<p>My friend wants to go to an art school that will prepare her for a career in fashion design and textile work. She has asked me to help her find one. Neither of us knows much about America's design academies (case in point: I learned about RISD from a banner ad, and she learned about it from me). </p>
<p>My friend is talented and already does elaborate costume work, so she will be able to put a beautiful resume together. Unfortunately, however, her academic record is not the best that Yale will ever see. </p>
<p>The school in question must have some prestige attached to its name. It should base admissions decisions on portfolios rather than grades and test scores (my friend has a B- average). The college should also be a liberal, welcoming place, but that qualification should not limit an art school search too much. My friend is in foster care, so the financial aid must be top-notch. </p>
<p>Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>I am applying to art schools as well, though I’m interested in Graphic Design, rather than Fashion. Does your friend specifically want an art school (RISD), or an art school within a University (Tyler @ Temple)?</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, financial aid is not too good at most art schools (RISD and MICA, notably), but my aunt managed to get nearly a full-ride to RISD, so they may be worth it.</p>
<p>As for schools, look at RISD, MICA, FIT, Parson’s, Pratt, etc. Unfortunately, my art school search has not extended outside of the Northeast, so there may be more prestigious schools in other locations.</p>
<p>One of my friends is going to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for graphic design; I don’t know if it has fashion programs.</p>
<p>Art schools don’t give great financial aid.</p>
<p>If its for fashion design, Otis, Parsons, FIT, Pratt, SCAD, RISD, University of Cincinnati.
Considering that most art schools don’t give great financial aid, and if your friend is so caught up on doing fashion design, I would recommend she look into European schools, as most international fees will end up being as expensive as US schools, or cheaper than US schools. </p>
<p>Your friend should also become aware that fashion design doesn’t pay much in the very beginning. Getting into excessive debt for a degree in fashion is not worth it in my opinion. As long as you have the minimum skills necessary, which most any department in the country can teach, plus extensive internship and work experience, plus portfolio, your friend will be as competitive if not more competitive than kids going to top schools in the country.
Also, from my experience, and depending on what market she wants to work in, graphic design is often the second best major if not the alternative to fashion design. Many design companies want those with excellent computer skills, and graphic designers tend to be stronger(at least at my former school) with those skills than fashion designers. There are a lot of positions in the fashion industry that relate to design that isn’t what people most assume when they hear “fashion designer”.</p>
<p>There is a separate forum for students wishing to major in visual arts. Look under majors in CC, then under visual arts. You will probably get lots of good advice there.</p>