In high school I applied to 5 art schools for undergraduate study, to my surprise I got into Parsons, my super-duper-reach-school… here are a few of my suggestions as to how to better your chances of getting into one of your top choices!
Start in High School
One of the most valuable connections I ever made was with my high school art teacher, Mrs. Medley. She helped me pick out pieces for my college portfolio, discover inspiring artists, and helped create a solid foundation on which to realize my future in the art and design industry. To this day I can still stop by and visit her if I need guidance, reassurance, or inspiration.
Also, in high school you still have the flexibility to try new things without it weighing heavily on your GPA. Take painting classes, drawing classes, even that pottery class you think you might want to take…knowledge from these introductory classes will be of help when you are honing your skills during foundation year.
What to Select for your Art Portfolio
Obviously a huge factor in your application is your portfolio; but try not to stress over it too much. Show your style, but be sure to exhibit your observational skill above anything else -draw from real life, not photographs! Be sure to include complete pieces, but a few short gestures and figure studies are acceptable. Make sure to exhibit your use of materials, subject matter, conceptual ideas, and compositional skills. Mrs. Medley always told me to keep away from including a lot of illustration; “there is always time for experimentation once you get into school.”
The Home Test is a Chance to Prove Yourself
I believe it was my home test that gained me admission into Parsons. Every school has a different test; but they all offer a chance to show your creative thought process and skill. The best way to approach these assignments is to not think too literally; I was instructed to show 3 perspectives of an object or “thing” in my community that was close to me. I chose to design the packaging for three mix CDs based on Interstate 95 with northbound, homebound, and southbound as my perspectives. Each told a different story and I used my essays to explain my concept and design choices.
Consider Summer Study
I’m not sure about other colleges but Parsons requires at least one session of summer study. I took my summer session at Art Institute of Boston the summer before my senior year of high school. Summer study was a great experience not only to re-affirm my passion in art, but also exposed me to longer class times, city-living, and more intense critiques than I had experienced in a high school setting.
The Essay: Necessary Evil
The essay is a great chance to show your art history knowledge (some schools’ essays ask you to “identify” with an artist or designer) or your strengths outside of art. The essay can showcase your communication skills and make up for not-so-perfect test scores or grades. This is a great moment to sell yourself for who you are.
Extracurriculars
Involvement in extracurricular activities can show your dedication to art and design outside of the classroom; I started a music magazine at my school and it showed that I was interested in publication design and working in groups. Even involvement with sports teams can relate back to your design career… remember, think creatively!
Presentation is Important!
Don’t forget; art school isn’t just about your creativity, it’s also about your presentation! Presenting your portfolio in traditional slide format can show you are dedicated and organized. Be sure to follow the same formatting on your submitted documents like slide lists, essays, and project descriptions. Presentation shows a lot about your work ethic, organizational skills, and even your understanding of creating a basic visual identity.
Never give up!
Foundation year was one of the hardest years of my education to date. I wanted to quit so badly! But walking out on the last day of the year knowing I toughed it out was one of the most rewarding experiences at Parsons so far. Knowing I kept my nose to the grindstone and finished even when I wanted to give up made me feel really accomplished.
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34 responses so far ↓
1 Kayla // Jul 16, 2008 at 6:10 pm
great blog!
i wish i had seen this post when i was applying to f.i.t….maybe i would’ve gotten in
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2 gilda // Jul 16, 2008 at 7:08 pm
whoah girl, you’re at parsons?? so am i!!!!
what course are you in?
i heard that foundation is crazy. i never did foundation at parsons since i transferred in. but i still had to go through all that crazy application process. if you’re in fashion though, you’ll have 3 more years of crazy work to do and no sleep (like me). but if you’re in the other programs, i think it’s quite easy peasy. haha!
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3 gilda // Jul 16, 2008 at 7:09 pm
oops sorry i just read your “about” page and saw that you’re in communications design!
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4 Link Love: 7.17.08 | Nubbytwiglet.com // Jul 17, 2008 at 9:40 am
[...] In case you’re curious (and I know I was!), Kate tells us how to get into Parsons and other big name [...]
5 brooklynbridge // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:06 am
Nice entry! (I am also a fellow Parsons student)!
