Hello,
I applied to the one year fashion design program and am curious if anyone else did for spring 17’? I would also love to chat with someone currently in this program to find out more about the class pace and work load! Anyone know the average age range? Since you have to already have a bachelor’s degree I’m assuming most people are 22-30? Does anyone know how many students are in this program? I’m curious if it feels like a small cohort of people. It looks like most threads I’m finding are primarily for two-year AAS. Thanks!
Hi,
It's nice to see others inquiring and applied to the AAS Fashion One year program. I'm on the same boat,I applied as well (hope i get in). I could give you some insight based on what past students have told me, when I last visited the school.
They told me to prepare not to have a social life, time to sleep/eat, or have a demanding job. Since it’s 14+ units a semester, that its very work intensive and time consuming. Specially if you’re a complete novice in drawing, draping, sewing etc. As far as age range, I saw that it was a smaller group of students with 24-35 age wise. Not everyone had a bachelor’s degree, well the people who I got to talk to didn’t.
What’s your background in?
Hope this kind of helps, although I’m not a current student.
It is nice to find someone else that applied to the one year program too! I’ve searched the forums and have found very few posts about it. Your post definitely helps and it is just nice to know someone else that applied. I guess there probably are quite a few students that have a lot of transfer credits so they didn’t need the entire BA degree. My background is in studio art (BA in painting and drawing). I have experience drawing but not drawing fashion designs (life drawing). I took a fashion design drawing class at FIT over the summer to help me get ready for the portfolio. I have sewing experience but only sewing commercial patterns. I have no clue how to drape or make patterns from scratch. Did you attend an admissions session? Is there one specifically for the one year program? Do you think the one-year students are sort of in a specific cohort together? I was curious how it would be beginning in the spring instead of the fall. Do you think more or less students are admitted in the spring? Do you have plans to go on and do the BFA too if you get in? What is your background in? Thanks!
Yes, It seems like there’s not much active people who have applied to the one year AAS from this forum…
Exactly, I hope I get into the One year program since I only have an Associates Degree in Business and some studio art classes; you never know what will transfer or not.
That’s awesome, that you took summer course at FIT. I was going to do that too, I decided to pass since I was so busy. What did you love about the classes the most while at FIT?
Yes! I attended a admission/tour session in the Winter at FIT. That’s why i got so much insight and information out of current students/admissions counselors. There was no program that was specific for our one year program. However, the counselors were very informative about both programs and got to meet with one year students. As far as coherent, I’m not quite sure about that…
Based on what the admission counselors, they try to keep the admission of students in the Spring similar to Fall (in terms of seats). Not many people apply for the Spring, chances of getting in are perhaps better in the Spring.
My background is in Business. I have been running a family profitable business for the past 8 years, with the financial aspect of it. I’ve worked in fashion luxury companies and styling as well for some months.
I think its time i try and do what i’m truly passionate about in life. I just love the idea of creating clothes and using your creativity. In fact, I know how to make my own patterns, drape, sew, do fashion illustrations; I sew both men and women’s’ clothing. Nothing too advanced hahaha… Thanks to the help of a great mentor I met in my hometown, she taught me the basics of fashion. Yes, I hope to get my BA in Fashion from there as well…
Thanks for sharing more about your background. It is a relief to know other people applied that have been in the working world awhile. I have about 8 years of work experience as well. I was an elementary art teacher for three years, worked in a bridal boutique doing alterations on gowns and bm dresses for a couple years, and worked in higher education for a few years. I have been sewing since I was a child but it was always just a hobby. I started making kids clothes when my niece was born and found my true calling then. I want to be a children’s wear designer. I love the idea of creating kids clothes and making creativity a larger part of my day to day job. I tried to make creativity a part of my job as an art teacher, and while I loved many aspects of teaching I couldn’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life. Also, when you teach art, you stop making art. That was a problem. I came from a family of educators and I think it was what I was comfortable with right after graduation. I didn’t really know what else to do. I went to school in SC and there are zero fashion design programs there. So, here I am at 31 finally being true to who I am and it feels scary and thrilling all at once.
