Advice about what major to choose, international student from dubai.

Student Lounge College Life
1

I am a current student from Dubai studying in Dubai as well.
I want to either major in:

  • communication design with a minor in fashion studies
  • fashion design with a minor in communication design
  • general biological sciences
  • marine biology (idk about this yet)

GPA is a 3.3
No AP classes yet, but most electives are Art and science-based
Planning on taking AP art next year ( I take Art and design, and so far I have an A in it)
SAT score was low but aiming for at least 1300-1400 in the august one
IELTS or TOEFL will be taken before senior year

Universities I’m planning to apply to:

Boston university
new york university
northwestern
Penn state
Ohio state
The University of Chicago (won’t get in for sure)
University of Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
UCD
University of Maryland
University of Massachusettes- Amherst
The University of Washington, Seattle (one of my top choices)

Parsons university new york
Pratt
Yes some universities are not within my reach, and some universities are expensive, but the price isn’t a problem for me
Extracurriculars:
I will be volunteering in a local hospital
Participated in a national competition ( the Emirati young scientist competition)
Helped organize most if not all school events
Did choir for a year
Contributed paint murals around the school’s campus
Did debate for a full year
Participated in sports competitions such as badminton, volleyball, soccer, swimming
I also do photography and painting during my free time

I want to start a whole new portfolio for Parsons and Pratt, but I don’t know what to include exactly and what major to choose between them?
(please help me by including some ideas)

I also don’t know if I should major in something like communication design or fashion design or something biology-based, is having an art degree useless? I am very good at science, but the thing is that I don’t want to place to much pressure on myself, even though fashion designing is stressful. Will I have job opportunities if I graduate with a fashion degree and a minor in communication design, or is that useless, and I should stick within the biology field?

2

Only you can decide what is right for you. It depends on what you plan on doing with the degree. Biology, fashion, communications, overall none of them pay awesome.

Of your list, I would say your best chance would be Parsons.

3

Is that 3.3 GPA calculated on a US scale? If it is, and with a SAT below 1400, I unfortunately think many of the schools on your list are out of reach. Remember also when you look at public universities- you have a few on your list - the OOS/international admit criteria tend to be above the average for the school. You highlighted UW as a top choice, that will be a tough admit with a middle 50 range for SAT of 1370-1500 and GPA of 3.75-3.92 for out of state students https://admit.washington.edu/apply/freshman/by-the-numbers/

Pratt and Parsons are probably your best bets with your SAT range and assuming you have a good portfolio for design (I don’t know the detail for fashion admittedly, though I’ve known students doing art at both.)

4

I applied for an online summer program for parsons and I surprisingly got accepted. The fees is 2000 dollars, should I do it or will it just be a waste ?

5

I don’t think it’s a waste it shows that you are hardworking and it may boost your chances to get in

6

This depends on the job outlook in your home country. Do businesses hire many fashion designers where you live?

7

@austinmshauri Fashion is becoming a well-known thing here in dubai. There are many local fashion companies that work in the new “it” place here in dubai called dubai design district. I just dont know if I’ll be able to start my own business and work here as soon as I finish my studies or not.