What are good model agencies in New York?

Modeling in new york vs los angeles (urgent!)!?!?

• greetings all; i will be entering college next fall, and currently, i have less than a week to choose between attending a school in new york city and one near los angeles (about thirty miles away). i come from the deep south and am not entirely familiar with either of these cities, only their respective schools. i am deadlocked between them right now. here is one concern i have, and i would appreciate some relevant advice: i am interested in pursuing modeling while in college as a part-part-time job to help supplement my income. i realize this is not a steady job position. i am a 5'11" male, 130 lbs, very fair-skinned and possess what i would like to think of as a striking look. i realize that my height puts me at a disadvantage for runway or high fashion modeling. major agencies are pretty much out of the question for me, probably. i would probably be looking at smaller agencies, and i'm not sure which city has more to offer in that area. personally speaking, i would most like to model for smaller, 'indie' type fashion labels. i would also love to do art modeling (which is non-fashion-related). i tend toward the avant-garde and the artsy. so i ask, which market would be more suited for me, la or ny? which aligns more with my modeling aspirations as stated above? what about my body type? where do you think i'd be more likely to find work? are there smaller agencies in ny where i might have a chance, or is the market there dominated by img and ford and elite and the like? i should mention that, as a practical concern, i will not be providing my own transit (i.e., a car) in la or ny and will have to rely on public transportation to get anywhere. the la school is 30 miles outside downtown, so i would have to take metrolink and/or the bus there. also, i would like to add that by no means is this the only factor in making my decision as to which school to attend, and, obviously, i do not count on receiving any modeling jobs at all. i realize it is a difficult industry. finally, what if i decide to dabble in acting as well? you know, as an extra in a movie or commercial? (i am non-union). thank you all for your assistance. i would love to hear from anybody with serious knowledge or personal experience in this area.

• Answer:

  First off, what they say about how hectic traveling is within or close to LA is very true. After a couple of months I don't think anyone would want to willingly put themselves through that and your going to be relying on public transit? Heck no, I wouldn't suggest that. Plus, the quality and frequency of jobs both in acting and modeling (well, in terms of modeling, i assuming you want to do commercial) is much better in Manhattan and if you take it seriously and are seen as someone who is professional by your agency you'll rise the ladder faster in NYC than you would in LA. NYC is just a better choice overall. Even the public transit is faster in NYC...