B.A. in Dance Admissions

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR FALL 2023: Due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of World Arts and Cultures/ Dance asks all applicants to audition by pre-recorded video only for the Dance major. We will not hold live auditions for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.

If you are applying to UCLA for the first time, please read the information under “For New First Year and Transfer Applicants”.

If you are a current UCLA student who wants to major in Dance, please scroll down to “For Current UCLA Students”.

FOR NEW FIRST YEAR AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS:

New UCLA first year and transfer students are admitted to the major for fall quarter only. To be considered for admission, applicants are required to complete both the general University of California (UC) undergraduate application, as well as a department supplement.

UC Application Filing Period: October 1- November 30.

Applicants who have submitted their UC application and have listed Dance as their first choice major to UCLA will have access to the online supplemental application for Dance.

The Dance supplemental application portal will be open from November 15 – December 15. Once an applicant submits the UC Application indicating the Dance major as their first choice major to UCLA, their UC Application will be processed within 1-10 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Once the UC Application is officially processed, applicants will use their UC Application ID to log into the online supplemental application. Undergraduate applicants must submit both the UC application and Dance supplement to be considered for admission into the major.

Supplemental Application Materials

The supplemental application for the Dance major is due on December 15 at 11:59pm PST, and includes the following specific departmental requirements:

  • Academics and Extracurriculars
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Department Statement
  • Video Audition
  • Self Portrait Multimedia Project
  • Optional Experience Resume

For full details about requirements and instructions on submission as well as formatting guidelines, please refer to the Supplemental Application Worksheet below:

2023 Dance Supplemental Application Worksheet (For new First Year and Transfer Applicants to UCLA)

All supplemental materials must be submitted through the online upload system; any physical materials submitted to the department will not be considered in the review process.

If you have any questions about the admission process, please email admissions@arts.ucla.edu or visit UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture Prospective Students

***Please note that UCLA is closed for winter break from mid-December through the first week in January. We will respond to all inquiries submitted during this time upon returning.***

Discover Dance at UCLA 2022

Watch this year's event on our WACD Youtube or https://youtu.be/_cEXhsuKrgE

FOR CURRENT UCLA STUDENTS:

Current UCLA undergraduate students interested in the Dance major must identify themselves to the department by DECEMBER 1, 2022 (4:00pm PST) in order to participate in the departmental Change of Major admission process during Fall/Winter. Applications are considered once a year.

Deadline to submit Supplemental Dance application: December 15 at 11:59pm PST

Students are considered for Spring Quarter admission only.

The Department encourages prospective Change of Major applicants to book a counseling appointment with the department advisors, so that you can get direct individualized information about your degree proposal. Please email wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu to request an appointment.

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

You may apply to ONE major per quarter only.

You must be in good academic standing at the end of the application quarter. If you are on academic probation at the end of your previous quarter, you may still apply, with the expectation that your status will be cleared at the end of the current quarter. Minimum progress probation status may affect your change of major petition.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The Department strongly prefers a minimum 3.0 GPA in Dance courses and an overall minimum 2.0 GPA.

Students must be enrolled in at least one Dance course (NOT a movement course) during the Fall quarter in which the petition is filed, so that their work may be monitored by the World Arts and Cultures/Dance (WACD) faculty and counselor.

ALL APPLICANTS must have taken previously or be enrolled in DANCE 1 in the current Fall Quarter of application, this will count towards the above requirement.

FIRST YEAR AND SOPHOMORE STANDING APPLICANTS:

  • You must have no more than 90 quarter units at the beginning of Winter Quarter, although fewer are recommended.
  • Applicants must have taken or plan to enroll in DANCE 44 in the following Winter Quarter.
  • Applicants must have taken or plan to enroll in DANCE 45 in the following Spring Quarter.
  • Applicants must have taken and/or be enrolled in at least one class at the beginning of the following Winter Quarter from: DANCE 16, 67A, 67B

NOTE: If you are a prospective Dance applicant with no established UC GPA (ex. you are a new student entering in the Fall who has not taken previous coursework at UCLA or any other UC), you are not eligible to apply until you have a UCLA GPA. For most prospective Dance applicants, the soonest you can apply for a Change of Major is in Fall/Winter of sophomore year, as most students establish their first UCLA GPA in mid-to late December following the completion of Fall Q, which is after the COM deadline.

