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The University of the Arts Visit Report by TrumpetDad

Visit to The University of the Arts in September 2009 by TrumpetDad
(Parent of Student, HS Class of 2009)
(Member since June 29 2009 with 254 posts)
 
2 of 2 people found this visit report helpful

Visit Activities:


Admissions Interview: No - Son is just a HS sophomore.

Information Session: No - This was a special-request campus tour on a Saturday, which they don't normally schedule.

Campus Tour: Yes - Personal tour done by the admissions rep assigned to our last initial.

Classroom Visit: No - It was a Saturday.

Campus:


Friendliness/Courtesy of Students:
Almost none around on a Saturday.


Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Admissions rep satisfied a special request for a Saturday tour, as we happened to be right in the neighborhood that day, and only that day.


Appearance of Campus:
3 - Good
3 - Good
It's a mix. We're most interested in the music facilities, and they were generally a bit less up-to-date than those of the other disciplines. Nice new recital hall, however.


Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness:
3 - Good
3 - Good



Dormitories:
Didn't get to see inside. There's no food service. Housing is guaranteed for freshman only, and consists of 2-4 person apartments with kitchens.


Security/Safety:
3 - Good
3 - Good
It's an urban setting. All encounters with building entrances were met with security personnel.


Overall Campus Impression:
3 - Good
3 - Good


Off-Campus:


Area Immediately Around Campus:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
The urban campus is in various buildings along the Avenue of the Arts [Broad St.] in Center City Philadelphia, right near the Kimmel Center and other arts venues.


City/Town/Community:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
The city is alive, the people friendly, prices relatively affordable.

Campus Visit Notes for The University of the Arts


Visit Description:

UArts is a collection of formerly separate schools that were all apparently in the same general area. So, it's a slightly dispersed urban "campus" in what is already an arts and entertainment area of the city. I think it works pretty well, if you're willing to forgo green space. Kind of like a small Boston University setting without the trolley cars.

I wasn't aware of the lack of food service prior to arrival. The housing/food situation does not phase my son, as he's a pretty good cook already.

The admissions rep knew a lot about what we were interested in, as he is a recent UArts music grad. He admits the music facilities could use a financial influx, and is hopeful that may happen soon, but there's nothing imminent. The theater performance we saw is in a new blackbox theater that is right next to the new recital hall. Both were impressive, as was the performance itself.

We had no intention to meet faculty, as my son is still a HS sophomore. We consider this to be a preliminary visit.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel at 1701 Locust. We stayed 2 nights and made a weekend out of it. Terrific hotel experience at a great price via Hotwire.com. View of some of the high-rises from the room.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Can recommend: Dinner on the sidewalk at Branzino's, 261 S. 17th St.; Breakfast at the Kibitz Room, 1521 Locust.; Cheesesteaks at Jim's Steaks, South St. & 4th.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

We drove in, valet parked, and never retrieved the car until we left. Saw Sonny Rollins at the Kimmel Center. Saw a UArts theater performance of a Euripides tragedy @ 211 S. Broad St. Loved the 9th St