The Parsons Challenge
All applicants must submit the challenge described below. This exercise is a way for us to understand how you structure ideas and convey them.
Where do you live? What are your everyday activities? Where do you go? What have you overlooked? Discover something new within your familiar surroundings and daily life; this might be an object, event, activity, or location.
Interpret your discovery in three (3) perspectives in any medium and in three (3) statements of approximately 150 words each. Projects may proceed from image to text or text to image. Each interpretation should represent a different perspective or point of view. Each statement should explore your creative and imaginative process and contribute to the work in both form and content.
Media may include drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3-D work, collage, digital images or any combination of the above. All work and statements must be clearly marked with your name and date of birth.
BBA Design & Management applicants must also submit an essay of 500 - 550 words exploring the relationship between business and design through the use of one specific example.
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Instructions for Submitting the Parsons Challenge
• If you are using the online application (preferred)
• You may upload each of the six components (3 images and 3 essays) with your online application. Each file can not exceed 2MB.
• You may provide a URL for viewing your work. If you choose this option you will be asked to provide a valid URL as part of your online application
• You may mail your work to Parsons Admissions. If you choose this option, send your work along with a Application Materials Cover Sheet. See below for valid formats for submission by mail.
• If you are using the downloadable pdf application
• You may provide a URL for viewing your work. Be sure to provide a valid URL as part of your application. Download the Application Materials Cover Sheet , fill it out (including the proper URL), and attach it to your application.
• You may mail your work to Parsons Admissions. If you choose this option, send your work along with a Application Materials Cover Sheet. See below for valid formats for submission by mail.
Valid formats for submission by mail:
If you are sending your Parsons Challenge by mail, it must be saved in one of the following formats only: slides, CD, DVD, VHS. Be sure to write your name on the assignment itself (for example, the CD, not the CD case), and include a Materials Cover Sheet. Original artwork will not be accepted. Mail to University Admissions (Parsons BBA/ BFA), 79 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003.
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Application Materials Cover Sheet
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