For dancers applying to college, auditions are often the most decisive part of the admissions process. Unlike many academic majors, dance programs evaluate students not only on grades and test scores, but on artistry, technique, training background, and potential. This makes college planning for dancers fundamentally different—and why audition strategy matters.

College dance auditions can include live auditions, prescreen videos, portfolios, resumes, interviews, and academic applications that all work together. Without a clear plan, dancers can easily miss opportunities or misunderstand what programs are really looking for.

Understanding the Types of College Dance Auditions

Different schools evaluate dancers in different ways. Some require live auditions only, while others rely heavily on prescreen videos before inviting students to campus.

Common audition formats include:

• Audition classes (on campus or at regional auditions)

• Prescreen videos submitted in the fall

• Interviews or written statements

• Dance resumes

• Solos

Each format requires a different strategy, and expectations vary widely by program. What works for one college may hurt a dancer at another.

Prescreen Videos: Where Most Dancers Get Stuck

For schools that prescreen, the prescreening process is stressful but sometimes it’s also a gift. It’s hard to get rejected early on in a process, but it saves time an money if the program can already tell that they are not a fit for you.

In a prescreen video departments are looking for foundational training, raw talent, and fit. And you don’t need all three!

Key prescreen mistakes include:

• Overly produced videos with cuts or edits that obscure technique.

• Not following directions regarding length, angles, and cuts.

• Ignoring genre or technique requirements

• Costumes or clothing that mask true lines and placement.

Unfortunately unlike some arts disciplines, dance does not have a standard pre-screen. This means each program can ask for different things. At Dance And College Counseling we work to build your list with prescreen requirements in mind. We DON’T want you to spend a day at the studio for each prescreen and another day editing. After all, we want you to enjoy your senior year!

Successful prescreens follow instructions and give schools a good sense of your dancing. They communicate readiness, adaptability, and long-term potential and should absolutely not be the most time intensive part of the process.

Building Strong Performance Materials

Beyond auditions themselves, dancers must prepare a full set of performance materials that support their application.

These often include:

• Dance resume tailored for college programs

• Headshots or movement photos (when required)

• Academic application materials that align with artistic goals, often including dance specific essays.

For parents, this can feel overwhelming. For dancers, it can feel like a full-time job—on top of school, training, and rehearsals. Having a structured timeline and clear expectations reduces stress and improves outcomes. For instance, with our experience on audition panels, we know that all that matters with your headshot for college dance admissions is that it look like you. Your professional headshots down the road need a lot more nuance and investment but right now, just make sure your shot is clear, your hairstyle and piercings and whatnot match and move on to the next thing. Now your dance resume, that deserves time! It needs to convey your training but also your humility and willingness to grow in college. We’ll work with you on building a resume that shares your experience and gives the right message to colleges.

How Auditions Fit Into the Admissions Decision

Dance auditions rarely stand alone. Dance departments also typically evaluate:

• Artistic potential

• Training background

• Academic readiness

• Fit with the department’s goals

• Likelihood the student will enroll if accepted

Depending on the institution, the academic acceptance from the university and the artistic acceptance may be two totally distinct processes or in other institutions, the dance department has sway with the admissions department and can tip the needle towards acceptance. Likewise, dance program strength doesn’t line up with institution selectivity at large. There are many institutions where a dancer could be accepted artistically but not academically and vice versa. Having a guide who can help you with college admissions counseling with deep connections to programs increases the likelihood that a dancer will have multiple options that she or he is excited about.

A Strategic Approach to Dance College Auditions

Strong audition outcomes come from a variety of factors including the obvious one: how closely the programs you apply for fit your strengths and growth edge as a dancer. Getting to a strong list involves:

• Early planning

• Program-specific research

• Realistic self-assessment

• Clear communication between dancer, family, and college consultant

With our guidance, dancers can approach auditions with clarity and confidence—knowing they are presenting themselves effectively and authentically.