Parsons School of Fashion, New York

[annelouise]

I just registered for the second session of Fashion Design! And now I wait...

 

[urbanbird]

I am so glad I found this forum. This is my very first post and I applied to the AAS fashion design program at Parsons. I already have a degree and was not interested in doing another 3-4 years of school so I thought the AAS program was the right fit for me. I was a little worried that the AAS degree would not be as credible as the BFA but reading through some of the posts here has cleared away a little bit of that doubt.

I keep hearing that the workload is intense for the fast track program. Is there anyone on this forum who is actually pursuing an AAS fashion degree and if so, can you elaborate on the workload?

 

[Fashiongirl1]

From my experience. The workload IS intense. I am sure the BFA program is a workload, but the AAS Program is a workload in itself also. Its EXTREMELY time consuming, which I am sure the BFA program is the same. The AAS program is more for people who have their Bachelors degree already and want a career change or such. There are a couple of people who did not have degrees there I was one of them lol. And some of the courses can be boring color and design I believe it was... OMG that course was sooooooo boring lol. Everyone thought it was boring. I think that was the only course that I took during my very short time there that was boring. But I guess every school and everything has a boring aspect for it. Oh and I am not sure if this is still true but both Parsons and F.I.T use the same models in their courses as well. Some of the models I saw in the F.I.T website modeled for Parsons as well. It might hav changed though.

And no most people that go to Parsons are not from rich, wealthy families. I went to Parsons and I could not afford to stay there, but I know people that could afford to stay there that were not anywhere near rich, nor wealthy.

I really want to go back, but I am sooooooo afraid because I cannot afford it and its going to be more money on my end.

And I HONESTLY believe that Parsons is not stuck up. I took a course at F.I.T and they were very stuck up. But that is just my experience.

I am not understanding this either, yes there are much more famous designers that came out of Parsons than F.I.T (which many people I know don't seem to understand lol). But didn't a lot of them work for other people before starting their own labels? Isn't that what most people who want their own labels should do? Thats what everyone recommends.

I do regret not applying for the BFA program in Fashion Design. But even if I applied and was accepted, I still would not be able to afford it. Getting into a school is one thing being able to actually go is another.

 

[ilaughead]

Parsons Students: So, I'm not sure if this has already been asked (I very well may have asked it earlier on in the thread and forgot about it,) but I was wondering what exactly you all put in your portfolios?

I'm don't have any exceptional artistic talents, but I think my designs are strong, is it okay to really focus on that aspect in particular? Like 10 pieces of fine art (life drawing, acrylics, watercolors) and 8 pieces of clothing (fully sewn and finished?)

What were your art to design ratios?

 

[urbanbird]

Thanks Fashiongirl1! I actually already have a bachelors so Im not really interested in doing the BFA. I applied to the fast track AAS program which is only one year so Im hoping I am accepted so that I can minimize the cost of this second degree. My dream would be to actually get a post grad degree in fashion design from somewhere like Central Saint Martins after finishing the AAS degree. A girl can dream right...

And I do recommend that designers who want to start their own line actually spend a bit of time working for other well established designers at first. I think school is one thing but the knowledge that a designer gains from hands on experience and seeing the mistakes and successes up close and personal is invaluable and can only help (not hinder) when one starts their own line. I feel that its better to make mistakes with someone else's money rather than make mistakes with your own money. Starting a fashion line does not come cheap.

 

[ablazex]

when i went to see the parsons guy at portfolio review- they didn't want any fashion. just fine arts

 

[XavierRaphael]

do they offer a course for styling for a magazine?

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

I want to apply to Parsons for Fashion merchandising
buts its extremely time grueling w/ the 6 part project and then the essay..
does any1 know why they ask for both?
also is it really competitive to get in for that major
i want to apply to give myself confidence that i did it but i dont want to wast my time

 

[educo]

^^ You're joking, right??? If you don't want to waste time, don't bother applying. Preparing a portfolio for any arts program competitive or not, TAKES TIME. I advise people to take 1 year to do their portfolio. Your skills greatly improve and change over the course of a year and that can make or break your portfolio. You need to show them your best work at the time you send in your portfolio, and if you're worried about wasting your time completing the projects then don't bother because it will show in your portfolio and you'll be REJECTED.

 

[j_bot]

I currently attend Parsons right now, I'm a sophomore in fashion design. Let me tell you, when it comes to the BFA program: You can enter some pretty god awful work for your portfolio and home test and still get in. It's a private school, they are run for profit. The true test is sticking out all the bull**** that they throw at you and making the program and the city work for you.
My freshman class (foundation year) was around 500 kids, of that I believe a little under 300 have gone into fashion. That said, there is a steady drop out rate and there are currently just over 660 students in the entire fashion program.
If you're at least decent at art of any kind, I wouldn't worry about getting in. I'd spend my time thinking about weather or not this is REALLY what you want to do. There were 3 girls who dropped out of my section before the first week of the semester was out. They didn't even hand in a single assignment.
I'm not trying to scare anyone away from Parsons, it's not that scary at all. They try to make themselves out to be such tough ****, but it's a LOT of artifice.

