B.A. in Dance Admissions

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: November 1-30.

For general information relating to undergraduate admission at UCLA, please visit www.admission.ucla.edu.

Change of major applications are considered once a year. Current UCLA students who petition to change their major are required to meet with the Student Affairs Officer prior to application, but no later than the eighth week of fall quarter. Review the Change of Major Application Worksheet below for detailed information about the application and admission process.

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

Supplemental Application Materials

Beginning in November, 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 Dance. Applications are due December 15th and include the following specific departmental requirements:

Questionnaire
Unofficial Transcripts
Personal Statement
Sample Research Paper
Audition

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

Supplemental Application Worksheet - Dance Major (1.17 MB)

UC Applications are due separately from the department’s Supplemental Application. Once an applicant submits the UC Application indicating the World Arts and Cultures major or the Dance major as their first choice major to UCLA, their UC Application will be processed within 1-6 business days. 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 department supplement to be considered for admission into the major.

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.

Please note that UCLA and the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance are typically closed from mid-December through the first week in January. We will respond to all inquiries submitted during this time upon returning.

If you are a current applicant and have questions during the holiday closure, you can also email admissions@arts.ucla.edu and may receive a quicker response.

For B.A. in Dance Applicants Only

Applicants may audition in person, or by video if unable to attend the live audition. Applicants are requested to perform a one-minute piece of their own choreography in a style most comfortable to them. Students may show studio or in-performance work.

For new Dance major applicants only:
Applicants may audition in person on Friday, January 31, 2020 or by video if unable to attend the live audition. Applicants are requested to perform a one-minute piece of their own choreography in a style most comfortable to them. Applicants may show studio or in-performance work.

Supplemental Application Worksheet - Dance Major (1.17 MB)

For Dance Change of Major applicants only:
All students are required to audition in person on Friday, January 31, 2020 and may be interviewed as part of their application in order to participate in the department supplemental application process during fall/winter quarters for admission into the program the following spring or fall quarter.

Change of Major Application Worksheet - Dance Major (929.18 kB)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance offer any scholarships to incoming students?

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.

As a transfer student, is there any coursework you recommend that I take?

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.

What happens at the live dance auditions?

Group technique sessions are offered in the morning, followed by individual auditions. The group technique session often includes a section in modern, one in improvisation, and one in a world dance form. It is not expected that you will have had any specific training in any forms presented. The faculty would like to see how applicants take on new movement. You will also be asked to perform a one minute piece of your own choreography in a style most comfortable to you.

What is the theme for the personal statement essay? I have already written one for the UC application.

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 will read the supplemental essays first, and do have access to your UC responses. In the event that the reviewing faculty want more information about an applicant, they may refer to the UC responses. It is in your best interest to make your UC responses distinct from your UCLA Arts supplement essays.

Who can take dance/choreography classes at UCLA?

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.

What kind of dance performance opportunities exist for current UCLA students?

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.

Who can take seminars in the WACD 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.