DANCE TEAM RECRUITING
Thank you for your interest in the Loyola University Maryland Dance Team! We are seeking talented and well-rounded dancers who can serve as an asset to our team both on gameday and on the competition floor, have a strong desire for academic excellence, and will represent our University in a positive manner. Our team is a special family to be a part of, and that is why we are equally committed to finding dancers who fit in with our team culture by embracing the supportive and inclusive atmosphere we have cultivated. While being a member of our team is exciting and provides a great deal of opportunities, it is also a significant time commitment that requires exceptional time management and work ethic.
We are thrilled to announce that we will continue to accept the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video for the Class of 2027! Inspired by the Common Application for College Admissions, the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video provides a standardized starting point for all applicants. Please reference the Recruitment Packet and Dance Team Recruiting FAQs section below for more information.
If you have additional questions, please contact Assistant Coach, Sophia Benfield at [email protected]
We are so excited you are interested in Loyola, and understand your decision on where to attend college is very important. We look forward to meeting you and watching you dance!
Christina George & Sophia Benfield
Dance Team Coaches
Loyola University Maryland Dance Team
We are thrilled to announce that we will continue to accept the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video for the Class of 2027! Inspired by the Common Application for College Admissions, the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video provides a standardized starting point for all applicants. Please reference the Recruitment Packet and Dance Team Recruiting FAQs section below for more information.
If you have additional questions, please contact Assistant Coach, Sophia Benfield at [email protected]
We are so excited you are interested in Loyola, and understand your decision on where to attend college is very important. We look forward to meeting you and watching you dance!
Christina George & Sophia Benfield
Dance Team Coaches
Loyola University Maryland Dance Team
HOW ARE WE FINDING DANCERS?
There are a variety of ways in which we will be looking for dancers who may have an interest in attending Loyola University Maryland and want to be a part of our team. They may include:
- Various dance combines and prep events such as:
- The Northeast Dance Connect Combine
- Altoona Dance Combine
- Varsity Spirit Combines
- Tribe 99 Combines
- Loyola Dance Team College Prep Clinics
- Local dance studio workshops
- Local dance competitions for studios, all-star gyms, or schools
- Working with Admissions
- University Open Houses and Orientations
DANCE TEAM RECRUITING FAQS
WhAT IS THE GENERAL PROCESS FOR TEAM SELECTION?
STEP 1: Follow us on social media - For the latest happenings of the team including performances, when we are attending or hosting events, and behind the scenes content. We announce ALL updates for the team here.
STEP 2: Meet us - This is most ideal in an in-person setting, but we are happy to meet via Zoom where needed. Our coaches and team members regularly attend combines, clinics, and Open Houses where we would love to get to know you! For the Class of 2027, it is strongly recommended that you attend one of our College Prep Clinics.
STEP 3: Apply - If you are a senior in high school, apply to Loyola and submit your Recruitment Application so the coaching staff can get to know you as a person and dancer. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis with offers beginning to go out mid-December and through March 15th. Once you have submitted your Recruitment Application, consider attending one of our Recruitment Weekends!
Beginning March 1, a hybrid audition opportunity may be held for unsigned incoming applicants. All unsigned recruits and non-recruit applicants would be eligible.
STEP 4: Decide and commit - If you have been sent an offer and are ready to make Loyola your next home, accept the offer and commit to Loyola. We are thrilled to officially welcome you to the team!
- Instagram & TikTok: @loyolamarylanddanceteam
- Facebook: Loyola University Maryland Dance Team
STEP 2: Meet us - This is most ideal in an in-person setting, but we are happy to meet via Zoom where needed. Our coaches and team members regularly attend combines, clinics, and Open Houses where we would love to get to know you! For the Class of 2027, it is strongly recommended that you attend one of our College Prep Clinics.
STEP 3: Apply - If you are a senior in high school, apply to Loyola and submit your Recruitment Application so the coaching staff can get to know you as a person and dancer. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis with offers beginning to go out mid-December and through March 15th. Once you have submitted your Recruitment Application, consider attending one of our Recruitment Weekends!
Beginning March 1, a hybrid audition opportunity may be held for unsigned incoming applicants. All unsigned recruits and non-recruit applicants would be eligible.
STEP 4: Decide and commit - If you have been sent an offer and are ready to make Loyola your next home, accept the offer and commit to Loyola. We are thrilled to officially welcome you to the team!
WHAT IS THE RECRUITING PROCESS TIMELINE?
Freshmen Year
You can learn more about Loyola's Admissions, here.
- Attend clinics and combine events to learn more about the school, program, and coaching staff. Continue to focus on dance training and academic success.
- Attend additional clinics and combine events and begin to narrow down programs of interest.
