College Spotlight: University of Hartford

So I have decided to start a new series because I am obsessed with colleges and want to go to all of them. Thus has been birthed: College Spotlight! I have so many wonderful friends attending so many different, diverse, wonderful schools I am going to be interviewing all of them and spotlighting their colleges! So now that we are on the same page I present to you the first college spotlight.

M: What is your name?
G: Gabrielle

M: What school do you go to?
G: University of Hartford - The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theatre

Campus in winter

M: Where is located?
G: Hartford, Connecticut

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
G: BFA Musical Theatre with a Minor in Performing Arts Management and I will be graduating from the Honors College Program.

At Hartford Stage

M: Why did you choose to go to University of Hartford?
G: I chose University of Hartford because of the Hartt school itself. The BFA musical theatre curriculum offered the best training for what I most wanted.

M: What is your mascot?
G: GO HAWKS! HOWIE THE HAWK!

Talcott Mountain, a nearby hike

M: Does your school care about sports?
G: Yes because we are division one. The schools advertises basketball, lacrosse, and rugby SO much though which is very alarming coming from West Coast.

M: What else does your school care about?
G: Weed. Haha just kidding. Our art school is actually pretty rad and respected, and our dance division and instrumental section is internationally renowned. We also have a very interesting Physical Therapy track of Health Science that allows specialization and acceptance in University of Hartford's graduate school program once the student graduates from undergrad.

Forest behind dorms

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?
G: The actual University of Hartford can be pretty ratchet and it has lower academic standards than I wanted in an institution which can make my few strictly academic classes boring. Additionally, the Hartt School gets very little financial aid/scholarship money in comparison to the actual university. They also over accepted in my grade which was a little frustrating. (Editor's note: This means there's too many people in what should be and would otherwise be a small performing arts program)

Practice room life

M: What would you definitely not change?
G: I would not change the hardcore program I'm in. Like of course I would like some more camera classes and stuff but the overall curriculum is really strong and rooted in acting.

Trash bag sledding

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?
G: I love our fields. We have beautiful fields here.

Fields for reference

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?
G: Our facilities are pretty bomb and I love our association with regional theatre. Also, I know I've said this like a million times, but the curriculum is epic.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?
G: There is a cute like Downtown West Hartford with some cute shops and restaurants! Also a bomb ass mall but Hartford can get ghetto sooooo.

Blue Back Square during Christmastime

M: What is the best place to eat on campus?
G: Starbucks is best place to eat or the dessert station at commons.

M: Do you go to the gym?
G: I literally go to the gym everyday it's awesome I work out so hard here it's hilarious.

Campus in winter

M: How are your dorms?
G: Okay so like the dorms really aren't that bad. I got lucky and got a corner room which has a little more space, and usually the dorms have pretty nice views. Obviously bathrooms suck and sometimes the water is cold, but there are tons of upperclassmen housing available on campus which makes the party scene epic!

Dorms

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?
G: My favorite class has straight up been Intro to Performing Arts Management for my minor. And ballet. Ballet is bombing

Makeup Masterclass

M: What is a class you really want to take?
G:  I really want to take camera acting.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?
G: Probably the practice rooms to be honest. It's kind of ironic because that's my work space, but it's the only place I can be alone.

Campus leaving music practice rooms

M: What is the party scene like?
G: The party scene is absolutely insane!! Always a party even on weekdays lol. Thursday is bar night 🍷🍾

Halloween

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
G: Probably favorite memory is having like a legit squad of girls and going to the village (where the upperclassmen apartment buildings are) with them and actually experiencing true freedom.

The Squad

M: What makes University of Hartford unique?
G: University of Hartford is unique because the Hartt school is on the rise as one of the top musical theatre schools in the country.

So there you have it! The University of Hartford, tucked away in Connecticut, only a few hours away from New York City and Boston. Thank you to Gabrielle for being our first College Spotlight participant! Let me know if you like these kinds of posts and feel free to request any colleges you'd like to see featured on this blog!