<p>Hey! So I'm applying to FIT for Advertising and Marketing Communications for Fall 2015 and just wrote the first draft of my essay and would love opinions! Here it is:</p>
<p>In today’s world, you can’t step out your door without being overwhelmed with noise and images from the media. You find them everywhere: billboards, magazines, Facebook. The list goes on and on. With these images surrounding me, it is my goal to make myself shine through and be heard.
One day in high school, I was flipping through a copy of Vogue when I came across an article about my favorite designer, Elie Saab. While this may have appeared as just another designer profile to some, it came as much more to me. The writer was able to communicate the essence of Saab’s collection so intricately, and for the first time I saw fashion as so much more than an art; it was a living, breathing entity that one could dedicate a lifetime and career to.
That same evening, I stayed up researching the top fashion institutes in the world, and that’s how I ended up on Fashion Institute of Technology’s website. Navigating to the academics section, the description for the Advertising and Marketing Communications major jumped out at me. This program described exactly what I wanted to do, and I knew that somehow, someday, I would call FIT home.
Despite my enthusiasm to begin my education, my first semester in college was greeted with a rocky start. Less than a few months in, I had no choice but to return home due to an unforeseen family emergency. This didn’t allow me to complete the academic semester, and unfortunately having those incomplete classes affected my GPA to where it did not at all reflect my academic abilities.
Although I was in a tricky situation, my spirit and goals remained high and I immediately continued my education closer to home at a local community college in the spring. I’ve spent this time working diligently to bring my GPA back up. While it is still not a complete reflection of my skills, I am extremely proud of how far I’ve come.
In addition to academics, I have already formed the foundation of my Advertising and Marketing education through school clubs and work experience. In high school, I was in the yearbook club, where I learned all about the hard work and effort it takes to come up with an idea and then put it into print. In tenth grade, I joined DECA, a club dedicated to those seeking a career in marketing, finance, and management. Through this club, I was able to attend the International Career Development Conference, where I met future marketing and advertising students from all over the world.
I started working for a local boutique when I was sixteen. In addition to sales, I helped the owner with both advertising strategies and photoshoots. During my junior year, I was able to incorporate a project from my Visual Communications class into an advertisement for the boutique, which ran in local newspapers and magazines. I still work for the boutique while I attend school, contributing to their blog and occasionally directing photoshoots.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Cardiff, Wales, where I attended several lectures about Fashion Promotion at the University of South Wales. Hearing from men and women who work for the top retailers in Europe was exhilarating. I flew straight from Cardiff to London, where I got to visit the stores of some of my favorite designers, including Elie Saab. Seeing his designs in person was both incredible and inspiring, and I left Europe feeling more confident than ever in my future.
As I apply to FIT, I realize that going to a school with outstanding professors and connections to so many industry leaders would be an incredible privilege. If accepted, I plan to be active in the school community by joining clubs like ED2010 and taking advantage of the incredible internship opportunities. Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, I have not had the opportunities that many living in New York City have. However, I have worked tirelessly to gain the experience that I have, and I will continue to work tirelessly to obtain more. FIT is not one of many schools I am applying to; it is the highest goal I have set for myself, and I intend to achieve it. And when I do, I will walk into class everyday knowing that with each course I take, I am one step closer to living my dream. When I am living my dream, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to earn the education of a lifetime.</p>
<p>Please note that this is my very first draft..I know it isn't perfect but would love any advice!
Also, here is my situation: I'm a transfer student and have a 2.75 GPA... my first semester of college, I had a major family emergency and had to leave my classes after the drop period had ended. This messed up my GPA but I have been going to community college ever since and have done well, but obviously my GPA still isn't great. I graduated high school with a 3.4 and took many honors classes.
Anyway, thanks for reading, I hope to hear some opinions!</p>