Complaint Review: FIDM/The Fashion Institute Of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles California

As a former FIDM student my experiences with the school were very favorable. First of all, I was not pressured into signing any contracts when I spoke to an advisor at the school and was helped immensly by them to make an educated decision about college even if it did not mean attending their school in the long run. They were truly concerned about me taking time to make my own decision about it. Sometimes there is just too much pressure when it comes to visiting schools and signing on the dotted line.

I was amazed by how much the school really offered and honestly when it came to paying for college, it came down to me talking with my advisor about scholarships within the school and looking for scholarships and loans outside of the school as well. I did vast amounts of research as a sophmore in high school looking at different schools that had a major in Merchandise Marketing/International Manufacturing & Product Development and Business Management and FIDM had all 3 and. I really had a passion for the fashion industry. I looked into UC's and other schools too that but I believed that FIDM's 2 year AA program with their Bachelors degree would allow me to get to reach desired goals a lot faster than other colleges, which it did!

After graduating, because of FIDM helping me create a great portfolio and have well rounded knowledge, because I as the student took advantage of FIDM's various Career Days and their Career Center, I have 3 job offers with high profile fashion businesses in the L.A and New York area and I recently graduated in May.The financial sacrificies my family and I made and my drive to work hard and succeed in college truly paid off in that these jobs are offering me the salary that will help me pay off my student and government loans. Truth is no matter what college any student goes into, there will be some type of loan repayment and sacrificies that need to be made.

I was lucky enough to get a partial scholarship from the school and then worked throughout school along with my government loans. The housing and tuition expenses were well worth it and the school Admissions and Finanical Advisors are always willing to answer my concerns about costs etc. It is ultimately entirely up to the student to investigate, present their work and passion to learn upon applying to any college and then ask about scholarships and look for funding as well! No school is going to ask for less.

The world of fashion, marketing etc. is necessary to our growing world. As long as their is an interest for people to have the newest products or follow the latest trends, there will be a need for people who can convey that in the fashion world! Your relative made a good choice amongst other things she could have pursued. IF there really is a passion than there is always way to turn it into a business for any person and I followed that mantra!

I learned quite a lot that could be applied to both marketing, merchandising and managing a business. As a student I made very valuable connections with my peers whom many have started their own lucrative businesses in Melrose, Silverlake and New York City. A friend of mine is actually working for a high end fashion line in Manhatten. I know while this is only my experience, that it was a very rewarding one for me.  I even think its neat they have a scholarship foundation that goes to providing scholarships to needy FIDM students. A college education is always worth investing in.

I am sorry to hear about your concerns of your granddaughter and her education at FIDM. I have had several friends who've graduated from FIDM and have been reaping the benefits since they've decided to make FIDM their college of choice in furthering their education and pursuing a career in the fashion industry. Just like any other college, students have to work hard at their studies and network with people in the industry in order to get ahead. FIDM gives every student the opportunity to do this and the classes to give them the proper skills, in order to help further themselves in the fashion industry and get their careers started on the right foot. My friends utilized every internship and volunteer opportunity that FIDM offered them: From fashion shows to many other fashion-related events. They now have successful careers in the fashion industry and have nothing but positive things to say about the school. Looking at the past alumni alone who are now very successful tell a lot about the school and the quality of education they offer each student. Here's a link that will give you more info on past alumni: http://blogs.fidm.com/my_weblog/alumni/ I wish your granddaughter all the best in her future plans.

I noticed this report and decided to help with some great info. I was scammed by an online school and left with a bunch of student loans (university of phoenix is another one to stay far far away from!!) but in my lesson learned I learned about IBR. IBR is Income Based Repayment. As long as your grand daughter keeps in touch with the lenders, she can file through them for IBR and since she has no job, she should qualify to pay little or even nothing for the next 12 months. You have to refile for this every year........if in 25 years you still can not repay the debt the debt must be dropped by the financial institution. The cards are not stacked believe me the president passed this bill earlier this year. I hope she can figure out this mess. This is how I not only got out of my mess but also re-enrolled in college to finish my degree from someone other than a diploma mill. Future advise for her: STAY OUT OF TRADE SCHOOLS OR ONLINE ONES! Nearly all of them are scams designed to stack the cards against you.

A Single mom of 2

We have tried to identify this student by looking at the identifying information provided in the complaint in order to reach out to this student. Unfortunately, we were unable to do so. We are sorry to read the grandmother's words of frustration and anger. We want to reassure her of these facts:

1)All FIDM staff, both Admissions and Financial Services, are salaried employees. FIDM pays no commissions and receives no commissions.

2)FIDM requires 2 Admissions interviews; all transcripts(in addition to GED scores when applicable), three professional letters of recommendation, college essays, and a project submission reflecting the major. Most GED candidates undergo additional assessment testing by FIDM. We do not offer immediate Admissions. Admissions staff outline the academic and professional rigor this field requires and at no time promises job outcomes nor encourages students to attend without a support system.

3)All students interested in applying for financial aid complete the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students choose their lenders and borrowing amounts through federal guidelines. FIDM has no ties to any government nor private lending institution. All students are provided with loan counseling and financial clearance to ensure they understand their financial obligations.  FIDM does not promise funding beyond what is approved by the federal government and/or the private lenders. We review these results with the student prior to starting class.

Note: This student must have had some financial backing from relatives to enable her to borrow as much as is indicated here. It is highly improbable that any student would qualify for such high loan amounts on his/her own income unless a  parent or other relative co-signed for a loan which indicates there must have been some family support at one time.

4) Any student who drops out of school in their first year will not earn a degree and will be professionally limited. We don't know if this student had a change of heart about her career or found the curriculum too challenging or dropped out for some other reason. Regardless, we are saddened to hear of her unhappy outcome. We would most happily sit down with this student to help her with transfer units to another school, to have her meet with our very able Career Center, to review her file and finances in order to assist her in building a game plan moving forward.

We hope to hear from the family.

Have you ever read one of those contracts for these type of schools? They have truly onerous (awful) terms :(  It is a real shame that no one in the family was looking out for your relative because those school loans will need to be repaid, regardless of your relative's completion or noncompletion of school.

Don't misunderstand me - I think those school contracts are totally one sided: they have every trick in the book to make sure the school gets its money. You can not even discharge school loans in bankruptcy. If the loans go into collections, then the debt increases dramatically.  Your relative needs to just understand that these loans will have to be repaid if he/she is going to have decent credit in the future.

There is no doubt that these schools use the kids to obtain funds through high pressure tactics. The entire system is set up to encourage enrollment and once enrolled, those borrowed funds are owed by the student even if the student never attends any classes. Unfortunately, most of the schools are run more like scams than institutions of higher learning.

Turn this terrible experience into an opportunity for your relative to learn all about contracts and their consequences. It will be an expensive life lesson - but one that will serve your relative forever if learned. Good luck.