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Ella Richmond

Anthropology Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: MA and PhD Anthropology

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research and your program?
I chose The New School’s Anthropology department because of the structure of graduate education here, which allows for and encourages interdisciplinary study, as well as the breadth of expertise provided by our faculty. It has proved to be an excellent choice as a tight-knit intellectual community that embraces a range of collaborations across The New School while maintaining a rigorous grounding in anthropological practice.

Dominic Piacenza

Creative Writing MFA Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]

Program: MFA Creative Writing

What advice would you give to incoming graduate students?
Take advantage of everything The New School has to offer, and seek out those things. The university has countless sources of support, assistance, and guidance. There are virtually limitless academic resources that are part of the university and also come out of it, such as readings, writing groups, book events, and movie screenings. Don't be afraid to sign up for extracurriculars and electives, but be careful not to overextend yourself. If you go searching, you'll find every opportunity to learn and experience so much.

Eva Szilardi-Tierney

Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]

Program: MA Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research and your program?
I chose the Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism (CPCJ) MA because I wanted something that combined journalism school, rigorous academia, and art school. The program has a wonderful focus on fostering a well-rounded future-person-working-in-publishing, enabled by great opportunities to work with faculty across a range of disciplines. 

What advice would you give to incoming graduate students?
It may sound hokey, but you have to believe in yourself and in your ability to accomplish your most far-flung goals. You specifically were chosen to be in this program. You owe it to yourself, after putting in all that work into your application and into everything that brought you to graduate school, to make the most of your time here. You deserve to take yourself seriously.

Ben Ferlo

Economics Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: MS Economics

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research and your program?
I chose The New School because of the Economics department's blend of mathematical rigor and interdisciplinary curriculum. The intellectual environment includes a variety of economic viewpoints and gives us the methodological tools we need to assess each one in today's world.

Sebastian Porreca

Historical Studies Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: MA Historical Studies

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research and your program?
I chose the historical studies program at NSSR because the department very much lines up with my goals of utilizing historical research for positive social change. Faculty and students are consistently publishing important and relevant work that is informed by a sense of social consciousness, which is very present in the instructional ethos of the department. Overall, the department has a tremendous dedication to guiding and undertaking meaningful research work that stood out to me when I was applying. 

Samuel Yelton

Liberal Studies Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: PhD Philosophy; MA Liberal Studies alum

What advice would you give to incoming graduate students?
My best advice for anyone starting grad school, but especially those joining the Liberal Studies program, is to become comfortable being your own advocate. At this point in your intellectual life, you are developing from a student into an independent researcher and thinker who is taking up their own projects. The faculty and students at The New School can be great companions in this process, but it is up to you to reach out and share your passion with them beyond just attending classes, whether through office hours, participating in study groups, or going to conferences here and at other institutions. Even if you aren't planning on a career in academia, learning this skill will be valuable in whatever direction you choose to go after earning your degree. 

Mariam Matar

Philosophy Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: PhD Philosophy 

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research and your program?
I chose to study philosophy at NSSR because, after some research, I learned that this department built its foundations on a commitment to diversity and radical thinking in both its student body and its scholarly endeavors. To me this progressive orientation is embodied in our school.

Susana Garibay Salomon

Politics Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]

Program: PhD Politics

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research? 
I came to NSSR because it has one of the few departments in the United States where the study of politics is primarily guided by theory. I was also attracted to the genuine interdisciplinary environment within NSSR, which is hard to find in other universities and really enriching.

Sarah Simon

Psychology Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]

Program: PhD Clinical Psychology 

Why did you choose The New School for Social Research? 
I chose NSSR to train for my doctorate in clinical psychology for two main reasons: the unique structure of the program and its psychodynamic yet interdisciplinary opportunities. Coming to graduate school, I wasn't sure I was ready for a doctorate. The MA program allowed me to study and train (clinically, through the substance use counseling track) before I made my decision. The program also offers many different labs and research trajectories while still providing students with training founded upon deep psychodynamic and progressive roots. 

What advice would you give to incoming graduate students?
I would say that coming to grad school can feel overwhelming, but this program offers opportunities and time to make connections and think before taking your next steps. I would also talk to your peers, TAs, lab members, professors—anyone willing to offer advice and guidance. Once you start to form those links, everything tends to become easier and more enjoyable to navigate.

Sociology Admission Liaison

Contact: [email protected]
Program: PhD Sociology