But there was an error I think should be corrected…it is definitely not a requirement to have completed a summer session in order to attend and/or graduate from Parsons.
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6 Catherine // Aug 30, 2008 at 11:32 am
HEy, Kathryn,
I’m from Chicago, and I really want to thank you for the info your giving on how to get into parsons. I was wondering if you could tell me what exactly are they looking for in order to attend their school.
I need to know things like my GPA, ACT/SAT score, and what kind of are are they looking for. Do you alson have any advice on what major should I take if I want to work in magazines?
Thanks
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7 Zelda Flisiuk // Sep 19, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hii.
thank you soo very much for this information.
I realy want to get into Parsons in NY.
I’m only a freshman in HS.
but I want to start early.
Can you please email me & tell me any and everything about Parsons, and getting in?
I really need help. Its my dream, my passion.
Anyone else unrolled in Parsons can email me too.
PLEASEE!
zeldarachael@yahoo.com
zeldaracahel@yahoo.com
zeldarachael@yahoo.com
- Love Zelda!
[:
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8 Marguerita // Sep 25, 2008 at 7:10 am
Hello.
My name is Rita, I’m from Russia and I’d like to enter Parsons. I am trying to figure out waht should be my consequence of actions. What comes first, writing an e-mail to the school to establish the first contact or sending an on-line application? Or first preparing the Home Test, as you call it? I believe ‘The Parsons Challenge
‘ is the same thing as ‘Home Test’, right?
Please do tell me more about how you solved the question with this test, for I’m not sure I got your idea right. Maybe you’ve got a couple of minutes to explain the CDs design idea more thoroughly, or link me to some pictures, cause at the moment I am completely puzzeled by the mere thought of preparing for this Parsons Challenge test.
Moreover, I’m a bit worried about the fact that my portfolio is based mostly on my moleskine notebooks full of illustartions, and I don’t have that much recent proper academical drawings. To be honest, I don’t have any.
I want to study architecture at the school. Does that mean my portfolio should contain some architectural-orientated works, sketches?
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9 Marguerita // Sep 25, 2008 at 7:12 am
thank you in advance
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10 Link Love: 7.17.08 | Nubbytwiglet.com // Oct 18, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[...] In case you’re curious (and I know I was!), Kate tells us how to get into Parsons and other big name [...]
11 Ying Chian // Oct 30, 2008 at 1:12 am
Hey, I really really want to apply for Parsons’ fashion program and I’m almmost done with my portfolio. I was wondering what I should do for my Parsons Challenge. It was a last minute decision for me to attend an art school so I only had 6 months to put together my portfolio but i cannot emphasize on how much I want to go to Parsons so I think that I need a strong Parsons challenge because I don’t think my portfolio is strong enough compared to others. What sort of pieces are required for fashion?
Thank you!
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12 Sofia // Nov 11, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Hey, So i m a CDT major at Parsons and I stumbled upon this awsome website. It made me smile to see so many wanting to enter Parsons with so much energy. Trust me, once your in, the levels of enthusiasm drastically change once the work load piles up. But hey, having said this, if Parsons is your dream school, go for it! My advice would simply be not to over think it. Ying Chian, you want to do Fashion at Parsons but you have one year of Foundation . Admissions are tough and you may feel behind or non inexistant in the competition, but the best way to go about creating your portfolio is not to feel as if your entering a competition. Six months is plenty of time. Follow your instincts, be passionate and dont sweat it.
Have fun with it, Good luck
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13 Candi Saulsberry // Dec 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hello. Parsons is my dream school.. I would love with all my heart to go there, but I don’t know how it’s possible. I’m active duty in the navy. Does anyone have any advice…?
