How to Choose an Interior Design School

When you are making your choice of Interior Design School the information you receive can seem quite chaotic. However, this information can be arranged into a few straightforward categories, which will lead you to ask and answer the major questions, making your decision logical and easier.

Do Schools specialize in particular subject areas?
Yes they do. Look carefully at their literature, websites and the study programs they offer and you will see what areas of interior design they stress. Some schools will offer their programs in a variety of study modes, traditional full-time or part-time attendance, or some form of distance learning such as online; or a mixture of the two.

Are some colleges "better" than others?
This depends on what your criteria are, but there are some givens. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design lists accredited schools who award degrees in (amongst other subjects) interior design. More specifically, the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FITER) is the recognized accreditation body for this area; make sure your choice includes this accreditation.

Other factors to take into account are geographical location, resources of the school, study mode, the record of former students, the past experience of the staff, and the suitability of the offered programs to your requirements. And of course, whether you like the "feel" of the school - remember you are going to spend quite a lot of time studying and probably socializing in this environment.

Should I only apply to the school that I like best?
No, you should appraise all the schools that meet your criteria, and mark them out of ten for each criterion. Then you should check that you can meet their entry criteria - if it is not immediately obvious, you need to talk to the school counselors. You should apply to the six schools that achieve the best results from this process - you'll be sure that you have made the best choice!

Find a School

Sources of Information:
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.html
www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/apply/choosing.shtml

© Copyright 2003, Interior Design Schools