How to Apply

Applicants are required to apply online using the Common Application. You must complete all required fields and upload materials prior to submission. Most materials can be submitted electronically via the Common Application. Required portfolio and audition materials and the Parsons Challenge must be submitted through The New School’s Online Application Center. 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.

If the application fee is a hardship to your or your family, you can request a fee waiver through the Common Application. Additionally, 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.

Essay 1: Why The New School?
The New School’s innovative programs and engaged community are inspired by the future. Tell us about your future self. Where are you? What are you doing? What are you innovating? How are you effecting change? How does The New School fit into your journey toward the future? Be as specific as possible. (500-650 words)

Essay 2: Why are you interested in the dual-degree program?
Please elaborate on what a liberal arts education means to you and how it can inform your studio or music practice and your artistic development.

Lang/Parsons
Finalize your portfolio and Parsons Challenge at the time you submit your application. Doing this will help prevent any delays in reviewing your application, as we need to receive all required materials before we can place your application under review. All items in your portfolio submission should be submitted through The New School’s Online Application Center. Please do NOT submit an additional hard-copy portfolio to the office of admission.

Portfolio
Freshman and transfer applicants must submit a portfolio of 8-12 images. Portfolios can include a range of media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, animation, performance, graphic design, or sketchbook pages. We encourage you to show experimentation and breadth, and the portfolio does not need to specifically address the major to which you are applying.

Parsons Challenge
Freshman and transfer applicants must create and submit a new visual work inspired by the theme within a piece submitted in your portfolio. Support your process by writing one 500 word essay describing how your ideas developed. You may also submit up to two additional visual pieces that document your process.  All forms of media are acceptable—drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3D work, collage, and digital images. The Parsons Challenge helps the Admission Committee understand how a prospective student develops ideas, visually communicates those ideas, and defends the work in writing.

Lang/Jazz
We expect to host auditions for spring 2022 by recording only and for fall 2022 both by recording and in person.

Applicants will be invited to schedule their live audition once their applications have been received.

In-person auditions are conducted with a live rhythm section of current student musicians (piano, bass, drums), so make sure to bring copies of sheet music or charts. We ask that you perform at least one tune with the live musicians when auditioning in person.

Prepare and perform three songs, no longer than 15 minutes total:

• Song 1: A Standard. This tune should highlight your improvisational skills where applicable. Refer to the Traditional American Songbook, blues tune, jazz tune, and Bossa Nova descriptions in the Typical Repertoire information below.
• Song 2: A piece of your choosing, in any style (jazz, blues, pop, soul, rock R&B, an original work, etc.), which you can perform solo, with pre-recorded backing tracks (for recorded auditions only), or with a live rhythm section.
• Song 3: Another piece of your choosing, in any style (jazz, blues, pop, soul, rock, R&B, an original work, etc.), which you can perform solo, with pre-recorded backing tracks (for recorded auditions only), or with a live rhythm section.

We want to see diversity in your three audition pieces. Aim to play three different tempos and styles, and show us works you love to perform. We want to see you at your best!

Typical Repertoire
The Traditional American Songbook includes songs taken from American musical theater and performed in a jazz context. Composers like George Gershwin ("Summertime"), Irving Berlin ("Blue Skies"), Cole Porter ("What Is This Thing Called Love"), Rogers & Hart ("My Funny Valentine"), and many others composed these pieces.

Blues tunes include songs from the long tradition of American blues, from W.C. Handy ("St. Louis Blues") to Robert Johnson ("Sweet Home Chicago") to more swing-oriented songs like "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Got My Mojo Working" and more jazz-oriented songs like "Now's the Time," "Route 66," and "Blue Monk."

Jazz tunes come primarily from the instrumental jazz world and include works by Duke Ellington ("Take the A Train"), Charlie Parker ("Ornithology"), Miles Davis ("Tune Up"), Thelonious Monk ("'Round Midnight"), Charles Mingus ("Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"), John Coltrane ("Moment's Notice"), and hundreds more.

Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim is the most commonly played composer of Bossa Nova tunes, including the frequently performed works "Girl from Ipanema" and "Desafinado."

Singer-songwriter repertoire from the 1960s to the present including Lennon & McCartney, Ashford & Simpson, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Elton John, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Prince, Tom Waits, Radiohead, Rufus Wainwright, Ani DiFranco, Alicia Keyes, and others are welcome.

Backing Track Resources
Applicants who are unable to record with a live rhythm section are strongly encouraged to use a digital accompaniment resource such as:

• iRealPro
• Aebersold Play-A-Longs
• Hal Leonard Jazz Playalongs
• Jazzbacks

Video Audition
Applicants submitting video auditions will upload recordings through The New School’s Online Application Center.

We prefer recorded video auditions with live accompaniment if possible. If not possible, pre-recorded accompaniment tracks are okay. While the audio of audition recordings should be high quality, we don’t require applicants to record their auditions in a professional studio. All video audition files must be clearly labeled with the applicant's name, the instrument, and the title of each track.

Video auditions must be received at the Office of Admission by the application deadline.

Once your application and audition upload is complete, you’ll be invited to schedule a video conference interview. Interviews are ten minutes and are intended to help us to get to know one another better. There’s nothing specific you need to prepare.

Audition Evaluation
All auditions are primarily judged on the following criteria:

• Individual expression
• Technique
• Musical maturity
• Originality
• Ability to phrase a melody, perform with a committed rhythmic feel, and improvise confidently with a rhythm section

The audition is the primary evaluation tool for both acceptance to the BFA program and scholarship consideration. All merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and included in your decision letter.

Recommendations may be submitted online through the Common Application. If preferred, the recommendation form may be downloaded and emailed to enroll@newschool.edu.

