Balancing Academic and Artistic Merit: Equity Concerns for Dance Students in China’s College Entrance System

This study explores the effects of recent changes in China’s dance college admissions, which now equally weigh academic and professional performance. While the policy aims to create fairer admissions, it presents challenges for students from specialized dance programs (keban), who may struggle with academic demands. In contrast, academically strong students with limited dance training may gain an advantage. The research highlights the policy’s mixed impact and proposes flexible admissions strategies, such as conditional offers and ongoing academic support, to better accommodate students with diverse abilities. The study underscores the importance of refining these policies to ensure greater equity and cultural diversity in dance education.