How to Apply

3. Prepare Your Application Materials

The application materials below are required for those applying to our graduate programs. Please read the information 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 (even if they 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 diploma if the degree has been conferred.
  • Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scans must be clear and legible.
  • 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 with proof of their degree conferral prior to enrollment. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts pertaining to their entire academic career. Transcripts uploaded with the online application do not satisfy this requirement.

  Submitting Transcripts By Mail: Applicants should make arrangements to have their college/university send transcripts directly to The New School at the mailing address for Supplemental Materials. All transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope with the institutional seal and signature of the registrar. All documents not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

  Submitting Electronic Transcripts (U.S./Domestic Institutions Only): The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors:

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

  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 postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), Education Credential Evaluators (ECE), or 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.

• Recommendation Letters

  Two letters of recommendation are required for all programs, except for the Gender and Sexuality Certificate, which requires one. Recommenders may submit recommendations online. Instructions are included in the online application. If preferred, the recommendation forms may be sent by mail in signed, sealed envelopes. 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 recommenders to complete the remaining sections and submit. Applicants may 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, three pages).

  Certificate Applicants: Please describe your interest in the Graduate Certificate in Gender and Sexuality program and explain 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 length 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 before 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, PTE, and Duolingo Test Score Information

  All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores. The minimum score required for TOEFL (IB) is 100, for IELTS is 7.0, for PTE is 68, and for Duolingo is 120. Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

  The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores from applicants who have earned a four-year degree from a U.S. college or university or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (minimum of three years' attendance).

  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 scores of tests taken within the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test.

  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.

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 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.

• 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