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School, future, career.. Need Advice!!!

I just broke down in tears, I never felt so weak and vulnerable in my life. Let me start off by saying i made straight A’s in high school, im a smart girl, with a great head on my shoulders. I moved from Philly, to L.A, 2 weeks after graduating high school to attend FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising). My last quarter I had to submit an appeal because my GPA was low and i risked my financial aid getting taking away

(FIDM is no joke, its very intense and our work load is intense, its not like a regular university where its mostly just power points, presentatioins, essays and book work.. theres so much more than that to FIDM..Our drop out rate is 50% just so you can get an idea)

Anyway my appeal got approved, My GPA increased above the requirement, and i was advised to take the minimum of 4 classes (12 units), how ever i failed a class, and had to submit another appeal to be approved or disapproved by the head of financial aid, when i was talking to my advisor about it she acted like a second appeal was not an option, im guessing because its rare that they approve a second appeal, which lead to my breakdown 15 minutes ago when I arrived home

I work in a fashion showroom downtown as a sales rep (managing fashion brands and getting them into boutiques and stores), which is rare because people attend school to get where im at in my career, and im only 19. I have two clients/brands as of now, the more clients I get in the showroom, the more i get paid. Since I have 2 clients i am only paid $500 a month (My 2 clients are also the ones that pay the least) this can change if i bring in more clients that is willing to pay more. This is the job i wanted coming out of college, so regardless i would be here, my boss is like an older sister to me. My ultimate goal is to own my own clothing line and sell it in my own chain of boutiques, just like bebe or bcbg, which is exactly what my major was about.

(My mom pays my rent and bills, i have roommates so its not as expensive)

Now im waiting here at home to find out if i was approved or not its been 3 hours, and im waiting for the call.

If you were me and if you didnt get approved, would you drop out, continue working at the showroom get more clients to get more money, save for the clothing line, and posibly have a second job at hooters, so i can get a place of my own and a car? or get personal loans and continue with school which is what i really do not want to do because of the personal loans part and continue with the showroom and possibly hooters.. I do want to finish my education and graduate from FIDM though :( Opinions please!!

Tags: L.A, advice, career, education, fashion, school, young

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 11, 2012 at 9:30pm

I appealed and got approved, thanks

BabyBallerCheeks said:

Same happened to me. Here are your options:

Option 1: PAY FOR SCHOOL (*this is what I did)

They dropped my financial aid so I went part time the following semester and paid for it myself. I took three classes and it was a little over $3,000. I saved the money from my job and paid it. If you pay for 2 to 3 of you own classes, and PASS ALL OF THEM, they will reinstate your financial aid (at least that is what happened to me -- ask the financial aid office; not your advisor about paying for one semester)

Option 2: SWITCH SCHOOLS

You can always get financial aid elsewhere. You're in L.A. and there are several other fashion schools. However, I can understand if that isn't what you want. It can be tough changing schools.

Option 3: APPEAL TO THE DEAN OF YOUR SCHOOL

(*or to someone who sits on the board at your school)

Do this if you have a REAL reason for failing those classes like a learning disability or some extreme life circumstances (an illness, fire at your home, an abusive boyfriend...etc.)

Option 4: GET PRIVATE LOANS

Honestly, I tried to do this before I did 'Option 1' and I wasn't approved. If you can get approved, this is definitely a great option.

Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 11, 2012 at 9:34pm

Thanks for the advice, My GPA was low to begin with, because i was taking too many trips out of town which was the reason for my first appeal, The following quarter I managed to raise my GPA significantly, it was just the fact that I failed 1 class, and I needed to pass ALL of them since I was taking the minimum was the reason for this second appeal, my major is the perfect mix of the technical side of fashion, the business side of fashion, and the creative side of fashion for me, and since i got approved, i will be doing everything i can to get my degree, it has taken me alot of places so far, i will be going to vegas in august, for magic, which is a big fashion convention, so i do not take it for granted

Love is a Losing Game said:

I'd like to know why your grades dropped twice too. Are you not interested in the technical side of fashion? Are you wanting to focus more on creativity than learning the traditional path? Maybe you need to change your major. If I were in your situation I'd do whatever I could to finish the degree. To be honest, just the mere fact that I have one has taken me so many places that have nothing to do with my area of study. I suggest you stay in school; even if you have take only a class at a time and pay out of pocket. I would make sure I got my degree. I would also begin to create and market my art. Design something and wear it around. Doing this can help you get extra cash on the side and may become a gateway into your boutique.

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 11, 2012 at 9:36pm

Thanks so much, and yes it is definitely crunch time!!

DdoubleD said:

Good for you! Now it's crunch time focus on school, you can do it! Get that degree and get your clothing line going!

