How to Apply

Unofficial Transcripts

Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution attended in the Educational Background section of the online application.

• All transcript uploads must be accompanied by a key, a legend, or the back copy of the transcript.
• Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Records from non-U.S. institutions must have grades or marks and contain a copy of the diploma if the degree has been conferred.
• Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scans must be clear and legible.
• Do not mail materials that have been uploaded with the online application or any other materials unless requested by the Office of Admission.

If you experience trouble uploading your transcript or record, email enroll@newschool.edu, give a detailed description of the problem, and attach the transcript/record.

The New School reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process. Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between uploaded and official transcripts will result in the immediate revocation of admission and/or dismissal from The New School. Transcripts uploaded with the online application are considered unofficial.

Official Transcripts

Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts, and official certified translations and evaluations of the transcripts/marksheets and degree certifications if degrees were earned outside of the United States. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts from their entire academic careers.

Offers of admission rely upon the receipt and verification of these official documents. New students will not be permitted to register for their second semester of study until all official transcripts (including degree-awarding transcripts) have been received by the Office of Admission. Transcripts uploaded with the online application do not meet this requirement.

Submitting Transcripts By Mail

Official transcripts should have an original signature or a raised university seal, and must be in a sealed envelope that has been signed or stamped by the issuing university's registrar or records office. Applicants can either send official transcripts with an Application Materials Cover Sheet or request that institutions send transcripts directly to The New School at the Mailing Address for Supplemental Materials in the "Additional Information" section below.

Submitting Electronic Transcripts (U.S./Domestic Institutions only)

The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors. The New School's approved vendors, in order of preference, are:

• Parchment Exchange
• SCRIP-SAFE International
• National Student Clearinghouse

We do not accept electronic transcripts sent directly by a student or school offices. All international academic credentials must be submitted as indicated in the International Academic Credentials sections below.

International Academic Credentials

All transcripts not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

International Academic Credentials with Transfer Credits

Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript. In the absence of an evaluation, the Admission Committee will do its best to render a decision. In some cases, a review cannot be made without an evaluation, and a committee decision will be delayed.

If using WES, visit www.wes.org for instructions and to begin the application process. The "Required Documents" section explains what to send. If you request your report online, search for "The New School" when selecting our institution. WES will send your completed evaluation directly to The New School.

If using another NACES provider, follow instructions for that provider. Mailed evaluations and translations should be sent to the Mailing Address for Supplemental Materials. Applicants forwarding these sealed documents should include an Application Materials Cover Sheet.

In approximately 500 words, explain your interest in and preparation for pursuing graduate study in Creative Writing. Discuss in detail how your graduate work will help you attain your academic and/or professional goals. Consider this statement as another sample of your creative writing and an opportunity to tell us something about yourself that your application might not otherwise show.

Submit a one to two-page résumé/curriculum vitae summarizing your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, volunteer/community work, professional networking, public speaking, published writing, and/or any other relevant experiences that may relate to your field of study, including dates and positions held.

Two recommendation letters are required for all degree applicants. Letters should be written by individuals who have personal knowledge of your work. If possible, letters should be from your previous instructors. Professional recommendations should address skills that are relevant to your academic qualifications to do graduate-level work. (Recommendations from family and/or friends are strongly discouraged.)

Recommenders can submit recommendations online. Instructions are included with the online application. If preferred, the recommendation forms may be sent by mail in signed, sealed envelopes. To send by mail, download the PDF recommendation form found in the online application, complete the Applicant Information section, and save the form. Forward the saved form to the recommenders to complete the remaining sections and submit. Applicants may also send signed and sealed recommendations to the Office of Admission using an Application Materials Cover Sheet. Applicants who wish to submit their recommendation through Interfolio should instruct the service to forward letters via email to enroll@newschool.edu.

Your writing portfolio should demonstrate your skills and a sufficient body of quality work to advance to graduate-level study.

• Poetry: Submit 10 pages of poetry.

• Fiction or Nonfiction: Submit up to 20 pages of prose.

• Writing for Children and Young Adults: Submit up to 20 pages of prose or a draft of a book for children or young adults.

Portfolio manuscripts must be typewritten (or printed letter quality) and double-spaced. Your name must appear on the top of each page. Applicants with substantial accomplishments in more than one area of concentration may request that their application be considered for a dual concentration, but they must still declare a primary and a secondary field of study.

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores. The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores for applicants:

• 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.

TOEFL (IB) - 92
IELTS - 7.0
PTE - 68

Our TOEFL institution code is 2554.

In any given term, a student can apply to only one department or program within The New School. Applicants who file more than one application in a given semester will be required to withdraw one of the applications, and application fees will not be refunded.

All materials and documents submitted in association with The New School application become the property of The New School and cannot be returned to you or transmitted to a third party.

Applicants who have completed relevant graduate-level courses at this or another college or university may be able to transfer up to nine credits. Transfer of credit is evaluated after enrollment.

Selected graduate level courses can be taken as a non-degree student. You can take up to nine credits as a non-degree student. If you later decide to matriculate you can transfer those credits into the degree program. Students seeking non-degree coursework must contact the Office of Admission for instructions on completing the application. Non-degree students are not eligible for merit scholarship or financial aid.

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 How to Apply information. If you attended another college university since you last attended The New School, you must apply as a new student. Students seeking readmission must contact the Office of Admission before proceeding.

The New School
Office of Admission (NS 300)
79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor
New York, NY 10003