Women’s Colleges are becoming the New College Cool! Discover for yourself why more and more college-bound high schools girls are saying “Yes” and choosing a women’s college. A good place to start is my blog. I’ve listed (and linked) all the women’s colleges in the United States and also provide additional information about the individual colleges for further exploration. Plus you’ll meet current students who share their college selection story and their reason for attending a women’s college.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
College Traditions:Tinker Day
"Tinker Day, observed since the 1880s, occurs in October. It became an official holiday in 1895. The surprise element, which was introduced in 1899, adds to the excitement of the day. After the president's official declaration, classes are canceled and students, faculty, and staff hike Tinker Mountain attired in zany costumes for songs and a traditional picnic of fried chicken and Tinker Cake."
Learn more about this women's college located in Roanoke, VA here, here, or here.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Women’s College Student Named a 2014 Rhodes Scholar
A BIG congratulations to Clarke Knight '14 a chemistry student at Smith College for being named a 2014 Rhodes Scholar. Below is her profile as provided on the American Rhodes Scholarships Winners, Profiles of Winners page:
“Her interests relate to the application of science to environmental challenges, ranging from food security to the management of soil and water resources. Her interest in the effect of crop losses on world hunger led her to do research on potato diseases in Tasmania. She is now tracking the consequences of climate change on the hydrology and chemistry of a major watershed. Clarke is a member of Smith’s varsity crew and cross country teams. She has also written a book on women’s contribution to architecture. Her career interests are in global environmental policy. Clarke is Smith College’s first Rhodes Scholar. At Oxford, she intends to do the M.Phil. in geography and environment.”
Read additional information about Clarke from Smith's Web site.
Smith College is a top-20 liberal arts college and also the largest independent women's college in the country dedicated to women's education, advancement, and leadership. Founded in 1871, Smith College offers “more than 1,000 course offerings in more than 50 areas of study in the social sciences and history, the arts, languages, literature, mathematics and the natural sciences.”
Learn more about Smith’s academic programs, resources, as well as the academic life you can expect.
“Her interests relate to the application of science to environmental challenges, ranging from food security to the management of soil and water resources. Her interest in the effect of crop losses on world hunger led her to do research on potato diseases in Tasmania. She is now tracking the consequences of climate change on the hydrology and chemistry of a major watershed. Clarke is a member of Smith’s varsity crew and cross country teams. She has also written a book on women’s contribution to architecture. Her career interests are in global environmental policy. Clarke is Smith College’s first Rhodes Scholar. At Oxford, she intends to do the M.Phil. in geography and environment.”
Read additional information about Clarke from Smith's Web site.
Smith College is a top-20 liberal arts college and also the largest independent women's college in the country dedicated to women's education, advancement, and leadership. Founded in 1871, Smith College offers “more than 1,000 course offerings in more than 50 areas of study in the social sciences and history, the arts, languages, literature, mathematics and the natural sciences.”
Learn more about Smith’s academic programs, resources, as well as the academic life you can expect.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Essay -- Women’s Colleges: Necessary and Invaluable
Erica Rice, a first-year student at Bryn Mawr College wrote a winning essay, "Women’s Colleges: Necessary and Invaluable" for an essay competition; the third annual essay competition of The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education. The competition is sponsored by The Friends of the Bryn Mawr College Library.
She begins her essay with the following:
"The college experience can very easily become a paradox, as a college education should be what equips a young person to accomplish whatever they wish, yet during the time spent earning a diploma, a great deal of pruning other dreams and aspirations is necessary to earn the title of college graduate. The ability to focus and make decisions about one’s future is indeed important, but all too often in the college setting, in the process of becoming a college graduate, pieces of the individual dissolve. Colleges and universities have plenty to offer the future, but people have more. At women’s colleges, the student body is made up of individuals willing to identify as different and who believe that it is their individual aspirations combined with a college diploma that will be what changes their world. The college experience for these women will be a tool, not an identity; because their identity is something they are not willing to compromise."
