Application Instructions

Unofficial Transcripts: 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 transcript uploads must be accompanied by a key, a legend, or the back copy of the transcript.
• Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Records from non-U.S. institutions must have grades or marks and contain a copy of the diploma if the degree has been conferred.
• Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scans must be clear and legible.
• Do not mail materials that have been uploaded with the online application or any other materials unless requested by the admission office.
• If you experience trouble uploading your transcript, email enroll@newschool.edu and give a detailed description of the issue and attach the document in question.

The New School reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process. Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between uploaded and official transcripts will result in the immediate revocation of admission and/or dismissal from The New School. Transcripts uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial.

Official Transcripts: Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts (as well as official certified translations and evaluations of the transcripts/mark sheets and degree certifications if the degree was earned outside of the United States) to The New School. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts pertaining to their entire academic career.

Your offer of admission will be contingent upon the receipt and verification of these official documents. New students will not be permitted to register for their second semester of study until all official transcripts (including degree-awarding transcripts) have been received by the Office of Admission. Transcripts uploaded with the online application do not satisfy this requirement.

By Mail: Official transcripts should have an original signature or a raised university seal, and must be in a sealed envelope that has been signed or stamped by the issuing university’s registrar or records office. Applicants can either send official transcripts with an Application Materials Cover Sheet or request that institutions send transcripts directly to The New School. See “Mailing Address for Supplemental Materials” for our mailing address in the Additional Instructions and Information section below.

Electronic Transcripts (U.S./Domestic Institutions only): The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors. The New School’s approved vendors, in order of preference, are

• Parchment Exchange
• SCRIP-SAFE International
• National Student Clearinghouse

We do not accept electronic transcripts sent directly by a student or school offices. Note: All international academic credentials must be submitted as indicated in the International Academic Credentials sections below.

International Academic Credentials: All transcripts not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

International Academic Credentials with Transfer Credits: Applicants who attended post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript.

If using WES, visit www.wes.org for instructions and to begin the application process. The “Required Documents” section will explain what to send. If you request your report online, search for “The New School” when selecting our institution. WES will send your completed evaluation directly to The New School.

If using another NACES provider, follow instructions for that provider. Mailed evaluations and translations should be sent to the mailing address provided for supporting materials. Applicants forwarding these sealed documents should include an Application Materials Cover Sheet.

Two letters of recommendation are required for all programs, except for the Gender and Sexuality Certificate, which requires one from a faculty member. When possible, recommendations for degree program applicants should be from faculty members who have instructed these applicants in the same field in which they plan to study. Recommenders can submit recommendations online; instructions are included with the online application. The recommendation form can also be sent by mail in a signed, sealed envelope. To send by mail, download the PDF recommendation form found in the online application, complete the personal information, save the form, and forward it to the recommender for completion and submission. Applicants can also send signed and sealed recommendations to the Office of Admission using an Application Materials Cover Sheet.

Personal Essays

Degree Applicants: Please describe the academic and intellectual interests, progress, and achievements that have contributed to your decision to apply for postgraduate 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. (500-750-word limit, 3 pages)

Certificate Applicants: Please describe your interest in the Graduate Certificate in Gender and Sexuality program and why you wish to enroll in this certificate program.

Writing Sample

All degree-seeking applicants must submit an academic writing sample. The sample must be in English and demonstrate that the applicant asks important questions, responds to them methodically and scientifically, and is familiar with the conventions of academic writing (citation, attribution, bibliography, etc.). Students interested in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism are encouraged to submit a substantive article(s) or blog(s) instead of a research paper.

The sample may be a term paper submitted for a previous course, an undergraduate or graduate thesis, or a published journal article. Applicants who do not have suitable examples of previous work can write an academic paper expressly for the purpose of the application. The sample must be solely the work of the applicant; co-authored works will not be accepted.

Applicants for admission to MA study should ideally submit a sample of 10-20 pages, though larger samples will be accepted. Applicants for direct admission to PhD study should submit samples more substantial in size and sophistication. A maximum of 48 pages can be uploaded into the online system. Please bear in mind that the time available to the Admission Committee for reading each application is limited. Certificate applicants are not required to submit a writing sample.

Résumé

Applicants should upload the current version of their résumé or curriculum vitae into the online application.

GRE: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required of all applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who completed their bachelor’s degree in 2012 or later. International applicants or applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who completed their bachelor’s degree prior to 2012 are exempt from the requirement to submit GRE scores.

GRE results should be sent by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) directly to the Office of Admission. The institution code is 2501.

TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE: All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. The minimum score required for TOEFL (IB) is 100, for IELTS is 7.0, and for PTE is 68. Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores for applicants who have earned a four-year degree from a U.S. college/university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (minimum of three years attendance). Upon review of your application the Office of Admission may require you to submit an English Language Proficiency test score to further evaluate your candidacy.

Arrange for the testing service to send your test scores directly to The New School using the institution codes listed above. We accept scores taken within the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test.

For more information, visit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE.

Please note: At Orientation, The New School for Social Research will administer an English Language Writing Diagnostic Examination to all newly enrolling international students who do not meet the criteria for exemption from the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement. Depending on the results of this examination, students may be asked to take a supplemental writing course at no cost. The New School maintains the right to require English proficiency testing when deemed necessary.

Applying to More Than One Program

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.

Readmission

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.

Application Materials

All materials 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.

Application Status

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 online at the Admission Hub.

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

Mailing Address for Supplemental Materials

The New School for Social Research
Office of Admission (GF 300)
79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor
New York, NY 10003