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Carolina Dance Team Recruitment Process

Future Gamecocks:

Thank you for your interest in the Carolina Dance Team! Our program is a special family to be a part of and there is so much to love about the University of South Carolina. By now you are likely familiar with WHAT it means to be a member of our team, but now it’s time to find out HOW you can achieve that for yourself.

Selections for the Carolina Dance Team utilize a recruitment-based approach. This process is open to all high school seniors and older who plan to be full-time students at USC in the following academic year.

*PLEASE NOTE* We are excited to be a part of the Common College Dance Team Recruiting Video & Timeline! Inspired by the Common Applications for College Admissions, the Common Dance Team Recruiting Video provides a standardized starting point for all applicants.

June 1: Applications will be open.

September 1: Early Universal Date for Recruiting Videos to be due to respective schools.

January 1: Standard Universal Date for Recruiting Videos to be due to respective schools.

For the Carolina Dance Team, we highly recommend submitting your recruiting materials by the EARLY date of September 1, 2025 for the Class of 2026.

We are seeking talented, well-rounded dancers who can be an asset to our team in both gameday performances and on the competition floor, but we are also equally committed to finding the right people who will fit in with our team culture. We are interested in athletes who strive for academic excellence, will represent our team and the University in a positive way, and will embrace the loving and inclusive atmosphere that we have cultivated. That said, it is important for us to get to know YOU! We look forward to doing just that as we continue to search for the perfect additions to our program.

Go Gamecocks!

Lindsey Hodge 

(Opens in a new tab) Recruitment FAQs (Opens in a new tab) Recruitment Application

Recruitment FAQs

  • I’m interested in being considered for the Carolina Dance Team. How do I start this process? Toggle content

    Dancers interested in pursuing a spot on the 2026-27 roster may complete the recruitment application anytime between June 1 and September 1, 2025. This application collects a wide range of information as it relates to your academic career and dance background. It also requires dance references, a letter of recommendation and the Common Recruiting Dance Team Video.

    It is also important to meet the team and coaching staff in person, if possible, either at our camps and clinics on campus, or at other recruiting events. These events give you the unique opportunity to make connections and showcase your individual abilities in a live setting.

    Camp & Clinic Information

  • What are the video requirements for the recruitment application? Toggle content

    **The following must be in ONE video. Optional Solo can be included in the same video OR be submitted in a separate video**

    Video Element Specifications Time Notes
    Introduction Name
    Age
    Hometown
    Studio/Team
    Brief Dance Background
    Answer the following questions:
    ● Why do you want to be on a college dance team?
    ● Why do you think would be a good candidate for a college
    dance team?
    ● What is your intended major?    		 30 second minimum, 3 minute maximum
    Skill demonstration: Required Elements Turns:
    ● Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
    ● Quadruple (4) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
    ● Quintuple (5) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
    ● Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Left)
    ● A la seconde turn combination (showcasing a la seconde turns, changing spots, floats, variation in pom and leg position, speed, pirouette and other technical elements) –
    minimum 3 counts of 8 in lengthJumps/Leaps:
    ● Right open second leap
    ● Right calypso or Turning Jete
    Attitude
    ● Switch leaps – minimum 2
    (any variation – regular switch leap, switch tilt, switch arabesque, switch open, either side)● Single toe touch
    ● Double toe touchFlexibility
    ● Side tilt
    ● Penche
    ● Leg turn (any variety)Acro
    ● Walkover (front or back)
    ● Side aerial (right and left)    		 Film continuously in one take Skill Demonstration Filming Requirements:
    ● Dancer may repeat the skill
    if necessary, a maximum of
    two attempts
    ● Videos do not need to be
    professionally edited.
    ● Subject should be well lit
    ● Full body should be visible
    in the frame
    ● Consider filming straight on for the best angle
    ● Female Attire: Black Sports
    Bra or Tank Top & Black Shorts
    ● Male Attire: All black. 

     

     

     

     
    Skill Demonstration: Optional Elements Front aerial
    Standing back tuck
    Back Handspring
    Headspring
    Kip up
    Rubberband
    Scorpion
    Advanced technical elements or
    specialty skills of choice    		 Optional element; 3 minute
    maximum    		 Please be sure to include any of the items that you can safely and successfully execute to demonstrate your skill range.
    Style Combinations Three (3) 45-second combination
    demonstrating different styles: Jazz,
    Pom, and Hip Hop    		 30-second minimum,
    45-second maximum per style    		 Dancers may add layers for hip hop demonstration.
    Optional Solo Entry One (1) solo performance of any style 3 minute maximum Can be filmed in studio or
    submitted from a competition
    (needs to be from within 6 months of submission)

     

  • What is the general timeline of the recruitment process? Toggle content

    June 1 – September 1: Submits Recruiting Video / Application. This is for high school seniors and up.

    Fall 2025: Evaluation period; all applicants will receive initial communication from coaching staff regarding next steps no later than November 1.

    Winter 2025: Coaching staff begins to extend offers for positions on the Carolina Dance Team on a rolling basis

  • Are clinics mandatory? Toggle content

    It is not a requirement to attend a camp or clinic with our team, however it is strongly recommended for several reasons. First, visiting our campus and working with our team and coaches is the best way to identify whether our program is right for you. In addition, these events are an awesome opportunity to make connections with the coaching staff and current team, as well as showcase your talent in person.

  • I’m not a high school senior yet… what can I be doing now to get a head start on the process? Toggle content

    We encourage ALL dancers at the high school level to attend clinics and learn more about our program. Freshmen and sophomores who attend our clinics can evaluate where they stand and in what areas they might be able to improve over the next couple of years. Additionally, it is a good idea to narrow down the programs that feel like the right fit for you as early as possible. Waiting too late to do this will inevitably make your senior year even more stressful!

    By junior year, it is more than appropriate to establish those connections with the coaching staff. We encourage dancers to reach out by email to express interest in the program, share information about themselves, and even send videos. Remember, we want to get to know YOU. Be yourself throughout this process and show us who you are!

  • Who can I contact if I still have questions? Toggle content

    All questions specifically related to recruitment may be directed to Head Coach Lindsey Hodge at brinklel@mailbox.sc.edu.

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