Read Erica's insightful essay here.
Bryn Mawr College is a women's liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, PA.Visit the college's Web site to learn more.
She begins her essay with the following:
"The college experience can very easily become a paradox, as a college education should be what equips a young person to accomplish whatever they wish, yet during the time spent earning a diploma, a great deal of pruning other dreams and aspirations is necessary to earn the title of college graduate. The ability to focus and make decisions about one’s future is indeed important, but all too often in the college setting, in the process of becoming a college graduate, pieces of the individual dissolve. Colleges and universities have plenty to offer the future, but people have more. At women’s colleges, the student body is made up of individuals willing to identify as different and who believe that it is their individual aspirations combined with a college diploma that will be what changes their world. The college experience for these women will be a tool, not an identity; because their identity is something they are not willing to compromise."
Read Erica's insightful essay here.
Bryn Mawr College is a women's liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, PA.Visit the college's Web site to learn more.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Benefits of a Women’s College
“The benefits to be reaped from a women’s college education are not a uniform commodity, but are rather the extent to which the college culture and experience allow each individual to avidly pursue a chosen path and excel in the areas in which she is most passionate.” -- Evan McGonagill
About Evan McGonagill
“Evan McGonagill is Assistant Director for The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education, where she generates content for the Center’s teaching resources, digital repository, and related social media. Prior to her work on Greenfield, Evan worked for two years as a Program Assistant and Systems Associate at The Open Society Institute in New York. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in English in 2010.”
About Evan McGonagill
“Evan McGonagill is Assistant Director for The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education, where she generates content for the Center’s teaching resources, digital repository, and related social media. Prior to her work on Greenfield, Evan worked for two years as a Program Assistant and Systems Associate at The Open Society Institute in New York. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in English in 2010.”
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Why I Attended a Women's College
Minnow from NC wrote this on October 11, 2013 when asked if she attended a women’s college:
"Sweet Briar 2007, here!
My best friends in high school were guys (or tomboyish girls) and I never thought that I'd want to go to an all-girls school. My childhood neighbor was an SBC grad and kept telling me to check it out as I was growing up and my response was always something along the lines of "no fricking way!"
Then my mother and I did a huge tour of Virginia Colleges, and as soon as I stepped on that campus (the second to last one we visited) I just felt like I belonged. And I did! The individual attention the professors were able to give, the unique coursework and majors, the potential for research (which I took advantage of) - they were all huge selling points. And my best friends were made there. I loved the entire experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.
(And yes, they were very good about mingling us with the men of other colleges, especially as underclassmen when it was harder for us to get off campus.)"
"Sweet Briar 2007, here!
My best friends in high school were guys (or tomboyish girls) and I never thought that I'd want to go to an all-girls school. My childhood neighbor was an SBC grad and kept telling me to check it out as I was growing up and my response was always something along the lines of "no fricking way!"
Then my mother and I did a huge tour of Virginia Colleges, and as soon as I stepped on that campus (the second to last one we visited) I just felt like I belonged. And I did! The individual attention the professors were able to give, the unique coursework and majors, the potential for research (which I took advantage of) - they were all huge selling points. And my best friends were made there. I loved the entire experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.
(And yes, they were very good about mingling us with the men of other colleges, especially as underclassmen when it was harder for us to get off campus.)"
Monday, November 18, 2013
College Application Mythbusting
Carolyn Noll Sorg is the Director of Admission at a women’s college located in Pepper Pike, Ohio, Ursuline College and wrote a blog post I’m sure will be of interest, “College Application Mythbusting.” Carolyn begins her blog post with the following:
“When I was a new Admission Counselor in my first job right out of grad school, I remember my Admission Director mentioning that as many of her friends’ children approached high school age, her job suddenly seemed to make her more popular at parties. There is a perception, I think, among parents and students that the college admission process is so elusive and complex that understanding it, and more importantly influencing it, is becoming increasingly difficult. This is probably true for students applying to the most selective institutions where many more qualified students are turned away than admitted. But for students applying to the vast majority of institutions in the US, this process is not nearly as much of a game as they think.
