<p>First Impressions of SVA</p>
<p>My daughter started her freshman year at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) NYC approximately three weeks ago. These are my first impressions as culled from her.</p>
<p>Dorm Move-in Day:</p>
<p>Despite an assigned time range, this was still pretty hectic. We arrived at the first possible moment of our assigned time and were given a number (160). We literally dumped all of her belongings on the side-walk. As we did this, they were calling out for number 62. Approximately 45 minutes later they were on 67. My D was given the option of carrying her belonging up the stairs one box at a time while I stayed with the rest of the items. She was able to do this because she was on the 2nd floor of a 22 story. She jumped at the chance and about an hour later, we were putting the last of it in her room. The dorm (New Residence) is located next to the main SVA building. On the first floor of the dorm is the Student Center. The dorm is fairly new, about 3 years old. Security guards check everyone in and there are cameras everywhere. Also, a state of the art fire detection and alarm system. The rooms are doubles and part of a larger suite with a full kitchen including built-in microwave and dishwasher. The 4 person suites have one bathroom and the six person suites have two. The dorm is neither funky nor charming, but is a perfectly serviceable first year dorm. There is an RA in the suite next to hers who has already provided assistance on an illness and an internet connectivity issue. Internet and cable TV come with each room.</p>
<p>Orientation Week:</p>
<p>Orientation was actually a bit more than a week. At first this seemed to be overkill to me, but it really takes that long to acclimate to NYC. A freshman welcome meeting, department overview meetings, financial workshop, honors program intro, and a writing exam were among the required meetings she attended. In addition, there was an optional community service day, student activity intro sessions, and tours through the neighborhood and other SVA buildings. There were SVA sponsored activities in the evening and something they called On the Town which provided new students with free tickets to movies, Broadway plays, and museums. </p>
<p>Classes:</p>
<p>There is not one foundation year for all first year students. The classes are scheduled in blocks by major. There are foundation classes, but they will vary by major. The photo majors will not spend the first year in drawing, painting, and 3-D classes. This works great for students who know what they want to do. My daughter is a fine arts major and her first year is the same as a typical foundation year at most art schools. The graphic design majors have the same first year classes. If she wanted to change her major to GD shed be fine, but only GD. She was invited into the honors program which is a new program at SVA in its second year. The honors program is slightly different than the other blocks. She has 3 studio art classes and each meets once a week for six hours and homework is given. She has four academic courses. They each meet once a week as well. This is a total of 15 credits. She loves her classes and feels quite challenged. She is especially impressed by the fact that what is touched upon in one class is explored in depth in another class and then given as an assignment in an art class. At some point during the year, the honors students will travel to Europe as a group. Last year’s trip was to Prague. Each of her teachers spoke about textbook costs as a problem and the students were told that an effort was made to keep cost down as much as possible. Her total semester cost for books was $200. Studio art classes are about a 20 minute walk across town from the dorms, but there is a free shuttle bus. I believe most computer art and film classes are near the dorms.</p>
<p>Social Life:</p>
<p>Lots of partying. My D says they work really hard during the week, but party on weekends. She has met tons of people and made many new friends in all majors.</p>