How to Apply - Graduate

Applicants are required to apply online. You must complete all required fields and upload materials prior to submission. Most materials can be submitted electronically via the online application. Mannes School of Music accepts applications from artists pursuing the following courses of study:

• Bassoon
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Collaborative Piano: Instrumental (MM only)
• Collaborative Piano: Vocal
• Composition
• Double Bass
• Flute
• Guitar
• Harp
• Harpsichord
• Horn
• Oboe
• Orchestral Conducting
• Percussion
• Piano
• Theory
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Tuba
• Viola
• Violin
• Voice

Any additional supporting documents that need to be sent electronically or by mail must include an Application Materials Cover Sheet. All supporting materials must be received before your application can be reviewed.

The application fee for U.S. domestic applicants and international transfer applicants is $50. The application fee for first-year international applicants is $75. Application fees are paid through the online application and are non-refundable. The New School waives application fees for those who meet the eligibility guidelines listed in the Application Fee Waivers section of our university-wide How to Apply page.

In prose form, and in 200-500 words, please answer one of the following questions:

Choice 1
Describe the biggest risk you've ever taken.

Choice 2
Why did you decide to pursue music as a career?

Choice 3
The New School brings together a dynamic group of students interested in art, design, performing arts, entrepreneurship, and critical thought. We would like to know more about your interest in joining our community and why you would be a good fit for The New School. We are particularly interested in knowing what will make you a valuable member of your specific school, college, program, area of study, or campus.

Choice 4
Please describe in detail your interest in music improvisation, new music technologies, music entrepreneurship, and/or public engagement. Please also describe how you feel music education can help you pursue your career goals in these areas.

Please do not input your résumé or curriculum vitae in this area.

Applicants to the Composition, Conducting, Piano, and Voice programs must submit a portfolio or prescreen, as detailed on our audition requirements page. After review, those whose portfolios or prescreens pass will be invited to submit any additional final recordings and/or schedule an admissions video interview.

Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit their recommendations online. Instructions are included in the online application.

All applicants must provide official high school and/or college transcripts from all institutions attended. Undergraduate applicants who have attended multiple high schools can submit only the graduating school’s official transcript as long as all prior coursework is listed on that transcript.

First Year Applicants
First-year applicants must provide official high school and/or college transcripts. If you are currently in school, submit transcripts for all coursework taken to date. Applicants who have attended multiple high schools can submit only the graduating school’s official transcript as long as all prior coursework is listed on that transcript. All academic credentials for homeschool students must be submitted as indicated in the Additional Information for Specific Applicant Populations section below.

Transfer Applicants
Transfer applicants must submit an official high school/secondary school transcript with graduation date or General Education Diploma (GED). Official transcripts are also required for each college or university you have previously attended.

Graduate Applicants
Graduate applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution—even if you didn’t receive a degree—in the Educational Background section of the online application.

All Applicants
All applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), by Education Credential Evaluators (ECE), or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript.

Follow all document requirements as outlined on the evaluation service providers’ websites. Evaluations completed by WES or ECE will be sent directly to us electronically by the vendor.

All other NACES provider evaluations should be mailed directly by the vendor to the address for Supplemental Materials. A copy of the transcript that was evaluated should accompany the evaluation in the same sealed envelope, or the official transcript should be sent directly to The New School by the issuing college/university.

Applicants with High School Equivalency Tests
Send official GED, TASC, and HiSET test score results via the testing agency. Upon review, applicants may be required to submit additional application materials.

How to Submit Electronic Transcripts
The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors:

• National Student Clearinghouse
• Parchment Exchange
• Credentials eScrip-Safe

We do not accept electronic transcripts sent directly by a student or school offices. All international academic credentials must be submitted as indicated in the Additional Information for Specific Applicant Populations section below.

The New School
Office of Admission
55 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores. Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT- 79
• IELTS - 6.5
• PTE - 53
• DET - 100

Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores for applicants who have:

• Attended a secondary school for a minimum of three years at the time of application where English is the primary language of instruction. However, students who have taken any English as a Second Language (ESL) courses while in high school, regardless of how long they have been in high school, must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET results.
• Successfully completed two full semesters of non-ESL college-level expository writing (transfer students only).
• Earned a four-year degree from a U.S. college/university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction, with a minimum of three years attendance (transfer students only).

After reviewing your application, the Office of Admission may require you to submit an English Language Proficiency test score to evaluate your candidacy. We accept test scores taken within the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test.

All admitted students are considered for merit scholarship awards determined by the strength of their applications. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) in order to be considered for need-based financial aid. The FAFSA is available each year on October 1. The New School’s federal school code is 002780. You don’t need to wait for an admission decision to apply for federal aid. Our Financial Aid staff are available to guide you through the process of applying for financial aid.