A recent blog entry on the Huffington Post called 6 College Admission Myths: Busted is a good start to bringing more transparency to students and families, but many of these myths and much of the advice on college planning and admission out there only applies to traditional students vying for coveted seats at highly selective schools. We know that more and more college students today do not fit this typical student mold, and that the overwhelming majority will enroll at institutions that WILL accept them if they are academically qualified. Here are the myths busted on HuffPost, and my own thoughts on how we address each myth at an institution that prides itself on providing access to all students who demonstrate an ability to be academically successful:”
Read the entire blog post and Carolyn’s insights to busting these six college admissions myths.
Ursuline College is the first women’s college in Ohio. The college is known for its exceptional programs in nursing, fashion, social work, and education offering more than 30 undergraduate liberal arts degrees. Ursuline also offers 11 graduate liberal arts degrees. The college’s campus is beautiful and spacious campus, situated about 13 miles east of Cleveland making the college easily accessible and close to major highways.
To learn more about Ursuline contact Carolyn or visit their Web site. You also can meet the admissions team or learn more about the benefits of attending Ursuline College.
“When I was a new Admission Counselor in my first job right out of grad school, I remember my Admission Director mentioning that as many of her friends’ children approached high school age, her job suddenly seemed to make her more popular at parties. There is a perception, I think, among parents and students that the college admission process is so elusive and complex that understanding it, and more importantly influencing it, is becoming increasingly difficult. This is probably true for students applying to the most selective institutions where many more qualified students are turned away than admitted. But for students applying to the vast majority of institutions in the US, this process is not nearly as much of a game as they think.
A recent blog entry on the Huffington Post called 6 College Admission Myths: Busted is a good start to bringing more transparency to students and families, but many of these myths and much of the advice on college planning and admission out there only applies to traditional students vying for coveted seats at highly selective schools. We know that more and more college students today do not fit this typical student mold, and that the overwhelming majority will enroll at institutions that WILL accept them if they are academically qualified. Here are the myths busted on HuffPost, and my own thoughts on how we address each myth at an institution that prides itself on providing access to all students who demonstrate an ability to be academically successful:”
Read the entire blog post and Carolyn’s insights to busting these six college admissions myths.
Ursuline College is the first women’s college in Ohio. The college is known for its exceptional programs in nursing, fashion, social work, and education offering more than 30 undergraduate liberal arts degrees. Ursuline also offers 11 graduate liberal arts degrees. The college’s campus is beautiful and spacious campus, situated about 13 miles east of Cleveland making the college easily accessible and close to major highways.
To learn more about Ursuline contact Carolyn or visit their Web site. You also can meet the admissions team or learn more about the benefits of attending Ursuline College.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
College isn’t about the boys: Why women’s colleges still matter.
USA College Today blogger Charlsie Niemiec wrote a blog post I really enjoyed, “College isn’t about the boys: Why women’s colleges still matter.”
Blog Post Highlights:
“I never thought I would attend a same-sex college. In fact, it was something I never even considered until I started to expand upon my college choices. I knew what kind of school I wanted to attend, and I knew what programs I was interested. And ultimately, the school that catered the most to what I wanted for four years turned out to be an all women’s university. With only 2 percent of women enrolling in women’s colleges, I constantly question why women are afraid to apply or even consider looking into same-sex schools. Especially when statistics show women’s colleges as being incredibly beneficial to women and their futures. For example, in 2004 a study found that women who attend same-sex schools in college are more likely to engage better in the classroom, score better in classes than they would at co-ed institutions, and they are more likely to get professional degrees, attend graduate school, and hold higher ranked positions in their careers.”
