FAQ

Applications are due October 15 (spring transfer only), November 1 (early action), and January 15 (regular decision).

The application fee is $50.

The New School waives application fees for those who meet the eligibility guidelines outlined on the Apply Online website.

Deferral guidelines can be found on the Accepted Students website.

Yes. All applicants to the School of Drama are automatically considered for both need-based and merit-based scholarships. Please keep in mind that college is a significant personal and financial commitment. Although scholarship funding is possible, we encourage applicants to explore additional resources for funding their education.

Graduates of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) Integrated and Studio programs are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students. Interested applicants should contact the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students Office of Undergraduate Admission.

These elements of the application will be submitted directly through The New School’s Online Application Center.

All applicants must submit an Artist Portfolio. Please complete the portfolio type that best matches your primary area of artistic practice by meeting the requirements listed below. In addition to submitting your complete portfolio, you may also choose to submit any combination of additional performance, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, or creative technology work. We want to see as much of your creativity as you can share. Acting applicants are also welcome to submit a partial or complete portfolio of non-acting work, if that applies.

Acting Portfolio
All files must be submitted in PDF format.

• A professional headshot
• A one-page résumé summarizing your theatrical and/or any other experiences that relate to your field of study

Playwriting Portfolio
All files must be submitted in PDF format.

• An original one-act play (20-60 minutes), a full-length play (60+ minutes), or two original ten-minute plays

• An additional piece of text in your choice of style and format (prose, poetry, academic writing, memoir, etc.)

Directing Portfolio

• An essay describing your directing process for a specific production, from vision to execution. The production you describe can be one you've directed or one you wish to direct in the future. (Maximum 500 words) 

• Materials related to the production described in your essay. Examples include production photographs (if available), excerpts from your director’s notebook or promptbook, script notes or thematic essays, scheduling and administrative materials, and research and inspiration artifacts. Up to 25 files can be uploaded.

Creative Technologies Portfolio

• An essay describing your creative process for any one specific project from your portfolio, from concept to execution. (Maximum 500 words)
  
  
• A portfolio of your creative work. It can include research, documentation, video files, samples of your design work, administrative materials, and photographic or visual artwork. If you have any time-based media work (film/video, sound, animation, etc.), please be sure to include it. Up to 25 files can be uploaded.

Yes. We welcome applicants whose first language is not English. But because theater is a language-intensive art form, we ask that you submit a recent TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo score with your application.

The minimum score required for TOEFL (IB) is 100, for IELTS is 7.0, for PTE is 68, and for Duolingo is 120. Our TOEFL institution code is 2385.

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

• Attended a secondary school for a minimum of three years where English is the primary language of instruction. 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 results.
• Successfully completed two full semesters of non-ESL college-level expository writing
• 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 further evaluate your candidacy.

We accept test scores taken within the past two years. If your scores are older, you must retake the test.

 

Yes. Requirements for academic programs at the undergraduate level can be significantly different from the requirements of our graduate theater program. It is important that we see a recent assessment of your English proficiency.

Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), 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. Please review the BFA application instructions for more detailed information.