My DD would like to study fashion. We toured the school in July and she loved the environment. Can anyone tell us about their experience in this program? Would she be better off going to FIT? We were told that there is a huge dropout rate throughout the university the first year. Does anyone know why?
My daughter is in westphal school, but not in fashion. She loves it. LOVES. Most of her pals are also Westphal students and I question the high drop out rate. Anyway…reasons to drop out may include financial. Drexel aint cheep and the FA office is hard to deal with, so really examine any aid package with a fine tooth comb. Secondly, Fashion is one of those majors declared upon admission. Changing majors after the first year isn’t that easy. Secondly, the housing situation changes after the first year. kids move from dorms into student apartments. My daughter picked a design major and I was really hesitant to support a choice that committed (at 17) to four years of a very specific program. By the time she left for college, after a very difficult senior year (death in imediate family), I was grateful that she was going to college at all. Drexel tracks these kids in westphal. Each kid has advisor they meet with one on one for the first year. A lot of support in Westphal. My daughter was also admitted to Parson’s, Pratt, SCAD and a UC. We did not look at FIT. My opinion was that Drexel provided a more solid academic base and a broader range of opportunity than an ‘art/design school’. At one point my daughter was considering a minor in physics, which is not possible at an art school. She studied abroad. Had a student job. Worked on various projects and produced design pieces for various committees. Completed a co-op. Plays an club sport. Works 10 hours a week in center city, making enough $$ to pay her food and other misc expense. Is on track to complete her design major and humanities minor. And, knock on wood, will be highly employable upon graduation in seven months. hope that helps. Also worth noting…Fashion, from what hear from my D’s pals, is very demanding at Drexel.
I just check Drexel’s Westphal freshman to sophomore retention rate 89.5% . Probably beats most pure design schools.