<p>Basically, from what i've researched, you go as a typical certificate student (no liberal arts) at PAFA for a year then you can take classes at UPENN. In the first place you need to apply to UPENN after being admitted to PAFA. You need about a 3.0 to get in. The degree is awarded by UPENN after you have completed 3 years (or 90 credits) worth of studio arts classes, 4 art history classes at UPENN, and have taken 12 classes (anything) in the school of arts and sciences. From what I have read, it is possible to get a minor while taking those 12 classes. (you need at least 6 classes in one subject). </p>
<p>Thats basically the extent of my knowledge on the subject. This program seems pretty interesting to me and I am strongly considering it. However, it kind of has of has a "too good to be true" feeling about it. You get an incredibly focused studio arts program at one of the best fine arts schools in the country, yet you can also get an incredible liberal arts experience at an Ivy league. PAFA is also pretty affordable as far as art schools go and since UPENN is an Ivy it's need blind. To me this seems to be the best of both worlds. It beats out all liberal arts colleges in terms of studio classes but also beats out all art schools in terms of liberal arts classes. The closest thing it reminds me of is the dual degree brown/RISD program and im surprised more people dont go after this oppurtunity...Which is why I cant shake the feeling that it's too good to be true.</p>
<p>Of course, this is based on the assumption that one could get accepted to UPENN's bfa program after being accepted to PAFA. The admissions reps made it sound easy enough ,but im thinking it might be harder than they let on. Is there anything that im not considering or is it really this simple? A good source for the amount of people that get accepted to the coordinated BFA program would be greatly apreciated. I am also intent on going to graduate school (either MFA or M.ARCH) and was wondering if there would be any advantages to getting a fine arts degree from UPENN gives any advantages or if it might be seen as more employable(thats probably too silly to be true but you gotta consider everything).</p>
<p>I am not a student but a parent, nosy lurker and am somewhat artist.
What I think is, PAFA is totally utterly traditional fine art practicing school that could be un-attractive and boring to the most young art kids nowadays.
this got to affects program’s popularity and/or reputation.
in comparison, RISD offer everything, I mean EVERYTHING, and Brown got much more liberal-y Ivy-sh lure than Upenn that art kids in general would want.
I don’t know if it helps, the kid who won the first season of TV show “the work of art” was Upenn BFA. I don’t know he had anything to do with PAFA, but what he created in the show sort of hint what you are gonna be doing.
No one I knew here yet chose to go to PAFA. debbi’s S was close, but picked MICA.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about the program with UPenn, but PAFA is a beautiful school and is located in a nice area of Philly. Have you visited? We ruled it out early on b/c if you want student housing, PAFA has an agreement with UPenn that allows PAFA students to reside in their International House, which I believe is on Chestnut Ave., bordering the UPenn campus. You would definitely need a car to get back & forth to PAFA, as it is on the other side of the river and is a bit of a drive. There is a free or low cost trolley (or used to be) but that would be a pain, especially for an art student. Maybe if you are in a dual program you could live in UPenn dorms? D would have been a candidate for the dual admission, but she really wanted an art college with its own campus. Also, we were in the UPenn area for several weeks and could see that at night, the entire UPenn area has guards/police on every corner, so safety may be an issue. Anyway, I know this doesn’t answer your question but maybe at some point you would have asked about housing!</p>
<p>Sorry to be resurrecting an old discussion, but Timkerdes’ post from 2010 very nicely summarizes our current dilemma. The joint degree program sounds wonderful, and after visiting today, our daughter is smitten, but it does sound too good to be true. Does anyone have any updated information on the reputation of PAFA and of the joint degree program? Sounds like the U Penn part is thru their continuing education arm; any loss of prestige in that? Any thoughts would be most welcome!</p>
<p>Its interesting to see something You’ve written a while ago. Wow, there was so much stress in applying to schools back then and it was really confusing…Anyway to answer my question(didn’t think this would ever happen), the coordinate program is as I said. </p>
<p>However,there is some kind of stigma with going there generated from Upenn students who got in through the typical process. As in,“Oh,your not really going to UPENN; your in UPENN-lite”. However, if you don’t care about that kind of thing,it still sounds like a good idea. I actually,know someone doing this program, and from what she told me, the school that you take liberal arts classes in is some kind of for-profit money generating part of the institution. Furthermore, this person is kind of rich - or basically well off, so I dont know how financial aid would work out. Especially in a program suppossedly designed to generate income for the institution. </p>
<p>But all in all, it does appear like a significantly easier way to get into UPENN and get an Ivy degree with a great art foundation.</p>
<p>btw, I also know someone who did Brown/risd duel degree and what she said also conforms to what bearsanddogs said.</p>
<p>Hi, as a parent of 3 college students, I appreciate your concerns abut this program. With a daughter just finishing her 3rd year at PAFA and about to begin her 4th at Penn, I can assure you the program is real, and is/does as advertised. I had her do plenty of research among others who preceded her on this path, and she reported great satisfaction and excellent results. The biggest problems were already alluded to in this thread; PAFA doesn’t offer housing (my daughter got a great apartment a few blocks from the studio!) or meal plan (Chinatown and Reading Terminal markets in between apartment and studio This situation continues at Penn, as the program is housed in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) which is chiefly a series of part-time programs catering to mid-career folks who want to finish an undergrad or earn a Masters. The big elephant in the room that remains as-yet undiscussed is that it is likely to take more that 8 typical semesters to complete this program, which could have an impact on financial aid and scholarships. I will report back when she finishes this year!</p>
This situation continues at Penn, as the program is housed in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) which is chiefly a series of part-time programs catering to mid-career folks who want to finish an undergrad or earn a Masters. The big elephant in the room that remains as-yet undiscussed is that it is likely to take more that 8 typical semesters to complete this program, which could have an impact on financial aid and scholarships. I will report back when she finishes this year!</p>