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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

BFA in Dance is a 79-hour professional program emphasizing performance, choreography, and career-supporting skills.

Students develop technical and creative proficiency, independent problem solving, and a personal aesthetic through performance or composition.

Performance & Productions

WMU Dance includes ballet, jazz, and modern training with guest residencies and performance opportunities.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.53

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.6K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average net price

$15,273

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 7:43 PM

Program Highlights

Training

BFA in Dance is a 79-hour professional program emphasizing performance, choreography, and career-supporting skills.

Students develop technical and creative proficiency, independent problem solving, and a personal aesthetic through performance or composition.

Performance & Productions

WMU Dance includes ballet, jazz, and modern training with guest residencies and performance opportunities.

Program Highlights

Training

BFA in Dance is a 79-hour professional program emphasizing performance, choreography, and career-supporting skills.

Students develop technical and creative proficiency, independent problem solving, and a personal aesthetic through performance or composition.

Performance & Productions

WMU Dance includes ballet, jazz, and modern training with guest residencies and performance opportunities.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Rolling AdmissionInternational undergraduateJun 1, 2027

Transfer and other undergraduate applicantsAug 15, 2027

Deadlines · wmich.edu International · wmich.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

Acceptd Fee

$35

Opens

Sep 1, 2026

Deadline

November on-campus audition registration (portal opens Sept. 1)Nov 16, 2026

February on-campus audition registration (portal opens Sept. 1)Feb 22, 2027

Auditions

Eisenhower Dance Detroit See & Be SeenOct 4, 2026

CNADM Dance College & Career Fair/AuditionNov 6, 2026

WMU College of Fine Arts Detroit Audition DayNov 7, 2026

On-Campus Audition

Nov 20, 2026Feb 26, 2027

Dance Scholarship Consideration Deadline (audition materials and university acceptance)Jan 31, 2027

National High School Dance Festival Regional ConferenceMar 6–7, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Virtual Audition Submission DeadlineApr 1, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd Auditions · wmich.edu

Audition Requirements

This program has a required admission audition and a separate internal audition gate after enrollment. The gateway source documents the post-enrollment gate; admission requirement details may be separate.Gateway source

Dance

On-Site Audition

On-site auditions include jazz, ballet, and modern dance technique classes.

Applicants are expected to participate in all audition activities.

Video Audition

Virtual audition applicants upload five videos: ballet phrase, jazz phrase, modern phrase, one-minute prepared solo, and approximately 30 seconds of improvisation.

Solo material may be any genre or style and should represent confident, rehearsed performance.

Attire

Wear close-fitting attire that allows full movement.

Solid-colored clothing without writing or patterns is preferred.

Ballet

Ballet Video Guidelines

Show center work only; all combinations must be demonstrated on both sides.

Include adagio, pirouette, petit allegro, grand allegro, and traveling turns from the corner.

For live auditions, ballet class uses ballet shoes or socks.

Additional Materials

Headshot

Submit either a headshot or dance/body shot through Acceptd.

Essay

Answer the WMU dance essay questions about interest in studying dance and a performance, dancer, teacher, or choreographer that broadened your understanding.

Letters of Recommendation

Optional recommendation from a dance teacher.

Optional recommendation from an academic teacher.

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Western Michigan University and list Dance as the intended major

The 2026-27 dance application (Acceptd) opened September 1, 2026

Admission Pathway

All WMU Dance students audition and enter through the BA program

Students may petition for BFA entrance during the second semester of their first year or later

This row models both the required initial dance-major audition and the later post-enrollment BFA gateway

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission into the Department of Dance is a multi-step process: apply to WMU, register through Acceptd, and attend an audition virtually or in person.

Incoming students complete the online Acceptd application and select either an on-site audition or virtual audition materials.

Audition Expectations

On-campus audition day runs 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM and includes technique classes, faculty/student sessions, an informal performance, and parent/family information sessions.

Virtual audition materials are reviewed concurrent with on-site auditions and results are emailed approximately two weeks after review.

Scholarship Info

Scholarship Consideration

Students admitted academically to WMU who participate in a dance audition are considered for dance scholarship.

Completed audition materials and university admission by January 31 are used for scholarship consideration.

Dance scholarship finalists may be asked to complete an online or phone interview.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.53

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

12.6K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,589

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,665

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,270

Before aid

Average net price

$15,273

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · wmich.edu College Scorecard

Training

BFA in Dance is a 79-hour professional program emphasizing performance, choreography, and career-supporting skills.

Students develop technical and creative proficiency, independent problem solving, and a personal aesthetic through performance or composition.

Performance & Productions

WMU Dance includes ballet, jazz, and modern training with guest residencies and performance opportunities.

Updated Sep 3, 7:43 PM