<p>I have never done this before so how does it work when it come to what to bring?? Does one person bring the micro and one bring the toaster, etc... Any suggestions from folks with previous experience would be helpful. The good thing is like MNK I am very close... so anything she needs or if something come up unexpectedly I could always run it down to her.</p>
<p>Kimoki - The quads in Furness, from what I understand, are fairly spacious. While the coordination is a little trickier with a quad than a double, because it is a quad you may want to have some duplication. Nothing like 4 students, all with time constraints, wanting to use the same toaster oven at the same time! At the same time, it makes sense to get a good idea of the amount of counter space and other room there is for small appliances. Perhaps your D can stop at UArts during the week and get a look at a quad in Furness. If she gets in touch with my D, mine may know more about the size and layout of the quads than I.</p>
<p>What I would suggest is that you make up a list of all the things that your D will need to be able to live in what is essentially her own apartment. Some of the things will be for her personal use and that she would bring even if others are bringing them - like desk lamps, fans, music sources, alarm clock etc. Some will be things that could be of common usuage - like pots and pans, cooking utensils, flatware and and plates, bowls and cups, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaner, Swifter etc. even a small table to eat at. Divide the common stuff into fairly equitable bundles and then have your D contact her roommates and work out who will be responsible for what. Some of the common stuff you may want to have dupes of, such as dishware and flatware 'cause with 4 people in the unit and friends who will pop on, you're going to need more than 1 set of 4. We had our daughter bring everything that she would need to be functionally self sufficient and then just avoided unnecessary duplication of kitchen and cleaning appliances. It's all about communication though and you can bet that the parents of her roommates are asking the same questions and will welcome a call from your D.</p>
<p>She has 5 in her room so I think we will need doubles of most appliances. I also figure that if she and her roomies find they need something I can always bring it down that day. I'll let the other parents know that too so if there is some small emergency they know I am close by. The other thing is that I am hoping to have her in an apartment eventually just like your D. I want her to meet the other students and maybe she can find someone who might want to be a roommate. I think it will cut down on cost. Is that the case with your D??</p>
<p>The apartment issue can be very variable in terms of cost. It really depends on location and whether the unit is in a brownstone or a high rise. It also depends on whether you can find school term leases as opposed to 12 month leases. The former are in much more limited supply than the latter. Because leases in Philly typically have 90 notice of termination clause, landlords generally do not know what will be available more than 3 months from your anticipated date of occupancy. There is also a seasonal aspect to availability; for example, planning on occupancy in late August will limit what's available since a lot of units will be grabbed by students, grad students and young professionals late spring early summer. Plan on starting to look 4 -5 months in advance of the anticipated move in date so that you have the time to figure out what the market is like and the types of units available in time to then do your seriously looking 3 months in advance.</p>
<p>My D is also in a room with 4 other girls after requesting Spruce. We got her application in super early and it didn't help us at all. She's really excited about it but I'm not happy at all. Apparently one of the girls has to sleep in the "living room" portion where the kitchen is. So my D. wants to get in as early as possible, so as not to get that 5th spot. But, what if she does? I don't think it's at all good. I'm quite worried about the way they are jamming in some kids like 5 in one dorm room; and then others get just one other roommate in a fairly spacious dorm room such as those in Spruce, my D's first choice. I don't understand how they make their decisions, certainly the forms they fill out are useless. I'm upset, BUT my D is NOT and so I don't let on how I really feel. I sure hope it works out. I would love to hear from someone who has been in that situation. Especially for an MT major. The only MT's my D has talked to all were in Spruce and had only one other roommate, so it's not at all the same thing.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, I have a few questions that if answered would be of great help. My daughter will be in the Spruce dorm and I would like to know if a table with chairs is provided. I know they get a desk and chair as well as dressers and beds but I've seen different answers on the table set up. Also does anyone know what items are NOT allowed i.e., electrical, etc... Are the toilet seats replaced at the start of each year, I have two other kids in college and that was always done. Another question, is it alright for a parent to attend the first day of orientation when the student gets their keys, etc. I know the second day is family orientation and the next few are for the student, but I was wondering about the first day. My daughter is so excited about being at UARTS and being in Philly, we are from Florida so it will be quite different. When we visited in April we had so much fun seeing all the sights and taking in the cultural events that I can only feel enthusiastic about it. She did get her first choice of dorms which was a good start. My only reservation about Spruce was the hotel across the street, when we walked by it in April it was at dusk and there were quite a few "unsavory types" hanging out in front. I really don't want to seem judgmental, but when it's your child you tend to be protective. I did speak to someone in the housing office about it and was told there is always a lot of people in the restaurants and shops on the block as well as UARTS security around. I know she will have to pass that hotel every day and I am somewhat concerned. Lastly I have heard something about a "Freedom" card or pass that the students can get so that they can use it in local shops like a debit card, does anyone know anything about that?
