Parsons Pre-College China Program (Ages 14–18)

The program features one noncredit pre-college class that introduces students to an area of art and design. The four class options are Digital Photography, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Illustration.

The program will run from February 26 to May 14, with three hours of online creative programming each Saturday.

All courses are online synchronous, with sessions taught by Parsons faculty on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:50 a.m. China Standard Time.

The online class will not meet on March 19 due to the university's spring break. The online class will meet on Sunday, April 3, instead of Saturday, April 2, due to the Qingming Festival.

In addition to the online class content, the program includes several virtual webinars featuring content designed to help students prepare for college admission and study. Webinars will be led by New School offices, along with counselors from the Parsons Admission team. All students will have the option of completing a one-on-one portfolio review with a Parsons Admission counselor, in which they will receive feedback on their work.

You can register for one course for the fall session from our website. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Fall Pre-College Program in China (February 26  to May 14)

Registration Begins: December 7

Tuition: $4,500

Fees: $40

Total: $4,540

Academic Transcript Request

The New School has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcript ordering via the Web. During the pandemic, only official PDF copies of New School transcripts will be issued. Official PDF transcripts are free of charge.

After you request your transcript from the National Student Clearinghouse, your transcript will be mailed electronically to you or another recipient, such as a university, that you have designated. If you are sending your transcript to a college or university, make sure the school accepts electronic PDF transcripts as official, and keep in mind the following when ordering:

• The transcript link for the requester has a 30-day time limit.
• Once the transcript is downloaded, there's no expiration date.
• Unlimited views are allowed.
• Printing is allowed.
• Copying is not allowed.

Digital Photography, Ages 14-18

In this design studio, students learn the fundamentals of digital photography in this design studio. They explore digital photography as a means to document the unique spaces, objects, and people that inspire their creativity. Students use still photography to capture the world around them and to create visual narratives. Digital apps used to edit and develop presentation and portfolio skills are introduced. Students explore historic and contemporary photography movements and trends and current exhibitions, and learn from industry professionals. This course requires a DSLR camera and access to an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (not included).

Fashion Design, Ages 14-18

Design and visually communicate your original ideas for fashion in this design studio. An expert in the field of fashion guides you in developing and interpreting your research and concepts to the creation of drawings and presentations at an introductory level. You’ll explore a variety of making skills for interpreting original ideas for fashion from 2D to 3D using traditional and non-traditional techniques and materials such as paper draping, material handcraft manipulations, and basic hand or machine sewn mockups. A sewing machine is not required. You further explore the creative process, trends, and careers in virtual field trips and visits by industry professionals.

Graphic Design, Ages 14-18

Learn the fundamentals of graphic design in this design studio. Graphic design is all around you— on apps, websites, print materials, and clothing. It is the medium in which words and images combine to communicate messages effectively. In this class, students focus on learning analog and digital creative problem-solving techniques and the basics of graphic form and expressive typography. Assignments will offer students the opportunity for maximum creative input while challenging each individual to be an innovative thinker and a successful problem solver. All assignments are framed within the graphic design methodology of research, concept development, critique, analog and digital production methods, professional output, and presentation. This course requires access to an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (not included).

Illustration, Ages 14-18

Learn the fundamentals of illustration in this design studio. Illustrators are visual thinkers who create comics, graphic novels, computer and film animation, video games, children’s books, graphics for skateboards, images for magazines and newspapers, and many other kinds of visuals. This course introduces students to the types of projects contemporary illustrators work on and guides them in developing and honing their illustration skills and style. Students may use Adobe Creative Cloud (subscription not included) or free or inexpensive graphic design apps (to be suggested in class) for course projects that may incorporate a digital component.

Refund Schedule

Please note: All refund schedules are effective until 11:59 p.m. ET on a specified date.

Course Drop or Withdrawal Date    Percentage of Tuition Refunded

Before January 29      100

Before February 28            75

After March 1             0

The New School reserves the right to cancel courses. If a course in which you are enrolled is canceled, you will be notified.

What You'll Need

• A modern computer and mouse
• Headphones, a microphone, and a webcam
• A stable high-speed Internet connection
• A digital camera (mobile device cameras are suitable)
• Supplies on class list (estimated cost: $150)
• Some courses require access to Adobe Creative Cloud; please check the course description. To purchase a subscription, go to Adobe Creative Cloud for Students. 

Attendance and Workload

Online classes convene once a week on Saturdays; students participate in the live three-hour sessions using video conferencing. On five Saturday afternoons, students participate in one in-person group making session (one hour) at a studio space. After the group making session, there is an open studio session (two hours), in which students can work in the space, receive support from the mentors, and collaborate with peers. 

Students' success in Parsons pre-college courses depends on their attendance and motivation. Each student will enhance their sense of achievement by regularly attending and actively participating in the program. Students are permitted to miss only two of the online sessions and one of the group making sessions. Students are expected to complete assignments each week, and they can receive support for them during the group making sessions.

Students taking a course toward the Parsons Academy Certificate cannot miss more than two online classes with the faculty. Certificate students who miss class more than two times or fail to participate fully in class or the group making sessions will fail the course and may be asked to leave the program.

Students are expected to be on time for every class. Student participation in class is essential, and arriving late is disruptive to the entire class.

Courses are supplemented by special guest lectures, events with the Parsons Admission team, and portfolio reviews.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate English language proficiency, as classes are taught in English. Students who attend a high school in which English is the primary language of instruction can submit a transcript or a letter from a school administrator confirming the language of instruction. 

Alternatively, students can submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 79 or higher on the Internet-based course, an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 or higher, a PTE (Pearson Test of English) score of 53 or higher, or a DET (Duolingo English Test) score of 100 or higher. Visit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET for more information.

The Parsons Academy Certificate is a noncredit program for students in grades 9 through 12 who plan to apply to art and design colleges. Our curriculum and culture help students create a college admission portfolio that reflects and strengthens their ideas, skills, and understanding of technique.