“Charlsie Niemiec is a post-grad from Hollins University (yes, one of the last remaining Southern women’s colleges) with her BA in English and a concentration in creative writing. When she’s not busy dancing to Cake and wearing a little black dress, this typical Pisces is curled up with a glass of wine and contemplating her future on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She blogs here.”
Blog Post Highlights:
“I never thought I would attend a same-sex college. In fact, it was something I never even considered until I started to expand upon my college choices. I knew what kind of school I wanted to attend, and I knew what programs I was interested. And ultimately, the school that catered the most to what I wanted for four years turned out to be an all women’s university. With only 2 percent of women enrolling in women’s colleges, I constantly question why women are afraid to apply or even consider looking into same-sex schools. Especially when statistics show women’s colleges as being incredibly beneficial to women and their futures. For example, in 2004 a study found that women who attend same-sex schools in college are more likely to engage better in the classroom, score better in classes than they would at co-ed institutions, and they are more likely to get professional degrees, attend graduate school, and hold higher ranked positions in their careers.”
“Charlsie Niemiec is a post-grad from Hollins University (yes, one of the last remaining Southern women’s colleges) with her BA in English and a concentration in creative writing. When she’s not busy dancing to Cake and wearing a little black dress, this typical Pisces is curled up with a glass of wine and contemplating her future on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She blogs here.”
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Top Things Women Invented!
While not specifically about the advantages of attending a women's college, I really enjoyed this slideshow, Top Things Women Invented! and wanted to share it with you. Many of these things we take for granted, for example: the dishwasher or the modern day bra!
Josephine Cochrane: The Dishwasher
"Out of frustration, Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwasher. She'd been angry that hired domestic help continually broke and chipped her fine china. Cochrane's dishwasher used high water pressure aimed at a wire rack of dishes, she received a patent for it in 1886.
During this era, most houses didn't have the technology of a hot water system to run such a machine, but Cochrane persisted and sold her idea to hotels and restaurants. Eventually dishwashers moved into households as more and more women entered the workplace."
Mary Phelps Jacob: The Modern Brassiere
"Jacobs was awarded a US patent in 1914 for a Brassiere that supported the breasts up from the shoulders and separated them into two individual shapes. People had experimented with making Brassieres before, but it was the idea of "separating the breasts," that made her design unique.
Prior to Brassieres (or bras) women’s undergarments were uncomfortable. Containing whalebones and steel rods, they virtually squeezed the wearer into "shape". Jacobs' design was in contrast, soft and light, conforming to the wearer’s anatomy.
During WWI her bra design became popular when the U.S. government requested that women stop purchasing corsets in order to conserve metal. Although by this time Jacobs had sold the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company."
I hope you view the entire slideshow of 25 inventions. I think you will really enjoy the presentation.
Josephine Cochrane: The Dishwasher
"Out of frustration, Josephine Cochrane invented the dishwasher. She'd been angry that hired domestic help continually broke and chipped her fine china. Cochrane's dishwasher used high water pressure aimed at a wire rack of dishes, she received a patent for it in 1886.
During this era, most houses didn't have the technology of a hot water system to run such a machine, but Cochrane persisted and sold her idea to hotels and restaurants. Eventually dishwashers moved into households as more and more women entered the workplace."
Mary Phelps Jacob: The Modern Brassiere
"Jacobs was awarded a US patent in 1914 for a Brassiere that supported the breasts up from the shoulders and separated them into two individual shapes. People had experimented with making Brassieres before, but it was the idea of "separating the breasts," that made her design unique.
Prior to Brassieres (or bras) women’s undergarments were uncomfortable. Containing whalebones and steel rods, they virtually squeezed the wearer into "shape". Jacobs' design was in contrast, soft and light, conforming to the wearer’s anatomy.
During WWI her bra design became popular when the U.S. government requested that women stop purchasing corsets in order to conserve metal. Although by this time Jacobs had sold the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company."