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14 Linh // Mar 3, 2009 at 6:15 am
Hey. I’m working on my Parson’s portfolio now and it stresses me out to the core. I procrastinated enough that I now only have about 2 weeks to finish all my pieces for long hours a day. But the thing is in High School I’ve always wanted to go into design, but never took any art courses because for some reason, I was stupid enough to never think about that aspect. So now, I’m starting from nothing and trying to work my way up there to finish my portfolio and I just want this so bad, that I’m really trying to practice and draw every hour of my day till I’m tired. My boyfriend that attends Parsons (it’s his last semester before he graduates) always reassures me that I have enough passion and drive to make it, but sometimes I feel like maybe even I’m fooling myself into thinking that I can make it. So I was wondering, my portfolio probably won’t be as strong since drawing isn’t exactly my forte, so like Ying Chian said, I think I would have to blow them away somehow with my Parsons Challenge and I was wondering, if I used all photographs for my Parsons Challenge, would that hurt my chances? Also, after High School my parents wanted me to go into business instead of art/design, so I did to make them happy, but my grades from my previous college weren’t good at all, so my GPA is pretty low, actually really low, so would that hurt my chances of getting into Parsons too? Thank you for any advice whatsoever :]
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15 Michelle Lazo // Apr 29, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hey!!
Thanks for the information.
Im in 11° year and i just got here from another contry but since i was on middle school ive been interested in fashion design, so this information is exactly what i needed, but i wanted to know what pieces or skills should i be working on?
Thanks!!!
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16 April // Jun 2, 2009 at 5:27 pm
This is really helpfulll. I just got in to Parsons and I will start my foundation year in the fall. All I hear is how tough it is and it’s already making me exhausted! I know what I have to keep in mind …no pain no gain.
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That’s the right attitude. Plus you can have bragging rights (and so can the friends you’ll make during freshman year) sophomore year when people transfer in and skip foundation! Trust me, it will help your work tremendously even though sometimes it feels totally pointless. Good luck!
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17 April // Jun 4, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Question. Can you take 12 credits during your foundation year? Or is it mandatory to take 18?
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You should def ask your counselor on this one. My answer would be that you wouldn’t be considered a sophomore until you finish all the required credits and thus wouldn’t be able to sign up for sophomore level classes. It is a ridiculous workload but you can do it!
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18 jacqueline. // Jun 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hello!
Much like Zelda, I am also a high school Freshman; well only for the rest of the week, that is. My goal/dream is to get into Parsons as a fashion major. I’m currently taking painting, and I will be taking drawing my Sophmore year. As for my Junior year, I will either be taking a fashion class at another school (transportation premiting) or a general design class. Senior year I will hopefully be taking AP art. My grades are good (3.0-4.0), but will that be enough? I really want to start preparing for Parsons as soon as I can, so any advice is VERY welcome!!
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19 Frank // Jun 15, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Hello all, I am very excited for the Fall semester! I got into Parsons, feels like a dream come true. I would like to know more about “Foundation” if I may. Thanks!
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20 Lamouzinga // Jul 13, 2009 at 3:31 pm
heya! What a great blog. Thanks for posting!
This is prob a somewhat obvious question but I must attempt to ask… 
Im not from the US and didn’t do amazingly well academically in my final years of school, however, always was more interested in the arts as thats the area that I excelled and currently work in. Is it possible that Parsons consider applicants based on merit and evident experience? as opposed to academic scores and certificates?
Any advice would be fantastic, thank you
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I’ve posted about that before
you might want to read it! http://faux-beau.com/journal/questions-answered-do-art-schools-care-about-your-gpa/
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21 Lindsey // Sep 1, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Being a graduate from Parsons, I understand the hype and the excitement that all entrants might feel. Parsons was my #1 school too. When I had to decide between RISD and Parsons, I knew that I had to stick w/ the City. Just prepare yourself. I had a minimal social life during college and am just starting to have a life being out of school 1 year. But I must tell you, having a background w/ Parsons will definitely link you into stellar jobs and get more recognition. Good luck to all!
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22 Shreena // Sep 2, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Hey, to whoever got into Parsons and did foundation year…can you please give me a few ideas about how to do the Parsons Challenge? I’m really confused and stressed out about it because it’s such an important part of the application. I’m kinda confused as to how you did the CD thing and related it to Interstate 95. Please help me! I would really appreciate it and your advice would help a lot! My email address is shreena_13_@hotmail.com
Thankssss!
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23 Dona // Sep 5, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hi, I’m a freshman and I want to get into Parsons so badly to study fashion design.
In a career planning site I’ve read, it says that I should take Visual Arts for four years. In my school they only offer painting, drawing, photography, and ceramics, and no sewing. Should I transfer schools or stick with painting, drawing, etc, and learn no sewing at all?
I’ve had past sewing experiances but barely making bags or dresses (unfortunately). I was so disappointed how the school that I go now does not have these classes. Anyone heard of a Bethany Chrisitian graduate at Parsons??
So please, I’m making my life goal here, and if you understand what I’m trying to say, PLEASE guide me to the right place.
-thanks, dona
p.s my email is dona_park@hotmail.com
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Hi Dona, don’t worry about learning how to sew. A lot of freshman have limited to no knowledge of sewing—it is something you can learn when you get here. But if you are interested in learning how to sew check your local fabric stores and art centers, a lot of them offer sewing classes you can take for a small fee.
Also, consider doing a summer art residency program at an art school the summer after your Sophomore or Junior year—parsons offers one (I didn’t take it) and I know a lot of people found it helpful in deciding if Parsons was the right school for them.
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24 Lee // Sep 8, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Do you know if Parsons allows student transfers in the middle of the year? I have heard that they do not on the New School website, that transfers are not allowed to go into spring semester, but instead only fall semesters. But my boyfriend that had just graduated from Parsons told me that he knew a girl that came into foundation year during the spring semester, so I’m guessing there are loopholes to this. We tried contacting her via FB because that was the only way he knew of, but could not. Does anyone know/have any information about this? Thanks!
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25 a.o. // Oct 16, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hey, I am applying to Parsons for the AAS degree in Fashion Design ( I already have a degree from a liberal arts college). Unlike the BFA portfolio requirements, for this home assignment I am to create a collage representing the lifestyle of the woman I’d like to design for. I am unsure of what Parsons is expecting– I was straying away from the cut/paste/glue technique and was thinking a digital compilation i.e photoshop would be more attractive? Any suggestions? Also if I created it digitally how can I translate texture and fabrics appealingly? I really appreciate any advice, Thank you!
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26 Iain // Oct 21, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Meh, I applied late and kind of threw together a rough portfolio that I posted on flickr. And I got into their Dual Degree programme. I’m in my second year and I gotta say, this school is really NOT has hard as people make it out to be. You just need to know how to manage your own time. Self motivation is key, as no one is going to do anything for you.
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27 dhani // Nov 3, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hey I’m very passionate about art and fashion design. I have a complete portfolio for fine arts, including paintings,charcoal,pencil sketches. My question is what exactly is the parsons challenge? Can you please specify what you did, with the interstate cd cover. Also I will be a transfer student with more then 36 credits in liberal arts. Should I apply for undergrad aas or bfa? Thank you so much! & your blog is super helpful.
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28 Linn // Nov 7, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi!
I just wonder how many pieces you had in you’re portfolio? Thanks!
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29 Lani // Nov 15, 2009 at 5:35 pm
This is so inspiring! I would really like to go to Parsons for fashion design-it’s my top choice. Currently I’m a junior in high school but just looking at other peoples portfolios and Parsons challenges makes me feel as if I could never get in. I definitely need to put more time into all of my drawings and I need to start learning how to properly shade and use different tools and take some classes. I’m so nervous and I’m unsure if I’d make it into Parsons. Is there anything specific that they really look at? And about the Parsons Challenge..what is it exactly? I’ve read it online on their website but it seems so vague.
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30 Arushi Khosla from FabBlab // Dec 6, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi, Parsons is to me what Yale is to Blair Waldorf. However, I want to do something like marketing or management and not designing, illustration, photography, etc.
I also will definitely need financial aid.
I have some work experience writing for Vogue India, Haute Mimi International, Glossy and Liberating Style magazines, Models and Moguls, etc.
Do you think that’ll help my case to get in with financial aid?
Oh, and I’m an Indian girl from Delhi.
So considering I’m doing fashion marketing or something, will my essay still focus on art history and do I have to have a portfolio?
Thanks a ton,
Arushi
pls. reply at my email fabblab@ gmail.com
Parsons did a presentation at my high school this year but sadly, I wasn’t able to attend it. This would help so much.
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