Columbia College Chicago!
I thought I'd share my experience at the Open House!
Besides the fact that I felt exhausted from getting up in the middle of the night, I was really excited to see my home for the next four years! (I'd recommend that they have later start time for those coming from a few hours away. It's not logical to get a hotel but it makes for quick the early morning. I'm talking 4 AM.)
Welcome Program
I'd have to say that the Welcome Session was a little over the top and didn't pertain much to the school. It felt like they were showing off with a dance and singing performance that could have used a little more rehearsal. Maybe keep the performance short and talk more about what the school is about! I had a hard time taking it seriously. The book they handed out had an extremely useful map and schedule.
Fashion Presentation
I cannot speak for the other presentations but the Fashion program was extremely helpful and was very interesting. The speakers and presentation answered most of the questions I had and made me really excited. I loved that they had 5 students come in to answer questions from all of the fashion degrees. The students were really prepared and very enthusiastic! The pamphlet listed the core classes of the major and minor which was interesting to look at!
Random Side Adventures
After the presentation, I ventured up to the 8th floor, where, along with classrooms, the school houses over 6,000 items in the Fashion Study Collection. It has been dubbed "The Vault". The curator said that about 90% of the items are donated and all must be touched with either white gloves or washed hands. I was very interested!
Once there was nothing else to see, I went to the bottom floor to observe a model being photographed in a students clothing. I followed the smell of popcorn to The Learning Studio which houses a free tutoring lounge. I'll defineitly be using that next year although they did not have a Fashion Business tutor.
Touring The Dorms
I toured 2 E. 8th St. first because I was planning to meet a friend that lived there. (The name has actually been changed to 777 S. State, in case you're looking for it.) The tour was very brief. They brought us up to a dorm and had a look around, told us the price, and took us back down to the lobby. I wish they would have shown the gym and pool area. Online, the page for 2 East 8th boasts a game room, outdoor terraces, lounges and tech center that would have been useful to see.
After lunch, we visited Plymouth which I had already been in previously to see the previously mentioned friend. We were in the bathroom for the beginning of the tour but the guide did point out the gym, study rooms, and mail room. She took the group to her own personal dorm and was able to talk about the way she and her room mates handle cleaning and cooking. It was very useful to hear her point out small things that meant a lot to her, like not hanging things from the ceiling.
After The Official Tour
Finished touring the school, I went up to see my friends apartment. Check out that view!!
We went for a walk along the lake to kill time until the next train. It was an insanely nice day!
The lake and sky were very blue. It was a busy sidewalk because it was insanely nice.
I was wearing:
pink crop top from Forever 21 ( http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=f21&category=top_crop-tops&sort=3 )
maxi skirt also from Forever 21 ( http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=bottom_skirt-midi-maxi&ProductID=2000123092&VariantID= ).
plain black Tom's
jacket I bought years ago from Discovery Clothing
Steve Madden backpack
glasses are Betsey Johnson
long necklace is from a boutique in Manitou Springs, Colorado
short one is from @sparkle_sauce!
I seriously loved my day at Columbia and it really helped me make my decision to go there. If you're having trouble making the choice, visit your schools. It makes all the difference. My critiques of Columbia's Open House would be mostly the opening ceremony and I also wish they had released the schedule early so that I could plan my day and have more time to think about where I wanted to go. I missed several things I wish I could have seen.
