Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York

[hautecoco]

I know there are several random posts mentioning the school, but i thought i'd make a seperate for it. I'm very very curious as to what people think of the school in every aspect. From actual academics to social life.

[theleatherette]

I am here now, so ask away. Im not a design major but a merchandising major.

I like the school so far. I think some of their events could be planned better. So far the best department I have worked with has been the photography department.

But like with any school, you get what you put in.

[hautecoco]

hmm. yeah see. i'm leaning more towards advertising and marketing communications or the fmm program. but what scares me is that my expectations of the school will be too high because iv'e talked to a lot of people who dealt with the same thing. i'm not doubting that it's a good school, but i'm just curious if it's worth the money and the move.

[rangerrick14]

It seems like more bang for your buck. Look at the options Pratt, Parsons, RISD, Otis, Chicago, Academy in San Fran, and Savanah in Georgia. All these schools are really expensive, even if they are top schools. The only other schools that might be in the price range of FIT are FIDM in Cali and the Art INstitute. Both of which I heard are really not worth it. I wish could move to Ny and go to FIT.

[kathleen fasanel]

Originally Posted by whatever2

As i have previously stated, I'm thinking about a career in Accessories/shoe design. And I'm now pretty sure that is the right choice for me! The thing is, the only place to get a bachelor in this is FIT, and everything I've read in this forum kind of scares me... Is FIT really that bad?

(Attempting to revive this old thread) I'm interested in feedback of FIT's footwear and toy design program. I've long known of hands on programs in bootmaking that rate highly but nothing on shoes in general, much less FIT's.

[theleatherette]

People definitely have connections here. I did the makeup for a fashion show which featured designers who had graduated from here the other day. She was telling me that she did get some good help from the school when she graduated. She said that they usually just try to place you with a large firm and you would design for like KMart or something. If you want to be very ambitious and be another Marc Jacobs, your kinda on your own.

The merchandising program has been good so far. though some of my teachers are crazy.

Here is the link from the fashion show.

http://www.pdnedu.com/news/0710ppe.shtml

[Marnie08]

Originally Posted by theleatherette

People definitely have connections here. I did the makeup for a fashion show which featured designers who had graduated from here the other day. She was telling me that she did get some good help from the school when she graduated. She said that they usually just try to place you with a large firm and you would design for like KMart or something. If you want to be very ambitious and be another Marc Jacobs, your kinda on your own.

The merchandising program has been good so far. though some of my teachers are crazy.

Here is the link from the fashion show.

http://www.pdnedu.com/news/0710ppe.shtml

I'm a high school senior currently looking at schools for fashion merchandising. I must say, after sitting through the information session at FIT a week or so ago, I did not find the appeal to be as strong as it was before for me. Something felt really impersonal about the presentation. Most of the video was about design majors and other hands on majors, except for the part about the fmm majors and their boutique.

This is a little OT, but what other schools did you look at/ did you look at LIM? Please PM me =]

[kathleen fasanel]

Originally Posted by theleatherette

People definitely have connections here. ...She was telling me that she did get some good help from the school when she graduated. If you want to be very ambitious and be another Marc Jacobs, your kinda on your own.

You know Leatherette, *that* is a very excellent point! Okay, when you're young and a student, going through the program with other people like you, you're all kind of on the same level. Nobody's connected. The farther you get from school tho, the more those connections you made in the classroom become valuable! This only becomes evident over time. As you each rise in the industry, you have that connection from school days. You never know when a friend from school is going to help you out and vice versa. You become a professional clique of sorts. Based on the relationships you formed in school, you each go off on separate tangents and know which of your former friends is most likely to help you or have a complimentary skill set later on. You know who you can trust. Usually.

For example, one of the best reasons to go to Harvard or Oxford is not a superior education. As your career matures, it's those connections you made in school that can become pivotal later in your career.

By the same token, launching your own line ala Marc Jacobs isn't a stress point in schools. While relationships can be useful, you are on your own. You shouldn't fault the schools for this failure. Let me explain.

I know that schools tell you blah blah blah, this is *for* you, but it's really not true. Not that they don't have your best interest at heart. Tradition bound, their goal is to get you employed. Period. Their funding (FIT is public, not private) is based on their success rate, how many graduates they place in the workforce. To place graduates in jobs, the schools must meet the needs of the local business community. These are called "advisory committees", I'm on one. We meet twice a year and go over the curriculum, student progress, goals, funding, needed projects and the like. We can have a lot of pull. For example, if the school would like to implement a new project but they don't have the money and we support it, we can fund it, donate equipment, lend expertise etc. If we think a program stinks, well, we don't support it and it can languish.

Now, saying all that, do you think other businesses on the advisory committee are going to support entrepreneurship programs? Of course not. That'd be silly. They want employees, not competitors.

If you're wondering why I support entrepreneurship programs (and I do) it's simple. Follow the money. While I *do* genuinely care, my business is helping designers launch their own lines. I wrote a book about it. If students are going to work for other companies rather than themselves, they won't be buying my book .

The thing a school must do to serve community needs, is to have a range of businesses on their advisory committees. I'm included because my interests also serve the larger community interest. If you start a business, you'll be employing people and paying taxes. Municipalities like that, the community is better off. So, in sum, schools and advisory committees have to have a balance. Unfortunately, there are too few economic development people (like me, albeit with a vested interest) who are involved in the schools. It is for that reason that I hang out in places like Fashion Spot and publish a blog on DIY manufacturing. Until you can get what you want from the schools, you can get it on the internet. After all, if schools met your every need, you wouldn't be here.

