By Amy Wells
If your considering attending fashion school, there are a number of choices to wade through, and many factors to consider. How do you separate the hype from the substance when considering what fashion design school is right for your needs? By becoming clear on your school evaluation criteria, it will be easier to pick the school that is right for you.One of the main factors, of course, is cost. Education is an investment in yourself, and there will be some cost outlays involved for tuition, supplies, and other aspects of attending school. However, if you've committed to getting a fashion design education, than you shouldn't let cost get in your way. You will certainly want to compare costs, the costs of various schools with the overall benefits you'll receive from each. You may be able to get a better loan or financial aid package from one school over another, and this certainly should be a consideration.
Another factor to consider is location. There are a variety of fashion schools located in some of the major design capitals of the world, such as Milan, London, and New York. If you decided to attend a school located there, you may have increased costs of living, which should be taken into consideration. But, you will also be more immersed in the world of fashion, and may have a chance to make more contacts in the fashion industry that can help you after graduation.
There are some schools that offer an online education, and this may also be a good choice for you. If you need more flexibility with your classes, or have family or work commitments, an online school may be a better choice. Of course, you will want to make sure you have reliable computer and Internet access, and a place to study.
One thing you should pay close attention to is the job placement services the school offers. Most people attend fashion design school because they are looking to work in the fashion industry, and how the school supports what happens post-graduation should be examined closely. The school may have job placement statistics available, and perhaps an alumni association. You may want to contact some of the alumni, and find out how their job placement situation was handled.
The quality of the curriculum and instructors is of course, another major factor. Take a look through their catalogue and see what type of classes are being offered. Classes should offer a good mix of application and theory, and be rigorous without being overwhelming.
Attending a top fashion design school can be a reality instead of just a dream. By critically evaluating the schools based on the criteria that is important to you, you will find many schools that can offer you the education and experience of a lifetime. If you spend the time to comparison shop, like you would for any major purchase, and you will be much happier with your decision.