ATTENDING SCHOOL IN FRANCE
step one
Extra Application that the School Failed to Tell Us About
Extra Application that the School Failed to Tell Us About
Any American starting the college hunt / application process is well associated with The College Board - a web site linked to ALL American higher education institutes but also with any college entrance exam a prospective student needs to complete and submit for admission.
With the student entering College Board they need to set up a profile - education history, current schools and possible study interests. An ambitious kid can fill out a lengthy profile of all their interests, past and present - but this is optional. Not for Campus Francis! No no! It's mandatory! Guess what, no one tells you that. 
Or at least neither Mimi and I noticed the MANDATORY part of this application process nor was it ever broadcast by the Paris College of Art. So it wasn't until after she got accepted into the Paris College of Art 
when we started the visa process (and I do mean process) that she found out she wouldn't be able to get her visa and attend school until this lengthy, detailed, questionnaire was completed AND approved by Campus Francis. Kind of freaked her out - after all, she had months to do this, she just didn't know it wasn't optional like the College Board.
You can't even make an appointment at the French Embassy Consulate until Campus Francis "says you can" - once they've completed and approved your application.
So...step one for going to school in Paris, fill out the questionnaire completely - which includes questions on parents, current living situation, "what she might bring to enhance said school in France" what her favorite color is (just kidding, but it was close) page, after page, after page.
It wouldn't have been so bad if we had know about it, had plenty of time to conquer it, leaving it to just another step in the process. 
It's completely understandable that Paris doesn't want some dopey kid arriving with romantic dreams of living there without fully understanding that this IS school with all the responsibilities that come with it - exams, lectures, failures, etc. So step one - proof that this is what you really want - to be a American fashion student studying in Paris - that does sound romantic, doesn't it?
Step Two - the Visa (getting a private meeting with the Queen of England might have easier...)
Pam
As it would turn out, it was a good thing she did as it became her saving grace. Let me back up...
Once Mimi got her acceptance to the Paris College of Art, that was all she wanted. Living and studying fashion in Paris - who could blame her?!
It was fun to have a friends and family freak out a little! "Pam, do you know how far away from DC that is?" Yes, I do. "Aren't you worried about her living in such a large city?"
Not anymore than if she was going to New York City or Los Angeles (I can say that, I grew up in New York) "Paris? You mean Paris, Texas - right?" Nope. So, once the excitement dies down, time to make this happen. And this got interesting!
That's it. 3 years of study and a possible internship year but no bachelors degree.
A bachelors degree holds a lot of weight in the United States, especially if you are not going to be able to make your own brand or name for yourself right off the bat. For what ever reason, the Ministry of Education in Italy doesn't view fashion as a degree worthy study.
Italians do? 
(pictured on the right) studied at Istituto Marango but dropped out when he felt he learned everything he needed to know about fashion before pairing up with Stephano Gabbana. Gabbana has no formal training in fashion.
graduated from Central Saint Martin's art school in London
GQ Magazine in 2012
It seems most of the famous Italian designers worked their way into the industry. Prada? Opened a leather shop in Italy with his brother called Fratilli Prada - the Brothers Prada
That worked out well! Guccio Gucci?
as teenager Gucci worked in the Savoy Hotel in London as an elevator operator! He was so impressed with fashionable patrons - he went home to Florence and started creating handbags
Versace? Gianni Versace worked in his mothers dress maker's shop and studied Latin and Greek language and culture.
Kind of shows in this collection, doesn't it?
He will be missed. His sister runs his House of Versace since his murder a few years ago. It appears that the Italian designers are in agreement with their government and make or break it through work experience.
Work in the United States in the fashion world is very competitive so anyone studying in the United States - or any other part of the world for that matter, should aim for a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts/Fashion.
and my advice?
But don't treat this school too lightly - it looks like a fantastic place to study!
Mass Art wanted to "better the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by producing drawing teachers as well as professional artists, designers and architects". You don't see teaching as a profession listed first too often.
When they opened the doors the school's philosophy was to welcome anyone with talent and the will to succeed at a time when access for everyone was uncommon. "Our history sets the direction for our future."
The courses available for a BFA in Fashion Design cover everything from the history of fashion, textile design, even tailoring
Fashion Certificate programs
and Wegman's art of 
Which are free and open to the public. Nice opportunity for the students to be discovered
but do they have any of the fashion students work on exhibit?
fashion design students exhibit as well. Mass Art students are treated to free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts as well the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum
three huge student dorms - including the "tree house" which boasts studio space! 
In addition when applying a prospective student needs a 500 word essay on why this field of study is their passion, a portfolio of 10-15 of your best work, as well as a resume of your other activities.
or did you play rec soccer all through high school?
