Fashion School Requirements: How to Get Accepted Into Fashion School

The fashion industry is constantly changing and expanding so it can be hard to break into it. Thankfully, many excellent fashion institutes can help you start your career in fashion. If you have great style and love being creative, a fashion degree may fit your interests. Continue reading if you want to start a fashion education but don’t know how to get into fashion school.

We will address many important aspects of the admission process, such as fashion school requirements for admission and tips to increase your chances of acceptance. Follow this step-by-step guide to find out how difficult it is to get into fashion school as well as how to choose the right school of fashion for you.

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How Difficult Is It to Get Into Fashion School?

It is difficult to get into fashion school, as many programs have low acceptance rates. Each fashion school is different and has its own admission requirements. If you decide that fashion school is the right choice for you, you need to prepare for your application. You need to do research and organize all the necessary requirements.

Common Fashion School Requirements

How to Get Accepted Into Fashion School: A Step-by-Step Guide

A female fashion designer standing at a table with garment sketches on a wall behind her.

If you are a fashion enthusiast wanting to start a career in the fashion industry, follow this step-by-step guide below to begin your education in fashion design. Once you graduate, you could become a fashion designer, fashion merchandiser, and more.

Step 1: Decide on a Fashion Major

Before starting your college admissions process, you need to decide what kind of fashion degree you want. Your decision will depend on what aspect of the fashion industry interests you. The field of fashion is vast and offers broad career opportunities. The most common fashion undergraduate programs offered include fashion design, fabric styling, fashion journalism, fashion merchandising, and fashion marketing.

Step 2: Make a Shortlist of Schools

When you have decided on a major that best suits your career goals, you will need to find a school. Research schools and make a shortlist of schools that offer your preferred major. Having more than one option is always a good idea. Top fashion schools in the US include the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Parsons School of Design, and Kent State University’s School of Fashion.

Step 3: Research Specific Admission Requirements

Once you have made a list of schools you would like to apply to, you can start doing requirement-specific research. Visit each fashion institute’s website and make a list of all the requirements. You can cross out each requirement as you collect it. This will help your application process go smoothly.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form and Gather the Admission Fee

The first step to start applying to schools is to complete the application forms. An application form lists personal details such as your contact information, birth date, and preferred major. Applications are usually available for completion online. It is also a good idea to set aside your application fee, which will likely be around $50 if there is one.

Step 5: Write Your Admission Essay

You need to write an admission essay to enroll in any fashion institute. Essays vary in length and subject depending on the schools you apply to. The word count can range from 250 to 750 words, and each fashion school has its own guidelines on what to write about. Usually, a strong personal statement addresses why you are perfect for the school, where you see yourself in the future, and why you have chosen a specific major.

Step 6: Collect All Other Required Documents

Now that you have written your essay, you are one step closer to submitting your fashion school application. It is time to gather all other essential documents, including SAT or ACT scores, recommendation letters, and transcripts from your last year of school or an equivalent such as a GED.

Step 7: Put Together Your Portfolio

A portfolio is a crucial part of an application for a fashion design education. Each school has different portfolio requirements, but it should be a professional display of your best work. Quality is much more important than quantity. Usually, a portfolio consists of eight to 20 pieces of your best art using a variety of media. Some institutions have extra challenges that you need to complete and include in your portfolio, such as a sewing project.

Step 8: Explore Financing Options

Higher education is costly, and fashion school is no different. There is a wide variety of financial aid that many fashion schools offer. This could come in the form of a scholarship, grant, college job program, payment plan, or loan. Visit each school’s website to see what financial aid they offer. Some schools also have financial advisors available to give advice to students.

Step 9: Submit Your Application

It is time to submit your application. You usually have to send your applications for fashion school online, but you may be asked to send a physical copy to the admissions office as well. Be sure to research the application deadlines of all fashion design schools so you can submit them in time.

How to Choose the Right Fashion School

Finding the perfect fashion school that fits your interests can be a huge struggle. You can look at several factors to help you narrow down your list. You should consider your career goals and the fashion programs available at each school. If you want to become a fashion merchandiser, you will need to look for programs in fashion merchandising.

Other factors to consider are school location, accreditation, and whether the tuition fits your financial resources. Looking at the successful alumni can also help you make this challenging decision. It will give some insight into what you can aspire to. For example, Donna Karan is a famous fashion designer, and she studied fashion at Parsons School of Design.

Top Tips for Getting Into Fashion School

Will I Get Accepted Into Fashion School?

Yes, if you have prepared your application and portfolio well, there is a high chance you will get accepted into fashion school. Some schools in the fashion industry are competitive and have a lower acceptance rate, but the majority of schools have high acceptance rates. For example, Kent State University has an acceptance rate of 84 percent, making chances of admission into its school of fashion high.

Fashion apprenticeships and internships are an excellent alternative for fashion lovers who don’t want to attend a fashion school. Some of the best fashion designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Ralph Lauren started without a fashion degree. Fashion jobs use creativity, and if you are creative and innovative, it is a great career.

Is Getting Into Fashion School Worth It?

Yes, fashion school is worth it if you love design and fashion and want a fun career in the business of fashion. There are a few crucial skills you need if you’re going to be a fashion design student. You should pay close attention to detail and have good communication and time management skills.

There are many wonderful careers in fashion that you can go into. Job opportunities in fashion include working as a fashion designer, fashion merchandiser, and fashion buyer. After graduation from fashion school, you can earn a very favorable salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the average annual salary for fashion designers is $75,810.

How to Get Into Fashion School FAQ

What is the highest-paying job in the fashion industry?

According to Indeed, the highest paying job in the fashion industry is a design director. They earn an average yearly salary of $97,530.

Can I get into fashion school without sewing experience?

Yes, you don’t need sewing experience to get into fashion school. If you are interested in a fashion journalism or fashion history degree, it’s unlikely that knowing to sew will be relevant. However, general sewing knowledge could be a huge advantage for fashion design degrees. When attending fashion school, you will learn all the necessary sewing techniques.

How long does it take to complete a fashion degree?

Completing a degree in fashion can take two to four years. An associate degree will take two years, while a bachelor’s degree will take you at least four years to complete.

What does a fashion buyer do?

Professionals involved in fashion buying are responsible for selecting accessories and apparel but are not involved in the design process. They usually work on behalf of department stores and boutiques. They choose these items and decide which apparel collection best fits each store.

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