There are many fashion design schools, fashion institutes and fashion colleges available to someone interested in the field. To decide which school is right for you, you must do some research. You should find out as much as you can about the faculty, the subjects taught and the facilities. Your interests and abilities should match what the school has to offer.
The cost of a school is one of the first things you should look at when choosing a fashion design school. If you cannot afford the school you really want to attend find out about the availability of scholarships or financial aid. Reputation of the school is also something that you should investigate. Find out if there have been any problems with accreditation, financial aid challenges or any problems with the faculty or staff.
In researching a fashion school you should look at the courses that are offered. Most schools have a catalog that provides this information. Read the description of each course that is offered. The courses taught at the school should meet your desires and goals.
Ask if there are advisors available to the students. These people should help students not only choose the courses they need, but also provide information on career opportunities. Also, ask if there is a placement advisor available to students. This person can help you obtain your first job and also provide insight into the real world of design.
Tour the schools that you are interested in. Get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. If possible, do this while school is in session. You'll be able to see how many students a room can hold and whether or not there is enough equipment for students to use. Ask if there are rooms available for students to use after class for completing projects or studying. Check out the library, if applicable and see if there are enough materials for reference use. The atmosphere of the school goes a long way in making learning enjoyable.
Ask the fashion school if you can contact alumni. See how they felt about the school and if it was easy to get a job once they graduated. Former students can also tell you if there are any current job opportunities in the design field. If you have the opportunity, take a look at some of the work they did while in school. Find out if this type of design school was right for them and whether or not it helped them meet their goals of becoming a designer.
Selecting a quality fashion design school takes time and energy, but by going through the process noted above, you'll make a better decision and, in the end, be much happier with your choice.