I hope you view the entire slideshow of 25 inventions. I think you will really enjoy the presentation.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Thanking Our Nation's Veterans!
Please join me in thanking all the brave men and women who ensure our freedom. Show your support here!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
I'm so glad I attended a women's college, even though I had no intentions of going to a women's college!
On a wedding blog, Weddingbee® I came across a content area labeled NWR (Not Wedding Related) where this question was asked: Did you attend a women's college?
Here’s one of the replies:
“I went to Smith (yay 5 colleges AND seven sisters!) and I am so, SO glad I did. It was the best decision I ever made, (and I didn't intend to go to an all women's college either). I've always needed to be more assertive and less shy, and attending an all women's college really helped me gain confidence. I went from being so shy, to being a considered a fairly extroverted person. (People who meet me now never even believe I was ever shy.) I've also found that men tend to dominate discussions in classes (even when they don't know the answers), and women tend to not answer (even when they do know the answer.) I became much more dominate in group settings, in business meetings and interviews. Often, I'm the only woman in the room who will speak. I got practice at Smith. No one would ever answer the professor's question, and eventually I couldn't take the awkwardness and would reluctantly raise my hand. By my senior year, mine was the first hand up. My mother, who also attended a women's college, always says that you can tell a woman from the seven sisters (or any women's college), because they tend to be more assertive than average.
I still feel that I have a lot further to go with putting myself forward and asserting myself, but going to an all women's college definitely helped! Yes, my dating life suffered during college, but I don't mind at all. It improved me so much more than going to a co-ed school would have, and I made great friends who I still talk to regularly even though we've all moved.”
Here’s one of the replies:
“I went to Smith (yay 5 colleges AND seven sisters!) and I am so, SO glad I did. It was the best decision I ever made, (and I didn't intend to go to an all women's college either). I've always needed to be more assertive and less shy, and attending an all women's college really helped me gain confidence. I went from being so shy, to being a considered a fairly extroverted person. (People who meet me now never even believe I was ever shy.) I've also found that men tend to dominate discussions in classes (even when they don't know the answers), and women tend to not answer (even when they do know the answer.) I became much more dominate in group settings, in business meetings and interviews. Often, I'm the only woman in the room who will speak. I got practice at Smith. No one would ever answer the professor's question, and eventually I couldn't take the awkwardness and would reluctantly raise my hand. By my senior year, mine was the first hand up. My mother, who also attended a women's college, always says that you can tell a woman from the seven sisters (or any women's college), because they tend to be more assertive than average.
I still feel that I have a lot further to go with putting myself forward and asserting myself, but going to an all women's college definitely helped! Yes, my dating life suffered during college, but I don't mind at all. It improved me so much more than going to a co-ed school would have, and I made great friends who I still talk to regularly even though we've all moved.”
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Psychology Major Passionate About Photography
I would like to share with you a blog I came across and one that I really like. It’s Nicole Battistone’s blog: “Life Through My Lens.” Nicole is student (majoring in psychology) with a passion for photography at University of Saint Joseph.
The University of Saint Joseph is a women’s college located in West
Hartford, CT. Nicole is from the Class of 2015 and her blog is all about
the photos she takes on campus.See how beautiful her photographs are!
Monday, November 4, 2013
Women’s College Alumna Wins Project Runway and Offers Fashion College Advice
Below is my Huffington Post blog post I wrote last week about Dom Streater, Project Runway Season 12 winner!
Project Runway Season 12 Winner Dom Offers College Advice to Women Interested in Fashion Design
Dom Streater the cool, calm and creative 24-year-old whose fashion-forward style caught the eye of the Project Runway judges has been very busy juggling design work with local appearances in the town she grew up in, Philadelphia, since winning Season 12. Her design business, Halcyon Clothing Collection, is really hopping; the totes she designed are nearly all sold out, and Samuel L Jackson contacted her via Twitter to design a dress for his wife, LaTanya Richardson. While Dom's Alma mater, Moore College of Art & Design, invited her to speak at their 2013 Leadership Conference for Women in the Arts, Philadelphia's morning TV show, Good Day Philadelphia, invited her to be on the show and the mayor of Philadelphia, The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, honored Dom for her winning Project Runway at a recent event.
