<p>I'm considering applying to the jazz studies program at UArts in Philadelphia. I'd be interested in hearing what people think about the program, school atmosphere, or anything else. I know they're pretty expensive, how are they on financial aid?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi acorn,</p>
<p>I see no one has answered this post, so I thought I’d tell of our experience (three years ago now–hard to believe). My son is currently at NEC for jazz guitar. He is happy there but I think would have been happy many places. As long as you have other passionate musicians to work with, that’s a lot of what being a jazz student is as far as I can tell! We thought UArts seemed like a vibrant place and that Philadelphia is a good music scene and a nice city. I think there would be a little less personal attention at UArts if it’s still the same size than there is at a program like NEC which is quite small (40 jazz students in my son’s entering class). But that may not be a problem for some musicians. We didn’t get to the financial aid part of the process, but my general sense is that if you audition early you will get some scholarship money. Try to do the earliest audition you can.</p>