How to Apply

1. Before You Apply

Most students applying to The New School for Social Research are seeking admission to an MA program. Students who have already completed an MA in relevant discipline may apply for admission to doctoral study. Students without an MA in a relevant discipline cannot be admitted directly into the PhD program. If you'd like to learn more about our academic departments and degree programs, visit the Academics section of our website.

Prior Degree Completion

Graduate degree applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited American college or university or the equivalent degree from a foreign college or university. Applicants in the process of completing the bachelor's degree may apply for admission. Admission to the program relies on completion of the bachelor's degree.

2. Begin Your Application

To apply to our graduate programs, you must complete The New School's online application. Save your work frequently as you complete sections of the application. All required fields and uploads must be completed prior to submitting your application. Application requirements are outlined in the section below.

Additional Documents

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

Application Fees

The application fee is $50. The fee is paid through the online application and is non-refundable.

3. Prepare Your Application Materials

The application materials below are required to apply to our graduate programs. Please read through everything carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

• Transcripts

  Unofficial Transcripts: Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution attended 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 Office of Admission.

  • If you experience trouble uploading your transcript or record, email enroll@newschool.edu, give a detailed description of the problem and attach the transcript/record.

  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, and official certified translations and evaluations of the transcripts/mark sheets and degree certifications if degrees were earned outside of the United States. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts from their entire academic careers.

  Your offer of admission relies on 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 meet 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. 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.

• Recommendation Letters

  Two letters of recommendation are required for all programs, except for the Gender and Sexuality Certificate, which requires one. 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 Applicant Information section, and save the form. Forward the saved form to the recommender to complete the remaining sections and submit. Applicants can also send signed and sealed recommendations to the Office of Admission using an Application Materials Cover Sheet. 

  Applicants who wish to submit their recommendation through Interfolio should instruct the service to forward letters by email to enroll@newschool.edu.

• 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, three 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 Certificate, MA and PhD 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 or Certificate 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 consider that the time available to the Admission Committee for reading each application is limited.

• Résumé

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

• Tests and Test Scores

  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 2014 or later. International applicants or applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who completed their bachelor's degree prior to 2014 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.

  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.

  English Language Writing Diagnostic Examination

  At Orientation, The New School for Social Research will administer an English Language Writing Diagnostic Examination to all newly enrolling international students whose first language is not English, regardless of the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE exemption. 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.

4. Submitting Your Application

After you have completed all the requirements listed above, made arrangements for your transcripts to be sent to The New School, and contacted your recommenders, your application is ready to submit. If you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Admission.

Additional Information & Instructions

• 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.

• Transfer Applicants

  Transfer Credit

  Applicants who have completed graduate work in a field that is related to the department to which they seek admission may be eligible for transfer of credit to their New School for Social Research degree program.

  Credits earned more than ten years previous to the date of student's entry into the master's or doctoral program are not transferable. All transfer of credit is at the discretion of the academic department in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs.

  Students Admitted to MA or MS Study

  Applicants admitted to a master's program at The New School for Social Research may transfer to their program a maximum of 3 credits (equivalent to one course) from previous graduate study. To be transferable, credit must have been earned in a course that would fulfill the department's master's degree requirements at The New School for Social Research. Students whose previous graduate education includes more than 3 transferable credits may transfer the additional credits only if they are permitted to advance to PhD study.

  Students Admitted to PhD Study

  Students admitted directly to PhD study will be awarded between 21 and 30 transfer credits on the basis of previous graduate course work. To be transferable, credit must have been earned in courses that fulfill the department's master's degree requirements at The New School for Social Research.

• International Applicants

  Applicants must complete all correspondence and forms in English. Guidelines of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers and of NAFSA: Association of International Educators are followed in determining eligibility for admission of students holding degrees from non-U.S. institutions.

  International students who need the I-20 or DS-2019 form to obtain a visa will receive a link to the online International Student Application Packet in their acceptance letters or they may access the link via the Accepted Student tab in MyNewSchool. This web page includes information about applying for the I-20 or DS-2019, guidelines for providing financial documents, instructions and procedures for F-1 transfer students, and other important forms and information. For more information, visit the International Student Services website. For immunization requirements, visit the Student Health Services Immunizations website.

• Ownership of 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.

• 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

Application and Financial Aid Deadlines

Application Deadlines

The New School for Social Research accepts applications on a rolling basis. The deadlines are as follows:

Spring Application Deadlines

• Priority Deadline: October 15, rolling after that date

Fall Application Deadlines

• Fellowship Deadline: January 7

• International Applicant Deadline: June 15

• Final Deadline for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: August 1

FAFSA Priority Deadlines

• Spring FAFSA Priority Deadline: November 1

• Fall FAFSA Priority Deadline: February 1

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

All admitted students are considered for merit scholarship awards determined by the strength of their applications. Scholarship awards are included in applicants’ admission decision letters. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships.

Federal Student Aid

If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, we encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be found at www.fafsa.gov. The FAFSA is available each year on October 1. The New School’s federal school code is 002780. You do not need to wait for an admission decision to apply for federal aid. Submit your FAFSA by our FAFSA Priority Deadlines in the section below.

Additional Financial Aid and Funding Opportunities

For more information about other sources of financial aid, funding, and scholarships, visit the Financial Aid and Funding Opportunities section of our website.

Have a Question?

Contact the Admission Office to arrange a visit or to ask about the application process, courses, faculty, and extracurricular programs. You can also ask to speak with a current student enrolled in your area of interest, or browse our Frequently Asked Questions.

Checking Your 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 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.