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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Composition & music studies

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Quick links

BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program Recognition

USC's sixth art school, founded in 2012 through a transformational gift from Glorya Kaufman; USC calls it, "at that time, its first new school in nearly 40 years"

Teaches "The New Movement," a hybrid and collaborative approach expressed in studio practice, music, choreography, performance, new media and scholarship

Training

The BFA Core builds a foundation in technique, performance and composition (approx. 25-40 studio hours per week) alongside history, theory, health, music, digital media and dance management, and culminates in a senior project

Junior and senior year include a minimum of 14 elective units within Kaufman; 24 units of general electives allow a minor, a second major or a pre-professional emphasis

Performance & Productions

Students study traditional and contemporary repertory, with previous works by George Balanchine, Hope Boykin, Alejandro Cerrudo, Jiří Kylián, Crystal Pite, and Dwight Rhoden, and present their own choreography

BFA performances take place in the Large Performance Studio at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, theatres throughout campus, and off-campus venues

Professional Development

Graduates have joined Broadway productions such as And Juliet, West Side Story, and Wicked, signed contracts with companies including Alonzo King LINES Ballet, BalletX, Batsheva Dance Company, BODYTRAFFIC, Gibney Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Sydney Dance Company, and The Joffrey Ballet, and done commercial work with artists like Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Kali Uchis, Olivia Rodrigo, and Shakira

Career Services offers panels, master classes, workshops, internships, and industry showcases, plus professional headshots and stipends for fourth-year students

Location

Students take advantage of the diverse cultures on campus and within the Los Angeles arts community

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

USC's sixth art school, founded in 2012 through a transformational gift from Glorya Kaufman; USC calls it, "at that time, its first new school in nearly 40 years"

Teaches "The New Movement," a hybrid and collaborative approach expressed in studio practice, music, choreography, performance, new media and scholarship

Training

Junior and senior year include a minimum of 14 elective units within Kaufman; 24 units of general electives allow a minor, a second major or a pre-professional emphasis

Performance & Productions

BFA performances take place in the Large Performance Studio at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, theatres throughout campus, and off-campus venues

Professional Development

Career Services offers panels, master classes, workshops, internships, and industry showcases, plus professional headshots and stipends for fourth-year students

Location

Students take advantage of the diverse cultures on campus and within the Los Angeles arts community

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

USC's sixth art school, founded in 2012 through a transformational gift from Glorya Kaufman; USC calls it, "at that time, its first new school in nearly 40 years"

Teaches "The New Movement," a hybrid and collaborative approach expressed in studio practice, music, choreography, performance, new media and scholarship

Training

Junior and senior year include a minimum of 14 elective units within Kaufman; 24 units of general electives allow a minor, a second major or a pre-professional emphasis

Performance & Productions

BFA performances take place in the Large Performance Studio at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, theatres throughout campus, and off-campus venues

Professional Development

Career Services offers panels, master classes, workshops, internships, and industry showcases, plus professional headshots and stipends for fourth-year students

Location

Students take advantage of the diverse cultures on campus and within the Los Angeles arts community

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

First Year Students · admission.usc.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Fee

$20

Deadline

USC Kaufman Portfolio DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Auditions

Live Audition (Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center) — Day 1Jan 16, 2027

Live Audition (Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center) — Day 2Jan 17, 2027

How To Apply · kaufman.usc.edu Auditions · kaufman.usc.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Dance

Two video auditions are submitted as part of the USC Kaufman Portfolio by the December 1 deadline; faculty review the videos and the rest of the portfolio, and finalists are invited to audition in person

Present two contrasting solos or excerpts, one minute each, in any technique style(s)

Additional Materials

Introductory Video

Upload a video no longer than 60 seconds introducing yourself to the Kaufman Admissions Committee and responding to the prompt below: "Describe a specific setback you experienced in dance that challenged how you saw yourself as an artist. What choices did you make in response, and what—if anything—would you do differently today?"

