IT`S COLLEGE TIME On the Cutting Edge of Fashion at FIDM

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FEATURE
April 25, 2008 • THE ARROW
IT’S COLLEGE TIME
CSUN’sRegistrationSystemProvidesEarlyBenefits
RISA MIDDLETON
STAFF WRITER
The day before Thanksgiving, I hit
the send button on my online application
to California State University, Northridge.
On Feb. 1, I got the highly anticipated acceptance packet for CSUN, not just a letter—a packet filled with information on
my new life.
After calling all the relatives, I read the
packet over and over again, hardly believing it was real. I checked out the guide to
registration: it said if I had scored less than
550 on either the math or reading portion
of the SATs that I would have to sign up
and take a placement test. All the test dates
were weeks away and I wouldn’t receive
my results until just before June. Luckily,
I scored a 580 on both sections, giving me
the opportunity for early registration.
I called my advisor (in college lingo
that means a counselor but less involved)
and made an appointment. On April 2, I
drove the long road to CSUN, about 25
miles from my house.
After getting lost in the parking lot, I
had no choice but to ask someone for directions. Thankfully I found a student who
pointed the way to parking lot B1.
As I parked I realized something: in
high school, you rarely see someone walking alone, but in college, you have to be
self-sufficient.
After getting lost again, but on campus this time, I walked into a classroom
and asked for directions. As the embarrassment subsided, I finally arrived at
room 235 in Nordhoff Hall on the south
side of campus.
My advisor called me into his office
and we started talking about required
classes. In high school, we have to take
math and English, but in college we get
to choose what kind of English and what
kind of math. I signed up for Freshman
Composition 101 and Math Ideas 137.
Then he told me about the GEs or
general education requirements. I had to
choose three more classes for a 15 unit semester. I chose Psychology 112, History of
Rock and Roll 183, and Theater 106. Remember, these are required classes.
I had the opportunity to choose from
a very long list of what was available because I qualified for early registration. I
worked out the perfect schedule for myself
because all the times were open.
Although I will be attending classes
five days a week, class only lasts from one
to four hours each day.
This is very different from the usual
five to seven hour days and 5 days a week
that high school students are used to.
After this experience I realized that
the SAT is worth doing well on. Because I
scored well on the SAT, I already know that
my college is going to be California State
University, Northridge.
I already know all the classes I am going to take and my plan for next year and I
haven’t even graduated high school yet.
On the Cutting Edge of Fashion at FIDM
SASHA LEWIS
STAFF WRITER
When the words “fashion school”
are heard, one school comes to mind almost immediately: FIDM. The Fashion
Institute of Design and Merchandising is
well known for its numerous connections
and job opportunities within the industry.
FIDM currently has four campuses in California located in San Diego, San Francisco,
Orange County, and the most commonly
known campus in Downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles campus is best
known for its convenient location next to
the Fashion District and the Alley, perfect
for the aspiring fashion student. The well-
known hallways and corridors of the Los
Angeles campus are filled with window
displays from previous students’ final
projects displaying the beautiful diversity
the school offers.
FIDM’s broad range of majors include the following: Merchandise Marketing, Fashion Design, Footwear Design,
Interior Design, Business Management,
and Graphic Design. The school is also accredited by WASC (Western Association of
Schools and Colleges) and NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and
Design). With these accreditations students are able to transfer to a UC school of
their choice.
Many private and public colleges focus 75% on general education and 25% on
the student major. FIDM believes in the opposite, students are immediately given an
internship and job that relates to the major
they have chosen. This allows students to
get acclimated and acquainted to the lifestyle and career they may pursue.
The Fashion Institute allows a student
to choose to graduate after two years with
an Associate of Arts Degree, or three years
with an Associate of Arts Professional Designation Degree. For those students who
would like to learn more about the business and economic aspect of their major,
they can stay four years and earn a Bachelor of Science.
Recently FIDM put on their annual Debut fashion show. This showcases a
handful of talented graduating students
and the fashion lines they have made. The
show contained a costume design line that
was based on the Moulin Rouge and its associated bohemian and rebellious lifestyle.
The student created four different captivating design themes for her portion of
the show. Along with student’s wardrobe
lines, there was a chair design and an Ensemble portion.
Not only does FIDM have fashion
events, they’ve also teamed up with Fender Guitar for their graphic design students
to create a slight competitive feel to their
classrooms.
FIDM offers numerous opportunities
for the creative mind and continues to support its reputation through the successful
students enrolled there.