I would like to dance at UNC-Wilmington (for ballet) over the summer, but my parents won't let me go.?

Question

The program is for 4 weeks.
It costs $3000 total. (I don't know if there is financial aid.)

Sorry about not mentioning any other details. I am 13 years old, turning 14 in a few months. I would like to minor in dance, but my parents are also against this. I really love dancing.

My parents can afford to pay for the program, they just don't want to pay so much "just for dance."

I would like to minor in dance--not major, since I would like to become a pediatrician after college. Dancing will still be part of my career, but just not completely.

Thanks so much for helping me... I'd like to continue receiving your help!

Answer 1

The Carolina Ballet website says "We have very limited funding for scholarships at this time." My guess is that they need to offer those scholarships to the top male dancers.

The $3000 total cost seems very reasonable. I have to pay more for my daughter's summer program.

You don't say how old you are and whether you're aiming for a career in dance. If you're a high school student who is aiming to be a professional dancer, then your parents should know that these summer programs are an essential part of your training. If you are younger or taking dance classes for recreation and enrichment, then paying for a $3000 program can be too extravagant for many families.

Answer 2

So are your parents just against paying for a summer dance program, or any summer enrichment program? If they really can't afford the cost, then there's nothing you can do. But aren't they already paying for you to take ballet lessons?

What if you told your parents that academic enrichment programs for 7th & 8th graders through the Duke University Talent Identification Program are only 20 days long and start at $3000?
Check this site:
http://www.tip.duke.edu/summer_programs/center/locations.html#dukeeast

You say you really love dancing. So if it were totally up to you, would you even want to major in dance if you could? Or do you definitely want to go to college for something else? If you already know that you want to grow up to be something besides a dancer, then I can see your parent's point of view. But if you think you really want a career in dancing, then you need to tell your parents that other dance students start going to these summer programs when they're 12 years old. If they're the type who only value academics, you may need to show them more about how a college dance degree is still a degree, but it may be hard for you to do that at your age. Perhaps you could get your ballet teacher to talk to them?