- Attend Loyola College Prep Clinic(s)
- Email coaching staff regarding program interest
- Fall: Apply to Loyola University Maryland as Early Decision I or Early Action (recommended for Nursing majors) by November 15th & submit Recruitment Application for best consideration. Attend a College Prep Clinic.
- Winter: Coaching staff will review submissions on a rolling basis to extend offers beginning mid-December. If not done already, apply to Loyola University Maryland for Early Decision II or Regular Decision by January 15th. Attend a Recruitment Weekend if you have already submitted your Recruitment Application.
- Spring: Accept offer and commit to Loyola as early as possible, but no later than May 1. If not done already, submit Recruitment Application by March 1. Coaching staff will continue to review submissions on a rolling basis through March 15. A hybrid audition opportunity will be available in March for unsigned or non-recruited incoming students.
You can learn more about Loyola's Admissions, here.
WHAT IS THE COMMON COLLEGE DANCE TEAM RECRUITING VIDEO?
We are thrilled to announce that we will continue to accept the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video! Inspired by the Common Application for College Admissions, the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video provides a standardized starting point for all applicants.
September 1: Early Universal Date for Recruiting Videos due to respective schools
January 1: Standard Universal Date for Recruiting Videos due to respective schools
Coaching staff will review Recruitment Applications on a rolling basis with offers being extended starting mid-December through March 15. Beginning on March 1, dancers who do not receive offers or are non-recruit applicants will be eligible for a hybrid audition opportunity. More specific details and timelines are available under "Auditions".
View the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video Guidelines, here. Common Recruiting Video submissions must be uploaded to the Recruitment Application for consideration.
September 1: Early Universal Date for Recruiting Videos due to respective schools
January 1: Standard Universal Date for Recruiting Videos due to respective schools
- Recommended deadline for submitting your Recruitment Application for best consideration
Coaching staff will review Recruitment Applications on a rolling basis with offers being extended starting mid-December through March 15. Beginning on March 1, dancers who do not receive offers or are non-recruit applicants will be eligible for a hybrid audition opportunity. More specific details and timelines are available under "Auditions".
View the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video Guidelines, here. Common Recruiting Video submissions must be uploaded to the Recruitment Application for consideration.
What are the academic requirements in order to be a member of the Dance Team?
In order to be seriously considered as a member of the Loyola University Maryland Dance Team, students must be accepted to Loyola University Maryland's main Evergreen Campus. Acceptance to other Loyola institutions are not transferrable to Loyola University Maryland. All prospective dance team members should meet general university academic standards in regards to GPA and standardized test scores as they are indicated from Admissions. We do not select students beyond these guidelines and we cannot appeal any Admissions decisions.
Current team members are expected to maintain a cumulative and term GPA of a 2.0 or higher in order to remain eligible.
Current team members are expected to maintain a cumulative and term GPA of a 2.0 or higher in order to remain eligible.
What are some attributes you are looking for in dancers interested in being a part of the Dance Team?
We are looking for dancers who have strong technical dance backgrounds, and more athletic approach to their style of dancing as they transition to college dance. In addition to a strong dance background and high level of performance quality, we are looking for individuals who are confident, competitive, team-oriented, and personable as we are often engaging with fans and members of the community. All of these characteristics are critical in maintaining our close, family-oriented team culture which ultimately is the foundation of our team success each year.
We encourage prospective dancers to view videos of our performances on our YouTube Channel or social media to familiarize themselves with our level of performance and style preferences!
We encourage prospective dancers to view videos of our performances on our YouTube Channel or social media to familiarize themselves with our level of performance and style preferences!
Do I NEED letterS of recommendation?
Yes! 2 letters of recommendation are required as part of the Recruitment Application. We prefer that letters of recommendation only be submitted with your Recruitment Application and ask that you do not email them to us separately.
Recommendations should be from a current coach or dance instructor. If this is not possible, a previous coach or instructor will be accepted. We will not accept recommendations from friends or family.
Recommendations should be from a current coach or dance instructor. If this is not possible, a previous coach or instructor will be accepted. We will not accept recommendations from friends or family.
How will I know if my recruitment form has been received?
All Recruitment Form submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will receive confirmation of your submissions within 2 weeks. If you do not receive a confirmation within 2 weeks, please email Assistant Coach, Sophia Benfield at [email protected] to confirm your submission was received and we recommend you include a copy of your submission.
What else can I do to let the coaching staff know I am serious about being a member of the Dance Team?
Constant communication with our coaches and regular engagement with our team on social media will be extremely helpful in letting us know how serious you are about being a part of our team! Meet with our coaches and stay connected with them as you work through your application and decision-making process! We put an emphasis on communication and transparency with our current team members, and would expect the same out of prospective dancers.