<p>We've traversed NE looking at schools and yet this is the one that appears to offer the most of what D is looking for -- art dept, dance dept, languages, communication, sports teams (to watch), in CT which is a bonus because we have family there, etc. BUT, I hear nothing but unflattering things about this school! I've heard there's lots of drinking/drugs, it's ugly, lots of kids wanting to transfer... We are visiting in early March so we'll see for ourselves, but any information from parents or students who have first-hand experience would be most welcome!</p>
<p>My experience may not be relevant to you, but . . . My kids have spent the last 7 years as participants in the Hartt School's Suzuki program and in their choirs and performance ensembles. As I'm sure you know the Hartt School is part of Univ. of Hartford. Although my kids were not participating as college students, I have spent a lot of time (three times a week) on the campus over these years and I've explored. First of all, if your child is interested in performing arts, dance, music and such, the Hartt school is well respected and from what I can tell it deserves it. There is a lot going on with Hartt on campus and the entire university benefits from it. A lot of opportunity to learn, perform, and watch other performances of all types. Unique to schools that have leading music/arts schools as part of their campus. The rest of the University appears well run and moving forward. The academic part of the campus, I think, is attractive. The sports facilities are top notch. I have always thought the dorm area was a little unattractive, but to tell you the truth this is common at a lot of schools. I don't think the students perceive it this way. All New England schools take a beating aesthetically in the winter and early spring, but when grass is green, the campus looks nice. I know the school's ranking is going up, if that is important. It is perceived as producing good graduates who enter the local word force (and elsewhere) and do well. They have great, great faculty at all levels in the performing arts. I can't comment on the other academic areas, but I have heard good things. Good luck.</p>
<p>Donna- My son is a fifth year double degree viola performance/music ed at Hartt, the music school at U/Hartford.</p>
<p>First, is your daughter planning on an art, theater, dance or music performance/ed major? If yes, investigate it. If she's looking for a few courses in any of these areas, be warned that while she may have some choices, many classes are only available to Hartt students, and often only those in that major. A declared minor in those areas might broaden her choices a bit. While most Hartt kids take some non Hartt academics and requirement courses, this school within U/Hartford is muchh more of a conservatory environment. The Hartt undergrad catalog gives the specifics by course number.</p>
<p>That being said, Hartt, the Barney School of Business, and the Ward College of Technology have good reputations for their disciplines. I can't vouch for their other programs.</p>
<p>My son lived in residential housing for four years. Freshman dorms were terrible, but they were all gutted and refurbished over the summer. The upperclass housing is ok, not great, with a fair number of suite setups. </p>
<p>While the food is edible, it's college food, period. I felt the meal plan somewhat overpriced.</p>
<p>While I never had a major issue with safety, it's a fairly large student resident body, so my guess is you have a bell curve of students, from wall flowers to undesireables. There was a case of a firearm discharge last semester in one of the dorms, but it was a sibling of a student, not a student. Still, it makes you wonder. Just this week they issued a campus crime alert about half a dozen upper class room breakins, and they had a few car thefts and break ins last year, or the year prior. You are close enough to urban Hartford to see potentially some "spill-over" crime. I see it as no worse than a vast number of schools in terms of alcohol or drug use. I do know that they will enforce stated policy. </p>
<p>The campus is well patrolled, clean, and inviting. Some buildings are dated, but they are constructing a few new facilities this year and beyond. Construction appears on going.</p>
<p>My opinion for what it's worth: if you're looking for liberal arts in general, UCONN is the stronger program.</p>
<p>I can sort of second cantg's post. I've attended many concerts and shows at UHA, and the music/theater program is fantastic. The campus is certainly not as beautiful as some NE campuses, although at this time of year it's probably looking it's worst, with the barren winter trees. It's in a weird place in Hartford - it's across the street from some of the most beautiful homes and one of the wealthiest parts of the city, but you go a few blocks to the right and you will be smack dab in the heart of a poverty stricken residential neighborhood and industrial blight. (On the plus side - Scott's is a short trip down the road...mmmm, Jamaican beef patties).</p>
<p>They also have a great radio station, WUHA. I'm not sure about the drinking and drugs...but there isn't a whole lot for young people to do in Hartford, so that may be a factor.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input so far. My D is a fairly accomplished ballet dancer, and is planning to meet with the dept head of ballet to explore either a minor or just taking classes, if that is possible. I would rather see her minor in something a bit more practical since she will not be pursuing careers in dance, but I also want her to be happy and fulfilled! </p>
<p>She did not apply to UConn, mostly because she didn't feel she had the grades and it seemed to large. </p>
<p>Another plus, I guess, is that U Hartford already offered her scholarship $. Since she's not liable to get wooed by too many schools, we were pretty excited. They may have been looking at her community service involvement.</p>
<p>Is WEst Hartford a nice town, by the way?</p>
<p>West Hartford is a nice town with excellent schools and services and a happening little downtown with expensive retail, trendy restaurants and such. Univ. of Hartford is essentially sandwiched between borders of Hartford, West Hartford and Bloomfield.</p>
<p>Donna101,
I emailed a friend who is a retired administrator from UCONN and very familiar with the area and academic climate...His reponse is below: </p>
