About

The Parsons Summer Intensive Studies: New York at The New School is a rigorous three-week, three-credit pre-college immersion for students aged 16–18. Hosted on Parsons’ Manhattan campus in Greenwich Village, the program offers two sessions in 2026 (June 8–26 and July 6–24). Students pair studio practice with design theory across disciplines such as fashion, photography, illustration, and strategic design and management. Courses are taught by Parsons faculty and industry practitioners, featuring project-based learning and field visits to NYC cultural institutions and design firms. Tuition for 2026 is $5,610. While many students commute, on-campus housing is available for an additional cost if secured by the May 8 housing deadline. Admission is capacity-limited and rolling, with a final registration deadline of June 1 for Session 2.

The curriculum mirrors undergraduate pedagogy, with students attending classes Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Instruction blends intensive studio time, seminars, and critiques designed to develop both craft and conceptual fluency. Projects culminate in final presentations or exhibitions, providing students with substantial work for their college application portfolios.

Unlike recreational art programs, the Intensive embeds students in a college-level culture that foregrounds experimentation and iterative research—hallmarks of the Parsons approach. The program’s location in New York City allows participants to engage with a global creative hub and professional networks. For students aiming to explore design thinking and creative practice at an advanced level, the program delivers an academically substantive, credit-bearing introduction to one of the world's leading design schools.