The New School of Northern Virginia accepts International Students and provides the I-20 for the F-1 Student VISA. Although there is no official deadline, most students complete their applications in winter and early spring and are notified of our decision in May. Applications are also reviewed throughout the summer. You may email our International Program Director, Culver Fortna, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information.

Why do International Students choose The New School?

 •Friendly Faculty and Small Classes: Teachers at The New School are friendly and understanding. We care about students not only academically but personally. Moreover, the    student-to-teacher ratio is very low and allows for a great deal of interaction between teacher and  students.

 •Sensitivity and Openness to Diversity: Teachers do not judge students on the way they look or  the way they dress. We do not judge people on the color of their skin or hair, but on their  character. We are sensitive to the challenges international students face coming into a new culture  and a new way of thinking and communicating.

 •College Prep with ESOL Support: The New School offers a challenging curriculum that  includes Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses; however, it also provides ESOL for  international students who need the extra support. In general, international students are immersed  in classes with the "American" students, but supported with a personalized curriculum and  specific faculty Advisors.

 •Academic Freedom and Interesting Choices: It is difficult at first for students from other  countries to understand and respect the freedom they are given at The New School.  Administrators and teachers trust our students and we expect that students will trust us as well. It  is a more personable and egalitarian teacher-student relationship than most international students  have encountered before, and it usually takes some time for students to appreciate it. In addition,  there is a wide array of classes created to support the knowledge of students coming from  different countries. East Meets West, Modern Middle East, and Asian-American Writers, for  instance, are all courses developed to support and encourage international students' involvement  and participation.
 

To apply, students must submit:

1) A completed Application Form with international and local addresses.

2) Recent transcripts. (High school students who have completed Algebra or Geometry in middle school need to include these transcripts for credit.)

3) Two letters of recommendation by teachers, in English.

4) A one-page handwritten essay by the student explaining why he/she is interested in attending The New School.

5) A $75 Application Fee.

Application Process:

Step 1) The Application is reviewed by the admissions committee.

Step 2) An acceptance letter is sent with an Enrollment Form.

Step 3) The family/guardian returns the Enrollment Form to The New School with a deposit.

Step 4) The I-20 Form is sent to the student’s family.

Step 5) The family returns a signed Enrollment Contract along with other forms required by the school, including an up-to-date immunization record, in English.

Step 6) Full payment completes the student’s enrollment.