The New School continues to monitor and respond to the public health situation in relation to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. French authorities decided to close all schools beginning Monday, March 16, until further notice in response to the outbreak. Classes at Parsons Paris have moved online. Although activities on campus have stopped, Parsons Paris is implementing remote learning and teaching solutions through the end of the spring semester. Our student support services and the Parsons Paris Admissions Office are operational and working remotely, in accordance with the mandate of the French government. The Admissions team continues to work with applicants and admitted and prospective students and families, and fall 2020 decisions are being released according to our rolling-basis schedule. We are aware of the disruptions affecting many of our applicants, admitted students, and prospective students this current academic year. That is why we encourage you to get in touch with us about any concerns or questions that you have.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19
Is Parsons Paris still accepting applications?
Yes, Parsons Paris is still accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please see our How to Apply page for details of the application procedure.
Can I visit the campus later this spring?
We would love to have you on campus. At the moment, our campus is closed until further notice, and classes are taking place through remote instruction. The campus status will be updated regularly on our website. This status, as you know, is linked directly to U.S. and French government regulations as decided upon by authorities that oversee universities. Our priority is to keep students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe, so we are following these guidelines strictly, and when this changes we will be sure to notify you and update the website accordingly.
We are offering virtual tours and live online information sessions. Please see our Admission Events page for additional details.
Can I speak with a Parsons Paris student (from my program)?
We would be delighted to connect you with a current Parsons Paris student.
Can I delay my deposit if I cannot visit until late spring and need time to make my decision?
We understand this is a time of uncertainty and making a decision without visiting the campus can be difficult. For this reason, we are extending the deposit deadline to June 1.
Will Parsons Paris offer events for admitted students?
Parsons Paris will host a series of events for admitted students throughout the spring and summer. These events will connect you with faculty, academic advisors, current students, and admissions staff who will answer your questions and help you start your Parsons Paris journey. You can register for those events on our events page.
Parsons Paris held its annual Admitted Student Day on Saturday, April 4. Video presentations by program directors of the majors offered at Parsons Paris can also be found on our events page.
How has COVID-19 affected your current students in France?
Classes at Parsons Paris have moved to remote instruction. We have been in close contact with our students, faculty, and staff to ensure that they are aware of the evolving situation and the regulations provided by the French authorities. Most of our students live in private apartments across central Paris. Our Student Success team in Paris, as well as colleagues at our partner organization, Academic Programs International (API), have been continuously updating students about evolving travel restrictions in the United States, France, and beyond and providing support and remote counseling with our team as needed.
Many of our students have traveled to their home countries, and some remain in France. Students have been asked to contact Student Success to communicate their travel plans, so that we can offer the best support to everyone. Our decision making and planning are guided by our sense of responsibility, first and foremost, to protect the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. It is also a priority to ensure that teaching, learning, and research are progressing and the academic requirements of classes are being met. We continue to take all necessary measures in line with the instructions given by the French authorities and the university's senior leadership.
Are staff available in France?
Yes, our administrative and student support services staff are available and working. In accordance with the French government’s mandate, our teams are currently working remotely until further notice. Our admissions team is also available and will continue working with prospective students, their families, and counselors.
The best way to reach us is by email (thinkparsonsparis@newschool.edu). You can also reach us by phone (+33 01 76 21 76 49). In addition, we are available through Skype at ThinkParsonsParis during our business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central European Time).
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
My academic year has been disrupted and my official transcripts and/or secondary school exit exams have been delayed and may not be ready by existing deadlines. Can I submit those documents after the final transcript deadline?
We understand that the circumstances are highly unusual and that there may be a delay in receiving your final official documents (final transcript and diploma). Please let us know about your situation; as a first step, you can send us any progress reports that you receive.
I have requested a course-by-course transcript evaluation from a provider such as World Education Services (WES), but I cannot obtain the evaluation report before the application deadline. What should I do?
We understand that the circumstances are highly unusual and that there will be a delay in credit evaluation services. Please let us know about your situation; as a first step, you can send us a preliminary official transcript from your academic institution.
What if I cannot get my French student visa in time for fall 2020 orientation week?
We work with our partners, Academic Programs International (API), who closely accompany our students throughout their visa request and delivery process. We expect students who face any delays or difficulties in obtaining a visa for France to contact us, so that we can work with them on their pre-arrival procedures under these unusual circumstances.
How can I stay informed about the status of COVID-19 and the current situation?
You can consult the websites of the American Embassy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where important information is posted regularly. You can also check the French government’s coronavirus page for additional details of government regulations designed to contain the virus.
In addition, we update our school status page as needed, and you can visit our university’s COVID-19 page for more information about prevention, travel guidelines, and possible implications for our campuses in New York City and in Paris.