Don't let its size fool you!
LIM College (Laboratory Institute of Merchandising) may not be the biggest educational institution out there, but it's still one of the best fashion schools in New York City. Its intricate approach to teaching fashion is its strongest ace, allowing students to learn how to take on a variety of careers within the industry. There's the standard fashion design course, as well as programs related to merchandising, marketing, visual studies, and more. At LIM College, you can train to be a future bigwig in the field!
Source: LIM College Facebook Page
History of LIM College
Retail and education expert Maxwell F. Marcuse founded LIM College in 1939. Standing for “Laboratory Institute of Merchandising,” the institution served as a response to retailers who wanted a school that taught merchandising. Marcuse opened the school as a women's training college, teaching them the business of fashion and retail. In 1971, the school became co-ed, now welcoming male students to also learn more about the retail industry. Over time, LIM College gained a reputation as one of the
finest fashion schools in New York City, especially since it mostly focused on merchandising and marketing.
What Does LIM College Look Like?
You'll find LIM College inside the pre-war Maxwell Hall at 216 E 45th St. in Midtown Manhattan, one of the
central neighborhoods of New York City. The seemingly narrow building makes it seem like the campus is small, but the interior offers massive spaces for its various courses. Though the school doesn't teach fashion design, the space is thus used for various marketing and styling projects. There are also many standard facilities such as a library, computer labs, cafeterias, and other common areas.
Source: LIM College Facebook Page
The LIM College Student Body
As you can see from its campus, LIM College truly is one of the smallest
fashion schools in the world. Even its student body proves this. LIM College only welcomes about 1,000 students per year. About half of them are new enrollees while the other half are returning students who have yet to graduate. And though the percentage changes from year to year, there are still many international students who go here too. They're not as many compared to New York's other fashion schools, but they still prove that the institution has become fairly known around the world.
LIM College's Best Programs and Courses
What separates LIM College from other fashion schools is that it doesn't teach fashion design. Even during its early days, the school has always served as a business school devoted to the fashion industry. Merchandising and marketing reign supreme here, especially with its most prominent courses. The Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Marketing is the college's most popular program, drawing aspiring fashion professionals to learn more about the industry's business side. Its Bachelor of Sciences in Fashion Media, on the other hand, touches on the field's more creative side without falling into design.
Source: LIM College Facebook Page
LIM College's Prerequisites
As a fashion school, which tends to be notoriously exclusive and expensive, it's surprisingly simple to get into LIM College. The prerequisites aren't as strict compared to other higher educational institutions related to fashion. For an undergraduate program, you only need a high school diploma to get in. On the flip side, postgraduate degrees require at least a Bachelor's Degree in any related field. In terms of applying to LIM College, you only need to fill out the application form, submit school transcripts, or complete an interview.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at LIM College?
Even with how easy it is to get into the school compared to other fashion schools, LIM College is still an expensive higher educational institution. For the most part, the school's tuition fees range from a minimum of $30,610.00 to a maximum of $35,370.00 per semester. This doesn't include other costs too, which include enrollment fees, application fees for student visas, accommodations, and of course, the high
living costs in New York City. Not to mention various materials you'll need for projects too. Fortunately, the courses here are a lot less material-heavy than fashion design courses.
Where is LIM College in New York City?
As already mentioned, LIM College is in Midtown Manhattan. True to its name, the district is located between the more affluent uptown areas and the busier downtown quarters. While the place itself is lively in its own right, it's still safer compared to other parts of the city. And since New York's famous higher educational institutions are mostly located here, Midtown Manhattan's population is skews young. Naturally, this makes it a great place for students to live, learn, and study. It's a good thing that there are countless
New York apartments for rent here too.
Source: LIM College Facebook Page
Don't underestimate LIM College as a fashion school in New York City. Though it may not be as prominent as other institutions, it remains a great training ground for future professionals in the fashion industry.