First Year Applicants
Applicants applying directly from high school must submit one counselor recommendation and one recommendation from a teacher. The Common Application School Report is also required.

Transfer Applicants
Students transferring from other colleges or universities must submit one recommendation from a professor with whom they have studied.

All applicants must provide official high school and/or college transcripts from all institutions attended. Undergraduate applicants who have attended multiple high schools can submit only the graduating school’s official transcript as long as all prior coursework is listed on that transcript.

First Year Applicants
First-year 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 transcript from the school from which they are graduating as long as all prior coursework is listed on that transcript. All academic credentials for homeschool students must be submitted as indicated in the Additional Information for Specific Applicant Populations section below.

Transfer Applicants
Transfer applicants must submit an official high school/secondary school transcript with graduation date or General Education Diploma (GED). Official transcripts are also required for each college or university you have previously attended.

All Applicants
All applicants who 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.

Applicants with High School Equivalency Tests

Send official GED, TASC, and HiSET test score results via the testing agency. Upon review, applicants may be required to submit additional application materials.

How to Submit Electronic Transcripts

The New School prefers to receive official transcripts electronically. Please contact your college counselor or Registrar’s Office to submit your transcript. Transcripts sent directly by a student will not be considered official.

We accept electronic transcripts through platforms that include, but are not limited to: BridgeU, Common Application, Cialfo, Credentials eScrip-Safe, Kuder, MaiaLearning, MEFA Pathway, National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance, OverGrad, Parchment Exchange, UniFrog, SCOIR, SchooLinks, Xello.

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 admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarship awards determined by the strength of their applications. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships. There is no additional application to be considered for a merit scholarship.

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.

Students who wish to further supplement their financial resources should consider applying for an external scholarship.

The New School does not require submission of SAT or ACT scores. Should you feel your SAT or ACT test scores are beneficial to your application, feel free to submit them for consideration. The SAT institution code is 2521. The ACT code is 2828. 

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, IELTS, PTE, Duloingo English Test, or Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.

Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT- 100
• IELTS - 7.5
• PTE - 68
• Duolingo English Test - 120
• Cambridge English - 191

Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo English Test or Cambridge English scores for applicants who have:

• Studied in English, as the primary language of instruction, for all four consecutive years of high school/secondary school. However, students who have taken any English as a Second Language (ESL) courses while in high school, regardless of how long they have been in high school, must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test results.
  
• Successfully completed two full semesters of college-level coursework while taking non-ESL college-level expository writing or equivalent courses (transfer students only).
• 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).

After reviewing your application, the Office of Admission may require you to submit an English language proficiency test score to evaluate your candidacy.

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 early action first-year admission decisions will be released in mid-December.

Fall regular decision first-year admission decisions will be released in mid-March.

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

The New School welcomes applicants from all over the world. To be competitive for admission, applicants must be on track to complete required coursework to earn a high school diploma within their home country that qualifies them for university entry. Below are some of the most common international secondary school curriculums that we see students applying from and helpful guidance for each one.

• Advanced Levels (A-Levels): Students who are most competitive for admission will have completed or be in the process of completing A Levels from three subjects at the time of application.
• Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) or Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): Submission of both Standard X (SSC) and completed or predicted Standard XII (HSC) exam marks is required.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): Students can pursue either the IB Diploma Program (DP) or IB Career-related Program (CP). Applicants who are taking individual IB courses as a supplement to a national curriculum are permitted to pursue individual IB courses rather than the DP or CP. 

For more information about submission requirements see the Submitting Transcripts section above. Applicants with questions about their secondary school transcripts as it relates to admission can email admission@newschool.edu.

Some international secondary school coursework will qualify for pre-matriculation credit, awarded by the Registrar upon enrollment.

Upon completion of the homeschool curriculum students must provide proof of high school graduation or an equivalent. We will accept an official transcript from a state homeschool association or sponsoring public high school; GED, TASC, or HiSET exam results; individual homeschool transcripts with date of completion; and certificates of completion recognized by local homeschool associations.

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” at the time of application. Preferably, the courses completed at home are part of a curriculum developed and evaluated by a nationally recognized diploma-granting organization or agency. 

Upon review, applicants may be required to submit additional application materials.

Transfer students are students who have graduated from high school or earned a high school equivalent and are in the process of completing, or have completed, college or university coursework after high school graduation. If you are unsure whether to apply as a first-year applicant or a transfer applicant, please email lang@newschool.edu.

Students in the BA or BS programs may transfer a maximum of 60 credits. Students interested in the BA or BS programs with more than 60 eligible transfer credits are encouraged to consider applying to the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students, which accepts a maximum of 84 transfer credits. 

Students in the BA/BFA program may transfer a maximum of 42 liberal arts credits and 42 studio art credits from prior institutions.

All applicants must list each college or university attended, both during and after high school, on the Common Application. Applicants must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Students who have attended an international university are required to submit original official transcripts as well as a course-by-course evaluation (and translation, if applicable) from World Education Services (or another official evaluation service).

Please review the Transcripts section above for specific transcript requirements.

The Internal Transfer Application is required for all current New School students who wish to transfer from one New School college to another. If you would like to apply as an internal applicant, review the deadlines and requirements in the Undergraduate Internal Transfer Policy section of our University Admission How to Apply page. Students who wish to change departments or majors within the same college should speak with their academic advisor. Internal transfer applicants should connect with a Financial Aid Counselor. Financial aid packages, including scholarships, will change as a result of changing programs.

Students currently enrolled at another college who wish to take classes at The New School for one semester should apply as a visiting student.

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 university How to Apply page. If you have enrolled at another institution since you were enrolled at The New School, you should apply for admission as a transfer student according to the instructions outlined above.

Interviews are not required. Applicants with questions about the admission process are encouraged to attend an information session. Please review our New York and/or Paris events calendars for dates and times.