Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
Interview Required
In-Person or Virtual
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Comprehensive education grounded in liberal arts with diverse dance genre training
•Limited enrollment for individualized attention and professional development
•Evaluated on technical proficiency, artistry, solo performance, goals, writing ability, and academic standing
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Diverse performance opportunities and off-campus events
•Active participation in departmental productions required
•Three performance venues
CAREER PREPARATION
•Prepares students for performing, choreography, teaching, private studio ownership, dance therapy, and arts administration
Key Info
Audition Requirements
Dance
AUDITION CLASS (90 minutes)
•Three parts: ballet, contemporary/modern, and jazz
•You will not dance alone — you participate in a group dance class
SOLO PERFORMANCE
•Self-prepared solo, 1 minute in length
ATTIRE
•Dance attire required
•Bring ballet slippers
•Be able to dance in bare feet for part of the audition
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A
Additional Materials
AUDITION APPLICATION (required)
•Complete the Audition Application on the department website
•BFA candidates must also include specific admission information
RESUME (required)
•Maximum two pages
•Dance experience from junior year of high school onward in reverse chronological order
ESSAY (required)
•150-word statement explaining motivation for pursuing a BFA in Dance
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (required)
•Two letters: one from a dance instructor and one from an academic teacher
WRITTEN SAMPLE (required)
•Submitted at audition
Good to Know
BFA APPLICATION
•Complete the Audition Application on the department website
•BFA candidates must include specific admission information or email Daniel Stark prior to auditions
•Resume, essay, and two letters of recommendation required
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
•Minimum GPA of 2.5 and/or rank in top 40% of high school class
•Students not meeting academic standards may be admitted but must meet continuation requirements by end of first year
ENROLLMENT
•Students may apply to the BFA program twice
•Previously denied candidates may be reconsidered if academic and production work shows improvement
•Voluntary withdrawal from BFA program is permanent — re-admission not available
TALENT GRANTS
•Complete the Talent Grant Application to be considered for a scholarship
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•Auditions occur in February and August each year
•90-minute audition class (ballet, contemporary/modern, jazz)
•BFA applicants perform a 1-minute solo and interview with dance faculty after the class
•Video audition submissions accepted for students who cannot travel to campus
AUDITION DAY SCHEDULE
•10:00-11:30am — Dance class
•11:30-11:45am — BFA solos and interviews
•11:45am-12:00pm — Q&A for students
•12:30-2:30pm — Individual advising sessions for all incoming dance students
EVALUATION CRITERIA
•Technical proficiency, artistry, solo performance
•Goals, writing ability, and academic standing
CONTACT
•Daniel Stark, Dance Faculty
Scholarship Info
TALENT GRANTS
•First-Year and Transfer Talent Grants available for incoming Theatre and Dance majors
•Complete the Talent Grant Application to be considered
RETURNING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
•Over two dozen departmental scholarships for currently enrolled students
•Awards range from $1,100 to nearly $2,500
•Applications open every February via Academic Works
Program info updated Yesterday
Academic School Information
3.29
Avg GPA (W)
91%
Admit Rate
53%
Grad Rate
11,325
Enrollment
$56,922
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$9,490
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,860
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$18,609
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Annual Cost by Family Income
Family Income $0 - $30k$11,920
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,568
Family Income $48k - $75k$15,200
Family Income $75k - $110k$19,870
Family Income $110k+$21,860
