The Ailey School FAQs

For the Professional Division, there is a $30 audition fee for all Scholarship, Certificate, Independent Study, and Summer Intensive applicants. You can sign up for the audition and pay the fee once you’ve applied to your chosen program. There is a $45 audition fee for prospective Ailey/Fordham BFA applicants who are invited to attend an audition. 

For the Junior Division, a $30 audition fee is required for students auditioning for the Summer Intensive. For students auditioning for the Junior Division school year, an audition fee is not required.

No, we do not schedule private or in-class auditions. Students who do not live near an audition site may submit a video audition.

Students may audition once per calendar year. If you are not accepted at your first audition, you must wait until the following year to audition again.

Notification of acceptance will be sent by email within three weeks of an audition.

No. The Ailey School does not provide performance critiques or discuss the artistic panel’s decision after an audition.

All Professional Division students who submit a video audition will be considered for the Scholarship Program, Certificate Program, Independent Study Program, and Summer Intensive. Junior Division students who submit a video will be considered for the Summer Intensive and for a summer Scholarship. However, if possible, we recommend that students interested in earning a scholarship attend an audition in person. 

Students participating in the First Steps and Bounding Boys programs are not required to audition. All other Junior Division programs (over age 6) require an audition to be accepted into the program.

Level placement is determined based on several factors, including (but not limited to) proficiency in ballet and modern, instructor recommendations, and observations made by the audition panel. Previous evaluations and attendance records are also reviewed to determine level placement.

Yes. Because the Junior Division Program is curriculum-based, students must participate in every class assigned to their level in order to meet the requirements and advance to the next level.

Students are not allowed to sample a class. Anyone participating in Junior Division classes must be enrolled in the Junior Division program. Occasionally, The Ailey School hosts open houses. For more information email [email protected].

Junior Division students may NOT participate in professional level classes, regardless of their years of training or proficiency.

If a student will be absent from class, it is best that their parents fill out the Absence Notification Form. Students are permitted a 10-minute grace period for lateness. After the grace period, students will not be allowed to attend class. Please refer to the Junior Division Resources page for the allotted number of absences for each level.

In lieu of traditional academic report cards, faculty submit written feedback twice a year to provide a general overview of your child’s progress in class.

Yes, a dress code is required for all programs. To purchase the required attire, you can order online or visit The Ailey Boutique located inside The Joan Weill Center for Dance. For store hours, please call 212-405-9100.

Ailey Boutique

Junior Division Dress Code

Each student at The Ailey School is placed in levels according to their individual proficiency in ballet, Horton, and Graham-based modern techniques. Levels are determined by the School’s Directors at the audition or by the department chairpersons during the first week of the fall term. Students are advised that levels at the School may not correspond to the levels at their prior schools. The Ailey School has seven levels of ballet, four levels of Horton, and four levels of Graham-based modern. Pointe, partnering, and jumps & turns are offered to students in Ballet IV or higher. Students are placed in jazz levels according to their ballet levels.

Students in all programs take 12 to 15 dance technique classes per week. Certificate Program students also take dance academic and creative studies classes. Students in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program take additional academic classes through Fordham University. 

Yes, students are required to adhere to the dress code and etiquette guidelines listed in the Student Handbook. Students may be asked to observe class if they are not in the required dress code. 

Professional Division Dress Code

Ailey Boutique

Only advanced students who are in their last year of study and are preparing to enter the dance field may request permission from The Ailey School Directors to perform outside of the School.

Yes. Professional Division students enrolled in any full-time programs may attend Ailey Extension classes at a discounted student rate. Students may only attend Extension classes on the weekend, not on Monday through Friday.

No. Students are not allowed to take any Professional Division classes other than the classes that have been assigned to them by their Faculty Advisor.

Auditions for Ailey II are by invitation only. Students from the school's full-time training programs are invited to audition for Ailey II by The Ailey School Directors and Ailey II's Artistic Director.

Fordham University and The Ailey School are two separate institutions and therefore have different application requirements. The decision for acceptance into the BFA program requires that a student be mutually accepted to both institutions. The separate applications allow each school to evaluate the student respectively.

No. Because the program syllabus is based on a full year, transfer admission is only granted for the fall term.