The class I took over the summer was awesome! It was Fashion Art & Design I. I wish it would transfer but I doubt it because it was technically the class for the two year program and only 2 credits instead of 3. I could definitely enjoy taking it again though and will learn new things with a different professor. The class was about 3 hours a day 4 times a week for three weeks. What I loved about the class was being pushed to spend that much time working on designing. Also, being pushed to think about a whole collection and learning how to look at trend forecasts and apply them. One thing I am looking forward to about the one year program is that everyone in each class will be dedicated and driven to learn about fashion design (hopefully!) With summer courses, you get people from the community that take it just for fun that aren’t serious and that gets old. I have a friend that got a BFA in fashion design from FIT and she sings the schools praises. She loved her time there. Originally she had only planned to get the AAS but went on for the BFA because she loved it so much. She said you work your butt off but it’s worth it.
Im taking a noncredit class there now called how to start an apparel line and honestly it has been disappointing. The teachers for the noncredit courses aren’t full time professors at FIT and are often industry professionals so I guess it’s hit or miss who you get. From what I’ve learned from the class so far, it seems like whether you work in a large corporation or start your own business, there is actually very little sewing and drawing involved particularly in a corporate fashion job. If you have your own line, once you design, you hand your sketches to a patternmaker and then to a sample maker to sew, and then you outsource manufacturing (if you have a loan or investors). If you work in a large corporation you start out as an asst. designer and it sounds like creativity isn’t a part of your job at all. You work on the back end making cost sheets and presentation boards, send emails to venders, research-basically an office job in front of a computer. If you look up Assistant Fashion Designer job posts you’ll see what i mean. I’m trying to make sense of why we’ll spend so much time learning how to sew and draw if we won’t use it all in an actual job.
Ex. http://www.anncareers.com/job/id/1611420-assistant-designer-lou-grey?codes=Indeed&src=JB-10042
It sounds like your experience in business and in sewing will help you immensely. Good for you for following your passion! I hope you get in.
That’s amazing and inspiring to hear! Wow! Yes, I think FIT has a childrenswear program for the BA right?
Seems like you also know what you want and have some level of experience, which is great. I like being in a program were there’s creative people who know what they want; makes it a better learning experience. Trust me i know that feeling to an extent, about how exciting and scary it can be to change careers. In the end it will be worth it, doing what you love.
Gotcha! Yeah, the One year program classes seem to be more fast paced with higher coursework. Just hearing you describe your positive experience you had with the class, makes me eager and excited to start the program already! I just love doing research, find ways to get inspire for a collection, etc. One thing I don’t really enjoy is following trends haha! I just don’t see myself being a trend drive designer, I know basically everyone follows them and utilizes it.
If i may ask, for your portfolio project did you make your fashion sketches that you created cohesive as a collection?
Unfortunately, I have heard bad reviews on noncredit courses as well. Not much communication or encouragement from both peers and professors alike. That is correct, when you worked in fashion not much creativity is involved, well for the assistant designers that is. The one who gets to really have all the “fun” is the creative director head designer of the company. To my understanding, they have to have extensive sewing, draping, trends, knowledge and keep in mind their target audience. It is crucial, that they know price points and merge their art with commerce.
You make very good points on questioning why does someone go through all the trouble of learning sewing, draping, etc when one doesn’t utilize it, when they get a job. I asked my mentor that question, she told me that its a requirement that the industry demands a student learn. They want to hire someone not only with creative ability, but with technical ability as well. If you don’t have a strong sewing, draping, pattern making foundation and understanding of textiles, then how can you come up with something new? Yes, i agree on how most designers just sketch and outsource their designs, it saves time. At the same time, when you’re a start up company with no investors or loan capital, then you pretty much have to do all that yourself. Hope that kind of helps, is what i’ve been told by some professors at FIT, which I spoked with.
Thank you for such kind words! You’ll definitely get in! Any idea by when will be know of our admission decision?
Its killing me, having to wait haha!
Thanks! I agree, being with motivated passionate students makes the learning experience worlds better. Yes, there is a children’s wear specialty BFA program. I’m excited about womenswear but kids clothes are definitely my longterm goal. Honestly, I don’t see myself as a trend driven designer either. It seems beneficial to know especially to not repeat trends that may have just happened. I don’t have a solid mental library of designers and each of their styles (working on it) so I felt a little bit out of my league when participating in conversations but I suppose that comes in time. I feel like their are camps of people that memorize that sort of stuff and name drop to show their knowledge and another camp of people that care more about the product and art making. I’m in the second camp (although I definitely want a deeper understanding of fashion history) which is why I want to make sure I can end up with a job that isn’t just in an office. Thanks also for sharing what your mentor said. That makes total sense. I think changing careers also comes with a certain impatience because we feel like we have less time. For the portfolio, I did the mix and match project and then did another mix and match collection for the second project for the same client in a different season. I think the absolute earliest we may know is right before Thanksgiving but it could be December. I’ve looked at past forums and saw the earliest notification was Nov. 23. I’m not sure if the one year program works differently. I will keep you posted!
