<p>To M’s Mom, I wish you were my mom! My mom is completely against the idea of me modeling, so I have to do this alone unfortunately.
To younghoss, when I say force I mean I am in a tough situation, wrong wording on my part. Yea I have done a lot of research on this agency and it is legit. I have heard one too many horror stories of aspiring models and creepy fake agencies!
To Bopambo, I will definitely make sure to defer from a school because modeling is SUCH a risky career to pursue, and I don’t want to have no options a year from now if everything falls apart. Wow you had guts! That is what I keep telling myself, that I am young and if I’m going to take risks, now is the time to take them! A small part of me feels like my parents will forgive me eventually.</p>
<p>barr27, you need to do more research into understanding the business. Yes, they take 20% and “front you” for your expenses. In reality, that means that most girls end up making next to nothing - they are in huge debt before they ever get a job and can never get above water. They’re charged interest on all the money that the agency spends on them for housing, food, etc.</p>
<p>There was a good program on it about a year ago on ABC - “Pretty Girls, Risky Business.”</p>
<p>You should know what you are getting into as best you can ahead of time.
[Pretty</a> Girls, Risky Business: A Peek at Modeling’s Dark Side - ABC News](<a href=“Pretty Girls, Risky Business: A Peek at Modeling's Dark Side - ABC News”>Pretty Girls, Risky Business: A Peek at Modeling's Dark Side - ABC News)</p>
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<p>Fordham is now off of the table because you did not accept their offer of admission by paying the $700 to reserve your seat in the class. Again, you would ask the financial aid office if you defer, would the scholarship still be there when you came to school.</p>
<p>To anniezz, I know that a lot of girls don’t make a lot of money. I know the chances are small I will become the next Naomi Campbell, but I’ll never know if I don’t try, right? All models start out with their agencies fronting them, it just depends if they make enough money to pay them back as well as make a nice living. That’s so weird you posted that because I just watched that a couple of weeks ago on their website! Didn’t they feature this girl with a shaved head and piercings?
To sybbie719, that’s disappointing, but I guess I could reapply. So should I defer from OSU, and then reapply to Fordham in a year’s time?</p>
<p>anniezz, thank you for link. OMG! </p>
<p>barr27, you need to watch this program! You really need to have a level head … and it wouldn’t hurt to have some money in the bank.</p>
<p>barr, I’m sure you are a beautiful young woman. But this is troubling:</p>
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<p>Most of the young women who take up the offer at an agency like IMG end up in debt. What will you do if you end up in debt? Of course IMG is willing to offer these contracts to a group of beautiful young women. What do they have to lose? If you fail, as most of the women fail, you have to pay them back. How much would you owe them in a year, if you were not a success? Hope is not a plan.</p>
<p>I’m also a little concerned about your understanding of the entire contract. You make confident, but wrong, statements about your admission to Fordham. What if your confident statements about modelling are equally as wrong?</p>
<p>Bopambo, I already saw it! I remember it had a team of two model agents who were married who were based in Utah, and they sent a girl with a shaved head and a really pretty girl from Ohio with long dark hair. I also remember the creeps who look for new models to send to clubs.</p>
<p>To Cardinal Fang, I know there is a risk, but I am willing to take that risk at the end of the day, because I would rather risk and know I failed than to never pursue a dream and always wonder, what if? IMG doesn’t offer contracts to that many women, they only sign on a few girls a year. They are the biggest modeling agency in NYC and if they believe that I can make money, I am willing to take the risk. You are giving me a new perspective, because while I feel I know a lot about modeling, I obviously don’t know everything. I was thinking in addition to modeling I could waitress in NYC so I would have some sort of cash flow. Also with all of the advice I’ve received today, I definitely need a lawyer now because I don’t know everything in the contract! Wow everyone has given me such a new perspective, I really appreciate it guys!</p>
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<p>You have to ask the school their policy as most schools do not allow you to apply to other schools while you are on deferral.</p>
<p>OSU stated</p>
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<p>You need to contact them asap or you will risk losing that admissions if you do not attend next month</p>
<p>There are many successful models from agencies other than this one. Actually…I’m not sure I think being the BIGGEST modeling firm is the best. How much personal attention will YOU get being the little fish in the BIG pond?</p>
<p>You need to know what your financial obligations will be to this agency if you are NOT earning enough money to pay them for their “freebies”. This could be many, many thousands of dollars…MANY. If you have to repay them, how will you do so? This is a real possibility.</p>
<p>If you didn’t have $700 for a deposit to Fordham…how in the world will you have enough money to start up in NYC (even with the supposed freebies this agency is offering you)?</p>
<p>Like I said…if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is.</p>
<p>barr27, the problem with getting advice from strangers is that they don’t know you–they don’t know how mature or immature you are, how levelheaded you are, how talented you actually are, and in this case, what the actual situation with the modeling agency really is. </p>
<p>In general, my advice is that if you are very reluctant to go to college, for whatever reason, then take a gap year. Contact Ohio State and defer a year; or Fordham. You don’t say what your scholarship money is but are the costs comparable between the two? In my own kids’ situation, you could defer, but you were NOT guaranteed the same scholarships-- you had to reapply for the scholarships. But given that you really don’t want to go to Ohio State (even if it’s not for a ‘mature’ reason) I don’t think it’s wise to go and give up your passion & dream.</p>
<p>I’d say research both and defer one college so you have that as a back up. Be prepared to have your parents be very upset with you. Also, it seems that you’re saying they are not paying for college either way? If that whole set up is ok with you - that’s your choice - then take the gap year. Move to NYC, sign up with the modeling company, and see if you can make it. You will need money for that though. Is there any reason you haven’t been working all summer to save up money? My own kids save $1000s this way. I’m not clear about that.</p>
