First-Year Students

All BFA and BBA students entering as freshmen will have similar first-year experiences, taking many of the same required courses. Students will be able to shape their path of study within those requirements by selecting from available options.

What To Do Before You Meet With Your Advisor

1. Learn about what makes the Parsons First-Year program unique and become familiar with the choices you have by reviewing the information on the First-Year Study page. You can also use the University Course Catalog to find descriptions of courses offered by all the divisions of The New School, including your first-year Parsons courses.
2. Think about these questions as you build your schedule:
   
   • At what time of day are you most alert and ready to learn? (Connect with Student Disability Services if you require accommodations.)
   • What other commitments will you have next semester (jobs, family responsibilities)?
   • How can your first-year courses support exploration of major, potential minor, and future experiential opportunities?
3. If you are a freshman transfer student or have taken courses in high school for college credit (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level, or A-Levels), review the Transfer Credit Evaluation that was sent to you by the university Registrar and then read more information about transfer credits. Please note that any completed credits that are not part of your admission application will not be accepted at a later time. Discuss the evaluation with your academic advisor.

Now you're ready to go to Starfish to schedule a meeting with your advisor.

What To Do After You Register

1. Check your schedule after you register by following these steps:
   
   • Log in to MyNewSchool.
   • Select the Me tab.
   • Select View Your Class Schedule and Locations.
   • Select the correct term from the drop-down menu.
2. See the big picture using DegreeWorks. This is a tool for monitoring the progress you are making toward your degree. DegreeWorks shows you all the courses and credits you need to take to complete your degree. You can find out more about using this tool in the DegreeWorks tutorial. DegreeWorks can be accessed through the Student tab at MyNewSchool.
3. Learn more about Starfish, the Student Success Network, and the ways it can connect you to faculty, your academic advisor, and campus services.
4. Continue checking your New School email account for information on tuition, billing, and payment.
5. Check your New School email regularly for important and time-sensitive information.

Laptop Requirement

Incoming students will need a laptop that meets our minimum technical specifications. Refer to the Laptop Requirement information sheet for details.

You must check in your laptop for logging and verification to fulfill the requirement. We will share information about the check-in process with you by email during the summer.

If you are interested in purchasing an Apple laptop, visit The New School’s Apple Store for Education, which provides a discount on Apple products. Other technology discounts available through The New School can be found on the Information Technology page.

Software

All first-year students will receive a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, which is provided by the university at no additional cost. The subscription gives you access to all the programs you'll need for your courses. You will be required to use the Creative Cloud version of Adobe programs for your coursework, and your instructors will use Creative Cloud software in the classroom. The software subscription will be available when you arrive on campus, so please do not sign up for membership in advance.

We also recommend that students have Microsoft Office installed on their laptops. You do not need to have the newest version. If you already have Microsoft Office installed on your laptop, you can continue using the version you have. If you do not have Microsoft Office, you can receive Office 365 Education for free by signing up through the Office 365 Education page, using your New School email address. You will have access to the software as long as you are a student.

Core Materials

Make sure you're prepared for the first day of class by purchasing your required tools and supplies, listed on the First-Year Core Materials List. The core materials kit is made available at a substantial discount through our partnership with Blick Art Materials. More information about where and how to purchase the kit is provided on the top portion of the First Year Core Materials List. (Please note that you are responsible for purchasing the external hard drive on the core materials list; it is not included in the kit.)