While most seniors are feeling the relief of finishing college applications, Senior Michaela McGowan is just beginning.  But instead of writing essays and getting letters of recommendation, she must face the pressures of a live audition.

McGowan is a dancer, partaking in many tryouts this spring hoping to pursue her ultimate goal in making it her career. She’s applied to The Julliard School in New York City, New York University, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and Point Park University in Pittsburg.

“Auditions for these schools can be pretty difficult,” McGowan said.  “Sometime the days are really long.”

While she considered Point Park as her “easy” audition, she’s most nervous for NYU and Julliard.  These auditions consist of taking classes, hoping to make it past first cuts, and then having to do a solo performance and give an interview. So far she has made it to final cuts in NYU and Point Park, and now must wait for letters in April.

“My top choices would probably be NYU or Juilliard because I really want to go to New York City; there are always things going on and other auditions all the time.” McGowan said.

One of her most notable auditions she hopes to make is for the hit television show “So You Think You Can Dance” on March 16 in Memphis.

“I’m planning it,” McGowan said.  “But because of the distance and not wanting to miss all my senior exemption days at once, I’ll have to see.”

McGowan has been dancing for 13 years, having lead rolls in The Loudoun Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake.” She is currently dancing at the Loudoun School of Ballet in Leesburg as a member of their senior jazz company.

“I’m usually in the studio for over 20 hours a week with my classes and rehearsals,” McGowan said.  “It’s long hours, but I love it.”

One of her most notable awards was being a high score soloist at the New York City Dance Alliance and winning Regional Outstanding Dancer, making her eligible to compete to be 2008 National Senior Dancer this past July.

“It's really awesome to work with so many different people.” McGowan said.  “I've met people from all over the country and world, and it's really cool because now I run into people all over the place.”

When asked about the future and risks of making dancing as your career, McGowan is ready to start.

“I really want to try a little bit of everything,” McGowan said.  “I want to try Broadway, maybe be in a company or two, possibly try commercial/music video-type things, and then hopefully start my own company someday so I can choreograph. There are so many different options, and I can't wait to see what I end up doing.”

Not only does McGowan have tons of options, her parents have been behind her decisions one-hundred percent.