<p>I'm a junior who's had her fair share of ups and downs the past couple years. I currently go to a large state school in the midwest, originally to study journalism. But I've had so many problems both academically and socially, that I have been failing or almost-failing (several but not all) classes the past couple years and feel so uninspired. There's just nothing at this school that I truly want to study because my true passion is both fashion journalism and fashion merchandising. My grades will probably get me kicked out of our journalism school, and I'm not sure I'd want to stay in it even if I wasn't kicked out. I hate it and my lack of interest and motivation is clearly a huge part of my problem.</p>
<p>My parents have known about my grades and problems, and when last year I brought up transferring to another school to study my true passion for fashion, they advised me to try sticking it out at my state school because it's more practical and whatnot. And I tried that. But they're used to the bright, excelling, A-student from high school, but now I'm only happy writing fashion columns for online publications outside of school. I feel in my gut I should transfer, even as a junior, and attend the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. It's got both programs in fashion journalism and merchandising, and I can take classes online until I decide whether or not I want to eventually move out there and take physical classes. Plus a lot of my credits will actually transfer to fulfill their liberal arts requirements, so I won't be THAT far behind.</p>
<p>The problem is HOW I should tell my parents my thoughts in a mature, rational and persuasive way. I've talked to my parents about the Academy briefly, but they didn't listen as intently since they wanted me to give my state school another shot. Also, my dad doesn't have an even temper and I'm always afraid to voice my opinions to him, since he has never found the arts to be all that worthwhile like my mom.</p>
<p>The other problem is that if I transfer, my student loan at this school will kick in. I don't know how to rationalize where that money will come from to allow me to pursue my dreams rather than stay stuck at this school studying a whole new major because my grades don't qualify me to study what I want and my school doesn't offer more artistic/fashion/merchandising options. HELP!</p>
<p>Sounds like you are in a pretty bad situation. :(. I feel for you, girl. I’m not gonna offer the best advice, but here’s an idea to get you started. </p>
<p>You need to explain to your parents that trying to stick this major out is NOT going to be practical for you because your g.p.a will suck, if you even manage to get your degree. You will be making more money through by earning a degree in something you are good at than trying to earn a degree you’re not interested in and eventually failing out of college.</p>
<p>What exactly does fashion merchandising entail? Does it involve a lot of business? Of this is the case, and your university has the degree (I don’t know much about it), then maybe you can convince your parents to let you switch to that. Business degrees always sound good.</p>
<p>If it doesn’t, well, I don’t know what else to tell you. Your parents are trying to get you a good job, which is important especially in this bad economy. But if you have really tried your hardest and can’t seem to get journalism down, then I would be frank with your parents and tell them that it would be better to transfer now while you are still in college than trying to get into another college after flunking out, or more likely, finding a jobs without a college degree.
Sorry that my answer was so repetitive. I didn’t get a good Night’s sleep last night.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advise, I just think I need to lay it all out there and see what they say. I’m just afraid if I’m unprepared I won’t stand a fighting chance at persuading them.</p>
<p>Does anyone have advice for what I should be sure to say/ have planned out to show them I know what I want and how to get it?</p>
<p>@Got2BYale: The Academy of Art University is fully accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). This is the same regional (top) accreditation that Stanford, UCB, UCLA, USC, etc. have. As long as you are at least a half-time student, your loans from your current university shouldn’t come due. This is for both subsidized AND unsubsidized loans (although you’d still be responsible for the interest accrued on the unsubsidized loans).</p>
<p>As for your parents: Gather every scrap of information you can about job prospects for fashion journalism/merchandising grads. Get information straight from the horse’s mouth (e.g. practicing fashion journalists, etc.). Go to the AOA’s website and make sure you will be able to transfer with your current GPA (not sure if that will be a factor). Find out what sort of portfolio work you will need for AOA in order to submit your application (this should also be on their website). Then, sit down and prepare a persuasive argument for your reasons not to complete your current degree track. </p>
<p>Show your parents that you have clearly and thoroughly researched the situation and have determined that it IS possible to succeed with the degree you want to pursue at the AOASF.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend that you follow your passion, but be mindful that journalism (as I’m sure all your professors have told you) is in a state of “transition” (read: chaos)</p>
<p>I know only about journalism as a whole, and my knowledge on fashion journalism is limited, but there are very few job openings. It’s impossible to find a job as an entry-level reporter, let alone a fashion columnist. Follow CalBear2009’s advice: make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Contact papers, magazines, and columnists to see what types of degrees they look for. They might tell you that they just want to see journalism.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. One of the main reasons AOA is great for me is because I can study and get experience in both fashion journalism and fashion merchandising there. If I can’t break into the fashion journalism world, I’d rather stay in the fashion industry doing something else like buying or retail rather than go into a different journalism field. So for me it’s a perfect fit that I can’t get at most schools in the country. Only schools in Europe etc. offer fashion journalism and merchandising programs together.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. One of the main reasons AOA is great for me is because I can study and get experience in both fashion journalism and fashion merchandising there. If I can’t break into the fashion journalism world, I’d rather stay in the fashion industry doing something else like buying or retail rather than go into a different journalism field. So for me it’s a perfect fit that I can’t get at most schools in the country. Only schools in Europe etc. offer fashion journalism and merchandising programs together.</p>
<p>Then that is your best option, and tell your parents that. The other to people have given great advice on what to say, and I think it would be important to add that journalism is not a promising career as they seem to think it is. Also, ask them (nicely, of course) why they don’t agree with your idea to transfer if the academy also provides experience in journalism. You could say that because they are able to provide experience in a specific field of journalism, you’ll have better career prospects (be sure to back this up with research though). And since you have the fashion merchandising thing (which is your dream) in there also, you’ll have two venues of work available to you, which is always a plus.</p>
<p>Got2BYale-I spent a whole day at Academy of Art University in San Francisco with my D who was interested in attending. This a a “for profit” school and any questions we asked were basically answered with “yes”…but no one could really answer the real questions we had. While they are “accredited” I have been told by others that it is very hard to have the classes transfer to “other” accredited schools if you decide to leave and that was a real red light for me. In addition, the school is very “design” orientated, my daughter was interested in the business side of fashion (merchandising also)and was not impressed with that aspect of the school.</p>
<p>I did not leave the school with a good feeling and they do basically have a 100% acceptance rate–if you have the $$ they will take you!! If I were your parent, I would not feel comfortable about your decision to attend Academy of Art University.</p>
<p>I am not indicating you should not pursue what you want to do, I am just giving you my impression of the school. I would check out FIT in NYC, while we did not visit it seems like a better fit (no pun intended) and it is a “legitimate” university where you could get a degree that means something-you can apply for a 2 year AA program and then transfer to a 4 year degree–or even a Master’s. That is my D’s plan, get a Business degree and then apply to FIT for a Master’s. There are many other “legitimate” schools, FIDM, Drexel University, or other 4 year state colleges that have a “fashion” program, like Central Washington University.</p>
<p>Do your homework, google “Academy of Art University San Francisco” and check out the reviews…not too favorable… look around and ask others in the field and then if you feel Academy of Art University in San Francisco is right for you, go for it. Good luck!</p>