It's easy to understand why so many want to get to know this fashion and textile designer who loves creating colorful vibrant clothing and fabrics. Dom's Project Runway pieces were considered amazing by numerous viewers; even this non-fashion oriented gal loved many of her designs; admittedly, there's something captivating about Dom's clothes. She has a real flare for incorporating textiles and prints into designs crafted for all kinds of shapes and sizes that also are stylish and appealing. Down to earth, this soulful designer has a bright fashion career ahead of her. I see a huge market for "Dom Girl" fashion.
Since Dom won the highly-competitive fashion design television series, future fashion designers are seeking Streater out for fashion school advice. Questions she's often asked revolve around her college choice as well as advice for selecting a fashion school. Her advice and insight entails encouraging future students to focus on discovering the best fashion design college for them. With so many excellent programs to choice from, it's important to first be clear with what you want from a fashion design program. Once you are, you can then consider other factors, including learning style and personal preferences. After that, you can begin to research the various colleges. Soon you will have a short list of possible places tailored just for you.
An advocate of campus visits, Dom encourages visiting as many college campuses as possible. Dom visited numerous campuses before deciding upon Philadelphia-based Moore College, graduating in 2010 with her Bachelors in Fine Arts in Fashion Design. In fact, after her many visits, Moore was the only college she wanted to attend.
"The fashion program at Moore was great," she said. "Everything I know how to do is because I went to Moore, in terms of construction and how I think about design. I learned to be very methodical and precise when I'm working. It helped me a lot on the show."
Dom knew what she wanted in a design school. First and foremost, she was looking for a top-notch design program. She also wanted a college that attracted collaborative, high-achieving students, and a college that provided a nurturing and supportive atmosphere with small classes.
While all of Moore's 10 BFA programs are top-notch, it was the college's atmosphere that really made an impression on Dom. Moreover, she loved the idea of a women's college. She knew how competitive the fashion industry is and wanted the best opportunity for being successful. She felt that being at a women's college meant having fewer distractions, which would help her keep focused on her craft (and the reason she was attending college in the first place). She knew that talented young women from all over the world came to Moore, and this was very appealing to her as well. In addition, during her campus visits she experienced the supportive environment first-hand, only reinforcing how critical this environment was to her. Visiting the campus and meeting with students, professors, and staff cemented her confidence that she could fulfill her career dream.
The friends that Dom made while attending Moore College provided much welcomed support and encouragement during her time on Project Runway. "It's all about Moore girls sticking together," Dom Streater said. "Because it's an all women's college that bond sticks even after graduation." And while many women's colleges don't have sororities, women college alumnae will tell you that's because the entire campus is one big sorority -- so rest assured that sisterhood is alive and thriving at women's colleges, and sisterhood comes in handy during and after graduation.
While the fashion industry is highly competitive, the good news is that Moore College is committed to "empowering women to achieve financial independence by providing a high-quality, career-focused education." With over 160 years of educating women for careers in art and design, Moore College of Art & Design is the first and only visual arts women's college. I'm very happy to report their students continue to enjoy career success including recent graduates. Of the 2012 BFA graduates, 93 percent are employed, and 79 percent of those are with organizations in their fields of study.
Dom Streater is very happy she attended Moore and encourages other women visual artists to consider her Alma mater. If you are looking for a fashion school that provides a challenging and creative environment with nurturing and talented professors who are committed to their students, Moore might also be for you.
Follow Dom online via Her Store, Her Work, on Facebook, as well as on Twitter.
