Admissions Process

LEAP serves the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York dance communities. Both current and former professional dancers from diverse dance backgrounds as well as varying academic levels are eligible for admission. 

 

LEAP toward your Bachelor of Arts Degree...

What's required for admission?

  • Completed application and $50 fee.  
  • A personal statement addressing your artistic achievements, your professional and educational goals, and how you believe a BA in Performing Arts through the LEAP Program will help you achieve those goals.  Uploaded document should be 2-3 pages, 12 pt. font, double spaced.  
  • Current resume which shows at least 2 years of paid professional experience.
  • Official high school transcript, and official transcripts from any colleges and universities attended. (Unofficial documents may be uploaded to the application, with the official [sealed] documents to follow.  Please list Saint Mary's College of California as the recipient for your official transcripts.)
  • One Letter of Recommendation.  This will be requested virtually through our application process.
  • Professional Performance & Applied Dance Technique Documentation:  The LEAP program requires that all students verify their professional experience by providing proof of participation in two professional productions, as well as three applied dance areas of study. Where possible, please choose two productions that can also showcase that you have attained proficiency in three qualified dance disciplines. Accepted forms of verification include cast lists, letters from instructors or artistic directors, playbills, programs, reviews, and video excerpts.

     

Apply now!

For further information, please contact us at leap@stmarys-ca.edu or 1-866-306-0395.

The LEAP Program

P.O. Box 4700

Moraga, CA 94575

 

 

Tuition

In alignment with its mission to make higher education accessible to the dance community, LEAP strives to keep its tuition affordable for the working artist.

Tuition for the 2020/2021 academic year (Summer 2020 through Spring of 2021) is $30,500.  Tuition is billed per course, by semester.  $30,500 is the cost for the ten LEAP Core courses and ten Additional Courses for the Major (70 units). Students complete the general education credits in a variety of ways. Depending on individual student circumstances and plans of study, tuition may exceed $30,500 if general education credits are achieved through independent study/elective coursework at Saint Mary's, or transfer coursework from any regionally accredited institution of higher education. Students who choose to complete their general education credits through SMC are billed at a "Continuing Student" tuition rate of $1425 per course.  For more information about tuition, please speak with a LEAP advisor.

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available through Federal Grants, (e.g., Pell Grants), state grants (e.g, Cal Grant) Federal and private student loan options (e.g., Stafford loans). The Financial Aid office provides resources and instructions through the department website, including a net price calculator; scholarship and grant resources; a regular series of information webinars; online financial literacy resources such as budgeting, understanding credit score, saving, and financial planning; virtual “office hours”; and individual financial aid advising appointments.  LEAP Program Coordinators advise students at key periods during which they may need to seek additional counseling resources from the Financial Aid office. The services offered by the Financial Aid office are accessible by LEAP students through the department website, virtual office hours held via Zoom and chat, individual financial aid advising appointments held via Zoom and telephone, and appointments or drop-in requests arranged via telephone or email.

Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information.