Incoming Status: Graduate
Area of Interest: Dance MFA Program: Performance/Teaching Track
Entry semester available: Fall 2009
Application Deadline: January 19, 2009 for those planning to audition on February 14th. January 26, 2009 for those planning to audition on February 20th.
Downloadable PDF Form
Graduate Application 2009 (must be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions at Purchase College)
This file is in the Adobe PDF file format. You must have the Adobe Acrobat reader to view and print them. To download a free copy of the translation software, go to Adobe Acrobat Reader
Applications from individuals holding an undergraduate degree or the equivalent from an accredited college in the United States or an approved institution of higher education abroad are eligible for consideration.
Follow these instructions when applying to Purchase College as a Graduate Dance MFA Program Performance/Teaching Track applicant.
International Applicants must follow the international application instructions as well as review the Class Audition Video/DVD guidelines.
1. Applicant completes and submits application on-line or on paper with application fee and review fee.
2.
3. Applicant is notified if she or he is invited to attend an MFA audition on campus.
4. Applicant auditions, writes essay and meets with admission committee for interview with audition fee.
5. Within four weeks applicant is notified of admissions status.
Step 1: Submit your completed Purchase College Graduate Application.
Complete applications must be received by the following deadlines:
- January 19, 2009 if you are intending to audition on February 14, 2009
- January 26, 2009 if you are intending to audition on February 20, 2009
Send the completed Purchase College Graduate Application to:
Office of Admissions/ Attn: Graduate Programs
Purchase College, SUNY
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577-1400
Step 2: Include with your application packet the following items:
A. Non-Refundable SUNY Application fee of $50 (Payable to "Purchase College").
B. Official transcripts (in envelopes sealed by the registrar) from all undergraduate schools attended.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must request and complete the Purchase College International Application.
Step 3: Submit the following items to the Conservatory of Dance:
A. Résumé You may either submit your own résumé or use the form included with the application packet.
B. Personal Statement Written on an additional sheet of paper, no more than 300 words, addressing:
a. What is your goal in seeking an MFA Degree in Performance/Teaching at
b. What are your professional goals after you graduate from Purchase?
C. Two letters of recommendation: A professional reference regarding your performance as a dancer and as a teacher and a personal reference.
D. Application Video/DVD Application DVD Form Performance Teaching
The Application Videotape/DVD should contain three examples of your performance. Applicants should present their best work, highlighting their versatility as a performing artist demonstrating work beyond the baccalaureate degree. The tape/DVD in total length should not exceed 10 minutes. Make sure the excerpts you are submitting clearly feature you. If possible, graphically highlight who you are in a group by way of a circle or an arrow. We must be able to easily identify you.
Make sure to download and complete the Application Videotape/DVD Form. Enclose it with your Videotape/DVD. Your videotape/DVD will not be reviewed if the form is not enclosed. Make sure your written information also explains how we can identify you.
Note that we do prefer VHS tapes over home made DVDs because the technique of home recording will often not play on other machines.
E. Non-Refundable Conservatory of Dance review fee of $50.00 (payable to “
Note that Candidates who submit a Class Audition Videotape should pay the review fee and the audition fee for a total of $100.00 when submitting their application.
This material should be sent directly to:
Conservatory of
Step 4: Audition on Campus
MFA auditions will only be conducted for students who are invited to attend. If you are invited to audition, the Conservatory of Dance will contact you.
Audition dates are:
Saturday, February 14 Application Deadline January 19, 2009
Friday, February 20 Application Deadline January 26, 2009
All Candidates residing in the Continental United States must audition in person and on campus. ONLY Candidates living outside the Continental United States may send a Class Audition Videotape/DVD rather than audition in person (this includes other countries and
The Class Audition Videotape/DVD should include:
2-3 Minute Interview: speak to the camera in English and tell us about yourself. State your name, dance training, and discuss Performance/Teaching expectations. Explain the content of your application tapes and, if you are performing, how we identify you. If possible, graphically highlight by way of circle or arrow. Please comment about why you want to attend
Ballet Class: present barre work, center work (adagio, allegro and pirouette combinations) and across the floor combinations. You do not need to repeat exercises on two sides.
Modern Class: present warm up exercises, center work including backwork, and across the floor combinations.
Solo: present a solo in classical ballet or modern dance. Time limit is 3 minutes. Choreography may be your own or that of someone else. Introduce the solo with title, composer, and any additional information you want us to know.
THE AUDITION PROCESS
The Admission audition consists of a ballet class, modern combinations in the center and across the floor, a performance piece and an essay.
A. Registration
Please plan to arrive on-campus by 9:15. After changing into practice clothes, applicants register for the audition.
1. Complete the audition form
2. Submit $ 50.00 Conservatory of Dance Audition Fee (Please make check payable to "Purchase College")
3. Submit photograph - full body shot in leotard and tights. (Print name on back of photo)
4. Receive audition #
B. Class audition from 10:30am to 12:30pm
C. Lunch Break
D. Solo Performance. Either classical ballet or modern dance. Please note the following:
TIME LIMIT: 3-minute performance (the faculty will request that you end your performance if you exceed the time limit - no exceptions)
Choreography may be your own or that of someone else.
MUSIC: CD or iPod. If your CD is burned, please make sure it plays correctly before the audition day. Bring a back-up CD with you. Print name clearly on label. The Conservatory of Dance will provide an iPod compatible CD player
FLOOR: The audition studio has a marley floor.
ATTIRE: Costumes are not permitted. You may change from class attire to other leotard/tights or unitard for your solo if you desire.
After the Audition
You will remain to write an essay and to interview with the Director of the MFA Program and selected faculty. We invite you to attend the BFA Dance Senior Project Performances in the Dance Theatre Lab at 8:00pm on the evening of your audition. Please reserve your complimentary tickets when you register in the morning.
Admission Decision
All applicants will be notified of admission status within four weeks of the audition if the following documents have been submitted and are complete:
Conservatory of Dance MFA application with review and audition fee – SUNY Graduate Program application for admission – SUNY application fee Admission to the Conservatory of Dance serves as your admission to Purchase College.
For additional information about the Dance program, visit the Conservatory of Dance web site.