[educo]

Oh Kathleen! I knew this can only come from you!!! I love your blog by the way and I have your book!!

[sanita13]

Originally Posted by kathleen fasanel

You know Leatherette, *that* is a very excellent point! Okay, when you're young and a student, going through the program with other people like you, you're all kind of on the same level. Nobody's connected. The farther you get from school tho, the more those connections you made in the classroom become valuable! This only becomes evident over time. As you each rise in the industry, you have that connection from school days. You never know when a friend from school is going to help you out and vice versa. You become a professional clique of sorts. Based on the relationships you formed in school, you each go off on separate tangents and know which of your former friends is most likely to help you or have a complimentary skill set later on. You know who you can trust. Usually.

For example, one of the best reasons to go to Harvard or Oxford is not a superior education. As your career matures, it's those connections you made in school that can become pivotal later in your career.

By the same token, launching your own line ala Marc Jacobs isn't a stress point in schools. While relationships can be useful, you are on your own. You shouldn't fault the schools for this failure. Let me explain.

I know that schools tell you blah blah blah, this is *for* you, but it's really not true. Not that they don't have your best interest at heart. Tradition bound, their goal is to get you employed. Period. Their funding (FIT is public, not private) is based on their success rate, how many graduates they place in the workforce. To place graduates in jobs, the schools must meet the needs of the local business community. These are called "advisory committees", I'm on one. We meet twice a year and go over the curriculum, student progress, goals, funding, needed projects and the like. We can have a lot of pull. For example, if the school would like to implement a new project but they don't have the money and we support it, we can fund it, donate equipment, lend expertise etc. If we think a program stinks, well, we don't support it and it can languish.

Now, saying all that, do you think other businesses on the advisory committee are going to support entrepreneurship programs? Of course not. That'd be silly. They want employees, not competitors.

If you're wondering why I support entrepreneurship programs (and I do) it's simple. Follow the money. While I *do* genuinely care, my business is helping designers launch their own lines. I wrote a book about it. If students are going to work for other companies rather than themselves, they won't be buying my book .

The thing a school must do to serve community needs, is to have a range of businesses on their advisory committees. I'm included because my interests also serve the larger community interest. If you start a business, you'll be employing people and paying taxes. Municipalities like that, the community is better off. So, in sum, schools and advisory committees have to have a balance. Unfortunately, there are too few economic development people (like me, albeit with a vested interest) who are involved in the schools. It is for that reason that I hang out in places like Fashion Spot and publish a blog on DIY manufacturing. Until you can get what you want from the schools, you can get it on the internet. After all, if schools met your every need, you wouldn't be here.

I agree with you kathleen, eventhough I am in school for fashion I don't depend on my school for jobs or volunteer work I like to take the initative and do my own thing and make my connections myself. However some fashion students don't think outside the box and get caught up in their last semester trying to get a last minute internship through career services. That's just something I noticed!

[Eiko Konuma]

I've been trying to read around the forums regarding the Visual Presentation and Exhibit Display major at FIT, but haven't had much luck. Is anyone currently in or completed this major at FIT, and if so, what do you think of the program? For those who have completed it, what careers have you moved into after graduation, and do you feel that the schooling was worth it?

Thanks so much in advance!

[antsofdali]

I went to FIT, and I now go to FIDM in Los Angeles

I have to say, FIT has a good reputation, my teachers were good and very knowledgeable but I really felt like just another person in the herd. Everything was very impersonal, and all of the faculty I came across from applying to registration and school activities were unhappy people totally unconcerned about proper development. I struggled a lot in my first few semesters, and had no one to turn to to help me. I eventually dropped out.

Then I moved out to Los Angeles, and decided to check out the schools, I got into Otis, Art Institute and FIDM. I was not at all impressed by Otis, the snobbery was out of this world, and the Art Institute (my admissions advisor) was practically begging me to go there which I thought was really strange.

I liked FIDM a lot and chose to go there. What a huge difference.. seriously. Their student resources are great. The school is growing quickly, and every quarter they offer more and more. I've developed good relationships with my professors, and I feel like I can go to them when i need help. My teachers have gotten me internships, and job offers and provided 1 on 1 out of class help when I needed it.

It's worth the expensive tuition. FIT was cheap (comparatively) but the tuition didn't cover any supplies.. lab fees etc.. <credit card debt here i come!> Now everything is included and I don't have the financial burden.

Now the challenge is the jobs that are offered when you are straight out of school are either for little to no pay.. I went on an interview and I was like.... "you want to pay me... what? $7 an hour? ha!" I make more money doing freelance side jobs..

can a person really survive on that little? maybe in kentucky. major reality check.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent.. my thoughts on the topic

[superbeautiful]

What are your thoughts on their fashion design program?

I got into FIT for that and I'm really considering attending because it is affordable. I got waitlisted from Parsons (my top choice) but I know that even if I go through the hassle of getting off the waitlist, I probably won't be able to afford it.

Do you feel that I can get a good job graduating from FIT? I really hope to get to a high level in my career and would want to start off with a good design firm like Calvin Klien, etc...

[deflyricist2006]

I am going to FIT for fashion photography. I am pretty interested on how I do there. There are a lot of internships and job opportunities, especially with the alumni there, such as Michael Kors.

[~LovelyDay~]

how hard is FIT, is it really hard to keep up? do many people drop out on the first year?

I heard its very competetive, kineda scared ....
I'm planning to apply to FIT and parsons, but of course i don't think i'll go to parsons due to its high price.