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.

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 2025 application will become available in mid-September.

The application fee for U.S. domestic applicants and international 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 How to Apply page.

In approximately 500 words, explain your interest in and preparation for pursuing graduate study in creative writing. Discuss your relationship to contemporary literature and how your graduate work will help you attain your academic and/or professional goals. Consider this statement another sample of your creative writing and an opportunity to tell us something about yourself that your application might not otherwise show. 

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. 

Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official, final 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 are considered unofficial and do not satisfy this requirement.

Students with International Credentials Seeking Transfer Credit

Graduate and postgraduate applicants who are seeking transfer credit and attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to submit official transcripts and translation (if transcript is not in English). 

While not required, students may 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).  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.

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.

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 a New School application become the property of the New School and cannot be returned to you or transmitted to a third party.

Your writing portfolio should demonstrate your skills and a body of work of a quality sufficient to allow you to advance to graduate-level study.

• Arts Writing: Submit 10 to 12 pages of writing about any kind of culture or the equivalent of 10 pages of a text/image or hybrid work, such as text/audio, or text/moving image with media embedded in the document.
• Poetry: Submit 10 pages of poetry.
• Fiction or Nonfiction: Submit 12 to 20 pages of prose.
• Writing for Children and Young Adults: Submit 12 to 20 pages of prose or a draft of a book for children or young adults.

Portfolio manuscripts must be set in type (or printed-letter quality) and double-spaced (for prose). If the submitted materials have been published, please provide a brief statement with the materials that includes publication history, as well as any major editorial assistance (such as paid editorial or use of AI). Applicants with substantial accomplishments in more than one area of concentration may request that their application be considered for a dual concentration. In those cases, applicants should provide a writing sample appropriate for the second concentration and declare primary and secondary fields of study.

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid English language proficiency test results 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 Test.

Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT- 92
• IELTS - 7.0
• PTE - 68
• Duolingo English Test - 115
• Cambridge English - 185

TOEFL iBT is the world’s most trusted and accepted English proficiency test to demonstrate your academic readiness. Take it at home or in a test center in less than 2 hours. Register for an upcoming TOEFL iBT test to realize your dreams of studying, working, and living abroad. Our TOEFL institution code is 2521. Our TOEFL institution code is 2521. 

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, DET, or Cambridge English 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, with a minimum of three years attendance (transfer students only). Completion of a master’s degree at university where English is the primary language of instruction does not satisfy this requirement. 

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 consider requesting to their testing agency directly for reasonable testing accommodations for their English language proficiency test. Students are encouraged to make these requests to their testing agency as early as possible to meet admission deadlines.

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 English language test requirement. Visit the ESL website for more information.

Applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for merit tuition scholarship. These awards are determined by their application’s strength.

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.

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.

Decisions will be released on a rolling basis starting in mid-March.

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.

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.