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The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

25-40 StudentsStudy Abroad

Program Recognition

•NASD accredited (National Association of Schools of Dance)

•Premier contemporary dance program at a major research university

Training

•Core curriculum: contemporary, African, ballet, choreography, kinesiology, production, and creative technologies

•First two years build foundation; upper years allow individual focus with faculty mentors

•Interdisciplinary approach — dance-film, motion capture, digital video, embodied theory

Professional Development

•Faculty attend Dancewave Through College & Beyond annually

•Goal of approximately 30 incoming freshmen per year

•Need-based travel grants available for accepted students

Value

•Helen P. Alkire Scholarship: $7,000/year for four years (up to $28,000 total)

•2-4 awarded annually based on merit (need also considered)

•University merit scholarships available — apply by November 1

School Info

Snapshot

3.84

Avg GPA (W)

61%

Admit Rate

school-wide

88%

Grad Rate

45.6K

Enrollment

$60K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,050

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$44,271

Before aid

Average Net Price

$17,339

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 1:46 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASD accredited (National Association of Schools of Dance)

•Premier contemporary dance program at a major research university

Training

•Core curriculum: contemporary, African, ballet, choreography, kinesiology, production, and creative technologies

•First two years build foundation; upper years allow individual focus with faculty mentors

•Interdisciplinary approach — dance-film, motion capture, digital video, embodied theory

Professional Development

•Faculty attend Dancewave Through College & Beyond annually

•Goal of approximately 30 incoming freshmen per year

•Need-based travel grants available for accepted students

Value

•Helen P. Alkire Scholarship: $7,000/year for four years (up to $28,000 total)

•2-4 awarded annually based on merit (need also considered)

•University merit scholarships available — apply by November 1

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASD accredited (National Association of Schools of Dance)

•Premier contemporary dance program at a major research university

Training

•Core curriculum: contemporary, African, ballet, choreography, kinesiology, production, and creative technologies

•First two years build foundation; upper years allow individual focus with faculty mentors

•Interdisciplinary approach — dance-film, motion capture, digital video, embodied theory

Professional Development

•Faculty attend Dancewave Through College & Beyond annually

•Goal of approximately 30 incoming freshmen per year

•Need-based travel grants available for accepted students

Value

•Helen P. Alkire Scholarship: $7,000/year for four years (up to $28,000 total)

•2-4 awarded annually based on merit (need also considered)

•University merit scholarships available — apply by November 1

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$60

International Fee

$70

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2027

Apply Step By Step · undergrad.osu.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

Audition Application Fee

$12

Opens

Jun 12, 2026

Deadline

Dancewave audition applicationOct 3, 2026

Autumn in-person audition applicationDancewave supplemental videosOct 16, 2026

Winter/online audition applicationJan 16, 2027

Online audition videosJan 23, 2027

SlideRoom portal deadlineJan 31, 2027

SlideRoom grace deadlineFeb 5, 2027

Transfer consideration deadlineMar 1, 2027

Auditions

Dancewave Through College & Beyond (off-site)Oct 10–11, 2026

Autumn in-person audition (Columbus)Oct 31, 2026

Winter in-person audition (Columbus)Jan 30, 2027

Apply BFA · dance.osu.edu Application portal · SlideRoom Apply Step By Step · undergrad.osu.edu

Program Submission

Dance

Movement Audition

•Contemporary, African, and ballet movement phrases taught by faculty

•Evaluates basic skills, coordination, musicality, and responsiveness to coaching

•Creative prompt (solo) — instructions provided after audition application submitted

Attire

•Comfortable clothing with clear, simple lines

•Bright colored leotard or top recommended

•Bare feet and ballet shoes — no pointe shoes

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required)

•Upload a head-and-shoulders photo in SlideRoom for identity verification; this is not an artistic headshot requirement

Questionnaire (Required)

•Complete the BFA Dance Background and Goals questionnaire about dance training, creative process, interests, and goals; mark your top four areas of interest in the Dance major and explain your choices

Essay (Required)

•First-year applicants: paste a draft or completed Ohio State Common App essay

•Transfer, major-change, and campus-change applicants: write a 500-word essay describing current study areas and reasons/goals for becoming a Dance major

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

•A core academic subject teacher or counselor recommendation is strongly recommended for university admission context; it is not required by the Dance audition form

