Video Requirements:
As required by the Graduate School, all materials must be submitted electronically, including:
1. Graduate Application
2. Transcripts
3. Current CV
Your CV should thoroughly reflect your educational background and all professional and related experiences to date. It plays a critical role in fellowship nominations, so be comprehensive.
4. Statement of Purpose
This essay helps us get to know you—both as an individual and as a prospective graduate student. Pursuing a graduate degree requires focused, sustained effort, independent research, and original thought. It demands time, patience, discipline, and clarity of purpose. In your statement, describe your preparation and motivation for graduate studies in dance and how your background and goals align with the M.F.A. in Dance program.
The admissions committee is interested in your academic, professional, and artistic journey and goals. Consider the following prompts in relation to your full application:
Motivation: Why are you interested in graduate study? Describe your motivation and passion for pursuing a graduate degree.
Preparation: Describe the academic, professional, and/or lived experiences that have prepared you for graduate study.
This may include relevant coursework, employment, exhibitions, fieldwork, language proficiency, independent projects, internships, laboratory work, presentations, publications, studio practice, teaching, or travel/study abroad.
You are also welcome to share experiences such as community involvement, service, leadership or mentorship roles, or the ways in which navigating social, economic, educational, or physical challenges has shaped your perspective and strengthened your readiness for graduate study.
Please note: This prompt is not intended to require the disclosure of traumatic experiences. Rather, it is meant to highlight how your unique path has prepared you to thrive in a rigorous graduate program.
Research and Professional Goals: Outline your areas of interest, potential subfields or specializations, and your artistic and professional objectives.
Fit with the Program: Explain how your experiences and goals align with the resources and focus of the graduate program at UMD. In other words, what is driving you? What do you hope to gain? How has your experience prepared you? Why are you pursuing graduate studies now? And why UMD?
Length: 1–2 pages (single-spaced) or 3–4 pages (double-spaced).Upload as a Word or PDF file.
5. Artist Statement Bio
Provide a brief narrative (biographical and/or artistic) statement of your creative research. Include a general description, context, sensibilities, intentions, and/or underlying concepts. You may also include relevant professional experience, as well as key opportunities or achievements. The statement should clearly identify the artistic goals shaping the next phase(s) of your creative research.
Length: 750 word max.
6. Work Samples
Submit three web links to videos featuring your choreography and/or performance with timestamps that frame 10–15 minutes total across all samples. Each work sample should include:
Basic information:
Title
Names of performers and collaborators
Role(s) (e.g., choreographer, performer). If performing in the video, please identify yourself.
Date of performance
Time Stamps
A brief description of why you chose to include this work sample as part of your application. Consider briefly describing relevant connections to your research goals and interests, etc. (100 words recommended).
Work samples may be submitted as links to Vimeo, YouTube, or your professional website. Enter these into the Multimedia Requirements section of the application. Ensure the link is specific to one work sample (not a portfolio) and is accessible, including a password where applicable.
(Optional) Additional Work Sample: Option to submit one or a combination of the following: professional or scholarly writing; a teaching philosophy statement; interdisciplinary, administrative, production, dramaturgical, or design work. Where applicable, provide an excerpt for review (750 words or 3 minutes).
Prepare to submit work samples to both the Graduate School Application and Audition Registration.
7. Letters of Recommendation
Provide the names and email addresses of three recommenders who will submit electronic letters of recommendation.
8. Non-refundable Application Fee
A $75 fee is required for each program application.
Fee Waiver Eligibility: https://gradschool.umd.edu/feewaiverinformation
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok