What is Parsons Challenge? (the New School Home Test)

As for the New School (former Parsons) admissions, one of the requirements is “Parsons Challenge,” that serves as a home test for admissions.

Depending on the program applicants are applying to, they would be submitting their Parsons Challenge response to the school, sometimes along with the portfolio.

Broadly, the challenge theme remains the same, but details could change a little bit each year. Usually, applicants are required to revamp, or remake one of their existing works.

As taken verbatim from the website:

BFA and BA/BFA applicants: Applicants must create and submit a new visual work inspired by the theme within a piece submitted in their portfolios. Support your process by writing one 500-word essay describing how your ideas developed. You may also submit up to two additional visual pieces that document your process. All forms of media are acceptable—drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3D work, collage, and digital images. The Parsons Challenge helps us understand how you develop ideas, visually communicate those ideas, and support your work in writing.

BBA applicants: BBA applicants should not submit a portfolio. However, the Parsons Challenge is strongly encouraged. Create a new visual work inspired by an advertisement, invention, or theme within a piece you’ve already created. Support your process by writing one 500-word essay describing how your ideas developed. You may also submit up to two additional pieces that document your process. All forms of media are acceptable-drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3D work, collage, and digital images.

If you are doing the Parsons Challenge, similar to your portfolio, what you might want to show would be the ability to visualize innovative and creative ideas well under given instructions. Not only do you have to make the actual work, but you are also required to write about it cohesively. Usually, you would be describing your process, intention, and anything at all that you deem necessary to provide the context of your work.

At New York Art Studio, we help the prospective students with their Parsons Challenge or any home tests as required for their college applications.

Here are some of the past examples of Parsons Challenge responses: