" section

Portal credentials sent within a few days of Common App submission

Submit Portfolio Certification Form when materials are complete — portfolio will not be reviewed without it

Enrollment

Fall and January start dates available

Transfer Pathway

Cornish evaluates transfer work course-by-course, with up to 60 transfer/AP/CBE/PLE credits applicable toward the BFA Dance degree. Dance transfer students may petition for Prior Learning Experience credit for major instruction or professional study; Department Chair/Records review determines eligible in-major or elective credit.

Transfer · cornish.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

In-person on campus

Recorded audition uploaded to Redhawk Admissions Portal

Audition Expectations

Upload two choreographed solos, one improvisation, and optional choreographic work to "Portfolio" section of Redhawk Admissions Portal

Scholarship Info

Cornish Scholarships

Admitted students are automatically considered — no separate application required

Both merit-based and need-based aid available

Cornish awards over $3.5 million in scholarships annually

98% of admitted students receive funding assistance

Both U.S. citizens and international students are eligible

School Info

Snapshot

62%

Admit Rate

school-wide

54%

Grad Rate

488

Enrollment

$34K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$60,756

Before aid

Average Net Price

$40,062

After aid

Tuition · cornish.edu College Scorecard

Training

Rigorous daily physical practices rotating between contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, West African, street styles, hip hop, authentic jazz, global forms, and somatics

Emphasis on anatomically sound technique fostering long-term well-being

Small class sizes with close faculty mentorship from active practitioners

Performance & Productions

Student-led productions, dynamic concerts, and site-specific works

Performances created by faculty and renowned guest choreographers

Professional studios, performance venues, motion capture labs, and digital media centers

Notable Alumni

Merce Cunningham — modern dance pioneer who studied at Cornish (1937–1939) and founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, shaping avant-garde dance for over 50 years

Professional Development

Entrepreneurship training: resume/CV design, grant writing, concert production

Internships and community partnerships in Seattle's thriving arts scene

Guidance on career options and personal artistic goal-setting

Updated Aug 1, 11:48 PM