Graphic Design (AAS)

Graphic Design (AAS) Program with Liberal Arts Transfer Credits

Graphic Design (AAS) Program: Fast Track

Program Contact

• Julia Gorton, Program Director

Applicant Profile

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program is most suitable for mature students with some college experience who are clear about their interests in the field of design and prepared for rapid immersion in a professional course of study. The typical student has a bachelor's or an advanced degree and work experience in a field other than design. Admission to the program is based on the prospective student’s maturity, desire to pursue further education, previous accomplishments, and potential for growth. Applicants must have graduated from high school at least two years prior to be eligible to apply.

Application and Financial Aid Deadlines

Priority Application Deadlines:

• Fall Term Applicants: April 1
• Spring Term Applicants: October 15

We will continue to review applications submitted after the priority deadlines have passed if space is available in the program.

Financial Aid Deadlines

• All applicants admissible into our program are considered for a merit scholarship award that is determined by the strength of their application. Scholarship award notification is communicated at the same time as the admission decision. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, we encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be found on the Web at 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; we recommend submitting by our FAFSA priority deadlines:
• Fall: February 1
• Spring: November 1

Application Instructions

All applicants are required to apply online. Save your work frequently and print a copy for your records. You must complete all required fields and uploads prior to submission.

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

See below for additional information regarding submission of transcripts and recommendations.

Required Application Materials

1. Application Form: Complete the online application. All applicants are required to apply online.
2. Application Fee: A nonrefundable $50 application fee payable as part of the online application.
3. Official Transcripts:
   All 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 may submit only the graduating school’s official transcript as long as courses taken at previous schools are reflected on that transcript.
   
   Transfer Applicants: Transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 24 college credits (on a semester system) must submit high school transcript(s) in addition to college transcripts. Students who have completed any college coursework must apply as transfer students, regardless of whether they plan to apply those credits to their studies at Parsons. Applicants are required to report and submit transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. 
   
   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.
   
   High School Equivalency: For GED, TASC, and HiSET, send official test score results by postal mail.
   
   Homeschooling: Homeschool applicants must provide the equivalent of a high school transcript with course or subject titles, duration of study for each title, content of study for each title, and an assessment of performance or “grade.” Preferably, the courses completed at home are part of a curriculum developed and evaluated by a nationally recognized diploma-granting organization or agency. If not connected with such an organization, homeschool applicants must obtain and submit a GED as confirmation of completing a generally acceptable secondary school curriculum. If an official transcript from a state homeschool association or sponsoring public high school is not available, homeschool students must submit an equivalency or GED, TASC, or HiSET exam results. Individual homeschool transcripts with date of completion do not suffice as official proof of graduation.
   
   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), or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript. In the absence of an evaluation, the Admission Committee will do its best to render a decision. Please note: In some cases, a review cannot be made without an evaluation, and a committee decision will be delayed.
   
   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.
   
   
4. Statement of Intent: Upload a one-page Statement of Intent describing the events and ideas that led to your interest in this major. Please note that this must be included when you submit your online application. (500-550-word limit)
   
5. Creative Assignment: Please upload your creative assignment with your online application. Save and upload your assignment as a JPEG, PDF, or Word Doc no larger than 2MB. Additionally, applicants may provide a URL to a website where their creative assignment can be viewed.
   Fashion Design: Create a collage that defines the lifestyle of the kind of woman or man for whom you would like to design. Use images taken from magazines, and pay attention to color, textures, and other basic elements.
   Fashion Marketing: Write a one-page analysis of a fashion marketing campaign you feel has been successful. (500-550-word limit)
   Graphic Design: Design an 8” x 8” postage stamp depicting your favorite fruit or vegetable.
   Interior Design: Present a collage of images illustrating your ideas for the design of a small advertising agency office in an urban townhouse. Your collage should include details (descriptions, images, or both) of the kinds of furniture, the colors, and the materials you would use to execute your ideas.
6. Test Scores:
   
   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 79, for IELTS is 6.5, and for PTE is 53. Our TOEFL institution code is 2638.
   
   The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores for applicants:
   
   
   • Who have attended a secondary school for a minimum of three years where English is the primary language of instruction
   • Who have successfully completed two full semesters of non-ESL college-level expository writing
   • 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 from the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test. For more information, visit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE.
   
   Applicants also have the option of enrolling in The New School English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Students must pass Level 5 to waive the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement. Visit the ESL website for more information.
7. Résumé: A brief résumé (CV) listing education, work experience, travel, etc., including dates and positions held, must be submitted online.

Additional Information and Instructions

1. Applying to More Than One Program: In any given term, a student may 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Interviews: Interviews are not required. Applicants with questions about Parsons or the admission process are encouraged to attend an information session. Please review the Admission Calendar for dates and times.
5. Homeschool Applicants: The New School welcomes applications from homeschool students. The Admission Committee does not require advanced preparation in every academic area, but applicants should demonstrate substantial work in English, history, social studies, foreign language, mathematics, and science. Review the Official Transcripts section above for transcript requirements.
6. 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. If you would like to transfer 24 or more semester-based credits, you should apply for admission as a transfer student according to the instructions above.
7. Mailing Address for Supplemental Materials:
   Parsons School of Design
   Office of Admission (PS 200)
   79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor
   New York, NY 10003