Dance Admissions
Undergraduate Dance degrees only (BA, BFA) are offered at UMass Amherst. More information about Dance degrees >>
BFA Audition dates for Fall 2024 entry: Fri. Dec. 1, 2023, 2pm + spring semester date TBA
(Auditionees must have completed the Common App through Undergraduate Admissions before attending the BFA audition)
UMass Dance Application >> Financial Aid & Scholarships >>
Dance Program Open House on Zoom: Wed. Oct. 4 @ 6:00pm Details => Registration =>
Admissions Procedure:
Admission to the Dance Program is a two-part process. Appliicants must first apply to the University using the Common Application @ Admissions Office. Applicants then apply to the Dance Program by submitting a Dance Application Form, which includes uploading a personal statement, and a movement sample (BA applicants). For BFA applicants, there is also an audition sign-up section on the form.
Admission Application Deadlines for UMass Amherst:
- Early Action: November 5, 2023
- Regular Decision: January 15, 2024
- Transfer: November 5, 2023 (spring 2024 term), March 1, 2024 (fall 2024 term, Priority deadline)
For more information on applying to UMass Amherst, please contact Rachel Masson, rmasson@umass.edu
Submission of the UMass Dance Program supplementary material
Rolling applications; please submit as soon as possible following your application.
For more information on applying to the UMass Dance Program, please contact Cathy Maclutsky, cmaclutsky@dance.umass.edu
UMass Dance Application Procedure:
Once you apply to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, we ask that you apply to our program by submitting the following:
Dance Application Form (link to form). The form includes capability to upload your Personal Statement and your Movement Sample (BA applicants), plus sign-up for an audition (BFA applicants).
Personal Statement
The UMass Amherst Dance Program and its faculty support divergent and individualized pathways in dance, specifically across the areas of dance performance and composition, dance education and community engagement, and dance science and applications in research. In uniquely considering your intended career trajectory in dance, please provide a personal statement of 350-500 words. Share with us your passions, dreams, interests, and goals that connect to dance and those that are outside your current experiences in dance. Your personal statement should respond to the following - What interests and background in dance will you bring to the program? Which aspects of the program, its faculty expertise and overall programmatic offerings do you foresee will prepare you for 'the dance career of tomorrow' and support your unique pathway in this field?
Movement Sample (BA applicants):
A movement sample is recommended, though not mandatory, for BA degree applicants. Your movement sample should emphasize your strengths and creativity in dance. There are no specific requirements for content or your chosen medium. When making this movement sample, consider your strongest technique, movement language and/or your innate interest in dance - Video submissions (uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo) should be two to three minutes in length.
Audition (BFA applicants)
A live audition is required for all BFA degree applicants. A movement sample is recommended, though not mandatory. Please sign up for one of our scheduled audition dates. You can do this as part of the Dance Application Form. BFA Audition dates are Fridays, Dec. 1, 2023, 2pm and Feb. 16, 2024, 2pm.
Questions may be directed to Dance Program Coordinator Cathy Maclutsky, cmaclutsky@dance.umass.edu, 413-545-6064
The Dance Program accepts applicants on a rolling basis.
Dance Major Open House Virtual Events
First-Year and Transfer applicants are encouraged to attend our Dance Engagement Days (currently virtual events). Offered in the Fall and Spring, these events are curated for prospective dance majors, including high school juniors and seniors, transfers, and current UMass students. You will interact with dance majors and faculty, receive a program overview, Q&A, and virtual tour of our facilities. Current dance students will share their research and excerpts of performances. Our faculty will guide you through movement experiences that reflect the scope of our department. There will be opportunities to register for individual meetings with faculty, that will support your pathway to becoming a UMass Dance Major and leading to a career and life in the arts.
Fall 2023 Dance Engagement Day (Virtual Open House) date: Wed. Oct. 4, 2023 @ 6:00pm (on Zoom) Details => Registration =>
Please email Cathleen Maclutsky cmaclutsky@dance.umass.edu or call (413) 545-6064 for additional information, upcoming event dates, scheduling meeting appointments with faculty, and online department tours.
Visits/Inquiries:
We encourage and welcome visits by prospective students and their families and can arrange meetings with faculty and students, attendance at classes and rehearsals, and tours. Please contact the Dance Program at 413-545-6064 in advance to schedule an appointment. Please see the Visit Us page for links to directions to campus and downloadable maps.
Dance Program:
Director of Dance Admissions
352 Bartlett Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel. (413) 545-6064
Email: cmaclutsky@dance.umass.edu
Undergraduate Admissions Office:
University Admissions Center
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel. (413) 545-0222
