UArts Visit Frustration

<p>My D was accepted to UArts for BFA Acting with a good talent scholarship. We are visiting UArts and a couple other accepted schools on the east coast next week for her spring break in order to make a decision about her attendance next fall. However, I am very frustrated with the response from UArts with regard to our visit. The 2 other schools that we are visiting have made arrangements my D to essentially spend the day at the school, sitting in on acting classes, meeting with faculty, tours, and so forth. After hearing nothing from UArts for over a week and repeatedly contacting them to set something up, they just sent my D an email indicating that she would have a tour of the theater department with a MT student and sit in on a MT class. That's it. No tour of the other facilities, dorms, etc. And my D is an Acting major not a MT major. I'm really disappointed because despite the talent scholarship, it appears to me that they just don't get a crap about whether or not my D attends UArts. Any thoughts or guidance on how to proceed?</p>

<p>That is frustrating, but I wouldn’t assume that they don’t want your daughter because of it. I know that my son’s school is going into finals next week. Could it be finals at U. Arts, too? I know that when we visited his school last year, at first he wasn’t going to get to sit in on a class, because it was the last one, but then they let him come. I would still go, especially if they’re offering a lot of scholarship. (That’s the real way they show how much they want you.)</p>

<p>Thanks Jkellynh17! We are definitely still going especially since we already have plane tickets leaving on Saturday and seeing their musical Saturday night (they don’t have a straight play going on right now). I guess I’m just disappointed in contrast to the other schools’ efforts. But you could be right about the timing. </p>

<p>When my son and I visited UArts(3 years ago) I contacted the head of the department by email and he was very gracious and arranged for my son and I to sit in on a class. We had to arrange tour and dorm visit through their website. The department head also told my son to go to the small student lounge in the theater building and talk to the students which we did do. The kids were more than willing to answer any questions. I hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thank you, Ristosmom! Did your S end up at UArts?</p>

<p>We visited UArts a few times (we live within a 2 hour drive) and they were warm and wonderful. Don’t write off the school because the administration doesn’t quite have its act together. They’re a great group of people at UArts and the kids that go there are terrific. Sit down and talk to the kids as Ristosmom recommended. They were great.</p>

<p>I’m going to PM you @anneliesesmom </p>

<p>I found that many of the schools got mixed up on whether my daughter was MT or straight acting. I would insist that your daughter get a tour with the acting department and see if she can sit in on those classes and not MT. I would find out how many shows they put on each year and whether MT has more of a presence than the theater department. </p>

<p>Thanks, bisouu! I thought the same thing - while it would be interesting to check out the MT department (she may want to minor) but right now getting a feel of the Acting program is critical to the decision-making process. </p>

<p>Acting and MT are mixed for some classes, but acting is not an underdog at U Arts. </p>

<p>Just as a useless aside, the boy who won ABC’s Make Me a Star contest last summer was a U Arts student. (I only know because my S entered and didn’t get anywhere.) </p>

<p>Agree with bisouu…if UArts is interested in having your daughter as a student there, they should be willing to correct their mistake and connect her with an Acting student and make it possible to sit in on Acting classes.</p>

<p>Just a quick update. I contacted David Howey, the Head of the Acting Department, and he responded quickly with many apologies. He is going to meet with us and arranged for my D to sit in on an Acting class, a tour with an Acting major, and invited us to visit a rehearsal of The Winter’s Tale. Admissions also contacted me first thing this morning and got us into the general campus tour that was full so we can see the rest of campus. I am very impressed with the school at this point and thankful for all of your input! </p>

<p>Fantastic, have a great trip!</p>

<p>So glad it worked out! My D loved Howey during the auditions. He’s British, with a yummy accent and is a Shakespeare expert. :-)</p>

<p>I was surprised last year to find out that some schools don’t let you sit in on classes. Glad it worked out @annelisesmom‌ </p>