<p>I want to major in fashion merchandising, but not many schools have that as a major. I want a college, not an art school. So these are my choices... where do you think I should go...</p>
<p>Cornell (Textile Science and Apparel Design)
Universiry of Delaware (Fash. Merch)
Marist (Fashion Merch.)
Drexel (Fashion Merch.)
Syracuse (Retail Management)
NYU (Gallatin School and create own major)
** is it looked down upon if I went to nyu instead of a school that actually had a major in Fashion?</p>
<p>I'm not sure if it would be "looked down upon" but if you really want fashion merchandising you're probably better off at the ones you've listed that offer it. It really depends on what type of school you like (and where you will get into, I don't know your stats, but of course Cornell is an Ivy)... All I can say is that regardless of the fashion aspect, Marist is very, very different from the other schools on your list, in size and feel. NYU and Drexel are city schools, and Udel and Syracuse are large universities, so you should think of where you would be happiest (and if you are out-of-state, and money is a concern, check out the finaid).</p>
<p>Not much help there in terms of fashion, but I figured I would put in some thoughts because it doesn't hurt haha.</p>
<p>I think going to NYU would be fine; the lack of an existing fashion major is made up for by the countless opportunities one can find in the city. NYC really is the place to be for anything fashion related. </p>
<p>I haven't heard anything about the retail program at Syracuse, but I have friends at the school who love being there. If you're into the traditional college experience with big-time sports and a close-knit campus, Syracuse is a great option. </p>
<p>Andd..I don't know too much about it, but I have heard good things about the program at Delaware.</p>
<p>I think you will find a few things once you start to look at university based fashion merchandising programs:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>some are really textile science, and that is not what you want, I don't think (i.e., Cornell, and North Carolina State, for instance) Textile science is a very technical subspecialty.</p></li>
<li><p>some are programs that reside in the human ecology/nutrition/consumer science departments, as opposed to being housed with a fashion design or business department, and are taught by faculty who are more academic/reasearch oriented and come at the field from a theoretical consumerist point of view, rather than having worked (or currently work) in the apparel industry. This makes a big difference..I personally would steer clear of programs like that, and look for a program where the people teaching you have relevant work experience and connections to the fashion industry and have connections for internships, employment, and the like.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>THe only exception I would make are for the 3/1 joint degree programs with FIT, where you spend 3 years in a university setting and the last year at FIT in New York. Then you could use your FIT experience and connections to get your first job. </p>
<p>50,000 a year at NYU is definitely not worth it when you can attend FIT for a half the cost $24, 311 out of state (including room board, books) and 3672 (tuition only) in state.</p>
<p>If you plan on working in NYC, yes it you will be looked down upon for choosing NYU over FIT or Parsons (remember MaryKate & Ashley have their own company and will still be multimillionares wether or not they ever graduate from Gallatin) where it will be much easier to get fashion internships because they will have a more extensive network in addition to both being located right in the center of the garment district..</p>
<p>What aspect of fashion are you most interested in? I researched fashion schools relentlessly last year and may be able to help you refine what you're looking for.</p>
<p>IF you are completing a bachelor degree program (vs. an Associate degree program) a portion of the credits required for you to complete your degree will be will be in liberal arts:</p>
<p>
[quote]
At FIT, a commitment to a broad education underlies our career-focused curriculum. Liberal Arts courses are a required and integral part of an education at the Fashion Institute of Technology. They are designed to broaden students' understanding of the humanities, to strengthen critical thinking and communication skills, to develop their knowledge of the natural and social sciences, and to prepare them to function effectively in a culturally diverse world.
<p>Hopefully money is not an issue for your family. As a parent, you would have a hard time convincing me that NYU @ $50k a year and gives some of the worse FA in the country (there is no need based FA, some merit money for the absolute top of the pool but the bulk of their aid package is loans). based on your reasoning so far:</p>
<p>FIT does not have a campus & I want a liberal arts education. If you were my child I would have to tell you that you are not
presenting a convincing argument to justify the costs for me to spend an extra $100k, however YMMV.</p>
<p>yeah, but nyu is a college that has sports teams and all the stuff reg. colleges have, it's just in the city. it's not so FASHION oriented, it's liberal arts. I know FIT is a SUNY school, but I don't want just a fashion course load. my problem is if i go to NYU and do gallatin, I wouldn't graduate with a degree in fashion. it would be a specialization. is that going ot be looked down upon when i apply for a job. As of now, I'm leaning more towards marist because it has a great fashion program and actual fashion classes, something nyu doesn;t.</p>
<p>fashion, I work in retail. If your objective is to design per se, then go to a design school. The emphasis will be on your creative talent and portfolio, plus these specialist schools, like FIT and Parsons, have unparalleled access to industry insiders and internships.</p>
<p>If, on the other hand, you're interested in the general business side of retail, apparel or brand management, then a BA/BS from any college or university would be workable, as long as you supplement it with summer jobs and internships in the industry.</p>
<p>Skills that employers are looking for in entry level jobs in buying, merchandising, sourcing, product development would be:
A good taste level, a love of fashion, a love of retail, an intense work ethic, an ability to interact with a team and good communication skills. Most large retail and brand organizations offer internships and, for graduates, training programs.</p>
<p>The school that seems to come up on the radar at my company is Skidmore. We have many of their graduates in buying, sourcing and product development.</p>
<p>I realize your against FIT since it doesn't have a campus and sports team etc..Let me explain something (since I'm a student at FIT) first of all FIT has sports teams, although people don't really go to them. I can tell you right now that NYU isn't going to be all "spirited" either in the sports dept. All I know is that if you want to do Fashion merchandising you should probably go to FIT to get a real sense of what your getting yourself into. If you want to work in the fashion industry when you get out of college you WILL be working in NYC and FIT has the best internship opportunities and the best connections to get into that industry. I can understand that you might want more of a "real college" experience, but the bottom line is, if you want experience for the real world and better connections...you might consider FIT.</p>