(Visit the original blog post for various links.)
Project Runway Season 12 Winner Dom Offers College Advice to Women Interested in Fashion Design
Dom Streater the cool, calm and creative 24-year-old whose fashion-forward style caught the eye of the Project Runway judges has been very busy juggling design work with local appearances in the town she grew up in, Philadelphia, since winning Season 12. Her design business, Halcyon Clothing Collection, is really hopping; the totes she designed are nearly all sold out, and Samuel L Jackson contacted her via Twitter to design a dress for his wife, LaTanya Richardson. While Dom's Alma mater, Moore College of Art & Design, invited her to speak at their 2013 Leadership Conference for Women in the Arts, Philadelphia's morning TV show, Good Day Philadelphia, invited her to be on the show and the mayor of Philadelphia, The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, honored Dom for her winning Project Runway at a recent event.
It's easy to understand why so many want to get to know this fashion and textile designer who loves creating colorful vibrant clothing and fabrics. Dom's Project Runway pieces were considered amazing by numerous viewers; even this non-fashion oriented gal loved many of her designs; admittedly, there's something captivating about Dom's clothes. She has a real flare for incorporating textiles and prints into designs crafted for all kinds of shapes and sizes that also are stylish and appealing. Down to earth, this soulful designer has a bright fashion career ahead of her. I see a huge market for "Dom Girl" fashion.
Since Dom won the highly-competitive fashion design television series, future fashion designers are seeking Streater out for fashion school advice. Questions she's often asked revolve around her college choice as well as advice for selecting a fashion school. Her advice and insight entails encouraging future students to focus on discovering the best fashion design college for them. With so many excellent programs to choice from, it's important to first be clear with what you want from a fashion design program. Once you are, you can then consider other factors, including learning style and personal preferences. After that, you can begin to research the various colleges. Soon you will have a short list of possible places tailored just for you.
An advocate of campus visits, Dom encourages visiting as many college campuses as possible. Dom visited numerous campuses before deciding upon Philadelphia-based Moore College, graduating in 2010 with her Bachelors in Fine Arts in Fashion Design. In fact, after her many visits, Moore was the only college she wanted to attend.
"The fashion program at Moore was great," she said. "Everything I know how to do is because I went to Moore, in terms of construction and how I think about design. I learned to be very methodical and precise when I'm working. It helped me a lot on the show."
Dom knew what she wanted in a design school. First and foremost, she was looking for a top-notch design program. She also wanted a college that attracted collaborative, high-achieving students, and a college that provided a nurturing and supportive atmosphere with small classes.
While all of Moore's 10 BFA programs are top-notch, it was the college's atmosphere that really made an impression on Dom. Moreover, she loved the idea of a women's college. She knew how competitive the fashion industry is and wanted the best opportunity for being successful. She felt that being at a women's college meant having fewer distractions, which would help her keep focused on her craft (and the reason she was attending college in the first place). She knew that talented young women from all over the world came to Moore, and this was very appealing to her as well. In addition, during her campus visits she experienced the supportive environment first-hand, only reinforcing how critical this environment was to her. Visiting the campus and meeting with students, professors, and staff cemented her confidence that she could fulfill her career dream.
The friends that Dom made while attending Moore College provided much welcomed support and encouragement during her time on Project Runway. "It's all about Moore girls sticking together," Dom Streater said. "Because it's an all women's college that bond sticks even after graduation." And while many women's colleges don't have sororities, women college alumnae will tell you that's because the entire campus is one big sorority -- so rest assured that sisterhood is alive and thriving at women's colleges, and sisterhood comes in handy during and after graduation.
While the fashion industry is highly competitive, the good news is that Moore College is committed to "empowering women to achieve financial independence by providing a high-quality, career-focused education." With over 160 years of educating women for careers in art and design, Moore College of Art & Design is the first and only visual arts women's college. I'm very happy to report their students continue to enjoy career success including recent graduates. Of the 2012 BFA graduates, 93 percent are employed, and 79 percent of those are with organizations in their fields of study.