And by the way, the waiting is killing me too! It’s awful!
That means you’re going to go the BFA route too?
I find it adorable how you want to do children’s wear. Must be a fun and rewarding, ah i love kids ha!
That’s great to hear haha! I highly dislike trends, I mean I see fashion as personal self expression, why pay for expensive trendy clothing and look like everybody else? As a fashion designer I feel its important to be experimental and set trends. Albeit, yes Fashion is about commerce and selling, you can still create memorable and wearable clothing. Just have to follow your passion and gut! I absolutely agree! Some people are all about the big name designers and like to brag their extensive knowledge of them. Don’t get me wrong, its important to have that fashion history knowledge, however don’t copy other past designers. Its been done already ha!
I see that we both have some similarities and passion for fashion, I’m happy to hear! I was getting worried about being stuck with stuck up brats who have no idea what fashion truly is haha… I want to go to school to learn and be serious about something that I love. I’m not there to party or be the next big designer. Just pushing my limits and growing as a person is far more important.
I feel that way too, a little impatient about changing careers ha! Time can feel like is against us and such.
Have you found any place to live in NYC ? Excited about being in NY?
Oh I see… Well hopefully they don’t make us wait too long, and I’m such an impatient person haha… Thanks for the info!
I probably will go the BFA route but I’ll have to see how this first year goes ( if i get in!). The internships that we would get to do in the BFA program would be so valuable and help me decide if I’m interested in working for a larger company like Gap Kids or Gymboree. I’m sure there will be a mix of people in our classes but hopefully they weed out the ones that aren’t so serious. I’m not about becoming famous either. I just want a career I actually enjoy and I feel like is my calling. I don’t want my career to be separate from my identity. I’m really hoping that since it is harder to get into the one year AAS, and you have to already have completed about 2 years of school, that the people in the program are dedicated and hopefully not all 20 years old! But if they are, thats okay too. I’m there to learn the trade and as you said, not party or name drop til I’m blue in the face.
I love living in NYC! My husband and I dropped everything, sold all of our stuff, and moved up here about a year ago. Everything we brought fit in a van and we moved with a lot of guts and no jobs. Best decision we ever made (although it did get down to the wire before we both had jobs and for a minute I thought we might have really messed up!). I’ve wanted to move to NYC for 10 years and now that I’m finally here it is everything I wanted and more.
I’m glad to also know there is another applicant that has similar goals and experience. Reassuring for sure. If we do find out around Thanksgiving…2 weeks and counting!
That’s so inspiring! Wow! Lucky you, and must been a lot to risk moving like that. That’s how I feel, if for some reason don’t get accepted into the Fashion Program, I’m still moving to NYC. I just love it there so much, the food, culture, vibe etc. Nothing compares to New York ha! I’m so tired of life here in Southern California, too damn sunny and the traffic is horrible. I need something new and exciting! Has it been hard adjusting to NYC? Any tips? ha
For sure! I been reading around the forum, and people are saying that decisions have been made. Does this mean FIT will notify you through mail and not online?
The suspense is too much!
Cross fingers we both get in!
It certainly hasn’t been hard at all adjusting! I had visited 6 times and every time just felt like my soul belonged here. No place has ever felt more like home. I love not having a car. I love all the theatre and music and restaurants. I love how you live and breathe alongside so many races, ages, and economic classes and there isn’t much separation. I love feeling so close to human beings but feeling anonymous. Working here was a little different. People are very concerned with titles and feel like they constantly have to remind you of where you fall in the chain. The feel isn’t as collaborative. NY is full of the best and the worst. My husband works in a very collaborative work environment. You just never know where you will end up (part of the fun). Finding things like doctors and dentists was really hard for the same reason. There are great ones and horrible ones so until you meet someone that can recommend one to you, its a coin toss. I love having four intense seasons. The winter really isn’t bad at all. Just buy a down parka. Oh, and grocery shopping takes a little more effort to not spend a fortune. We probably frequent 3-4 stores to get different things that cost less at each store. I like shopping more often and there are so many options so that’s kinda fun and more european. I love how many small businesses there are. I love how New Yorkers survive and fight to keep them going. I love how I can walk 2 blocks and get a specialty bagel from a local store. New York has parades for everything and celebrates everything. New York lives out loud and has a pulse. I love how if I am having a crappy day I can walk down the street and see masons carving steps, men climbing ladders and pouring cement, storekeepers sweeping the sidewalk, musicians playing, and kids pushing scooters.