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Permalink Reply by mavsbabe41 on July 11, 2012 at 9:38pm

Yay!!! Glad things worked out in your favor, girl! At least this is going to motivate you to work even harder! :)

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Permalink Reply by Dragon Slayer Puss on July 11, 2012 at 9:47pm

Good. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not enter the fashion field. I am a seamstress. I make dresses, skirts, purses, anything lol. When I graduated from high school, my family told me that I COULD NOT become a cosmetologist, and to study something with a guaranteed payoff. I wish I had followed my own mind; I feel like I'd be makin soooooooo much more money. Careers like those give you a chance to be free...be yourself. Create your own world. I'm excited for you!! Do your thang girl!

ms ESPN said:

Thanks for the advice, My GPA was low to begin with, because i was taking too many trips out of town which was the reason for my first appeal, The following quarter I managed to raise my GPA significantly, it was just the fact that I failed 1 class, and I needed to pass ALL of them since I was taking the minimum was the reason for this second appeal, my major is the perfect mix of the technical side of fashion, the business side of fashion, and the creative side of fashion for me, and since i got approved, i will be doing everything i can to get my degree, it has taken me alot of places so far, i will be going to vegas in august, for magic, which is a big fashion convention, so i do not take it for granted

Love is a Losing Game said:

I'd like to know why your grades dropped twice too. Are you not interested in the technical side of fashion? Are you wanting to focus more on creativity than learning the traditional path? Maybe you need to change your major. If I were in your situation I'd do whatever I could to finish the degree. To be honest, just the mere fact that I have one has taken me so many places that have nothing to do with my area of study. I suggest you stay in school; even if you have take only a class at a time and pay out of pocket. I would make sure I got my degree. I would also begin to create and market my art. Design something and wear it around. Doing this can help you get extra cash on the side and may become a gateway into your boutique.

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 12, 2012 at 2:43am

This definitely motivates me, thanks!!

mavsbabe41 said:

Yay!!! Glad things worked out in your favor, girl! At least this is going to motivate you to work even harder! :)

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 12, 2012 at 2:43am

Thank you so much!!

Love is a Losing Game said:

Good. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not enter the fashion field. I am a seamstress. I make dresses, skirts, purses, anything lol. When I graduated from high school, my family told me that I COULD NOT become a cosmetologist, and to study something with a guaranteed payoff. I wish I had followed my own mind; I feel like I'd be makin soooooooo much more money. Careers like those give you a chance to be free...be yourself. Create your own world. I'm excited for you!! Do your thang girl!

ms ESPN said:

Thanks for the advice, My GPA was low to begin with, because i was taking too many trips out of town which was the reason for my first appeal, The following quarter I managed to raise my GPA significantly, it was just the fact that I failed 1 class, and I needed to pass ALL of them since I was taking the minimum was the reason for this second appeal, my major is the perfect mix of the technical side of fashion, the business side of fashion, and the creative side of fashion for me, and since i got approved, i will be doing everything i can to get my degree, it has taken me alot of places so far, i will be going to vegas in august, for magic, which is a big fashion convention, so i do not take it for granted

Love is a Losing Game said:

I'd like to know why your grades dropped twice too. Are you not interested in the technical side of fashion? Are you wanting to focus more on creativity than learning the traditional path? Maybe you need to change your major. If I were in your situation I'd do whatever I could to finish the degree. To be honest, just the mere fact that I have one has taken me so many places that have nothing to do with my area of study. I suggest you stay in school; even if you have take only a class at a time and pay out of pocket. I would make sure I got my degree. I would also begin to create and market my art. Design something and wear it around. Doing this can help you get extra cash on the side and may become a gateway into your boutique.

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Permalink Reply by BlkButtafly on July 12, 2012 at 12:34pm

I didn't have any advice but YAY I'm glad that things are getting back on track! :) You go, girl!

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Permalink Reply by Quiet Storm on July 12, 2012 at 8:35pm

I'm glad things worked out for u girlie! You seem bright so I know your future will be brighter, looking forward to buying some of your pieces in the future, good luck to u :)

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 12, 2012 at 9:21pm

Thanks!!

BlkButtafly said:

I didn't have any advice but YAY I'm glad that things are getting back on track! :) You go, girl!

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Permalink Reply by Lady on July 12, 2012 at 9:22pm

aww you’re sweet.. Thanks!!

Quiet Storm said:

I'm glad things worked out for u girlie! You seem bright so I know your future will be brighter, looking forward to buying some of your pieces in the future, good luck to u :)

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Permalink Reply by Quiet Storm on July 12, 2012 at 9:23pm

U welcome girl! :)

ms ESPN said:

aww you’re sweet.. Thanks!!

Quiet Storm said:

I'm glad things worked out for u girlie! You seem bright so I know your future will be brighter, looking forward to buying some of your pieces in the future, good luck to u :)