FIT is the college for you if: You are ready to compete with thousands of other people just like you, You are (relatively) organized (even relatively is better than not at all. If you're the latter, this is not your best option), and You're not one to 'sit on your laurels' and wait for things to come to you. Sometimes, they really do! And that's great, but you can't count on it. Most people here juggle full-time jobs and social lives that directly connect to their 20 credit hours of classes each week.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you're not organized, I don't know if you'll make it out alive. FIT will not remind you that you should have taken that class last semester, FIT will not check to make sure you're eating properly or are getting enough sleep. You'll probably wake up after 4 years and ask- 'Did I just go to college at FIT?' unless you take initiative and are proactive. If you want to get a fashion internship -likely one of the most competitive kinds- you will be the one writing and revising your resume for 3 hours. You will be the one contacting (what seems like) hundreds of companies that fit your liking. As for friends, they will be made, but don't expect something of a Greek Life to provide you with a life-long brother or sisterhood. FIT is technically a technical school- meaning the folks here are in it to win it, to give 110% at all times, and not to 'screw around' and have a standard University lifestyle of debauchery for the first two years. If you do try to take that route, it will be made quite evident to you when you're interviewing for your first job and they ask you What else did you do when you were in College?.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Of course, there are some 'cool' professors who let you slide on homework, or give an exam that is evidently easy to pass. But as for the rest, your 3 hours of class is really just a meeting to talk about everything else that is relevant to it during the week. Projects can take weeks, Papers cannot be written overnight (If you thought your Jane Eyre thesis was a doozy a 2am - try to construct your senior Interior Design 3-D showcase thesis), and rarely are quizzes common sense, unless you were born a marketing guru. In which case, that's kind of weird, and you should have been an executive at the age of 13.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
DRY-CAMPUS. Did you hear that? That means nothing, at all, even if you're 27 and living in the dorms (yes that does happen). No empty bottles that you put christmas lights in, no this isn't a marijuana bowl-i made it in pottery class. There are always a few activities going on, be it free Marc Jacobs condoms and cookies in the Lounge, or a floor mixer where everyone drinks lemonade and tries to socialize. My best advice is to join the facebook groups that emerge around the time you're accepted, and find a few people that you think you'd like to be friends with. Don't be shy! It's college, people are weird and only getting weirder, so it's nice to be yourself and find other people who will grow to love you for it. I used that facebook group to find my roommates that first year, and I turned out to love them all. We're all still friends, and I have no idea where I'd be today if I chose to be randomized into the lottery and matched up with people who may not share my interests at all.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
FIT tries really hard. We have a cool burger bar, more cereal than you can shake a stick at, some organic things, and a sushi bar. If you have a meal plan, you are obligated to eat here everyday. If you live in the Nagler dorm, you are obligated to have a meal plan. I think the caf is nice for the snack options and copious amounts of coffee, but I don't know if I could really bring myself to eat here everyday. There is a declining balance also offered (which I think is the best option), where you pay $500 at the beginning of the semester and use it at your leisure all the way through. You're not 'forced' to have 3 square meals here everyday like a meal plan, and you can pick and choose what suits you at the time.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
It's NYC! What isn't fun? The first year of college, about 10 promoters will add you on facebook and lure you to a Meatpacking District club with free entry + drinks all night. This, is a smart thing for them to do, as almost everyone jumps on the opportunity. Play it cool and don't jump off a roof later that evening, and this is a nice option for when you're broke, but still want to go out at night and appear that you are not. There is a hot yoga studio around the block, a few Gyms, an H&M dangerously nearby, hundreds of moderately priced cafés and Madison Square Garden. Honestly, your options are endless. Chelsea hosts gallery openings every Thursday, which is always a good time. You could get a pizza from Rosa's across the street, or you could try to meet with the Moroccan Consulate General. Your options are practically limitless.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
If you're a NY state resident, your tuition is pennies on the dollar compared to almost any other school. In-state tuition is less than $5,000 each YEAR. If you're international or out-of state, expect around $25,000, because that will include your dorming as well. There are so many payment options too, which makes those dreary zero's a little less severe to cope with.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
FIT is a fashion school, and attracts a lot of interesting cultures. There are jewish only clubs, black student union clubs, fashion merchandising clubs where you actually run the Style Shop (a little boutique of FIT students' handmade items). Also, because FIT is very come-as-you-are sexual orientation-wise, we host the Miss FIT pageant every spring: A Drag Fashion show that sells out the entire auditorium within 48 hours. Also, let it be known that FIT is one block wide, between 7th and 8th avenue on 27th street. Everything you need is within one street block, and 8 stories high. Some other NYC schools like Pratt and Parsons have their campuses scattered around the city, which makes for a daily commute just to talk with an advisor.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
LGBTQ, Hard-Workers, Smart-Workers, Fashion Interested, Fashion Gurus, Social People, The Tech-Savvy, Artists, Anyone who wants a great network of people surrounding them at all times, City-lovers, Anyone who wants to leave suburbia for a bright future.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
It's New York City. Little do most people know, it also happens to be one of the safest cities in the entire country. Big city + Condensed area = Security everywhere. FIT makes it a point to check everyone's student badge at every entrance to the building, even if they've seen you go in an out all day 10 times. Be smart (AKA, don't leave your belongings just lying around, that's just common sense) and you will be an NYC super-survivor. Assure your mothers and fathers that it's not a scary place, and take them to a Broadway show when they visit.
