Is visual merchandising the same as fashion merchandising?

Do you need a good high school GPA to major in fashion merchandising?

• I am in high school and I'm a junior wanting to apply to traditional college with fashion merchandising as a major. i was wondering what GPA you need in order to go to major in fashion merchandising. I know for Fashion Design, schools are more lenient towards your GPA but is that the same for fashion merchandising? Do they really look at you like a student that's applying to an all around college?

• Answer:

  Is there any particular reason why you're choosing to attend a traditional college instead of a specialized fashion college for fashion merchandising? The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a great fashion college and they have the advantage of being located in LA and close to the fashion district! In terms of the admissions process, the school does look at a student's GPA and having a strong GPA will work great in your favor. They also require students to complete an entrance project, essay and interview. All three are also used to help them make their acceptance decision. Overall, the fashion college's merchandise marketing program is great and if you love beauty, they also have a beauty industry merchandising and marketing program that my friend graduated from and she now works for Tarte Cosmetics. There's so many perks with attending a specialty fashion college like FIDM: From industry connections to the instructors who still work in the industry and bring valuable information to the classroom. I do know that FIDM has a great FB page with tons of info and their twitter page is useful too. Good luck!