Tag Archives: applying to college

My Last Semester:

Where do I even begin…

As my last semester , I look back on my time here, and from where it really all began. A boy, lost in his fashion dreams, taking a risk to move across the country to pursue his dreams. Here’s some excerpts of my application essay to FIT. Reading it again fuels a flame that sometimes gets dull throughout hectic school year, but that is always burning…

The notable fashion photographer and journalist Bill Cunningham once said, “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” Coming from a family that struggles to meet every day needs, I live through a reality that is tougher than the average American teenager. My mom is a single mother of two who makes ends meet without a college education. Even though our financial difficulties are a burden, my mother sacrifices everything she earns in order for me to do the activities I love. She continuously encourages me to do my best, and motivates me to be successful in life. Amongst the harsh realities I face, fashion allows me to escape to a world where I have no worries and can exercise my creative talents. At a young age, I knew that whatever I pursued, I would give the utmost dedication in order to be successful and make my ultimate fantasies a reality.

From my earliest memories, I dreamt of living the life of a male equivalent of Carrie Bradshaw, the forever-young and outgoing “fashionista” from the award-winning book and television series “Sex and the City” by Candace Bushnell. Living in New York City, writing for a fashion magazine, and going to fashion shows seemed like an exhilarating life, but I knew it was going to take hard work and experience to get the career I dreamt of. Becoming a fashion journalist would cultivate my passion for fashion…

…The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City is my ultimate fantasy that can become a reality. Since I am a driven, creative, and enthusiastic young adult ready to take on the demand of the fashion world, my fervor and knowledge of fashion will only develop as an FIT student. FIT’s unique Advertising and Marketing Communications program will truly engage and challenge myself to grow infinitely. As I progress in my educational journey once again, I look forward to calling myself a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I am a perfect fit for FIT because I will get down to business in a creative way.

As fashion journalist turned into fashion publicist, I look back in awe. Your dreams may mold into something else, but they will never fade away. Here’s to a great Spring 2018, wishing you all the best!

xx

Mariano

The Application Secret

Some of you readers may be going through a very exciting yet intimidating process at the moment. Completing your FIT application process! The SUNY application had to have been filed by January 5th, 2015 – which I’m sure you all know. Supplemental Materials deadline is February 1, 2015, which includes academic documents, Academic History and essay form, portfolios and so on. Let’s pause for a second, take a collective inhale…exhale. You’re almost there!

As a high school senior, this period seems to be all you can think about. You put all your energy into this process – filling out forms upon forms. Writing essays, gathering up anything and everything that represents your aesthetic, your art, your being! It’s a tough thing to do!

Now looking from the other side, someone who has been accepted and attends the Fashion Institute of Technology, I believe I am quite justified to give some advice :). As an applicant, you want to stand out and look special. Focusing on what sets you apart from the application before and after you. I am not a design student, therefor my application process for Advertising and Marketing Communications was different. However, the overarching theme and intention that all prospective students hold is exactly the same. And the “sparkle” the admissions office searches for is the same. And that is this…

Be YOU. Create from your heart. Write from your heart. Photograph from your heart. Design from your heart. Build from your heart. Are you catching my drift?

If you are putting your passion into the work you’re sending over to FIT, it will show through to whomever’s reviewing it. By expressing your individuality and creativity you will successfully get your point across. Trying to create something you “think” people will like, or “think” they’re looking for or “think” others want to see – you’re doing more harm than good in the long run.

FIT is a breeding ground for the unique, the creative, the hard working. A big theme that I wrote about in my application essay was how I looked at FIT as a big puzzle. Each puzzle piece connected with the next, to complete a larger picture – a new generation of creators and pioneers. I finished my essay by saying, “I want to be a piece of that puzzle.” Luckily, I now am.

If you are applying to FIT, I am wishing you the best of luck in this final process!

xx,

Brendan