• Information for:
• Accepted Students
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Alumni and Friends
• Faculty and Staff

A completed application consists of the following materials:

• Application Form. Complete the online application form. You may preview and print your application prior to submission. Please enter text using upper- and lower-case letters and check carefully to make sure all of your information is correct.
   
• Recommendations. Three recommendations are required for all programs. When possible, recommendations should be from faculty members who have instructed you in the same field in which you plan to study. We encourage you to use our online system. You will register their names as part of your online application, and your recommenders will then receive an email with a link to our online recommendation form. They can complete and submit the form online and print a copy for their records. You will receive an email notifying you that a recommendation has been submitted. If it is not possible for your recommender to use the online system, you may download the PDF version from the “Download Application Materials” section.

• Application Fee. A nonrefundable application fee of $50 must accompany the application. You may pay online by credit card.

• Resume. Upload a current resume/CV.
   
• Transcripts (must be mailed). One official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution attended is required. Only official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the New School for Social Research Office of Admission will be accepted. We do not accept transcripts that are faxed, stamped “Student Copy,” or downloaded from your previous university's website. International applicants must supply certified English translations of all credentials that are not in English. Please visit the International Applicants section of this website for more specific information and requirements.
   
• GRE Results (Must send official scores). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results should be sent directly by Educational Testing Service (ETS) to NSSR, ETS Number 2501. GRE scores are requested of all U.S. citizens and permanent residents; however, you may apply without submitting GRE scores if you are an international applicant or if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have completed your BA more than five (5) years from the date of your application. International applicants are not required to submit GRE scores.
   
• Writing Sample (May be submitted online or mailed). An academic writing sample, in English, is required for all programs. This writing sample may be a paper submitted for a course, a journal article, or an excerpt from either, not to exceed 24 pages in length. PhD applicants may submit a writing sample up to 48 pages in length. If you wish to use a paper that is more than 48 pages, you may send it by mail to the Admission Office with a Materials Cover Sheet; however, we strongly encourage you to upload a sample that meets the 48 page criteria as this will expedite the processing of your application. To be considered for the PhD programs in Anthropology, Philosophy, or Political Science, a more substantial writing sample (e.g. master’s thesis or major research paper) is required.
  
  The writing sample must be completely authored by the applicant. Coauthored works will not be accepted. CDs, video tapes, or DVDs will not be accepted as substitutions for writing samples or as supplemental materials. Emailed copies of writing samples will not be accepted.
   
• Two Personal Essays (May be submitted online or mailed)
  Essay 1: Autobiographical Essay (250-500 word limit, 2-pages). In a short autobiographical essay, tell us about yourself. You can write about your family, your education, your talents, or your passions, about significant places or events in your life; about books you have read, people you have met, or work you’ve done that has shaped the person you have become. In addition, this is the essay to explain any strengths or weaknesses you may have (real or perceived). Examples: low GPA, lack of experience, significant interruption in work or studies, or any other information you wish to share. Our only requirements are that the essay be informative, well written, and reflective of your own voice. We caution you to avoid poetry, purple prose, or writing about yourself in the third person.
  
  Essay 2: Academic Interests (500-750 word limit, 3-pages). Please describe the academic and intellectual interests, progress, and achievements that have contributed to your decision to apply for post-graduate study. You should include a thoughtful description of your tentative plan of study or area of inquiry at The New School for Social Research as you now envision it, the kind of research questions you intend to pursue, and what you hope or expect to do after you’ve completed the degree. In addition, include a stringent self-assessment of your work as a scholar, pointing out strengths and weaknesses. If you have not been enrolled as a student in the past five years, we would like to know what opportunities and challenges you foresee in pursuing your program choice, as well as how you expect to change your career path after completing this program.
  
  Please submit ONLY the requested information. Be sure that document includes your name, number of essay and page(s) in the header. Do not upload blank documents or notes; this will slow down the processing of your application. Remember, you are always able to log out of this application and complete it later. If you do not have a document ready to submit, complete the document first; then upload your file and submit your application when all your materials are ready. 

Applications for students wishing to be considered for full fellowships must be completed by January 15. All applications completed by January 15 will be processed by mid-March. Applications received or completed after January 15 are considered for admission and financial aid on a rolling basis. An application is not considered complete until all required documents have been received by the Admission Office. The spring deadline is December 1 (or November 15 for international students due to visa considerations). Spring entry is an option for all programs.