FIT is the college for you if: You are ready to compete with thousands of other people just like you, You are (relatively) organized (even relatively is better than not at all. If you're the latter, this is not your best option), and You're not one to 'sit on your laurels' and wait for things to come to you. Sometimes, they really do! And that's great, but you can't count on it. Most people here juggle full-time jobs and social lives that directly connect to their 20 credit hours of classes each week.
If you're not organized, I don't know if you'll make it out alive. FIT will not remind you that you should have taken that class last semester, FIT will not check to make sure you're eating properly or are getting enough sleep. You'll probably wake up after 4 years and ask- 'Did I just go to college at FIT?' unless you take initiative and are proactive. If you want to get a fashion internship -likely one of the most competitive kinds- you will be the one writing and revising your resume for 3 hours. You will be the one contacting (what seems like) hundreds of companies that fit your liking. As for friends, they will be made, but don't expect something of a Greek Life to provide you with a life-long brother or sisterhood. FIT is technically a technical school- meaning the folks here are in it to win it, to give 110% at all times, and not to 'screw around' and have a standard University lifestyle of debauchery for the first two years. If you do try to take that route, it will be made quite evident to you when you're interviewing for your first job and they ask you What else did you do when you were in College?.
Of course, there are some 'cool' professors who let you slide on homework, or give an exam that is evidently easy to pass. But as for the rest, your 3 hours of class is really just a meeting to talk about everything else that is relevant to it during the week. Projects can take weeks, Papers cannot be written overnight (If you thought your Jane Eyre thesis was a doozy a 2am - try to construct your senior Interior Design 3-D showcase thesis), and rarely are quizzes common sense, unless you were born a marketing guru. In which case, that's kind of weird, and you should have been an executive at the age of 13.
DRY-CAMPUS. Did you hear that? That means nothing, at all, even if you're 27 and living in the dorms (yes that does happen). No empty bottles that you put christmas lights in, no this isn't a marijuana bowl-i made it in pottery class. There are always a few activities going on, be it free Marc Jacobs condoms and cookies in the Lounge, or a floor mixer where everyone drinks lemonade and tries to socialize. My best advice is to join the facebook groups that emerge around the time you're accepted, and find a few people that you think you'd like to be friends with. Don't be shy! It's college, people are weird and only getting weirder, so it's nice to be yourself and find other people who will grow to love you for it. I used that facebook group to find my roommates that first year, and I turned out to love them all. We're all still friends, and I have no idea where I'd be today if I chose to be randomized into the lottery and matched up with people who may not share my interests at all.
FIT tries really hard. We have a cool burger bar, more cereal than you can shake a stick at, some organic things, and a sushi bar. If you have a meal plan, you are obligated to eat here everyday. If you live in the Nagler dorm, you are obligated to have a meal plan. I think the caf is nice for the snack options and copious amounts of coffee, but I don't know if I could really bring myself to eat here everyday. There is a declining balance also offered (which I think is the best option), where you pay $500 at the beginning of the semester and use it at your leisure all the way through. You're not 'forced' to have 3 square meals here everyday like a meal plan, and you can pick and choose what suits you at the time.
It's NYC! What isn't fun? The first year of college, about 10 promoters will add you on facebook and lure you to a Meatpacking District club with free entry + drinks all night. This, is a smart thing for them to do, as almost everyone jumps on the opportunity. Play it cool and don't jump off a roof later that evening, and this is a nice option for when you're broke, but still want to go out at night and appear that you are not. There is a hot yoga studio around the block, a few Gyms, an H&M dangerously nearby, hundreds of moderately priced cafés and Madison Square Garden. Honestly, your options are endless. Chelsea hosts gallery openings every Thursday, which is always a good time. You could get a pizza from Rosa's across the street, or you could try to meet with the Moroccan Consulate General. Your options are practically limitless.
If you're a NY state resident, your tuition is pennies on the dollar compared to almost any other school. In-state tuition is less than $5,000 each YEAR. If you're international or out-of state, expect around $25,000, because that will include your dorming as well. There are so many payment options too, which makes those dreary zero's a little less severe to cope with.
FIT is a fashion school, and attracts a lot of interesting cultures. There are jewish only clubs, black student union clubs, fashion merchandising clubs where you actually run the Style Shop (a little boutique of FIT students' handmade items). Also, because FIT is very come-as-you-are sexual orientation-wise, we host the Miss FIT pageant every spring: A Drag Fashion show that sells out the entire auditorium within 48 hours. Also, let it be known that FIT is one block wide, between 7th and 8th avenue on 27th street. Everything you need is within one street block, and 8 stories high. Some other NYC schools like Pratt and Parsons have their campuses scattered around the city, which makes for a daily commute just to talk with an advisor.
LGBTQ, Hard-Workers, Smart-Workers, Fashion Interested, Fashion Gurus, Social People, The Tech-Savvy, Artists, Anyone who wants a great network of people surrounding them at all times, City-lovers, Anyone who wants to leave suburbia for a bright future.
It's New York City. Little do most people know, it also happens to be one of the safest cities in the entire country. Big city + Condensed area = Security everywhere. FIT makes it a point to check everyone's student badge at every entrance to the building, even if they've seen you go in an out all day 10 times. Be smart (AKA, don't leave your belongings just lying around, that's just common sense) and you will be an NYC super-survivor. Assure your mothers and fathers that it's not a scary place, and take them to a Broadway show when they visit.