I've always wanted to go to FIDM, to major in Fashion Merchandising. I thought that it was a very good career choice. When I looked at FIDM, it was way over priced! I thought that I couldn't afford it. After looking into a little bit more from actual students who did or still do attend there. What's better than looking at Yelp?! haha Here's one student's review that I found very interesting!
Those talking about starry-eyed teenagers are correct when they describe those who attend FIDM... I was one of them. With no substantial work experience and my high school diploma I entered the seemingly glamorous world of fashion school. Before I begin picking the school apart in different areas I want everyone to know I LOVED my time at FIDM and some of the unique and wonderful people I met. Now I would like to share with every potential student what I found was true (usually compared to a private university, public university, and community college I attended later)...1. FIDM requires lots and lots of time for projects and substantial amounts of money to really make an impression to get top grades on your own merit. I definitely saw others that graduated with average grades that got through by trying to get in the hard-working person's group and knowing that this person would not allow the group to fail, receive a good grade. Merchandise Marketing is one group project after another...so choose your partners wisely.2. If you are not from the area which many of my peers were not, living expenses are VERY HIGH and there is NO special housing. So if you have the opportunity to commute and choose to drive, you are far better off leaving a few minutes early and parking a little further into SOMA instead of the garage next door which used to be about $25 a day.3. Please don't let anyone persuade you that an AA is all you'll need to really succeed in the business side of fashion. I went to a few career fairs and asked the alumni...they all agreed that pursuing a BA will do wonders for your career. Also, if at all possible, work in fashion while you attend because I didn't take that advice from teachers and now know I would be much further ahead if I did.4. If you get a good grade, especially multiple from the same teacher, get a recommendation letter! Most of my teachers were very generous about writing wonderful things about me and I used them as references for jobs.5. My teachers definitely varied in quality, but I just listened to what they liked and duplicated it in my assignments. Oh, and when I started, I really believed in reading all required chapters. You'll quickly realize, though, that reviews handed out before tests in many classes just need to get filled out and memorized, only limited reading was really necessary.4. Something I found more than a little obnoxious was that FIDM and the community college in CA I attended were VERY politically oriented. I believe in teachers giving facts and allowing the students to decide, but likely in your time at FIDM you will know where most of your teachers stand on every issue. I made a mistake (I guess) and disagreed a few times, neither the sudents or the teacher appreciated opposing opinions or debate. I should have kept my big mouth shut!5. If you know you'll want to transfer after graduating from FIDM, you may want to check with the next school to find out EXACTLY what will transfer as early as you can. When I say this, I mean class by class, not just asking if they take credits from FIDM. There are some schools that will offer this service even before you pay any application costs. In my experience, private universities are pretty flexible with taking your work...definitely save your syllabi though. SF state is take a large chunk of my credits also, more than any other CSU. Out of state public universities, at least the ones I checked out, are extremely difficult to get anything into.
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