My biggest advice is have at least $10,000 if you are planning to rent your own apartment (brokers fees+first + last). Get your credit score up before you move (you can do that surprisingly quickly we found out). You can also look into renting a room or using a roommate service.
I’ve read that everyone finds out via USPS not online. Yes fingers crossed! And either way-move to NYC. If it’s in your heart to do so, that shit never leaves. No regrets. It is also easier than you think. Just do it.
Thank you so much for that well detailed information and tips! It makes me fall in love with NYC so much ha! I have to agree with you as well, that’s how I view and feel NYC. There’s just something that the city has, that just captivates me. In fact, I already found a place to live in (near Columbia University), I will be living with roommates; which is a good start for me (cheaper). I moved late December and I’m so excited/thrilled about it, there’s no exact words to describe it. The only thing that worries me is not finding a job, although I do have a good amount of money saved up!
If you don’t mind me asking, how long did it take you to find a job?
Yes, I saw that too. I guess FIT is old school in notifying their admission decisions. I noticed that lots of people are getting rejection and acceptance letters from Facebook, they’re all Business majors. I’m pretty sure that for us Fashion majors we have to wait a bit longer, since there’s more supplements waiting to be critique. Hopefully this week we get an answer ha! I can’t imagine how it must feel having to wait when you apply for the Fall (you have to wait longer).
Thanks! I so am moving with no regrets haha… I’m giving up a lot, but I feel my heart is in NYC! Your post has been so helpful and heart warming to read.
What is the Facebook page called?
I applied for the 1 year AAS program in Fashion design as I already have a bachelors degree a different field. I got an email yesterday that said I am not eligible for the 1 year degree. and asked if i would like to be reviewed for the two year program instead. I said yes . although not entirely happy .I will try to appeal if i get admitted into the school. Hope this is relevant to some of you.
@excitingnewlife I’m so sorry! That must be disappointing and sounds so strange to me. Was your first degree from a liberal arts school? If you don’t mind my asking, what is your first bachelor’s degree in? I’m surprised they waited this long to tell you but I suppose that is better than a rejection. I think you should definitely try to appeal. At least get some of that to transfer!
@Izaak21 Congratulations on getting your first place in NYC! I’ll never forget that feeling. We stayed in an Air BnB for our first month (also in Harlem on 118th in the west side). The Columbia University area is a great area. We are now on the upper west side. It took me a few months to find a job honestly but I think my scenario was a little different. I really wanted to break into fashion so I was applying to jobs that I wasn’t quite qualified for. When things got really tough and we needed money asap, I began applying to education jobs (learning & development and higher education) and I immediately got multiple offers. And always remember, you can always go home 
Feel free to ask me any other questions about moving. I certainly had a ton when I moved! Luckily my old favorite art teacher lived here for 10 years and helped me navigate a bit. Woohoo! You are moving! Fingers crossed we get in FIT!!
@junebuggy The group is called FIT Class of 2020
My first major was in engineering. But i also had some community college art courses done. I guess those weren’t sufficient.
@rcain Thank you! In fact, I found my roommate through Airbnb and originally was going to stay a month. It turns out that the landlord is looking for a long term roommate, and well I told him my plans of staying in NYC long term. He decided to rent me the room at a low cost since I’ll be a student, I’m so thankful that worked out. Yes, the area based on reviews is relatively safe, 1 block form the train, very active. Nice, the Upper West Side is a nice calmer part of Manhattan Lucky haha!
By any chance, have you applied or became a NY resident? That’s something I’m looking to do, for tuition purposes. I know that at FIT Website states the requirements and a form, however it’s quite confusing.
I got an email today, stating how I don’t qualify for the One Year Program (which is a bummer), was asked if I was interested in being ‘reviewed’ for the 2 year program. I said yes, although I’m bummed out. I read that in some way, I’m a qualified candidate if they offer you to be reviewed for the 2 year program.
I don’t understand why FIT is so picky in not accepting credits. I got accepted into Parsons Fashion Program and they accepted all my credits, I don’t see why FIT can’t. If I get accepted, I will send an appeal and try to see if there’s anyway I can transfer more classes. There’s still hope for me …