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!
