I'm looking around for colleges/universities that have a reputable dance program that can really push, and hopefully propel me somewhere.

I've looked at the Fordham/Alvin Ailey websites (www.theaileyschool.edu . . .) but there's little information on the web about how hard it is to get accepted in the dance school, how regularly it places people into companies, etc.

I'm definitely a ballet dancer. I've taken modern classes, but not often, and never in the Horton technique. (I've been dancing for seven years, and is probably at around the advanced-intermediate level. I went to an ABT intensive last summer and was put in the violet level.) AAADT is more contemporary/modern, but have you heard of ballerinas getting in, or getting out, or any information about being in the program at all?

I'm also interested in the independent study program (www.theaileyschool.edu . . .) where college credit is offered for having taken class at Ailey for a year...

Otherwise, if you have any insider information about this program, or other college dance programs, I'd love to know more about it.

A former studio-mate of mine graduated from this program and now dances with a modern company out in Colorado. She was also part of the national tour of Aida a few years back. Our studio is mainly focused on ballet (as it was when we were growing up), and she has taught some Horton workshops here, and it seems to be a technique that's fairly compatible with ballet training. If you've watched any of their performances, the style is very balletic.

As for the level of their ballet instruction, all I can say is... it's Ailey. A well-known school like that would not offer anything done halfway, even if it's not their main objective. I highly doubt they would be lacking in anything.

Thanks very much for your insight....I think I might start by watching some of their performances, and if it's more balletic, as you said, that's good news for me.

Alvin Ailey is a great institution with a great company and a great school that has great training for people with a variety of goals. They are one of the main promoters of Horton technique.

I've been to Ailey's ballet classes, and they have quality teachers in a quality program. That said, Ailey is NOT a ballet organization. The schedule should be an indicator here --- they generally focus on ballet in the morning, and modern dance for the rest of the day. Look at the Ailey repertory; that is what the Ailey training program is there to prepare you for.

But don't rely on speculation on this one --- you should look at recent graduates of Ailey and see what they're doing. If you can't find any Ailey graduates doing what you aspire to, then that should be a warning sign.

If your goal was to be a modern dancer, I'd say by all means, study at Ailey, they're one of the best. But if you want to focus on classical dance, then there are probably better places to train.

I would also ask why you want a BFA. Attending college costs a lot more than attending a ballet academy (even a public college; although in that case, someone else pays). And in the end, ballet companies hire based on what they see in the studio, not your degrees. If you simply want a performance career with a dance company, your time and money would be better spent at a ballet academy.

That said, there ARE good reasons to get a BFA (and an MFA too). They can prepare you for just about everything OTHER than a simple performance career in a ballet company. They produce artists who are better equipped to take on artistic and organizational leadership in the dance community and beyond --- teaching, dancemaking, community building, etc.

If you want an education but really just want good dance training, another option is to pursue a degree in a non-dance-related field. This can also be a good preparation for leadership in the dance world. I know many people who have done this, including myself. One problem with the BFA is that people have spent so much time in the studio, they haven't often really covered the academic essentials that normally come with a college degree. And that can really limit your options later in your career(s).

There are many ways to pursue college as a dancer. A joint program between a dance institution and a college can ease the logistical issues. But I've seen plenty of people attend college in other ways.

I do know of a couple of people who attended this program. They were all excellent dancers, and didn't necessarily have tons of modern training. One came from a ballet school and the other did every type of dance, but mostly competitive dancing.
The only thing I know about the audition process is that you must apply before you are allowed to apply. So they look at your training to see if it is enough for an audition. Just a heads up!
But if you are looking for a more classical program, there are lots out there! If you have any questions about them feel free to PM me. I just went through the whole college process.
Good luck!!