This year, all auditions will be via video recording upload. Recorded video auditions may be submitted at any point during the application process, but no later than the dates listed below.

Spring 2021: November 1, 2020
Fall 2021: February 1, 2021

Applicants submitting video auditions will upload recordings through The New School’s Online Application Center. It is not necessary to submit a professionally produced video, but the sound quality should be of high quality. We strongly recommend the use of an external microphone. Applicants should also ensure that proper lighting is used and that the camera shows full range of movement and use of instrument (if applicable).

Once your application and audition upload is complete, you’ll be invited to schedule a video conference interview. Interviews are ten minutes and are intended to help us to get to know one another better. There’s nothing specific you need to prepare.

For specific program audition requirements, see our Graduate Audition Requirements page.

Please note that Mannes emphasizes the performance of music of our time. For the graduate audition, either one of the major solo works must be a contemporary work (composed since 1970). Alternatively, an additional solo work may be performed that meets this requirement, including an original composition or arrangement by the auditionee.

Applications become complete and ready for review once all required items have been received by the Office of Admission. You can check your application status in the Admission Hub.

Allow at least 14 days from the date you submitted your application for items to be matched and shown as received. Applicants are responsible for following up with schools and recommenders to confirm that transcripts and recommendations have been sent.

The Office of Admission will periodically notify applicants by email if their file is missing any documents and again when their file is complete for review. These notifications are sent to the email address provided in the online application.

If you need to change your email address, mailing address, or other contact information, email the Office of Admission.

Spring admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in November.

Fall admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in late March.

Fall transfer admission decisions will be released on a rolling basis starting in April.

In any given term, a student can apply to only one department or program within The New School. Applicants who file more than one application in a given semester will be required to withdraw one of the applications, and application fees will not be refunded.

All materials and documents submitted in association with The New School application become the property of The New School and cannot be returned to you or transmitted to a third party.

The Application for Readmission should be completed by students who wish to return after an absence of four semesters (fall and spring). If you would like to apply for readmission, review the readmission deadlines and requirements in the Readmission section of our How to Apply information.

The New School attracts students from all over the world. The New School is authorized by the United States government to enroll international students in the full-time degree and diploma programs.

The decision to admit an applicant always relies upon successful completion of current studies and the receipt of a final transcript. All admitted students must have their official final transcripts on file before they begin classes. Please review our transcript requirements above for more information.

Please do not submit bank statements with your application for admission. This is part of the visa process.

Visiting the United States
Upon request, the Office of Admission will provide a letter for international applicants to present at a United States consulate or embassy when applying for a tourist visa to attend the on-campus audition. Although consular practices vary from country to country, applicants should request a "Prospective Student" annotation on the B-1/B-2 visa. For more information about entering as a tourist, contact International Student Services.

International Student Services
When notified of admission, applicants will receive complete instructions for additional procedures regarding financial aid, housing, tuition and fees, I-20 visas (for nonresidents of the United States), and other matters. International students who need to file the I-20 or DS-2019 form to obtain a student visa will find a link to the online International Student Application Packet in their decision letters. They can also access the link using the Accepted Student tab in MyNewSchool. The packet includes information about applying for the I-20 or DS-2019, guidelines for providing the required financial documents, instructions and procedures for F-1 transfer students, and other important forms and information. Learn more on the International Student Services website.

All Mannes students currently enrolled in the college division who apply to a new program are required to submit a final audition for that program. A letter of recommendation is not required.

Current Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, and undergraduate diploma students are not required to take musicianship exams or be interviewed when applying for admission to the Master of Music degree program. However, Mannes Professional Studies Diploma students must take the musicianship examination and be interviewed if they are applying to any degree program or major that normally requires the examination and interviews.

Current Mannes students enrolled in the Extension Division diploma program, the Professional Studies Diploma program, or the undergraduate diploma program whose first language is not English and who apply for admission to the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Master of Music degree program are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores and take the Mannes English Placement Exam. Students currently enrolled in a Mannes degree program who apply to another Mannes program are not required to submit a new scores or retake the Mannes English Placement Exam.

Mannes College and Mannes Preparatory Honors students who apply to another Mannes program are exempt from any pre-audition screening requirements. A Mannes Extension Division student applying for a program that requires prescreening can have the requirement waived by obtaining a letter from the director of the Extension Division requesting that the student be exempted.

Current Mannes students in any division applying to a new or different program for the next school year will have the application fee waived if they contact the Office of Admission before the December 1 application deadline.

Students who wish to study at The New School for one or two semesters and not earn a degree should apply as a visiting/non-degree student.

Once your application and audition video upload is complete, you’ll be invited to schedule a video conference interview. Interviews are ten minutes and are intended to help us to get to know one another better. There’s nothing specific you need to prepare.