MichaelNKat you have really helped us in so many ways, I thank you for that.
You have a very lucky daughter to have such a considerate and involved parent.</p>
<p>Sorry, I know I've asked a lot of questions, but I did forget one. Is it mandatory that from sophomore year on the students must get an apartment? I presume since I've always heard Juniper is for upperclassmen there must be an opportunity to stay in the dorms. Well that's all for now. Thanks for any help you can provide.</p>
<p>bbellach - Let me try to answer your questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Location and safety. The Spruce dorm is in one of the safer areas of the city because of the volume of foot traffic for the multitude of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops in the area. My daughter lived in Spruce last year and did not have any problems. I did not hear of any incidents with Spruce residents except for 2 incidents I am aware of which occurred when lone females were walking, by themselves, at 2 a.m. on some of the smaller, less trafficked connecting streets, on their cell phones and were accosted and robbed. As long as your daughter uses some common sense, she will not have any problems. Of all the dorms that freshmen live in, Spruce, in my view, is the best location because of the neighborhood, proximity to the Terra Building and generally safe conditions.</p></li>
<li><p>Dorms usually do not have tables and chairs. Students have to provide them.</p></li>
<li><p>No extension cords (power strips with long cords are acceptable), no space heaters (don't need them anyway), no hotplates (don't need them, have a stove). No portable A.C. units.</p></li>
<li><p>Toilet seats are not replaced. My daughter scrubbed down the entire bathroom with Lysol when she arrived, something that should be a general periodic hygiene practice anyway. If the toilet seat is defective or otherwise not suitable for use, maintenance will replace it.</p></li>
<li><p>There is a school debit card that can be used at the cafeteria and a very limited number of retail outlets. We opted to open a checking account at a local bank with a MAC card. Much more useable than the school's debit card.</p></li>
<li><p>Sophomore year housing - There are dorms available on a lottery system, but priority is given to providing freshman housing. Most students move into area apartments after their freshman year. That's what my daughter and virtually all of her MT classmates did. There are a gazzillion apartments near UArts. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this is helpful.</p>
<p>As to orientation, if memory serves me right, on move in day there are dorm based orientation activities in the evening which are for students only. As a general rule, if the orientation schedule does not say it is for parents/families, it is intended that only students attend.</p>
<p>MNK/bbellach
*Correction to #2 (if I may), @ SPRUCE dorms most usually DO have a table and 2 chairs for dining in each dorm room (depends on the size of room, they can send you pics online.)
As for Safety, I agree with MNK..it's fine. Have your D walk with people in the evening until she feels comfortable (there's also a campus shuttle bus). Everything seems foreign until one gets acclimated.
Orientation for parents was nice to attend on the first day - right after move-in (bring another shirt as there's no time for a shower and if it's as hot as it was last year, you will feel better for it.).<br>
After the first day, they're on their own.
