Editor’s note: This year, the Falcon will be following the trials and tribulations of the college application process. Claire Strickland is the second of two seniors who will be profiled in this series.
Walking through the hallways of Saratoga High, nearly every student pauses to give senior Claire Strickland a second glance. Though her stature is small, every bit is made up by the aura of artistry she exudes, which is clearly visible through her unique fashion sense.
A typical look for Strickland includes her short, purple-tinted brown hair pinned to one side in delicate ringlets, dramatic eye makeup, dark berry-colored lips, a black lace vest, maroon tights and mahogany creepers, platform sneakers.
“I draw inspiration [for my fashion] from a wide range of sources — everything from people to places,” Strickland said.
Strickland, like most seniors, is in the midst of the college application process. But, unlike most, Strickland aspires to be a public relations agent for a major fashion company, a path generally scorned by many STEM-inclined students on campus.
Strickland’s passion for fashion developed gradually throughout high school.
“I’ve always been interested in fashion in that I really appreciated dressing nicely or being put together, and I really liked the artistic aspect of it,” Strickland said. “Over time, I began experimenting more with what I wore.”
After realizing her love for fashion, Strickland co-founded the school’s Fashion Club to work on do-it-yourself fashion projects. Additionally, she attended the Pratt Institute Pre-College Program and studied fashion and communications while being immersed into the fashion industry.
So far, Strickland has completed her Common Application essay and three supplementals for her top colleges. All she has left to complete the Common Application are two supplemental essays.
Unlike many seniors, Strickland isn’t applying to an extensive number of colleges, only eight total. Her list includes New York University (NYU), Northeastern, Boston University, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Rutgers, London College of Fashion and Syracuse University.
Most notably, her list does not include any UC or Ivy League Schools.
Strickland said that her dream school is NYU or London College of Fashion, in the “heart of a big city” where she can draw inspiration from people and places easily. She has applied early decision at NYU and early action at Boston University and Northeastern.
“I like the idea of an ever-changing environment, because that sort of high energy atmosphere is the same as the fashion industry — there's never a stale or static day, always something to divulge,” she said.
Because Saratoga is not exactly a fashion capital of the world, Strickland admits at times it is challenging to find inspiration for her art.
“Many people are more academically inclined here, which I very much admire; however, I do still like to bring a fun, artistic aspect to everyday life,” Strickland said.
At the peak of college application season, her main fear is that she is second-guessing herself.
“I would hate to think — after I've submitted an application and there's no going back — that I didn't put forth my strongest effort and best represented myself in my essays,” she said.