Required Application Support Materials
Transcripts Official high school and college transcripts must be sent to University Admissions; see address above. Copies are not acceptable. If a transfer applicant has completed less than 24 college credits, an official high school transcript will be mandatory. International students must submit original transcripts; a certified English translation if a transcript was recorded in a language other than English; and a course-by-course evaluation report prepared by World Education Services, www.wes.org, or another member of the National Association of Evaluation Services (NACES). If filing with WES online, search for New School Parsons. Transcripts should be sent for evaluation as soon as possible so that Parsons will receive the evaluation reports prior to the application deadline. Test Scores SAT or ACT scores are required of all applicants currently enrolled in U.S. high schools. Applicants who are not native speakers of English must submit a TOEFL score*; a minimum score of 580 on the paper test, 237 on the computer test, or 92 on the Internet-based test is required for an applicant to be considered (600, 250, or 100 for Environmental Studies). *Waiving the TOEFL Requirement: The New School for General Studies offers intensive courses and a certificate in English as a second language. Many international students take these courses to prepare for academic studies or professional work in the United States. Parsons applicants who pass Level Six (6) of the New School ESL courses may waive the TOEFL exam requirement. For general information, current course schedules, and fees, visit the website at www.newschool.edu/english.
The Parsons Challenge All applicants must complete the Parsons Challenge. This exercise helps the admission committee understand how a potential student structures and conveys ideas. —Where do you live? What are your everyday activities? Where do you go? What have you overlooked? Look around your community and discover something new within your familiar surroundings and daily life—an object, event, activity, or location. —Interpret your discovery in three (3) perspectives in any medium and three (3) statements of approximately 150 words each. You may proceed from image to text or text to image. Each interpretation should represent a different point of view. —Visual media may include drawing, photography, video, sculpture, 3D work, collage, digital images or any combination of the above. Each written statement should explore your creative and imaginative process and support the visual work in both form and content. All images and texts must be clearly identified with your name and date of birth.
Portfolio (BFA applicants) 8–12 additional examples of art or design work such as but not limited to drawing, painting, photographs, and digital media. There are special portfolio requirements for students applying for direct-entry to Design and Technology and Photography programs; see First Year status on the following page. See Visit Parsons on the last page of this brochure for information about portfolio preparation workshops and review sessions at Parsons. Required essay (Design and Management BBA applicants) In an essay of 500–550 words, describe a situation in which you combined creativity and analysis to solve a challenging problem. The problem you describe could be personal, social, political, environmental, or something very different. The admission committee is more interested in your process or method in considering the problem than whether you reached a complete solution. Required essay (Environmental Studies BS applicants) In an essay of 500–550 words, discuss a major environmental challenge facing a large urban area, such as New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, London, etc., and propose a solution focusing on design and sustainability. Personal Interview An interview is optional but recommended. An application must be submitted prior to scheduling an interview. To schedule an interview, call 212.229.8989; your New School ID number, issued when enrollment services received your application, must be given when scheduling an interview. EARLY ADMISSION FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
A limited number of students may be admitted to the first-year Foundation Program after completing the junior year of high school. If you are applying for early admission, you must provide a letter from your high school authorizing the Parsons Foundation Program to be substituted for your senior year of high school. You may submit PSAT scores if SAT or ACT scores are unavailable. CONDITIONAL ADMISSION
In some circumstances, Parsons may admit an applicant subject to conditions as described below. Summer Program as a Condition for Admission The committee may admit an applicant on the condition that he or she successfully complete a Parsons summer program to make up an academic or portfolio deficiency. This is determined at the time of the admission committee’s initial review so that applicants will receive notification with ample time to make plans for the summer. The admission committee will provide information about these programs if appropriate. Probation A student may be admitted on probation due to weak academic performance as indicated on transcripts. Details about probationary admission will be included in the decision letters sent to applicants accepted under such conditions
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