No. The Ailey School will hold placement classes for all new students, after which those with little-to-no experience with either Horton or Graham technique will be placed in level one for both.

The same artistic panel adjudicates each audition and the same material is given in each city, which allows for a fair audition process for all students. If you are interested in viewing the facilities of The Ailey School and Fordham University, this can be done once you are accepted by scheduling a visit. Additionally, Fordham University holds an open house for accepted students in April where you will have the opportunity to meet current BFA students and faculty. Please make arrangements to visit in advance.

The maximum length is three minutes, but it should not be less than two minutes. Your solo should be professionally choreographed by a teacher or choreographer.

You will be informed by Fordham University, not The Ailey School, in mid-March.

The number of students accepted in a given year is determined by the total program enrollment. The typical class size does not exceed 35 students.

No. After the November 1 deadline, the director of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program reviews the application and invites students to the audition. Notification of whether or not a student is granted an audition will be sent via email by December 1.

No, letters of recommendation are not required for the dance application. However, Fordham University does require letters of recommendation for the common application.

No. The audition dates listed on The Ailey School website are strictly for the Summer Intensive, Certificate, Independent Study, and Scholarship Programs. BFA auditions are separate and are not publicized on the website as they are by invitation-only.

The Ailey School offers an Ailey/Fordham BFA Program tour specific to the day-to-day experiences as a BFA student. The tour explores The Ailey School facilities only and lasts about 45 minutes. As tours are led by current BFA students, tours are only offered during the Fordham academic year and not during the summer (mid-May through August). Tour dates are determined at the beginning of the fall and spring semester, as the schedule is dependent on the guides’ availability.  

To schedule an Ailey/Fordham BFA Program tour, please email [email protected] at least two weeks prior to your visit. For a general information session and tour of Fordham University, visit Fordham University's website for more details.

At this time, we do not offer a minor program.

Yes. Depending on the area of study, many students pursue an additional major or minor. Some of the most popular choices are: African American Studies, Economics, English, and Visual Arts.

Students enrolled in the Independent Study Program or Scholarship Program may apply for a fall entry the following year. Certificate program students may not apply to transfer into the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program.  

Subject to the availability of The Ailey School co-directors, the School may sometimes hold auditions in Canada and Europe. Please email [email protected] to inquire about the audition schedule.

No, it is not possible to attend The Ailey School part-time. It is mandatory for all international students on an F-1 visa to attend school on a full-time basis.

Unfortunately, The Ailey School does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students who wish to defray the cost of attendance. Additionally, US Federal Financial Aid is only available to US Citizens and Permanent Resident Aliens (Green Card holders). International Students may audition for the Scholarship Program if they wish to obtain merit-based financial assistance.

No, we do not schedule private or in-class auditions. Students who do not live near an audition site may submit a video audition.

Although a meal plan is not available during the summer, Fordham University has a cafeteria that is open from 8:30AM to 3:30PM, Monday to Friday. The Cafeteria offers prepared foods and hot meals for purchase.  The cafeteria is closed during the weekends and all Fridays after the 4th of July.  Cash and debit/credit cards are acceptable forms of payment in the cafeteria.   The suites at McMahon hall are equipped with basic functioning kitchens for those students who wish to prepare their own meals.

There is no meal plan or cafeteria at the Ludlow Residence in the summer or during the school year. There is a large common kitchen located on the lower level where students can prepare their own meals. Students who wish to do so should bring their own basic cookware and utensils. 

There are several diverse local eateries and grocery stores within walking distance of McMahon Hall, the Ludlow Residence, and The Ailey School, many of which provide delivery service to the dormitories.  

 

McMahon Hall is a 20-story building with elevator service that offers apartment-style housing with a 24-hour security guard.  Each air-conditioned, apartment-style suite is composed of a common room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and either 2 or 3 bedrooms that can accommodate 2 to 3 students per bedroom. There are 4 to 8 students per suite.  Apartments come with basic dorm-style furnishings. Kitchens are equipped with refrigerators, electric stove-top oven, and sink.  

The Ludlow Residence hall is comprised of single and double rooms with a shared bathroom. The facility is full air-conditioned. Each room has a small refrigerator and a microwave. There is a large outdoor patio, a large recreation room in the basement with a large screen TV, a lounge area, and a common kitchen which is available for student use. Free laundry facilities are located in the basement.

Rooms are NOT equipped with; Televisions, microwaves, dishwashers, cookware, dishware, bedding, towels, toilet paper or cleaning supplies.  A complete list of furnishings, as well as a list of what household and comfort items to bring, is provided prior to move-in.

Resident Assistants and Chaperones who are employed exclusively for the Ailey Summer Intensive Students live at McMahon Hall and provide a congenial and supportive environment for residents.

Chaperones and RA’s go through a thorough interview, background checks, and training process. Resident Assistants are available for all Professional Division students residing at the dormitory and Chaperones are responsible for all Junior Division students residing in the dormitory.  Activities are planned throughout the summer for chaperoned students and are led by Resident Assistants and Chaperones.  Non-chaperoned students are also welcome to participate in planned activities. However, those students will not be monitored by or accountable to the Chaperones.

An on-site, Resident Assistant employed by The Ailey School is available at the Ludlow Residence. A Resident Hall Director employed by the Ludlow Residence is also present and available.

McMahon Hall: During the summer, there are curfews for students ages 14 to 17. There is no set curfew for Professional Division students 18 years old or older.

Curfews and room checks are in effect for Summer Intensive students as follows: Junior Division students must be in their apartments by:

• 10pm Sunday-Thursday
• 11pm Friday-Saturday

Professional Division students ages 16-17 must be in their apartments by:

• 11pm Sunday-Thursday
• 12am Friday-Saturday

The Ludlow Residence: There is no curfew at The Ludlow Residence at any time of the year. There is a dedicated Ailey Resident Assistant, and a Residence Hall Director who resides on the premises.

McMahon Hall: Absolutely NO guests are permitted, including parents, friends, family members, or non-resident Ailey School students. Parents are allowed to enter the building to assist during assigned Move-In and Move-Out days ONLY. Parents will not be allowed upstairs into the dormitory at any other times during the Summer Intensive.

Summer Intensive students who do not reside in McMahon Hall are strictly prohibited from visiting fellow students who do reside at the dormitory.

The Ludlow Residence: There is a guest policy* at The Ludlow Residence and students are required to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the on-site Ludlow Residence Hall Director. A detailed handbook will be provided for residents upon confirmation of their housing reservation. 

Junior Division students may leave the dormitory overnight accompanied by their parents/primary guardian or Approved Visitors only. A written request by the parent/guardian must emailed to the student Chaperone and Summer Housing Coordinator at least 48 hours in advance.

Professional Division students who are under the age of 18 may leave the dormitory overnight. Written request must be made by the parent. Emails must be sent to the RA On-duty and Summer Housing Coordinator at least 48 hours in advance.

Professional Division students who 18 years of age and older must sign-in daily to affirm that they are in the dormitory for the evening.  While these students do not have a curfew, they are expected to sleep in the dormitory at night.

Housekeeping services are not provided at either dormitory. Students are expected to maintain a neat, clean and orderly room at all times and to show respect and courtesy to their fellow cohabitants by doing so. Students must provide their own cleaning supplies, and other housekeeping items. Upon vacancy, rooms should be left in the clean condition in which they were found. Any damage or additional cleaning fees will be assessed to those students occupying the room/suite.

Laundry facilities are available at no extra cost at both dormitories. Students must provide their own laundry detergent.

McMahon Hall: Students may receive mail AFTER they have moved in to the dormitory. No mail will be accepted prior to move-in or after move-out dates. Students will be assigned a mailbox and will receive a mailbox code upon Move-In. Students and Parents will received detailed instructions on how to send and/or retrieve mail during the Summer Housing Orientation upon Move-in. Fordham University does not accept responsibility for the transportation of students’ belongings. Students can only send letters with the appropriate postage from the University’s mailroom. There is a US Postal Office located at 27 West 60th Street, NY, NY 10023 from which students can mail packages home.

The Ludlow Residence: Mailboxes are assigned to students who reside at Ludlow during the academic year only. Small packages and mail may be sent to students who reside at Ludlow during the summer and will be received by Security.