How to Apply

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.

The application fee for U.S. domestic applicants and international transfer applicants is $50. The application fee for first-year international applicants is $75. 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 How to Apply page.

Arts Management and Entrepreneurship MA
Submit a statement of purpose of approximately 1,000 words addressing why you have chosen arts management and entrepreneurship as your proposed field of study; whether you have field experience that would contribute to your prospective studies; and, your post-graduation plans.

MM Performer-Composer
In prose form (500-650 words), please answer the following question. Why The New School? The New School brings together a dynamic group of students interested in art, design, performing arts, entrepreneurship, and critical thought. We would like to know more about your interest in joining our community and why you would be a good fit for The New School. We are particularly interested in knowing what will make you a valuable member of your specific school, college, program, area of study, or campus.

Arts Management and Entrepreneurship MA
A portfolio must be submitted with your application. Your portfolio will be evaluated in three areas:

• Artistic skills
• Entrepreneurialism, leadership, or management skills
• Socially engaged practice or social justice values/goals

Submit a range of materials that provide evidence of your work in these three areas. Materials submitted for evidence of your artistic skills must be video or audio files. Additional portfolio items can include writing samples, images, Web applications, work samples, etc.

Please upload up to nine items demonstrating your relevant work and experience in these areas. Please edit each individual submission to a maximum of five minutes. If submitting an item representing a group performance, please indicate the time stamp for a passage in which your work is featured.

In addition to the nine items mentioned above, please upload the following two items:

• A current résumé.
• A cover letter. In this cover letter, please reflect on your capacity to commit to a full-time program given other commitments, and provide context for each of the items in your portfolio. Specifically tell us the date, time, and location for the work; your role; how this item demonstrates your skills in the areas of artistry, entrepreneurialism, leadership, or management; and your socially engaged practice or social justice values and goals.

This means you will have a maximum of 11 items in your portfolio.

MM Performer-Composer
A portfolio must be submitted with your application. Successful applicants will provide evidence of:

• A high level of artistic practice (as a performer, composer, improviser, or any combination thereof)
• Commitment to experimentation
• Collaborative practice
• Interest in or capacity for socially engaged artistry, interdisciplinary approaches, and/or technology-based innovation

Applicants are asked to submit two to four work samples. A work sample encapsulates a single project and consists of a primary document, supporting materials, and a brief written description:

• The primary document should be an audio or video excerpt (five-minute maximum) of the work. If this type of documentation is not available for the work sample, please explain in the written description.
• Supporting materials help illuminate one’s process and can include scores, transcriptions, source materials, renderings, and other materials.
• The written description (300-word maximum) should speak to your work as it relates to the qualities above. Identify any collaborators and their roles in the work sample.

If applicable, at least one work sample should demonstrate your experience with socially engaged artistry, experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and/or technology-based innovation. Please also submit the following supplementary materials as part of your portfolio:

• Current résumé or CV.
• Cover letter (maximum one page). Please describe your work as a performer, composer, and/or improviser and how it relates to the values of the MM Performer-Composer program, as described above.

Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit their recommendations online. 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 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 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 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.

Students with International Credentials Seeking Transfer Credit
Graduate applicants with who are seeking transfer credit and attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), by Education Credential Evaluators (ECE), or by 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.

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

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

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 Additional Information for Specific Applicant Populations section below.

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

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores. Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT - 100
• IELTS - 7.0
• PTE - 65
• DET - 115

Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET 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.

Applicants also have the option of enrolling in The New School English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Students must pass Level 6 to waive the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DET requirement. Visit the ESL website for more information.

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 need-based 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.

Performer-Composer MM
Applicants being considered for admission will be sent an email invitation to schedule a video portfolio conference/interview. The portfolio conference/interview is an opportunity for applicants to show and discuss their work with a panel of Performer-Composer faculty members. Video interviews will be held in late February.

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 matched and shown as received. 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.

Spring admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in November.

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

Fall transfer admission decisions will be released on a rolling basis starting in April.

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.

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.

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.