Apply BFA · dance.osu.eduVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Dance

Movement Audition

•Contemporary, African, and ballet movement phrases taught by faculty

•Creative prompt (solo) presented in small groups with faculty panel

Online Audition

•Movement phrases taught via online instruction video

•Record yourself performing phrases and creative prompt at home

•Upload video to audition portal — phone and internet access sufficient

Apply BFA · dance.osu.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit the Department of Dance audition application through SlideRoom; the AU27 application opened June 12, 2026

•Complete a separate Common Application for Ohio State; it opens August 1, and applicants should list Dance as the intended major

•The SlideRoom listing exposes a January 31, 2027 portal deadline and February 5 grace deadline; the department’s path-specific deadlines are earlier for winter/online applicants (January 16 application and January 23 online videos)

•November 1: university early action and competitive merit-scholarship deadline

•January 15: university regular-decision deadline

•February 1: FAFSA and ScholarshipUniverse priority deadline

Enrollment

•Fall enrollment for first-year applicants

•Transfer applicants are encouraged to apply by February 1 and must apply by March 1 for autumn consideration

•Current Ohio State students changing majors or campuses must audition in person

Important Notes

•SlideRoom audition application fee: $12

•Fee waiver available to Common App fee-waiver recipients and Dancewave attendees by email

What's The Process

Audition Process

•No prescreen; complete the SlideRoom Dance Audition Application and choose one audition path

•In-person options include a recommended Friday visit day followed by a required Saturday audition

•The online audition is an accommodation; faculty send movement and creative-prompt instructions after the application

•Dancewave Through College & Beyond is a selected off-site option; confirm eligibility with the department

•Autumn in-person: audition application due October 16, 2026; October 30 visit day recommended; October 31 audition required; results by November 13

•Winter in-person: audition application due January 16, 2027; January 29 visit day recommended; January 30 audition required; results by February 12

•Online: application due January 16, 2027; videos due January 23; results by February 12

•Dancewave: apply by October 3, 2026; event October 10–11; Ohio State videos due October 16; results by October 30

Audition Expectations

•Three components: movement audition, creative prompt/solo, and faculty interview

•Movement includes African, contemporary, and ballet phrases

•For online auditions, record the movement phrases and creative prompt at home and upload videos to SlideRoom

•No separate artistic headshot or dance resume is required for the audition; the SlideRoom form does request a head-and-shoulders photo for identity verification

•Wear comfortable clothing with clear, simple lines; a bright color is recommended; bare feet and ballet shoes are requested; no pointe shoes

Decisions

•Autumn results emailed on or before November 13, 2026

•Dancewave results emailed on or before October 30, 2026

•Winter and online results emailed on or before February 12, 2027

Contact

•Academic Program Coordinator: schmidt.442@osu.edu

•Department: dance@osu.edu | 614-292-7977

Scholarship Info

Helen P. Alkire Scholarship

•$7,000 per year for four academic years (up to $28,000 total)

•2-4 scholarships awarded annually

•Merit-based, but financial need also considered

•Must be accepted by audition and admitted to university

•All students who apply to audition by February 1 are automatically considered

University Merit Scholarships

•Apply by November 1 early action deadline for full consideration

•Eminence Fellows: full cost of attendance for four years + $3,000 enrichment grant

•Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship: full cost of attendance (Ohio residents, need-based)

•ScholarshipUniverse tool matches students with additional opportunities

School Info

Snapshot

3.84

Avg GPA (W)

61%

Admit Rate

school-wide

88%

Grad Rate

45.6K

Enrollment

$60K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,050

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$44,271

Before aid

Average Net Price

$17,339

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•NASD accredited (National Association of Schools of Dance)

•Premier contemporary dance program at a major research university

Training

•Core curriculum: contemporary, African, ballet, choreography, kinesiology, production, and creative technologies

•First two years build foundation; upper years allow individual focus with faculty mentors

•Interdisciplinary approach — dance-film, motion capture, digital video, embodied theory

Professional Development

•Faculty attend Dancewave Through College & Beyond annually

•Goal of approximately 30 incoming freshmen per year

•Need-based travel grants available for accepted students

Value

•Helen P. Alkire Scholarship: $7,000/year for four years (up to $28,000 total)

•2-4 awarded annually based on merit (need also considered)

•University merit scholarships available — apply by November 1

Updated Aug 5, 1:46 AM