<p>I'm an international student who just got admitted by Haverford for the class of 2017. While super delighted and excited to be admitted by such a great school, I'm having some trouble making a final decision.</p>
<p>I plan to be a painter in the future and wish to get a BA in college. From what I learned about Haverford, I get the impression that Haverford's strong suit are natural sciences/engineering/technology but not arts and humanities. However, I don't know if this information is accurate due to the dubious source of it. (Also ***** rated its arts culture only a 5, how do you feel?)</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm mainly concerned that there will be majorly students who are (overly for my taste) serious, critical and uptight about facts and barely any the "following the flow" kind of people.</p>
<p>I understand that both the left and the right brain are important for an artist, but I'd love to be surrounded by artsy, creative even mad people in college.</p>
<p>And also, can you tell me something about the city/location? How's the arts culture in the bigger area? Will I get many opportunities to learn and to work as an artists?</p>
<p>So what do you say? Should I come to Haverford?</p>
<p>Haverford is in an upscale Philadelphia suburb, an easy commute to the city with extensive art schools, museums, and organizations. (See Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance website.)</p>
<p>Haverford students also can take classes at Bryn Mawr (nearby), Swarthmore (train ride), and Penn (train ride). None of these is a hotbed of arts, though the student communities are active. They have Quaker traditions, so openness and tolerance are core values.</p>
<p>Penn does have a program that allows Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) and Curtis institute students to take academic work for a bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>You sound like you really want an art school. Look at PAFA or University of the Arts or Tyler School of Temple University. If you’re female, look at Moore College. These don’t have the academic edge of Haverford, but you may get more front-line experience.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, wordworker! I sense that your answer to my question is that Haverford might not be optimal for me? </p>
<p>However, I’m afraid I will not be able to consider the schools you suggested since the deadlines of most schools for fall semaster have passed. </p>
<p>But what do u mean “none of these is a hotbed of arts”? That these schools are not good for students to study art?</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the arts at Haverford. I know there’s an art gallery. Bryn Mawr, just down the road, has a performing arts series and theater and dance programs.</p>
<p>In your place, I’d investigate the faculty. Do they have academic or practical backgrounds? Do they do research or produce art? What, and how much, do they teach?</p>
<p>And I’d find out what opportunities there are for student assistantships, internships at local institutions for school credit, and participation in local art shows. The Philadelphia area is full of arts activities that will be available, but I don’t know what or how much will be available for school credit.</p>
<p>Haverford admissions officers definitely are intelligent. If they accepted you, they must have felt that they can provide the program you said you wanted. What did you tell them? Has that changed?</p>
<p>You also might look at the website for Campus Philly, an area organization that tries to bring students together for local activities. They also might have opportunities for student artists.</p>
<p>And does Haverford have a program for admitted students? I don’t know where you live, but a visit could be immensely helpful. Or a Haverford alumni club in your area?</p>
<p>Haverford students are pretty chill. Of course, there are a couple of uptight people, but generally Haverford students tend to be “go with the flow” kind of people.</p>
<p>As for the arts, Haverford has a Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, which features exhibits and artists from all over the world. Haverford also has James House, which is the “art house” where you can get free art supplies. Haverford also offers fine arts classes. Philadelphia also has a boatload of museums, and Haverford offers free tickets to these museums. </p>