<p>My daughter is interested in majoring in Fashion Design and is looking for an in depth program at a large university or liberal arts school. So far we have found good programs at Syracuse, U Delaware, U Wisconsin and Indiana U. (We're familiar with the programs at Cornell & Wash U, but these are likely way out of her reach.) She'd like to stay in the caliber range of these 4 schools, so is not interested in 3rd tier schools like Kent State or that ilk.</p>
<p>She is certain she does not want to go to an art school, although I am well familiar with these programs. I myself went to FIT and SVA and don't disagree with her desire for the "full campus experience" that a university would offer (and that I missed). </p>
<p>Any one of the four listed above would be perfect (although her favorite after visiting was Indiana). The only reason we're looking to expand her list is because of the uncertainty of acceptance, so more options would be greatly appreciated. She'd like a medium to large spirited school with a reasonably good reputation. It would also be helpful if the school required a portfolio for entrance, as this would likely increase her chances.</p>
<p>i was in a similar situation, but the only two schools i found that I liked that supported my interests were wash u and cornell. i got into cornell where i currently am but was waitlisted at wash u. i also considered the tufts/boston museum of fine arts program. she might also look into doing gallatin at NYU, which i know is a possibility. </p>
<p>she might want to try for cornell as a reach though. it is a big school, similar to the other schools she likes in terms of culture and social scene, and the fsad program (humec in general) focuses its admission a LOT on fit. i know people in my major who probably got in mostly based on fit. if she can prove that a diverse liberal arts supported education + technical knowledge is what she wants and is passionate about, she has a chance. PM me if you have questions!</p>
<p>thanks alamode! we keep going back and forth about cornell, depending on the last person we’ve spoken to and how nervous they make us about admissions in general… LOL! we did visit and liked the school and she knows someone in the fashion program there.</p>
<p>i’m curious about Gallatin at NYU, though. my son is at NYU, and i was fairly certain they didn’t have a fashion program. is Gallatin an individualized major option, because while i know most of the schools at NYU, i can’t recall what Gallatin comprises?</p>
<p>VCU has a fashion design program. If your daughter really likes Cornell, she might want to consider applying ED. Plus if you’re a New York state resident, it’s a bit of a deal!</p>
<p>I assume you’re on the east coast, but if not, UC Davis has a fashion design program, although I don’t think a portfolio is required.</p>
<p>I’m not completely sure about gallatin as I didnt apply and wasn’t completely sure what it comprised, but I do wish I looked into it more. I was say to go for an info session or talk to an admissions officer about the possibility or something. I have heard that you can make your own program which would be helpful for someone like me who wanted to combine fashion with history and literature, possibility fashion journalism, that you can take classes at other area colleges (FIT?), and can probably get a lot of credit from internships. I remember giving up because I had so much to do and the information on the website wasn’t extremely helpful, plus I didn’t love the set up of the school (no campus, etc), but I think it would be worth looking into. and the city is definitely perfect if you want to get into the fashion industry, fall/winter/spring internships are a million times easier to get than summer ones! and internships are really what counts</p>
<p>oh and if you are a ny resident, fsad is in humec at cornell which is like 20 grand cheaper than the other colleges at cornell. definitely worth it.</p>
<p>You daughter should defintely add University of Cincinnati to her list. They have an integrated coop plan as part of their fashion design curriculum,which is located in their school of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning. Many of these kids get placed at great companies where they get great connections for jobs.</p>
<p>wow - lots of great feedback. thanks! nifty - i’m not familiar with VCU’s reputation. is it USNWR ranked? </p>
<p>alamode - i will definitely look further into gallatin. since we already have the relationship with NYU, that should be easy to research. love the concept of taking classes at FIT for credit at NYU. D already does FIT during summers and it is undeniably the best fashion program. (i’ve worked as a design director myself for my entire career and have hired more designers from FIT than anywhere else. D just prefers the social life of a bigger university.) not a NY resident unfortunately, but i think you still get the out of state SUNY rate at cornell humec, which is still a whole lot less than NYU. </p>
<p>taxguy - not familiar with U of Cinci either. will have to take a look at that one. what caliber of school is it?</p>
<p>lbdesignery, It is a VERY high caliber school for design. It is equivalent to a conservatory. Check out University of Cincinnati’s school of Design , Art, Architecture and Planning. It is rated among the top in most programs in the US. Its coop program though makes it really stand out over that of VCU,Syracuse and others mentioned here.</p>
<p>In today’s economy, kids need a leg up in order to get jobs. They need connections and experience. Cincinnati provides both of these. By the way, there is also a lessoned amount of gen eds required there, akin to a music conservatory program. It is, thus, a very intensive program for your major. However, being part of a major university, you can take courses in almost any area as long as your schedule permits, which is no easy task with studio courses.</p>
<p>thanks taxguy! btw, i’ve always wondered where one can find the ratings/rankings of art programs. i’ve googled and searched, but never found anything that looks like a reliable list.</p>
