Dance Admission FAQs

As soon as you can. There are a limited number of slots open for auditions. Remember that you must first submit your Meadows Dance Application in order to then register for an audition. Check the Meadows Dance Application, Admission and Audition webpage for deadlines for on-campus, and regional auditions.

Maybe. It depends on whether any slots are left in the other auditions. Contact Meadows Admission to reschedule or switch your audition type to a recorded audition: meadowsadmission@smu.edu / 214-768-3217. If there are no other openings, you can send in a recorded audition.

Auditionees should wear dancewear that does not impede movement of the body and that is form-fitting so that the faculty adjudicators can see alignment and movement particularities. We suggest full-length, non-footed tights and form-fitting tops or leotards. No loose-fitting t-shirts, baggy pants, or shorts.

You should bring both jazz shoes and ballet slippers. Auditionees will dance in bare feet for the modern portion of the audition. Pointe shoes are required only if they are needed for the solo.

Yes. Those interested in the Dance minor register for the audition within their Meadows Dance Application.

No, the process is the same. Dance applicants must complete the Meadows Dance Application, and must audition.

No. All applicants should prepare a 90-120 second solo in their choice of ballet, modern, or jazz technique and must provide music either on a cellphone, computer, or USB drive. Solos are performed at the request of the faculty following the morning audition technique classes. Auditionees will be dismissed if they are not asked to perform their solo.

If the applicant is instead auditioning via recorded audition, the solo is required to be included in their audition video.

It can be either classical or contemporary, your choice. (Jazz solos and modern solos are also accepted.)

Yes. However, typically students focus on one style with a clear point of view.

The time length requirement for the solo is 90 to 120 seconds - a minute and a half at least, or up to but not exceeding two minutes. It’s okay for the music to fade out if the song is longer than two minutes. Get creative and choreograph a solo that meets the requirements. You’ve got this!

New or recent is preferred, whether you are solo onstage, in a studio, in your back yard, at your school’s gymnasium, etc. If you still want to send in a video from a solo you recently performed, select the best 90-to-120 seconds of the solo and upload that excerpt via your Meadows Dance Application portal, “Media/portfolio” section. Videos are uploaded via the Meadows Dance Application online.

First, relax and let them see who you are as a person and as an artist. The faculty want to know more about you, your perspectives on dance, what your goals are, etc. You may be asked a variety of questions, or may be asked to perform a technique or combination. In any case, take a breath, relax and enjoy the chat!

If you have sent in a recorded audition, you may later receive an email from Meadows asking for an interview. It means the faculty want to further consider you for possible admission to the program. You might also not receive a request, and that’s fine. Students are admitted with and without a follow up interview from a recorded audition. Interviews can be either in person, or via Zoom. Location, date and time of the interview are at the discretion of the faculty.

Good question! Headshot please, face forward. Medium or closeup is fine.

Just dance experience. Typically, applicants provide info such as training, what technique(s) they’ve studied, dance studio or club and/or instructor they’ve trained with, and what years these activities took place. Many provide a list of performances and in which years; other dance experience; choreography experience; and dance awards and honors.

Although there is no word limit, the faculty is not looking for an essay. One paragraph is fine, or two or three if you need it.

Sure! The Dance degree has a “dual admission” process, and it takes time to complete the process:

1. Applicant applies to SMU and to Meadows using two separate applications – one for SMU, the other for Meadows.
2. Applicant registers for their audition via the online Meadows Dance Application.
3. After the audition, the applicant will hear from Meadows whether or not the applicant has been accepted into the Dance program. This notification will be via email, and is usually sent to the applicant about two weeks after the audition.
4. Meadows informs the SMU Office of Undergraduate Admission of its Dance admission decision.
5. After hearing from Meadows, SMU will then render its admission decision and will contact the applicant via email.

It tends to be easier on the applicants and their families if they can get their decisions from Meadows and from SMU in the same semester. The main caveat is if a student applies to SMU in the fall as, for example, Early Action, but waits till the spring to audition, they won’t get their Meadows admission decision until about two weeks after their audition in the spring, and their SMU decision will follow about two weeks after Meadows’ decision. For some applicants that’s fine, they’re in no hurry; but other applicants want to know their admission decisions sooner.

• If you audition in person, you will receive your Meadows admission decision about two weeks after the audition. Note that your SMU admission decision will follow about two weeks after your Meadows Decision.
• If you submit a recorded audition, you’ll receive your Meadows decision about three weeks after the submission deadline:
• Applying Early Action or Early Decision I: November 1
• Applying Regular Decision or Early Decision II:February 1

For dancers, Early Action. Here’s why: Early Decision is a binding agreement to attend SMU if you are accepted to the university even if you are not also accepted to the Meadows Dance Division. For those who wish to apply by the November 1 “Early” deadline, we recommend that dance applicants select “Early Action” instead of “Early Decision.” By applying Early Action, dance applicants can keep their options open while expressing strong interest in SMU.

Not at all! Know that Meadows considers all of the auditions, whether you audition in the fall or spring semester. We want you to apply and audition when you think you will be at your best. Regular and Early Decision II applications to SMU are due February 1.

That does sometimes happen, and is the main reason why we encourage early applicants to apply to SMU as Early Action and not Early Decision. If you are accepted to SMU but not to the Dance program, you and your family will need to decide whether you go to SMU and pursue a major other than Dance, or select a different university.

In order to attend SMU and pursue the B.F.A. in Dance Performance degree, applicants must apply to and be admitted to both SMU and to Meadows School of the Arts Division of Dance. If you are admitted to Dance but not to SMU, you’ll need to select a different university.

Yes. You will need to submit a second Meadows Dance Application and schedule a second audition. Please know that we do not provide feedback on auditions.

Over 300 dancers apply each year. Approximately 50 are accepted, and of that group, we are looking to form an incoming cohort of 20 to 24 dancers.

High grades, activity in your school, community, place of worship, etc. Keep in touch with your SMU admission counselor, attend some SMU or Meadows events (keep checking your email for event announcements and registrations) and show your active interest in SMU. 

Casting in the mainstage shows are for Dance majors only. However, on occasion, some minors may be cast in the annual Student Choreography Showcase and/or Senior Dance Concert.

Ready to learn more about Meadows School of the Arts? Drop down text: Get your questions answered and see where you will study, research, rehearse, perform, and collaborate as a Meadows student! Register here; when you get to the page, you’ll see that you can register for SMU info sessions and tours, as well as for the Meadows School of the Arts info sessions and tours.