<p>It is a private university that has made considerable
strides in recent years. I don't think it is much more of a party
school than other schools of its kind. Academically it is in a second or third tier of schools so easier to get into then UConn or Northeastern. Probably though, just a notch below Northeastern. The location is in W. Hartford sort of on the fringes of the Albany Avenue area that has a high crime rate
but I don't think there have been any real problems of late (*at
least nothing in the papers). The Hartt School of Music, which is
part of the University, is very good. Hartford is improving but I'm
not sure there's a whole lot going on compared to Boston or other
medium-sized cities; in any case a lot more going on in the area
than in Storrs.</p>
<p>As a native Nutmegger I would concur with the above posts. Not the best area ... but not the worst. Could definitely make a case for Trinity College being in a worse area. Close to West Hartford which is quite nice. My brothers both went to U of H ... but as non traditional students ... and I am not sure if they actually graduated or not. They are both doing quite well with their technical education from U of H however.</p>
<p>My son was accepted to the Harrt School, and liked the program very much. He seriously considered going there. He felt, however, that it was a bit too isolated from the regular campus, and preferred a more integrated program, and more of a "university" feel which he is getting at SUNY Buffalo. I think your daughter has to visit the school on a regular day to get a true feel of the atmosphere. The West Hartford area we found was charming, much nicer than most big university surroundings, but the campus workings themselves did not seem as extensive as schools like many state schools. But then U of Hartford is NOT a state school. There are many kids and their famiiles making sacrifices for them to attend there, because of the much higher price tag, and it doesn't have the "flash" among the student body that you see at many flagships unis. But, that very flash, and flush with money syndrome is something many folks worry about when they send their kids on a budget to college. I hear that a lot; that this and that college is a "rich kids school", and not said with admiration either. The things with UHartford is that it is pretty big to be a private school,unusual to support what it does in the arts and sports, since it is definitely a school that is local in name recognition in an area with much less expensive state school competition.</p>
<p>My husband is an engineering alum from U of Hartford. In addition, we too spent MANY hours in the halls of the Hartt School between private music lessons and youth orchestra, chamber music ensembles, and wind ensembles for DS as a high school student. As with any college, there are good departments and outstanding ones. The College of Engineering is very well respected as is the Hartt School (particularly for music education where it shines as a top program). The campus is modest size and they are improving the buildings and upkeep of the place. It is not a highly competitive school overall, but if it has the programs your child is interested in, that is all that really matters. We know college students there and they are quite happy, and doing well. The business school is also good. There are lots of businesses in the greater hartford area that offer opportunities for the engineering and business majors. Hartford has a nice orchestra, museums, concerts, restaurants, and easy access via Bradley airport. You need to check it out for yourself.</p>
<p>my sister is a freshman this year at UofH- she is very happy. they offered her a very generous scholarship.<br>
from what i've seen/heard, there doesnt seem to be any more drug/drinking than other comparable schools.</p>
<p>west hartford is very nice. downtown west hartford is very trendy, with a ton of boutiques and really good restaurants, and there are fun bars in hartford where upperclassmen go. like any city, you have to be careful where in hartford you go to, but most of the bars that would be attractive to students are in the downtown hartford area which is perfectly safe. </p>
<p>the school provides shuttle service to west hartford center (the downtown W.H.), and the local mall (which is the best mall in CT).</p>
<p>they're really trying to improve the quality and reputation of the school, and there are some very nice programs. </p>
<p>UofH is very involved with the community, as you will find students volunteering in a wide range of areas. Also, the art/music programs are wildly popular with the community as well (on campus shows, productions, etc).</p>
<p>the freshmen dorms range from great to terrible- my sister is in a suite with 8 girls (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a common area), but i'm pretty sure after freshmen year you get to live in apartments.</p>
<p>These postings are extremely helpful. We will be visiting on a Friday, so hopefully we will see the school on a typical day. </p>
<p>She is planning on majoring in communciations, and I've heard they have a good dept there. If anyone knows anything about that, it would be helpful. </p>
<p>I'm really grateful for the input!</p>
<p>Co-workers D attended but last I heard wanted to leave after first freshman semester. Apparently she was sharing a bathroom with 11 other girls and simply was not enjoying dorm life. I got the feeling she was precocious plus she had an older boyfriend on the state payroll with his own house about 2o min. from campus. I have heard the campus is generally nice and merit aid is decent. My sister got her Masters in Biology there and not one word of complaint.</p>
<p>One comment on the ballet.</p>
<p>UofH is great, and the music/dance/theater programs within Hartt are very good. However, I do have a friend who studied ballet there (with plans to be a professional dancer). For the entire time she studied there, she had issues with stress fractures in her shins. She said the ballet studios have concrete floors, which obviously puts more stress on the body. That is one person's experince, and I don't know how seriously your daughter dances, but I just thought I'd share it.</p>
<p>I'm currently an Actor Training major at The Hartt School, so if any of you have questions about anything email me and I'll do my best to answer! <a href="mailto:glejzer@hartford.edu">glejzer@hartford.edu</a></p>