Tag Archives: Introduction

Why NYC is Great for College Students

Hey there!

I don’t know about you, but I remember when I was picking my college, something that was really important for me was the location. I wanted it to be something totally different to what I was used to back home. I was hesitating between New York and Los Angeles, but ended up picking New York for several reasons:

1. Fashion Capital As a fashion student New York is the place to be. It’s considered one of the top fashion capitals in the world. You get to see, live and breath fashion firsthand!

2. Proximity Your campus is basically New York City, which means everything is so close. There are so many means of transportation too, which makes it so much easier to wander around the city.

3. Experience all kind of urban nature From parks, beaches, sports fields to parks in the air, you have everything you need.

4. Abundance of museums and art galleries You have a museum for everything.

5. Experience NYFW You get to experience NYFW! Even if you don’t volunteer you still get to see and experience the madness that fashion week has on the city. Walk around and get inspired.

6. So many free events There is always something to do in New York. And if you don’t want to spend any money, there are so many free events around the city. In the summer you can go watch a movie in central park (it’s awesome), there are parades, street fairs and even free concerts!

7. Eat food from all over the world Any cravings you have the city will satisfy them. There are so many different restaurants, bars, diners and brunch places, it will take you two lives to try them all. Enjoy foods of all kind!

8. Concerts and Performances of all types From some of the best broadway shows to amazing ballet performances, you have a wide variety of options. Anything you want to watch will probably be happening soon. And FIT always hook students up with some amazing ticket deals!

xoxo

Zorya

Number One Tip For All International Students

New

Hey everyone! My name is Zorya, a recent new addition to the admissions blog. I’m so excited to be part of this blog and share with you my experiences and give you tips and tricks on how to survive the crazy life that is New York and FIT. Being an international student from a small village in Switzerland,New York was always such an exciting word, but at the same time terrifying. I didn’t know what to expect nor how I would adapt to this huge change in scenery. Today I can say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Since being here I have become my own person, discovered things about myself I would of never have if I had stayed back home.

The number one tip I have for any international students that are planning on applying to FIT, is to dorm (at least the first year). Personally it really helped me to settle down in the city, without having to worry about paying rent, figuring out which subway to take, and walking back home late at night after class. Also it’s great because you have a roommate and making friends is much more fun when you’re meeting people that all have the same passion you have and are so close. There are a lot of rules when you dorm at FIT, but looking back now, I’m happy there was, because it really gave you this sense of security and safety, which I think is important if you are new to the city.

Let me know if you have any request of topics you would like me to cover!

xoxo

Zorya

Life in the Concrete Jungle: An Introduction

I know what you’re thinking… it’s New York City – I’ll never make it, I’ll go broke, I’m one in a million who have the same dream of being successful in the fashion industry… These thoughts running rapidly in your mind are holding you back… But let me tell you this –

The Empire State Building

To the prospective students across the world… if FIT is your dream school, go for it. Getting an education in the BEST city in the world is an experience that you cannot get anywhere else.

The Freedom Tower

My name is Mariano, I am an 18-year-old Puerto Rican boy, from a lower-middle class family in California; studying Advertising and Marketing Communications. FIT was just a dream to me and now it is a reality. Never underestimate yourself and the opportunities in front of you. If you are thinking about starting a new chapter of your life in New York City at FIT, find out more information on the application process here.

New York Fashion Week, one of many opportunities at FIT!

In the last month, I’ve learned and experienced so much that I will never forget. Hopefully, you will soon! Please reply with any questions about the application process, I don’t bite!

Until next time… xoxo – M

Discovering a Major: Entrepreneurship

by Laura Vitarelli as told to Emily Bennett

Laura Vitarelli

I just recently decided what I wanted to do. Within the past two years I decided I wanted to become an esthetician, which is doing professional makeup, facials, peels, laser hair removal, and other things related to skin care. I definitely want to try to start my own line of skincare and makeup products, which is why I chose Entrepreneurship as my major.

Many of the classes I take in Entrepreneurship revolve around fashion, which I am interested in as well. The program aims to address the real life demands of today’s marketplace. It is an option for students who want to become more impactful members of society, learn how to manage creativity, become more innovative in business, and learn how to build a sustainable enterprise.

The fact that FIT has a major dedicated to learning how to run a start-up was a huge factor in choosing the school. The admissions process was the same as anyone else applying to a major in the School of Business and Technology. I had to write an essay about why I was the perfect fit for this school, send transcripts and test scores. I didn’t have to show a portfolio or anything like the Art & Design students.

Currently, I am enrolled in the AAS Advertising and Marketing Communications program (Entrepreneurship is a Bachelor’s Degree program). I believe having both majors when I graduate from FIT will prepare me for being involved in today’s crazy marketplace and enhance my knowledge about the business world and how it works. So far, Computer Design has been my favorite class. Right now I am working on a portrait of Ariana Grande made solely of typed letters. It is really challenging and interesting. I visited the club fair last week, and WFIT, the campus broadcast club, has me interested. And I am definitely going to join the Models and Stylists Association so that I can do makeup on people.

Even though it is only my first couple of months at FIT, the biggest lesson I have learned is to get out of your comfort zone. I think it is something everyone has to do in order to succeed and realize who they are.

To learn more about the Entrepreneurship major click here. And to find out about Advertising and Marketing Communications click here.

–Emily–

Pre-College Programs

If you just cannot wait to study at FIT, there are classes available to middle and high school students. The program is called Saturday Live (or Summer Live depending on what time of year it is). One of my friends, who is now at RISD, told me about the classes and I ended up taking five different courses while I was in high school:

Manual Patternmaking and Sewing

Introduction to Fashion Design Industry

Creative Fabric Painting

Fashion Art for Fashion Designers

Fashion Art Portfolio

The classes would run from 9-12 and then 1-4 after lunch. I lived in Westchester so I did the morning Metronorth commute with all the parents who lived in my town. The classes were good for laying down the basics for the courses I would take when I got to college. They were fun and not very stressful, so we could take risks and not worry about failing. You do get graded in these courses, but the grades do not hold any college credit value and are therefore just meant to help you evaluate yourself.

While you certainly could never replace, say, the college level patternmaking couse with the one I took over the summer, the classes were a fantastic place to meet other fashion-focused kids my age, test the waters of various disciplines and evaluate my base skill levels.

I realized that I was set on going into fashion design in college, so I took classes specifically to improve my portfolio. Taking these classes certainly does not guarantee you will get into FIT, but actually working in the classrooms with real teachers from the college helps tremendously. I think it also gives a great sneak peak into what it would actually be like to go to FIT. My Fashion Art Portfolio teacher reviewed my portfolio before I sent it in with my application and then I ended up having her as my Fashion Art & Design professor second semester! She even recognized me on the first day of class. Now, they have even organized the classes into groups so you can see which to take in preparation for certain majors.

–Emily–