How to apply - Undergraduates

To apply to the Department of Dance, first complete the online University of California application by December 2. Visit the UCI Admissions website for full details on application procedures and fees.

In addition to the UC application, all applicants must complete a dance audition to be considered for admission. Once you apply and select dance as your major, you will receive an email invitation to register for one audition date. Please register by January 1, 2026.

If you do not receive the registration link by December 10, check your spam folder or contact dance@uci.edu.

No additional materials will be accepted, including résumés, photos or letters of recommendation.

Audition process

UCI is committed to the health and well-being of all faculty, students and guests. Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive confirmation via email. The Department of Dance is not responsible for any cancellation fees.

All auditions are held in person at UCI. Applicants must be available for the full day and participate in all portions of the audition to remain eligible for admission. Breaks will be provided, and dancers are encouraged to bring snacks and water.

Audition dates

Applicants may choose one audition date:

• Saturday, January 24, 2026
• Saturday, February 7, 2026

What to wear

For all technique auditions (ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz and hip hop):

• Wear fitted dance clothing that allows full visibility of movement.
• Secure hair away from the face and body.
• Wear shoes appropriate to the style.

Ballet

• Solid-colored leotard and full-length tights or a unitard
• Shoes: Ballet slippers

Modern/contemporary

• Fitted dancewear
• Shoes: Barefoot or socks

Jazz

• Fitted dancewear
• Shoes: Soft-soled jazz shoes or sneakers

Hip hop

• Typical hip-hop attire without visible labels, pictures or slogans
• Shoes: Soft-soled jazz shoes or sneakers

Note: Time will not be allotted for changing clothes between techniques. Dancers may change if time permits, but it is not required.

Parent and supporter information session

Parents and supporters are invited to attend an information session at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the audition. The session includes a presentation and Q&A with:

• Kelli Sharp, chair, Department of Dance
• Amy Kim, director of student affairs, Claire Trevor School of the Arts
• Current dance majors, who will share their experiences and answer questions about student life

Admission requirements

Incoming freshmen

Along with meeting UC admission requirements, applicants to the Department of Dance must demonstrate technical skill and creative potential. Training in ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, hip hop or other dance forms is encouraged.

Accepted students take placement exams during Welcome Week in the fall. Placement results determine course levels in ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz and hip hop.

For curriculum details, see the UCI General Catalogue.

Transfer students

Strong transfer preparation blends UC admission requirements, general education and lower-division coursework in the major.

To prepare for transfer:

1. Complete UC transfer admission requirements. See the UC transfer website for details.
2. Work toward completing your general education requirements. If you are transferring from a California community college, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is recommended. Completing GE before transfer allows you to focus on major coursework once you arrive at UCI.
3. Take foundational coursework in ballet, jazz and modern dance technique.
4. If available at your college, the following courses provide strong additional preparation:
   • Music for dancers
   • Injury prevention
   • Improvisation and introductory choreography
   • One year of dance history
5. Attend the required entrance audition in winter prior to the fall you plan to enroll as a dance major.
6. After admission, participate in placement auditions during Welcome Week in the fall. Your placement level will help determine how many years you will need to complete the major requirements.

To ensure you are taking appropriate courses for transfer to UCI Dance, work closely with your college counselor or contact the UCI Office of Admissions.

Program eligibility

Applicants to the M.F.A. in Dance must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study at UCI and hold a bachelor’s degree. A B.A. or B.F.A. in dance is preferred. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.

Admission to the M.F.A. in Dance is for the fall quarter only.

How to apply - Graduates

Apply online through the UCI Office of Graduate Studies by December 1, 2025. All application materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be received by that date.

The Department of Dance requires additional materials beyond the campus application. Please review the Dance graduate admission information carefully and submit all department-required materials by December 1, 2025. Auditions are held in person by invitation only.

For detailed campus application instructions, visit the UCI Office of Graduate Studies website.

Additional admission requirements

Choreography and performance reel

In addition to the online application, all applicants must submit a choreography and performance reel. This reel must:

• Be a maximum of three minutes
• Include only your choreography and/or performance (one excerpt or multiple excerpts)
• Begin immediately with the work (no introductory credits and no need to cue up the video)

Upload your reel to Vimeo, YouTube or Google Drive, and email the link and any password to dancemfa@uci.edu no later than December 1, 2025.

In addition to the three-minute reel, applicants may include up to three additional links to full works in their choreographic and performance portfolio. List these links separately in the same email. Choreography and performance in all genres and aesthetics in dance are welcome.

Invitation to live audition

Once all application materials and reels have been reviewed in December, qualified applicants will be invited to a live audition and interview with the faculty. Invitations will be sent by the end of January 2026.

Please do not make travel reservations before receiving an official invitation to audition.

The live audition will be held in person on Friday, February 27, 2026, and is by invitation only.

International applicants

International students should review the important information for international applicants to the M.F.A. in Dance in addition to the UCI graduate application requirements.

Financial support

Substantial financial aid is available to M.F.A. in Dance students, including fellowships and employment as academic student employees (ASEs). ASE positions may be available in areas such as:

• Dance technique
• Dance history and theory
• Music
• Video production
• Costuming
• Critical issues in dance
• Kinesiology
• Injury prevention

Most M.F.A. in Dance students receive some form of financial support.

Graduate students are also eligible to apply for department, school and campus-wide scholarship opportunities.