MAC - Campus Edge - is easy and wonderful for transferring $ online.<br>
BKTheater,
Your D will be given a move in time. My D had something like 8a.m-noon, and her roommate had noon-4p.m.(?) (I don't recall the exact times).</p>
<p>Mainstage - Your daughter had a table and chairs?? Lucky her! My D's roommate brought one from home that litterally had been kept in a barn and my D spent a good hour cleaning off hay and other....barn stuff before it was clean enough to use.</p>
<p>Eureka! We just got our room assignment and my D got the one bedroom apt style room in spruce. Does anyone know if the bedroom in that dorm is large enough for two beds? Or does one girl have to utilize the living room as a combo bedroom? We have a layout of the floor plan and the bedroom looks small. We need to ship our furniture from Florida so it's important to know how much furniture needs to go on the truck within the next two weeks due to the transit time. Thanks again for all the info.</p>
<p>MNK,
LOL! Actually, my D had a table and 2 chairs which we rid of as it was decided the room was too crowded @ her first dorm, and after changing roommates had another set of table and chairs, which were used due to the new roomier space.</p>
<p>Folks - most of the dorms had the beds in bunk mode. Make sure to bring tools (to unscrew) as your kids will want to separate the beds (if there's room). </p>
<p>bbellach - I would ask the residence office.</p>
<p>Still no dorm assignment or roommate notification....sigh</p>
<p>AZK, I spoke with the housing office today and they said the letters were mailed out on Monday & Tuesday so I bet you'll get yours by tomorrow. I know how excited we all are and with good reason we are sending our kids off to a great school!!</p>
<p>My D. got hers yesterday and we live in California, so you should have yours any day. She did get the 5 girls in Furness 4A, so she's been able to contact all 4 and was so excited. They sound like really great kids, so now they are going to sort out living arrangements, and stuff. I'm feeling better about the whole thing.</p>
<p>It arrived today; seventh floor Spruce. From the area code for the roommate, it appears he is from the Philadelphia area.</p>
<p>The assignment came yesterday-Juniper,third floor with three roommates. Looking forward to our first trip to Philly!</p>
<p>Question: Large Studio or Dorm for Freshman????</p>
<p>My D got assigned to a dorm with 4 other girls. Not a problem except for none of the girls are MT. They have had conversation on the internet and it seems like it might not be a good fit. She has the opportunity of moving into a large studio about the same distance from her classes for about the same cost per month. It will be a 12 month lease but that's OK. We are hoping that if does she can meet up with another MT girl that may want to save money and then split the cost with her. The studio is a nice size and is sort of split into 2 areas with 15 ft ceilings so it feels big. Any thoughts?? Any red flags that I might not be thinking of??? </p>
<p>p.s. She is not expecting to get a roommate right away....maybe after the 1st semester..</p>
<p>For freshmen, the dorm experience is a way to meet students outside of the MT and Acting programs and have the synergy of always having friends around even if it is just to take a short break and drop in at someone's room. If her room mates are a bad match, however, the disadvantages of living with 4 other students could more than offset this. Also, even if the room mates were compatible on a personal level, the fact that it is 4 room mates who, I am assuming, are not students in SOTA could be problematic. The schedules of SOTA students, particularly MT's, are so different from students in other programs that the time expectations and realities of their day to day lives can create a lot of conflicts. With 1 room mate, I wouldn't be too concerned, you work those things out; with 4 other room mates I think there is a real potential for problems because of such different school lifestyle demands and the fact that your daughter will be in an overwhelming minority. Living in an apartment from the outset could limit the students your D meets to School of Theatre Arts students and students from her liberal arts classes, but I don't think that should be the determining issue. Also, because there are so many student apartments in the area, it doesn't take long fro students to spend time socializing at other students' apartments; they just can't socialize at night by walking down the hallway.</p>
<p>If you are going to make a change and have your D move into an apartment, make sure that you are not irrevocably bound by your housing agreement. I would contact Housing ASAP. Given that the dorms seem a bit overcrowded this year, you may be able to get out of the contract regardless of the technicalities.</p>
<p>As to living in an apartment, make sure that you have a good handle on whether the landlord/management company have a good reputation. An internet search of reviews of the landlord/management company can turn up a lot of info. It sounds like the apartment is a Brownstone on the east side of Broad St and you need to be aware of with whom you are dealing to avoid problems. Also, make sure the apartment is on a well trafficked street with lots of foot traffic after the sun sets. Your daughter will be walking to it at night (unless she uses the UArts shuttle) and while the area is generally safe, there is an advantage to being in a dorm with security.</p>