<p>LBDesignery, there really isn’t any good place for design other than graphic design. You can go to US News,but they only rate certain graduate design program.</p>
<p>Design Intelligence Magazine does try to rank both undergrad and graduate Industrial Design, Interior Design and Architecture programs based on rankings by employers who hire designers and other input from professional firms. If this ranking is any better than other types of ranking is hard to tell. However, Cincinnati has top ranked programs in all these areas noted. There is, nowever, no good rankings, to my knowledge, for fashion design.I do know, however, that the kids in their program at UC . love the program.</p>
<p>Classes at FIT are a fraction of the cost of NYu. (It is a state university.) And I agree FIT is a great school for fashion design. But why would you pay to go to NYU (Gallatin) to take a bunch of classes at FIT? It does not make financial sense.</p>
<p>uskoolfish - You bring up a good point. Yes, I agree on the surface it does seem ridiculous. Unfortunately I am well familiar with the costs of both NYU & FIT, given that S goes to NYU & I went to FIT. D also takes summer courses at FIT. That said, D is right about not wanting to be sequestered away at a small very individualized school IF what she wants is a true campus experience at a large university. Say what you will about NYU’s urban campus, it is still very different than FIT, particularly socially. I regret to this day having missed that experience.</p>
<p>taxguy - Great, I will look into those. What about rankings on general art programs, such as the graphic design listing you mention? Is that from USNWR or somewhere else?</p>
<p>I’ve also heard good things about the fashion design program at UC Davis.</p>
<p>I just finished my first year at Philadelphia University in the fashion program there for the very reason of mixing liberal arts education with fashion design. The school was pretty small and I didn’t have the best experience because the first year is just foundation classes that seem not completely necessary. Also they don’t have a portfolio to get in, but its not very competative to get in unless the you apply too late and get wait listed into the fashion design major.</p>
<p>That being said, does anyone know anything about PhilaU’s reputation in the industry? I was told it’s looked well upon but its difficult not knowing what the fashion classes are like since we don’t have any as a freshman. I am considering transferring to Cornell’s fashion program and would love to see what people had to see about these two schools. (Sorry for intruding on this forum, but it seemed like the place to be)</p>
<p>LBDesignery–I understand about wanting the campus experience. But before I’d spend the money between NYU and FIT, I would look into what the difference will be in terms of campus feel more. My D is going to be a junior at NYU and she LOVES it there…so no complaints at all. She is still living in NYU housing and plans to for all 4 years. However, I have to tell you that as of sophomore and now junior year many of her friends have found their own apartments in the city and are living anywhere from Brooklyn to more uptown. I dont think that the distinction between living in the city to attend FIT or to attend NYU is that substantial. D has many friends who are still in FIT housing. As for the profile of an art major in either school, I think the numbers are going to be heavily female in either case. Same in D’s major. (She is a musical theater major!)</p>
<p>My younger D wants to be an art major and will be considering both NYU and FIT. For me, it is more the issue of academics than campus feel that will persuade me to pay for NYU.</p>
<p>You mention you have a son attending NYU? Are his friends all still on campus?</p>
<p>From Iowa State: “The apparel merchandising, design, and production program at Iowa State is one of only ten programs in the nation approved by the American Apparel Manufacturers Association.” </p>
<p>Iowa State may be too far out there, but it might be worth a look.</p>
<p>uskoolfish - sorry to have taken so long to reply. hope you are still around. in the end, D really prefers a big campus experience that even NYU wouldn’t provide. she took more classes at FIT this summer which reinforced her interest in fashion, but also her certainty that she did not want an art school. i don’t think she would mind the city campus factor of NYU, but the lack of school spirit is more the issue.</p>
<p>yes, my son is at NYU but he’s a very different sort. his interests are <em>entirely</em> off campus as are all of his friends, and he’s fine with that. he comes home every weekend and gets zero social life out of the school. </p>
<p>MD Mom - yes, i did hear about Iowa State and it’s got a nice reputation, but i do think it’s a little out there for D. however, i’d be real curious to know what the other 9 programs are that were approved by the American Apparel Manufacturers Association. thanks for the lead - now i have something to search… :-)</p>
<p>flamingcookies - again - sorry for the delayed reply. i can tell you for certain that a school’s “reputation” in the industry is not nearly as significant as the portfolio you come out with, or more to the point, the portfolio you wind up interviewing with. a strong talent at a not so well known school will get a lot farther than a weak talent at a great school. frankly, my brief research into cornell’s program revealed that’s it’s awfully textile science heavy and not so focused on the creative. i will also say in 25 years in the business, i have never once seen a design candidate that came out of cornell. </p>
<p>that said, for my own daughter, i still prefer a better school since your talent is your talent and will be developed wherever you are - so you may as well get as good an education as you can while you’re spending the time and money. you can always take some classes at FIT after graduation to beef up your portfolio…</p>