JUNIOR STANDING APPLICANTS

  • You must have no more than 120 quarter units at the beginning of Winter Quarter, although fewer are recommended.
  • Competitive applicants will have the majority of their School and University requirements completed.
  • Applicants must have and/or be enrolled in at least 12 units at the beginning of the following Winter Quarter from: 16, 44, 45, 67A, 67B, 70, 101
  • Applicants must have and/or be enrolled in at least 8 units at the beginning of the following Winter Quarter from (more are suggested): DANCE 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 56, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, C106A, C109A, 112A, C113A, C115, 116, 159, 160, WL ARTS 80

Change of Major Application Sheet

Students may be interviewed/audition as part of the application process. Review the Change of Major Application Worksheet below for more information about the application process and admission requirements:

Dance Change of Major Application Sheet 2023

Should you have any questions after reviewing this information, please email wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

The department offers scholarships of modest amounts to our continuing students. Some scholarships are being offered to new students through the UCLA Alumni Association. The Financial Aid Office works closely with all students who need financial assistance. A financial aid award generally consists of a combination of scholarships and grant money from UCLA and other sources, low-interest loans, and a work-study job during the academic year.

California community college students are strongly encouraged to complete IGETC requirements. All other transfer students are encouraged to make progress toward completion of the UCLA's School of the Arts and Architecture's general education and university proficiency requirements.

Beyond the IGETC/General Education courses, it is recommended that dance major students take coursework in the area of choreography, improvisation, and forms of technique offered. For more specific recommendations, please review the Transfer Admission Guide. There is also additional information and guidance for transfer students at arts.ucla.edu/apply.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance (WACD) asks all applicants to audition by pre-recorded video ONLY. We will not hold live auditions for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle. Please review Dance Video Audition Advice for Fall 2023.

The department personal statement that is submitted with the supplemental application, is distinct from the UC personal insight questions. Your audience for your UC responses are “general UC readers,” and your audience for the UCLA Arts supplemental essays are your department faculty. The department faculty do have access to your UC responses. In the event that the reviewing faculty want more information about an applicant, they may request to review your UC responses.

All current students are welcome to take dance and choreography classes here at WACD! Some popular classes may fill early, so be sure to register as soon as you are able. All students can register for beginning level classes, which are intended for students who are new to dance, or to a particular style of dance (ex: an experienced ballet dancer may wish to take a beginning West African dance class). Intermediate and advanced levels require attendance at the placement class that happens at the first class meeting at the beginning of each quarter. The placement process allows the instructors to ensure that students are enrolled in the class that most suits their needs at the time, and is not a personal judgment or a statement about potential.

If you’re not sure what styles of dance or what levels are right for you, please email the instructor. In the case of a beginning level class you may simply show up to class on the first day of class. Bear in mind, however, that there is no guarantee you will be allowed to enroll in a class if it is full.

WACD undergraduate and graduate students have first priority once classes are full.

Current M.F.A. students periodically need dancers for showings related to their degree progress. Sometimes auditions are posted, while other times fellow dance class attendees are approached. Check the department announcements posted via our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram), the department's weekly newsletter, and flyers that are posted within the department for audition information.

Additional opportunities exist each year at WACsmash—an interdisciplinary showcase of artists within World Arts and Cultures/Dance. The show incorporates various styles of dance, film, and live music created and produced by undergraduate students.

There is also an annual faculty-choreographed showcase during spring quarter every year. Audition information will be posted in the department.

All current students are encouraged to attend classes here in WACD! Our department is highly trans-disciplinary, with no two students studying the exact same thing, and we embrace diversity of academic background and thought. Please be advised that upper level undergraduate courses may require certain pre-requisites, or permission of the instructor.

Also, please note that some departments do not permit undergraduates from attending graduate seminars. Arts and Architecture undergraduates may not apply graduate level coursework towards their major requirements. Be sure to check with your advisor before you invest your time. Permission to attend a WACD upper level undergraduate or graduate course is ultimately at the discretion of the instructor. Please ask the faculty for advice about whether the course is appropriate for you.

Contact

For inquiries and additional information, please contact:

Ashley Pham

Academic Advisor - BA in Dance & M.F.A. in Choreographic Inquiry

B.A. in World Arts and Cultures Admissions
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