How to Apply: Graduate Programs

Applicants are required to apply online. You must complete all required fields and upload materials prior to submission. Most materials can be submitted electronically via the online application. Any additional supporting documents that need to be sent electronically or by mail must include an Application Materials Cover Sheet. All supporting materials must be received before your application can be reviewed.

The application fee for U.S. domestic applicants and international transfer applicants is $50. The application fee for first-year international applicants is $75. Application fees are paid through the online application and are non-refundable. The New School waives application fees for those who meet the eligibility guidelines listed in the Application Fee Waivers section of our university-wide How to Apply page.

Please outline your reasons for applying to this program. In what ways will you contribute to the subject matter of the program? You should include a thoughtful description of your background, tentative plan of study or area of inquiry in the field as you now envision it, your professional goals, and how this graduate program will help you realize those goals. If your program’s admission committee has a more specific statement prompt, this will be indicated in your online application.

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

Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit their recommendations online. Instructions are included in the online application.

Applicants must upload an unofficial transcript, mark sheet, or academic record for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) in the Academic History 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 diploma if the degree has been conferred. Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scans must be clear and legible.

If you experience trouble uploading your transcript, email enroll@newschool.edu and give a detailed description of the issue and attach the document in question.

The New School reserves the right to require official transcripts or an official, NACES course-by-course evaluation 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.

Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts with proof of their degree conferral prior to enrollment. Admitted applicants must submit all official transcripts pertaining to their entire academic career. Transcripts uploaded with the online application do not satisfy this requirement.

Students with International Credentials Seeking Transfer Credit
Graduate applicants with who are seeking transfer credit and attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), by 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.

Follow all document requirements as outlined on the evaluation service providers’ websites. Evaluations completed by WES or ECE will be sent directly to us electronically by the vendor.

All other NACES provider evaluations should be mailed directly by the vendor to the address for Supplemental Materials. A copy of the transcript that was evaluated should accompany the evaluation in the same sealed envelope, or the official transcript should be sent directly to The New School by the issuing college/university.

How to Submit Electronic Transcripts
The New School accepts electronic transcripts only from our approved vendors:

• National Student Clearinghouse
• Parchment Exchange
• Credentials eScrip-Safe

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 Additional Information for Specific Applicant Populations section below.

The New School
Office of Admission
55 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011

If a portfolio is required for the program to which you’re applying (see our Graduate Portfolio page for additional information), you will be prompted to finalize and submit your portfolio via the Digital Portfolio section of your online application.

If additional materials are required for the program to which you’re applying (see below), submit these with your online application. Doing this will help prevent any delays in reviewing your application, as we need to receive all required materials before we can place your application under review.

Data Visualization (MS)

Programming Sample
You can submit your GitHub account name and up to three URLs for public GitHub repositories that you maintain to showcase your programming abilities. Please submit a document that contains your GitHub information (or any alternative repository or revision control system) to be uploaded with your online application.

Academic Writing Sample
The writing sample can be an academic paper, professional report, blog entry, nonfiction essay, or combination of writing samples that you feel reflect your strengths for the program. Please submit a single document no longer than 20 pages in length. Please note that this must be uploaded with your online application.

Fashion Studies (MA) & History of Design and Curatorial Studies (MA)

Autobiographical Statement (250–500-word limit)
In a short autobiographical statement, tell us about yourself. You can write about your education, your family, your talents and passions, particular intellectual influences, people you have met, work you’ve done that has shaped the person you have become, or significant places or events in your life, especially as they relate to your field of study. In addition, use this portion of the essay to explain any strengths or weaknesses you may have (examples: low GPA, lack of experience, significant interruption in work or studies, unique skills and achievements as they relate to the program, or any other information you want to share). Your writing should be informative and reflect your own voice.

Optional Writing Sample
Although it is not required, if you would like to submit an academic writing sample that you feel reflects your strengths as a critical thinker and writer for this program, please upload a single document no longer than ten pages in length.

Strategic Design and Management (MS)

Program Essay (500-word limit)
Be creative, allow your personality to shine through. The essay must identify your motivation for study in the program by briefly addressing each of the four following topics:

• Describe a situation in which you combined analysis and creativity to solve a challenging problem. The problem could be personal, social, political, environmental, or something quite different. The Admission Committee is interested more in your process or method in considering the problem than in whether you reached a definitive solution.
• Tell us something about yourself that we could not find in the application materials you have submitted.
• If you could create a new course for the Strategic Design and Management program, what would it be called? Provide a short course description to accompany your new proposed course title.
• What makes you happy?

Strategic Design and Management (Global Executive MS)

Program Essay (500-1000-word limit)
A personal essay of 500–1,000 words must accompany the application. The essay must identify your motivation for study in the program by addressing the following topics in an integrated manner (i.e., do not simply provide answers to the questions, but develop an integrated and flowing argument):

• How have your specific work experiences in design, business, consulting, or nonprofit organizations shaped your motivation for this program and the resulting professional goals?
• Why do you think of yourself as a game changer in your current organization, and why do you think this program will enhance your attributes as an innovator, strategist, or leader in your career?
• What are some specific critical experiences you have had as part of a team or work group that shaped your understanding of the complexities of professional collaboration, organizational reality, and economic irrationality?
• What are three things that you can already tell us about the future importance of design thinking?
• How would you describe this program and your ambition for study in this new field to your friends, family, current employer, and colleagues?
• What specifically excites you about the Global Executive program, with its integrated online study and global experiences in Paris, New York, and Shanghai?

Please note that this essay is not simply a biographical statement, nor is it a writing sample. You will be evaluated on the quality of articulation of your academic and professional preparedness, your consideration of critical issues, and your inspirational and transformational abilities and attributes.

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores. Minimum required scores are:

• TOEFL iBT- 92
• IELTS - 7.0
• PTE - 63
• DET - 115

Our TOEFL institution code is 2501.

The New School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET scores for applicants who have 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 evaluate your candidacy.

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

Applicants also have the option of enrolling in The New School English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Students must pass Level 6 to waive the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DET requirement. Visit the ESL website for more information.

All admitted students are considered for merit scholarship awards determined by the strength of their applications. International students are eligible only for merit scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) in order to be considered for need-based financial aid. The FAFSA is available each year on October 1. The New School’s federal school code is 002780. You don’t need to wait for an admission decision to apply for federal aid. Our Financial Aid staff are available to guide you through the process of applying for financial aid.

Applications become complete and ready for review once all required items have been received by the Office of Admission. You can check your application status in the Admission Hub.

Allow at least 14 days from the date you submitted your application for items to be matched and shown as received. Applicants are responsible for following up with schools and recommenders to confirm that transcripts and recommendations have been sent.

The Office of Admission will periodically notify applicants by email if their file is missing any documents and again when their file is complete for review. These notifications are sent to the email address provided in the online application.

If you need to change your email address, mailing address, or other contact information, email the Office of Admission.

Spring admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in November.

Fall admission decisions are released on a rolling basis starting in late March.

Fall transfer admission decisions will be released on a rolling basis starting in April.

You will be contacted if you are required to participate in an in-person or phone interview, as may be determined upon review of your application.

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.

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.