Dom Streater is very happy she attended Moore and encourages other women visual artists to consider her Alma mater. If you are looking for a fashion school that provides a challenging and creative environment with nurturing and talented professors who are committed to their students, Moore might also be for you.
Follow Dom online via Her Store, Her Work, on Facebook, as well as on Twitter.
(Visit the original blog post for various links.)
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Judaic Studies for Women
Two women’s colleges that also offer Judaic Studies include The Stern College for Women and the Lander College for Women. Both colleges are located in New York City.
From the The Stern College for Women’s Web Site:
“Nowhere in North America can women enjoy greater range and depth of Torah study than at Yeshiva University's Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies, which offers the country's largest and most diverse undergraduate Jewish studies program for women. Our program is designed to expose students to the beauty of Torah study and the richness of Jewish tradition. We offer valuable training in rigorous thought, exposure to research methods and opportunities for independent work. Students learn across a curriculum that includes courses in Bible, Hebrew language, Jewish history, Jewish philosophy and Judaic law.
Regardless of focus, all students engage with the textual analysis of Jewish works in the Hebrew and Aramaic originals, through hakhanah, chavruta [study partners] and shiurim [lectures]. The structure of the learning and committed faculty result in genuine relationships that personalize, deepen and distinguish each student's education. The Jewish studies faculty are not only accomplished scholars and moral exemplars; they provide guidance on how to live an ethical life.”
From the Lander College for Women’s Web Site:
“At the Lander College for Women, you will be learning in a supportive but challenging environment. The high level of interaction between students and faculty encourages our students to be creative, strive for distinction and achieve excellence. All of our faculty members are scholars and dedicated teachers who bring practical knowledge to the classroom. They will enable you to excel at critical thinking, problem solving, and oral and written communication. In particular, at the Lander College for Women, the opportunity to pursue Judaic Studies on a high level and learn from a world-class Judaic studies faculty is unparalleled. Our small class sizes and the personalized attention that you receive in each of your classes will add an important dimension to your education and will help you achieve your best in the classroom, your careers, and your future lives.” Marian Stoltz-Loike, Ph.D., Dean, Lander College for Women
From the The Stern College for Women’s Web Site:
“Nowhere in North America can women enjoy greater range and depth of Torah study than at Yeshiva University's Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies, which offers the country's largest and most diverse undergraduate Jewish studies program for women. Our program is designed to expose students to the beauty of Torah study and the richness of Jewish tradition. We offer valuable training in rigorous thought, exposure to research methods and opportunities for independent work. Students learn across a curriculum that includes courses in Bible, Hebrew language, Jewish history, Jewish philosophy and Judaic law.
Regardless of focus, all students engage with the textual analysis of Jewish works in the Hebrew and Aramaic originals, through hakhanah, chavruta [study partners] and shiurim [lectures]. The structure of the learning and committed faculty result in genuine relationships that personalize, deepen and distinguish each student's education. The Jewish studies faculty are not only accomplished scholars and moral exemplars; they provide guidance on how to live an ethical life.”
From the Lander College for Women’s Web Site:
“At the Lander College for Women, you will be learning in a supportive but challenging environment. The high level of interaction between students and faculty encourages our students to be creative, strive for distinction and achieve excellence. All of our faculty members are scholars and dedicated teachers who bring practical knowledge to the classroom. They will enable you to excel at critical thinking, problem solving, and oral and written communication. In particular, at the Lander College for Women, the opportunity to pursue Judaic Studies on a high level and learn from a world-class Judaic studies faculty is unparalleled. Our small class sizes and the personalized attention that you receive in each of your classes will add an important dimension to your education and will help you achieve your best in the classroom, your careers, and your future lives.” Marian Stoltz-Loike, Ph.D., Dean, Lander College for Women
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