Resume

Upload a one-page dance resume as a PDF that follows the USC Kaufman Dance Resume Sample template (text sized between 10 and 12 in a standard font; margins no smaller than 0.5" on each side)

Headshot

Provide a head shot that allows faculty to see your face clearly; professional photographs are not necessary and group shots are not accepted

Dance Photo

Provide an action shot that showcases your personality; it will not be evaluated for technique; professional photographs are not necessary and group shots are not accepted

Video Specifications

Filming

Present two contrasting solos or excerpts of no more than one minute each; in the portfolio form you provide each solo's title, style and a brief description, and explain how the two contrast

Make sure you are in close proximity to the camera while maintaining your full body in frame; the videos need not be professional, but faculty must be able to clearly see you to observe your technique and musicality

Do not submit work that has been edited with jump cuts, dissolves or musical overlays; if you use a phone, hold it horizontally

Previously recorded performances must be recent; newly shot videos are fine, and a dance studio is an ideal location

You may submit original choreography, improvise or freestyle, submit site-specific work, include competition footage (no group numbers) and include one example of partnering work as long as you are easy to identify; do not submit a choreography or performance reel

Short Answer

250 words

Think about the dancers you train with now. What role do you naturally play in that group, and what do you think your peers would say you bring to the room?

Submit in SlideRoom.

Usc Kaufman Portfolio · kaufman.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Dance

Live audition: dance technique classes in Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop, a solo performance, and an interview; the Kaufman FAQ also lists an Improvisation/Freestyle class and describes 10-15 minutes with the faculty panel for the interview and a longer solo of approximately two minutes

Usc Kaufman Portfolio · kaufman.usc.edu

University Essays

Prescreen essays are listed with the requirements.

Common App personal essay

250–650 words · Choose 1 of 7 prompts · Written once for all your Common App schools

Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application. For Common App applicants.

USC short answer

About 250 words

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

Quick Takes

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to Common App.

USC Student Commitment questionOptional

About 250 words

(Optional) The USC Student Commitment charges Trojans to "value honest, open communication and robust debate," and to "champion ideological diversity and embrace freedom of expression." Describe a time when you disagreed with someone you know about something important to you. Did you change your mind or reach common ground? (Approximately 250 words)

Application · Common App Application · Common App Uscs Glossary For First Year Applicants 5b8 · admissionblog.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Outside applicants access the USC Kaufman Portfolio on SlideRoom through the USC Common Application (select Regular Decision and dance as an intended major)

Current USC students submit the USC Kaufman Portfolio directly in SlideRoom, with a 500-750 word Statement of Objectives, instead of the USC Undergraduate Application

Materials from all candidates are due by December 1, 2026; live auditions take place January 16-17, 2027

What's The Process

Audition Process

Finalists are notified of their live audition status through the application portal in mid-December (by December 18, 2026) and then schedule their audition date and interview time through the portal

The live audition includes dance technique classes in Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop, a solo performance, and an interview; there are no cuts throughout the day

All students, regardless of their audition date, receive full consideration for USC Merit Scholarships and USC Kaufman dance scholarships

Scholarship Info

All auditioning BFA applicants receive full consideration for USC Merit Scholarships and USC Kaufman dance scholarships.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

USC's sixth art school, founded in 2012 through a transformational gift from Glorya Kaufman; USC calls it, "at that time, its first new school in nearly 40 years"

Teaches "The New Movement," a hybrid and collaborative approach expressed in studio practice, music, choreography, performance, new media and scholarship

Training

Junior and senior year include a minimum of 14 elective units within Kaufman; 24 units of general electives allow a minor, a second major or a pre-professional emphasis

Performance & Productions

BFA performances take place in the Large Performance Studio at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, theatres throughout campus, and off-campus venues

Professional Development

Career Services offers panels, master classes, workshops, internships, and industry showcases, plus professional headshots and stipends for fourth-year students

Location

Students take advantage of the diverse cultures on campus and within the Los Angeles arts community

Updated 4d ago