MichaelNKat

My daughter has found that using box fans in the windows works well. If both room mates have them, they will move a huge volume of air through the room and at night, when the temp drops a bit, things are pretty comfortable. Plus the box fans, sitting on the window sills, don't take up floor space. My daughter supplements the window fans with a couple of small fans, one on her desk and one on a nightstand, so that she can have some directional control.

Many dorm rooms in Spruce do not have tables to eat at and students must supply their own tables. The basic furniture that each dorm is guaranteed is 2 desks, 2 bureaus and 2 beds. Mattresses are of 2 varieties - older cloth covered ones and newer vinyl covered foam. Mattress pads are a real plus to bring with you.

Each dorm room now has a landline phone recently installed by the school. It is good for local outgoing calls but can receive incoming long distance calls. For cell phones, Verizon has the best coverage.

nytheatermom

as far as cel lphones go, my daughter has t-mobile's hot spot at home plan... this makes use of wireless router to actually have the phone go over the Internet (and not even add any minutes-- essentially free!) It works as a regular cell phone when not on either her home hot spot or any other hot spot.

Her dorm room freshman year t-mobile worked fine, but we sought out this hot spot plan after she had less than great coverage in her apartment. This has been great.

MarieMTmom

Thanks MichaelNKat and nytheatermom, for the detailed descriptions. I really appreciate it.

I discovered a link on google maps that I found helpful too. I thought to share it here for everyone. I don't know how recent the pictures are, but for someone that has never been in Philadelphia, it is certainly a delight to see a little bit of the city and surroundings of UArts.

University of the Arts - Google Maps

Click the first option to "A University of the Arts" that you get on the left side. You will see a balloon on the map opens up with the University of the Arts' address. On the bottom of the balloon you get several options to view the map, click on “Street View” and another balloon opens up. Now you can see pictures of the buildings, streets, etc Just like a movie!!! You can use your mouse to turn around, go forward and backwards. It’s pretty neat!!!

Mainstage

Marie,
Not only do you click on "A", but click on B through J as well (library, theatres etc. all parts of UArts).
Enjoy! I was just there visiting again - lot's of fun!

MichaelNKat

Very cool Google maps. Never saw them before. If you pull up the picture of Broad St just above Walnut and get to about 212 S. Broad, on the east side of Broad you will see 2 white vans and a white panel truck. Behind them is a building with a red arch entrance. That's the Terra Building where MT, acting and dance students spend most of their time. If you maneuver the picture to the second floor and move a bit north, you will see a bunch of tall arched windows spanning the entire rest of the block. Those are the dance studios - high ceilings, huge windows, looking out onto Avenue of the Arts. If you continue north on Broad St, on the same side, and cross Walnut and Sansom, you will see a Commerce bank and then a doorway with a brass arch above it. That's where my office is - not nearly as interesting as the Terra Building .

With the way these maps work, anyone who wants suggestions for good local restaurants or other places of interest, just let me know and I will guide you to them .

holly06

My daughter will be a transfer student in fall 08 for acting. I guess she is considered an upperclassman although it will be her first year at UArts. Does anyone know if she would have chance of getting into the Juniper dorm?

BroadwayWannabe

it really varies with dorms for transfers. my freshmen year, many of the transfers were put in apartment buildings nearby that the school paid for (that were even nicer than juniper). this year, i know there is a transfer floor in spruce...i think it really depends on how many freshmen come and then they decide what to do with the transfers...but she could have a decent shot at juniper!

JeffB

I'd say take two things into consideration when deciding on residence halls: how close it is to where you'll have your classes and who will be in the building with you (i.e., other people in your major, smokers, etc).

Then again, I've never had to choose a residence hall location before this, so what do I know. : )

JeffB

I'd say take two things into consideration when deciding on residence halls: how close it is to where you'll have your classes and who will be in the building with you (i.e., other people in your major, smokers, etc).

Then again, I've never had to choose a residence hall location before this, so what do I know. : )

holly06

Broadway and Jeff-Thanks for the info. She requested Juniper but all the dorms look nice. I guess she will hear sometime this summer about her placement.