University of the Arts

Date: Oct 05 2011
Major: Fine Arts - Painting/Sculpture/Photography/etc (This Major's Salary over time)
I recently graduated from University of the Arts. My experience with the school was half great and half disappointing. The fine arts department teaches from a conceptual mentality more so than a technical point. So if you want to go to Uarts for fine art and become a technically proficient artist, this school is not for you. If you are more interested in preparing for a career as a contemporary artist who engages in conversations that are relevant to current art trends, then this school is a good choice. I thought the faculty in the fine arts department was outstanding, with few exceptions. They will push you, you will probably hate them at first, but ultimately they will teach you how to be an artist. The class sizes are small so you get to know everyone very well. And of course creative thinking is encouraged, most of the time.

The bad: Your first year in the College of Art and Design is little more than busy work and provides no intellectual discourse. The only time you will use your brain your first year will be in your liberal arts classes. Facilities in the school can be dismal. Some majors have great workshops, others barely have sinks. While I was at Uarts, all 4 years there were consistent elevator problems. Sometimes every single elevator was out but the school saw nothing wrong with this. On multiple occasions I witnessed students helping disabled students get up the stairs because no elevators were working. The liberal arts classes are good for the most part, but can be hit or miss. Unfortunately, it can feel at times that this school accepts anyone who qualifies for student loans. Many of the students just don't care about their liberal arts studies and because of that, many of the professors have to slow or dumb down the material so everyone is on the same page. Other majors in the school, especially performing arts majors, don't seem to understand the difference between their drama classes and lecture classes. Sometimes, you won't even be able to hear the professor in your liberal arts classes over the rowdy group of performing arts majors. Also, there is a serious lack of college level math and science courses at this school. I have no idea how they get away with giving out BS degrees without requiring college level chemistry, bio, etc.

The biggest drawback of University of the Arts, to me currently, is the lack of assistance in finding a job from career services. It is an art school, and as such, do not expect much help finding a job to support your art after school. No offense to them, because they will coach you, tailor your resume and help you find art-related internships, they just can't help you find opportunities outside of art. And don't expect any of those opportunities in art to be paying positions. The other thing to keep in mind, YOU MUST KNOW FOR SURE YOU WANT TO BE AN ARTIST! Chances are if you decide to transfer to say, a state university, they will likely laugh at your art school credits. Also, career changes after school will likely be difficult since most people seem to think a BFA means little more than majoring in play-doh.

I would hope that counseling and advisement at the high school level has changed since the economic collapse, but if you are being encourage to go to art school, make sure you weigh how much debt you will graduate with vs. how much you chosen career makes…and your likelihood of actually getting a job in it. I had a mostly positive experience at Uarts, came away with great knowledge and experience, but it was sooooo not worth the amount of debt I am in now.