The New School is a private research university located in New York City, New York. Founded in 1919, it began as The New School for Social Research and has since developed into a multidisciplinary institution that includes Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, the College of Performing Arts, and The New School for Social Research. The university is known for its emphasis on progressive education, academic freedom, and programs in design, social sciences, liberal arts, and the performing arts. With an urban campus in Manhattan, The New School attracts students interested in creative practice, critical inquiry, and engagement with contemporary social and cultural issues.
With a 63.47% acceptance rate, The New School is moderately selective. Applicants are expected to show good academic performance and readiness for college-level coursework. Students with consistent grades, extracurricular involvement, and a well-prepared application are typically competitive for admission.
The New School was founded in 1919 in New York City as The New School for Social Research by a group of scholars including Charles A. Beard, John Dewey, and Alvin Saunders Johnson. Established in response to restrictions on academic freedom during World War I, The New School created a space for independent, progressive inquiry and adult education. In 1933, under its first president, Alvin Saunders Johnson, the university founded the University in Exile to provide refuge for European scholars fleeing Nazism. Over time, The New School expanded to include divisions in design, liberal arts, music, drama, and public engagement. It adopted the name New School University in 1997 and returned to The New School in 2005. Today, The New School remains a private research university recognized for interdisciplinary education and its historical commitment to academic freedom.
The New School has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which means small class sizes and close interaction with professors. Students often benefit from more personalized attention, accessible faculty mentorship, and greater opportunities for discussion and research collaboration.
Applying to The New School involves submitting an application through the Common Application, along with academic transcripts, a personal essay, and in many cases a portfolio or audition, depending on the program. Because The New School includes colleges such as Parsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts, requirements vary by major. Applicants should review specific deadlines and program expectations carefully to ensure a complete and competitive submission.
The New School offers need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, and access to federal and state grants for eligible students. Families applying to The New School typically submit the FAFSA and, in some cases, the CSS Profile. Scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement, artistic ability, or financial need, and students are encouraged to explore institutional and external funding opportunities.
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