<p>Hello I am new to the site and am trying to figure out as much information as possible about Parson's and the Parson's Challenge for the application. I have been reading a lot of peoples posts on this site to gather ideas on what the school is looking for...but nothing is very clear to me. Any graduates who would like to tell me everything they know or give me some examples of what they did would be awesome. It would be a dream to get accepted! I want to apply for the fashion design major so I would also like some info on what I should include in my portfolio etc. Please and thanks!!</p>
<p>I am also going to apply to FIT just in case I do not get in to Parsons. I know this is under the thread forum for FIT but I have no clue how to use anything or start my own thread!! So bare with me. Any FIT students or graduates it would be very nice to hear from you guys as well, I need to absorb all the info and tips I can get! Please reply soon :]</p>
<p>Be as descriptive as possible it would be a major help!</p>
<p>hi,
So i was accepted to both FIT and Parsons for the Fashion Design major for the Fall 2010 term…
Honestly, its easier to get accepted to Parsons than FIT, so I wouldn’t make FIT your back up. Just apply to both, and see what happens! Some other great schools are Pratt, Otis, and RISD. I would stay away from SAIC or FIDM because they accept anyone that applies to their schools and I hear that it is next to impossible to find a job if you graduate as a fashion design major from these schools. </p>
<p>First of all, you’re going to need a strong portfolio. Keep in mind that Parsons asks for a general fine arts portfolio, and FIT asks for a fashion portfolio.<br>
Parsons has the “Parsons Challenge” as their home exam, and a separate portfolio, and they describe everything in their website if you search around. I haven’t been on the website in awhile so I don’t remember where to find it, sorry! The portfolio part is simple, it consist of 8-20(I don’t remember the exact number, but that’s the range, I think) of your best works in all media.
FIT will e-mail you the portfolio requirements after you finish the SUNY application and school application. You only get 3 weeks to finish the portfolio after you receive the e-mail. Don’t freak out, that’s what I did, but as long as you don’t waste your time, don’t hang out with friends, and work, work, work, you’ll be fine! You’re going to need to know how to sew, and sketch very well, and their requirements are very, very strict. They require you to write 5 essays in total, and I think I made at least 25 sketches and sent 10 pictures of garments I sewed.
Second, a lot of my friends think that it is easier to get into art schools because “you don’t have to be smart,” but that is not the case. These art schools that I mentioned are the top schools in the nation, and they are looking for well-rounded students, so you cannot just rely on a strong portfolio. If you do have a strong enough portfolio, you might not get enough merit scholarships that can also hinder your chances of going to the school you want. FIT is half the price of Parsons, and so it might be easier on the wallet to go there, but that makes this school a lot harder to get into.<br>
Okay, well, I hope this helped!</p>
<p>Does FIT require portfolio pieces other than the ones they give you 3 wks to complete? Will they accept any drawings/paintings in addition to their specific portfolio assignment?</p>
<p>No, they actually ask you not to send anything other than what they require.
It’s a very straightforward and that is the only portfolio you need to send. It’s a very challenging list of things to accomplish. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks so much, FITGIRL. One more question: given that they give you three weeks from when you submit the SUNY app, when is it best to do this. I guess when my daughter will have the most time (during xmas vacation)? I don’t understand how everyone doesn’t get it at the same time. Doesn’t word “get out” what the assignment is?</p>
<p>No problem! I think it would be best around february…because if your daughter is planning on applying to other art schools, the holidays and Xmas vacation is going to be her busiest time…I suggest that she applies to suny right before the deadline and then shell receive the requirements for fit during march or April…and the portfolio reqirements are subject to change at any time…best of luck!</p>
<p>FITGIRL: I just checked the FIT site and it says SUNY applications must be in by Jan 1 and supplemental materials (including portfolio) by February 1st. So, I’m confused about your suggestion that she’d receive the requirements during March or April. Please clarify. Thanks!</p>
<p>Makes sense that FIT is harder to get into because of low tuition. My parents took the tour this summer while I was at Parsons for the summer course in Fashion Design.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate it you told me what was the one or two things that you
felt made you stand out in the crowd.</p>
<p>I loved NYC this summer and it is where I want to be next fall.</p>