The NSPE School of Undergraduate Studies welcomes applications from people of all ages and walks of life with the maturity to take charge of their education and complete a bachelor's degree in a stimulating, nontraditional academic environment. You can go to school part-time or full-time.
NSPE undergraduate programs are designed for students with some prior college education, although that is not a prerequisite for admission. All applicants must have a high school diploma or qualified GED. SAT or ACT scores are not required but will be considered by the admission committee if provided.
Transferring Credits
Most students enter with at least 24 transfer credits from another college or university. Up to 84 credits can be transferred, provided they were earned for courses that are consistent with the academic values of the New School for Public Engagement and grades of C or better were awarded. Our admission counselors can provide a preliminary transfer credit evaluation before you formally apply for admission. Contact the Office of Admission to schedule a transfer credit review.
The New School for Public Engagement has specific transfer agreements with a number of affiliated institutions, in which case a course-by-course evaluation is not required.
Nondegree Enrollment
It is possible to earn up to 12 undergraduate credits at NSPE without applying for formal admission. Go to Continuing Education to see the range of courses available. You can register for any course directly from the website. If you are subsequently admitted to a degree program, credits earned as a continuing education student can be transferred subject to the stipulations above.
Choosing Your Major
All NSPE undergraduates apply to the general Liberal Arts bachelor's program. You change your major to Environmental Studies after admission to the school.
Priority Deadlines for NSPE Undergraduate Applications
- July 1 for fall semester admission
- November 1 for spring semester admission
- April 1 for summer term admission
All application materials must be received in the Office of Admission by the deadline for priority consideration. Late applications may be considered, but financial aid may not be available. Former students seeking readmission must contact the Office of Admission for application instructions.
How to Apply
Plan ahead to meet your application deadline. It takes time for transcripts and other supporting documents to reach The New School. All applicants are required to use the online application. The application fee and most supporting documents can be submitted online with the application form. A personal interview may be requested after your application documents have been received and reviewed. A complete School of Undergraduate Studies application includes
- The $50 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts from every college or university previously attended. If you have earned fewer than 24 college credits, your official high school transcript or official GED score report is required.
- Three short essays (described in the application form instructions), in which you discuss you personal academic and life goals
- A current résumé
Read the detailed application instructions provided with the online application form. You can also download the instructions (PDF). Applicants who are applying to enter the Riggio Honors Program: Writing and Democracy must submit a writing portfolio with their other application documents. Follow the link for more information about the Riggio program and the supplemental application materials. Any documents not submitted online can be mailed to the Office of Admission Undergraduate (see address in Contact box) with a Materials Cover Sheet (PDF).
International Applicants and Others with Foreign Credentials
See special requirements for English language proficiency and transcript evaluation.
Costs and Financial Aid
Speak to an admission counselor about options for financing your education. The School of Undergraduate Studies has available several competitive scholarships, which are awarded annually based on financial need and merit. All admitted students are automatically considered for certain scholarships and grants; others may require separate application.
If you are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, we encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You do not have to wait for an admission decision to apply for federal aid. The New School's federal school code is 002780.
Go to Student Financial Services to see tuition and fees and other estimated costs of attendance and various financial options and payment policies. Students are notified of financial aid in their letters of acceptance.
Additional Information
Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance with detailed information about financial aid, housing, registration, student visas (for nonresidents of the United States), and other matters. All materials submitted as part of your application become the property of The New School and cannot be returned to you or transmitted to a third party.
If you are applying to more than one academic program at the university, you must submit a separate complete application (including separate application fee) for each program. Contact the Office of Admission for instructions before opening a second application.