 

[uberQuirkiness]

i agree with jbot..it's very true. i go to parsons too..the school is just way too into itself... goddd

 

[educo]

I'm sorry but the reason why most of these schools "suck" because there aren't enough people who are serious about learning not just about design but the craft of fashion anymore. Everyone thinks it's all like project runway and it's not. Jbot and Uber has just proven this. If Jbot is saying that you can hand in crappy work in your portfolio and still get in, well imagine what's it like for a teacher to teach students who really don't give a sh*t? They're just there for the name, the parents, the connections which is not why you go to design school. So of course there are going to be unhappy people saying it's not worth it, it's all crap well because the students are more than happy to get a degree in crap nowadays. I've said this before in the CSM thread, with becoming a "fashion designer" being the in thing to do now, schools are taking advantage of that and coming up with bullsh*t programs and crazy fees because they know you'll pay for it and come out with nothing really useful in the end. I don't see this happening in Antwerp...why? Because they won't accept this kind of nonsense when so many other schools are.

 

[urbanbird]

I agree with educo. Being a fashion designer has become an "in" thing at the moment and schools cant help but to take advantage of it, which is a shame to say the least. But I do believe that there are some sincere aspiring designers left out there.

Does Parsons offer any sort of scholarships for AAS students? This hefty price tag is killing me inside!! Im not even sure if I can get enough student loans in this economy to cover the cost of attendance.

For the record, I would KILL to study at the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp!! Sell my momma's soul to the devil just to have that opportunity. No lie!

 

[educo]

^^ What kills me is that, sure, you got in with a sh*tty portfolio, but what's going to help you when you go out and get a JOB?? Now, you're really screwed. They have scholarships for the AAS i think, you know for good grades and such. I would contact the admissions office or the AAS dept for more info.

 

[j_bot]

It's definitely going to be a shock for some people when they try to get a job with their crap portfolio. But then again, their parents just might buy them into something decent. Such is life at Parsons.

 

[Bengt]

I just received an email from Parsons..

Greetings Bengt:

Parsons The New School for Design would like to invite you to our December Online Open House. This event is for students interested in Bachelor's Degree programs. This evening offers you a unique opportunity to chat online with several key Parsons representatives in one evening.

Find out what it is like to attend college in the world's most exciting city! Discover what it means to study in the world's headquarters for art, fashion, media, culture, entertainment and business.

Undergraduate Online Open House Wednesday, December 3 6pm - 8pm EST Registration is required. The chat will include representatives from faculty, Admission, Financial Aid, Housing, International Student Services and Career Services. You will even be able to chat with current Parsons students!

So, come ask - and get answers to - your questions about curriculums, internships, instructors, and special requirements for international students and much more. Learn about the Design & Technology alternative to studying the first year in Foundation. If you are interested in fashion design, please stop by the Integrated Design Curriculum room, where they will be introducing some very interesting, cutting edge programs. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
The Counselors of the Parsons Office of Admission

Links

School of Art, Media and Technology
Communication Design
Design & Technology
Fine Arts
Illustration
Photography

School of Constructed Environments
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Product Design

School of Design Strategies
Design & Management (BBA)
Environmental Studies
Integrated Design
Foundation

School of Fashion
Fashion Design

School of Art and Design History and Theory
Art and Design Studies

Additional Services
Admissions
Financial Aid
Housing
International Student Services
Career Services

Seems interesting.. I'd definitely join and ask tons and tons of questions.. I hope my issues would be cleared up..

 

[GWOD]

I live in Sydney, Australia and have just last month finished high school (thank GOD!) and I've already found that the opportunities for fashion design available here, both educationally and employment-wise, are very limited, so Parsons is somewhere that I am seriously considering applying for. I adore the idea of moving to New York and I have the finances to back it up.

However I just wanted to get some info from anyone who can help on what it's like applying internationally.
I'm taking 2009 off to work, save-up and do as many technical textile courses as possible ('cause I need to improve my textile manufacturing skills) and work on my portfolio, I would consider myself very ambitious and am confident in my abilities, especially in design and fashion illustration (although even saying that makes me uncomfortable, I definitely need to get over my aversion to selling myself and worrying about sounding pretentious).
So for those who have applied and gotten in, would you say that the fashion design course is extremely difficult to get in to? And what do they respond to?

 

[BetteT]

First, check into the government requirements to move here to be a student. There is lot's of red tape here in the U.S. which has only gotten worse since 9/11 ... so make sure you know the requirements for that, too.

 

[GWOD]

^^ Yeah I've read up about what kinda of visa is required and all the limitations and guidelines, and as long as I can actually get into a school the student visa platform is fairly straightforward.

 

[kryptons]

I currently attend Parsons right now, I'm a sophomore in fashion design. Let me tell you, when it comes to the BFA program: You can enter some pretty god awful work for your portfolio and home test and still get in. It's a private school, they are run for profit. The true test is sticking out all the bull**** that they throw at you and making the program and the city work for you.
My freshman class (foundation year) was around 500 kids, of that I believe a little under 300 have gone into fashion. That said, there is a steady drop out rate and there are currently just over 660 students in the entire fashion program.
If you're at least decent at art of any kind, I wouldn't worry about getting in. I'd spend my time thinking about weather or not this is REALLY what you want to do. There were 3 girls who dropped out of my section before the first week of the semester was out. They didn't even hand in a single assignment.
I'm not trying to scare anyone away from Parsons, it's not that scary at all. They try to make themselves out to be such tough ****, but it's a LOT of artifice.

This really disappoints me. I was deciding between various art schools for fall 2009; Parsons and SAIC (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) really stood out to me. I am going to apply to both and many others but I am very serious about art; technically and creatively. If I can get into Parsons with a crappy portfolio then, that just tells me a little bit about the teaching and what they are going to offer. I hope I am wrong about it because I am thinking about going but I want a school to challenge me and help me pull out my creativity at least. I am not sure. I really don't want to make a mistake that I might regret.