<p>I want to major in fashion design and I've been accepted for the undergrad programme at both Central Saint Martins and Parsons, and I'm not sure which to choose. Obviously CSM has a greater name and a greater sense of prestiege like all schools based in the UK or Europe.</p>
<p>I go to an international school. And am actually from and in Hong Kong, but I've lived in Bangkok for 10 years of my life. But was born in the States. I have family there, friends that are in the States now, primarily New York. I've never been to London, or the UK for that matter. I have no one there. But how much should I take these into consideration. Should I even take it into consideration in choosing my schools? Which is really better?</p>
<p>I've already accepted both schools, placed my deposits. Now I just have to reject one.</p>
<p>*Also they have an exchange programme with one another, but I'm not sure how many people really do actually go on it and if they benefit from it.</p>
<p>I can't speak about CSM,but Parson's is considered one of the two top schools in the US for Fashion Design. Thus, congrats on getting admitted. The other top US school is FIT.</p>
<p>I would do CSM. I'm going to be frank- Parsons has a major attitude, which I did not like. Besides, CSM has produced awesome alumni, whom I tend to favor. But it's your choice! Good luck :).</p>
<p>Can it be that Parsons has an "attitude" because they are so good and well-known? Keep in mind that schools like Harvard and Yale also have an "attitude."</p>
<p>This is not in critiques, something that has <em>nothing</em> to do art, or even me (I refer to the troubles of someone else). I cannot get intamate about it on the net, sorry.</p>
<p>NYC's garment district is AWESOME. I had been looking for light blue coating wool for 3 or 4 years. I found it once for $50 a yard, and I needed 10 yards! I found it in NYC a while back for $5 a yard, in the perfect color! This store was going out of business, but they were all great deals with an awesome selection.</p>
<p>April, what aspect of fashion do you want to major in? Womenswear? Millenrey? Footwear? I think Parsons just has general Womenswear, while CSM has all of the above, and more. But, NYC is cool, and won't be to much of a shock if you are moving from another large city.</p>
<p>I have heard rumors (aka not confirmed to be true) that Asains can have racial problems in London - some narrow Londoners feel their schools have been "overrun" by Asains. I have heard of racial tension, and not just on campus. But, there is racial tension everywhere (definatly in the US!). But you wanna reasearch it.</p>
<p>Forgive me, I did not address your question!</p>
<p>"How much does the social aspect and the actual city play into your life at college though?"</p>
<p>More than you think, especially if you are an art student. I'm a transfer from a too-big campus, and I hated the gargantuan size of some of my classes. Plus your city has to have a good fashion/art scene, which of course both NYC and London do.</p>
<p>Even if your academic life is perfection, you will not be all too happy if you hate your social life. </p>
<p>Every school has people with some degree of attitude (in particular in the arts!). That is just my feeling, and it has greatly dulled the allure of that school in my eyes. I don't know, they may be redeemable.</p>
<p>Hey there april, after reading your conversation on CSM and Parsons,I was wondering where did you end up in the end? CSM or Parsons?? Cos I've just been accepted to CSM and if you are there, can you give me any insights and experiences ( backstabbing, copycats...usual art environment..)??? Thanks a Million....</p>
<p>I just found this post. Anyone with the opportunity to attend Central St. Martins is insane to even consider Parsons. This is the wrong place to ask advice about choosing a UK school especially when the answers come from Parsons obsessed american parents. I got into Parsons. If it was realistic for me to study at CSM I would in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>I haven't accepted Parsons. No they aren't comparable. Parsons is the best in the U.S. for fashion... American fashion.</p>
<p>Central St. Martins is closer to the best in the world. You can see the grad student runway show on Style.com. It's a completely different level of competition. </p>
<p>If I could choose any school to attend... this would be it. This is where I want to go for grad school. It most likely won't happen.</p>
<p>I'm a recent graduate of CSM and just moved back to the states to work in NYC. I considered Parsons back in high school but it dawned on me that their alum are big in NYC and the US in general, but the top houses (Dior, Givenchy, Chloe) etc. are appointing their designers from schools like Central Saint Martins so the choice was obvious for me.</p>
<p>I agree that both schools are good but they are very, very different. Parsons is streamlined with a tinge of American sportswear minimalism. Central Saint Martins is beyond words--even a short course like PG Cert Innovative Pattern Cutting is more art than just clothes. The CSM tutorials are also less about teaching you than pushing you and the environment is electric and tense at the same time but I would not have traded the experience for the world.</p>
<p>i completely agree that the innovation and creativity at csm far exceeds parsons... but does anyone even know if americans can receive federal loans/aid attending csm?</p>
<p>While Parsons may be the best in the States, it really doesn't compare to Central Saint Martins, there was a review last year, regarding the best art/design schools in the world, and Central Saint Martins came top in Fashion, Graphic Design and Fine Art, also it was voted as the best overall school in the world. The education at Central Saint Martins is very much based on experimental thinking, it has a dedicated innovation centre that consult multinational companies on new design concepts. If you have the opportunity to go to Central Saint Martins, you will basically be regarded as the cutting edge of young designers/artists in the world when you graduate. A word of warning though, they have very strict marking procedures, so you won't have any room to slack, and students have a extremely competitive nature there, though if you manage to get accepted, these things shouldn't problem you.</p>
<p>does anybody know what the applying procedure is for central st. martins for international students?? what are the requirements?? i was looking through the website and they seemed to say you needed Foundation Studies in Art & Design and have two A-levels and three GCSEs .
thanks for any insight!</p>
<p>Hello everyone. Hello aprilchao. In my view CSM is better opportunity to study in for many reasons. I know there are great alumni world famous fashion designers and it is important to know that London is considered as the best place for young designers! I personally applied to Sentral Saint Martins for the 2012 year and I would like to ask you about your preporation for the portfolio. I really want to study at Sentral SAint Martins and I will be very happy if you could help me in some way. Thank you.</p>