<p>ANyway, unlike some of the other posters, I don’t see that there’s a huge risk here. You can try and fail, or try and succeed, but it’s only a year and if you fail, you can go to, say, Ohio State, next year, knowing you tried. Or go to Fordham with a scholarship if its so important to you (Not sure why Fordham and not other schools in NY). But be very careful about the modeling terms --you say you have an apartment, etc. Be prepared for a back up plan. A job, a place to live. I think worst case scenario would be that this is a scam and you arrive in NYC and nothing pans out. Be prepared for that and have a plan B. Above all, you need money to get there and have a cushion, and that goes back to earning money in Ohio. </p>
<p>This is a very personal decision and only you fully know the risks/benefits. I don’t know you or your situation really, so I can’t really asses this fully. Think it out and if it’s that important to you, try to make it a reality. Be prepared for the consequences.</p>
<p>I agree with most of what Connections says but in addition- get a lawyer! You don’t want to discover that you are spending the next 10 years of your life paying back what IMG claims they’ve invested in you… who knows, they could take 2.5K worth of headshots and bill you retail and you discover you’re paying back a years worth of living expenses, 10K in start up modeling costs, and now you’re a year older, no closer to getting your BA, and deep in debt without a single academic credit to your name.</p>
<p>So get a lawyer. If you couldn’t afford the $700 to hold your space at Fordham, you REALLY can’t afford not to get professional help reading through the contract before you sign.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. And be careful- those “model” apartments are sometimes just drop in centers for folks who like pretty women, easy access to drugs, and not a lot of supervision. Just because your parents don’t approve of modeling doesn’t mean that the things they are afraid of do not exist- drug abuse (well documented… how else do 25 year old women maintain the body type of a 12 year old); women being victimized by older men, rampant eating disorders, etc.</p>
<p>HBO is airing a special tonight on the world of modeling called “About Face” and this film was the topic today of “Fresh Air” on National Public Radio: [Fresh</a> Air from WHYY : NPR](<a href=“http://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/]Fresh”>Fresh Air : NPR)</p>
<p>You should never go to a college you “hate.” That’s only going to breed more hate and discontent. Have you visited OSU before? Speaking from the perspective of someone who is just about to move to the East Coast for college, if the atmosphere at OSU is inhospitable for you, then I would strongly advise against going.
However, modeling no doubt is a respectable profession and you should have a long sit-down talk with your parents to see if you both can see the situation from each other’s perspectives. Explain your position and ask them to explain theirs. Then, the decision is ultimately yours as the life is ultimately yours to live. You just want to make sure you don’t regret your decision later in life.
As for the college situation, well I’ve got nothing :). I’m sorry but you may have to call Fordham and OSU to get everything figured out and get it in writing. Remember, nobody can force you to do anything. We’re all rooting for you!</p>
<p>Oh and this argument may help: you’re the one that’s gonna have to live with the consequences of this decision, not them!</p>
<p>There are several things you can do that will be smart choices, no matter what:</p>
<p>1) Research/google search “modeling horror stories” so you know every bad twist that can occur. Make sure you understand the scams, the date rapes, the porno movie paths and the other odious things that can easily entrap beginners in the Big Apple. You may decide to continue forward, but you’ll be better prepared. </p>
<p>2) Research other colleges than Ohio State and Fordham. There are some 4,000 colleges in the US and more in Canada. You may find a place that has the big city allure of Fordham but also is more acceptable to your parents (McGill? U British Columbia?)</p>
<p>3) Go to a counselor and talk about your anxiety and intensity. It seems that you have a strong stripe for drama – that all this has to be settled, right now. Truthfully, it sounds like Fordham is off the table for September (because of the fee). Laying out your thoughts to a neutral party might help you take a longer view. </p>
<p>4) Think about mature negotiations. For instance, you could agree to go to OSU this fall with a cheerful, determined heart to make the most of the semester (After all, the credits will transfer to other colleges – it is a fine college). In return, you want your parents to agree to supporting you to go on a modeling assignment during the winter break (maybe you’ll get to go do swimwear during December!). In this way, you are honoring their preferences, learning something about college life and also learning something about modeling. You are taking small steps instead of grand ones, but you might end up with your parents thinking you are one smart, loving daughter. </p>
<p>Lastly, please take the time to use some spacing lines when you make a long post. It would make it much, much easier to follow your thoughts. Make it easy for others to help you.
Good luck!</p>
<p>OP, please realize that we parents are really concerned that you don’t burn your bridges behind you. Especially if you MAY wish to consider modeling, as it appears you do, you DEFINITELY need a support network and some money of your own. </p>
<p>Please do careful research. Talk with models who have used that agency you are considering–those who are happy and those who are unhappy. Try to find out as much as you can. You’re a very smart young woman and need to make good choices. Cutting your parents out of your life does not seem like a carefully considered choice.</p>
<p>You truly can’t afford NOT to have an attorney look over what you may be getting yourself into. The models have to repay the things that are “fronted” to them, with interest, including their lodging, photos, and pretty much everything else. At NYC rental prices, you can rack up A LOT of debt in a very short period of time and have nothing tangible to show for it.</p>
<p>The “promoters” and “new face” men do NOT have the model’s best interests at heart, only THEIR own financial interests.</p>
<p>If you take a gap year, pursue the modeling and it doesn’t pan out, what do you plan to do if your parents have cut you off and refuse to complete the FAFSA? Many schools will require the FAFSA even for merit aid, and certainly for any loans that you night need. Since school is starting SOON, you should talk to them about a compromise-gap year, travel and looking for a school that would please you both.</p>