How to Apply: Graduate Programs

Applicants are required to apply online. You must complete all required fields and upload materials prior to submission. Most materials can be submitted electronically via the online application. Any additional supporting documents that need to be sent electronically or by mail must include an Application Materials Cover Sheet. All supporting materials must be received before your application can be reviewed.

If you're planning to apply using a school email address, please confirm you can receive our email first. Some schools block email from outside their domains. 

The application fee for U.S. domestic applicants and international transfer applicants is $50. Application fees are paid through the online application and are non-refundable. The New School waives application fees for those who meet the eligibility guidelines listed in the Application Fee Waivers section of our university-wide undergraduate and graduate How to Apply pages.

Each academic program and admission committee has developed a program-specific Statement of Purpose prompt. This required application item provides the opportunity for you to indicate your reasons for applying to your program of interest; the ways in which you plan to contribute to the program, The New School, and beyond; and your academic and professional goals. Please begin your application to review the program-specific prompt established by your admission committee.

Submit a one to two-page résumé/curriculum vitae summarizing your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, published writing, volunteer/community work, professional networking, public speaking, and/or any other relevant experiences that may relate to your field of study, including dates and positions held. Please also note any special language or computer skills that you have.

At least two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references are required. Recommendations must be submitted by recommenders directly via the online application portal. Instructions are included in the online application.

Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) in the Academic History section of the online application.

All uploaded transcripts 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. Scanned documents must be clear and legible.

If you experience trouble uploading your transcript, email [email protected] and give a detailed description of the issue and attach the document in question.

The New School reserves the right to require official transcripts or an official NACES course-by-course evaluation 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.

Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts with proof of their degree conferral(s) prior to enrollment. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts pertaining to their entire academic career. Transcripts uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial, and do not satisfy this requirement.

How to Submit Electronic Transcripts
The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors:

• National Student Clearinghouse
• Parchment Exchange
• Credentials eScrip-Safe
• TrueCopy Credentials

Electronic transcripts sent directly by a student are not considered official.

Whenever possible, please send all official communication electronically, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and tuition deposits.

In rare circumstances where items must be mailed, please send to:

The New School
Office of Admission
55 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011

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.

If a portfolio is required or optional for the program to which you’re applying (see our Graduate Portfolio page for additional information), you will be prompted to finalize and submit your portfolio via the Portfolio section of your online application. Applicants to programs with video essay requirements must upload their videos to the Portfolio section of the online application.

If additional materials are required for the program to which you’re applying (see below), submit these with your online application.

Fashion Management
Writing Sample: An academic writing sample is not required, but if you would like to submit one that you feel reflects your strengths as a critical thinker and writer for this program, please upload a single document no longer than ten pages in length. The writing sample can be an academic paper, professional report, blog entry, nonfiction essay, or combination of writing excerpts that you feel reflect your strengths for the program.

Fashion Studies
Fashion Studies applicants are not required to submit a traditional portfolio. They must submit a program essay (250–500 words) and may submit a video recording (maximum of five minutes). The essay should be submitted in the Program Questions section of the online application; videos should be submitted in the Portfolio section of the online application.

Essay prompt: Tell us about yourself. You can discuss your education, your family, intellectual influences, people you have met, work you’ve done that has shaped the person you have become, or significant places or events in your life, especially as they relate to your field of study. Tell us why you want to join the MA Fashion Studies program. You can also speak about your strengths (such as skills and achievements as they relate to the program) or challenges (such as a low GPA, lack of experience, or a significant interruption in work or studies).

History of Design and Curatorial Studies
Writing Sample: Applicants must submit an academic writing sample that reflects their strengths as critical thinkers and writers. The writing sample should be uploaded as a single document no longer than ten pages. 

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid results for an English language proficiency test taken within the past two years. We permit applicants to submit one of the following tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.  

The New School does not require English proficiency 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). 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 test scores taken within the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test.

Prospective students with disabilities or health-related needs may want to consider making a direct request to their testing agency for reasonable testing accommodations for their English language proficiency test. Students are encouraged to make such requests to their testing agency as early as possible to meet admission deadlines.

Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT—92
• IELTS—7.0
• PTE—63
• Duolingo English Test—115
• Cambridge English—185
  

TOEFL—Please request that ETS (the agency that administers the TOEFL exam) send your scores to our office directly at Institution Code 2501.

IELTS—Please request that IELTS send us your test scores with electronic delivery by searching for “New School (The).” Parsons School of Design will not be listed separately. Additional instructions can be found on the IELTS website. If you have already asked for your test scores to be sent to us more than a week ago, please email back with your Test Report Form Number. This number is located at the bottom of your score report. It is typically a long set of numbers and letters.

Duolingo—Please follow these instructions to request that your scores be sent to The New School.

All admitted students are considered for merit scholarship awards determined by the strength of their applications. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) in order to be considered for federal financial aid. The FAFSA is available each year on October 1. The New School’s federal school code is 002780. You don’t need to wait for an admission decision to apply for federal aid. Our Financial Aid staff are available to guide you through the process of applying for financial aid.

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 in the Admission Hub.

Allow at least 14 days from the date you submitted your application for items to be marked as received in your Admission 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.

Fall and Summer admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in late March.

You will be contacted if you are required to participate in an in-person or phone interview, as may be determined upon review of your application.

In any given academic year, a student can apply to only one department or program within The New School. Applicants who file more than one application in an academic year will be required to withdraw one of the applications, and application fees will not be refunded.

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.

Each year, Parsons School of Design accepts a small number of visiting students who are enrolled in graduate (masters and doctoral) programs outside of the United States. Qualified applicants may apply as a visiting student to only the following Parsons graduate degree programs: Photography, Transdisciplinary Design, Fine Arts. For questions, please email [email protected].

Students who wish to return to a graduate degree program after an absence of four semesters must reapply via the graduate application. They must first confirm that their program is still accepting applications and that they are meeting time limit requirements (if applicable), before completing the application.

The New School welcomes undocumented students and students who hold DACA status to apply. Undocumented status does not affect the admissions process or your final admission decision. For questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected].

Learn more about how we support undocumented students.