NewSchool of Architecture and Design

<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>Acceptance rate roughly 25 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, four points less than the national average of 16:1 </li><li>AP credit accepted </li><li>Located downtown, approximately four miles from the San Diego International Airport </li><li>Very low number of TAs teaching courses </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Unranked school </li><li>Limited number of academic programs </li><li>Does not offer on-campus housing </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsAndSchoolAnalysis">Rankings and School Analysis</h3> <p>In 2011, the NewSchool of Architecture and Design enrolled 613 students, 400 of which were undergraduates. This small student body allows the NewSchool to offer a low student-to-faculty ratio, with one instructor for every 12 students. Additionally, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that only 8% of classes were taught by graduate teaching assistants, meaning that you'll more than likely receive instruction from one of the school's 95 faculty members. </p> <p>This small student population and low student-to-teacher ratio could make the NewSchool a good choice if you're interested in studying such areas as construction management, architecture, landscape architecture or digital media. The school also features programs that accommodate the needs of working adults. Internship opportunities are an integral part of study, and the afternoon and evening class schedules are designed to give you time to build professional experience while still pursuing a degree. However, the limited number of degree programs available means that you'll be left with few options if you want to change majors. </p> <p>The NewSchool is approved by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, so credits earned here can be transferred to other accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States. The NewSchool is also one of only 123 schools accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which means that graduates of the professional architecture programs can meet education requirements for state licensure. </p> <p>The NewSchool's acceptance rate of 90% is well above the national average of 65.5%, so you stand a good chance of getting in. According to NCES, it also has a student retention rate of 100% for part-time students, whereas the retention rate for full-time students was 53%. This means that almost half of full-time undergraduates who began their degree programs in 2010 did not return for a second year of study. The NCES reported that 73% of the students who began a 4-year degree program in 2005 had completed their studies within six years (150% of the normal program completion time). </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionAndFinancialAidAtNSAD">Admission and Financial Aid at NSAD</h2> <p>The NewSchool of Architecture and Design operates on the quarter system. You can apply to the school at any time and begin your studies in either the fall, winter or summer session. Online applications are preferred and must be accompanied by high school transcripts, a design portfolio, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement describing your career goals. Upon acceptance, you can take part in various new student orientations designed to get you acquainted with the campus and the city of San Diego. </p> <p>According to NCES, 95% of first-year students enrolled at the NewSchool received financial aid in 2011. Most were awarded institutional grants or scholarships and federal grants. In the same year, 85% of first-year students took out loans averaging around $7,000. The 3-year default rate is just under the national average for students who have financed their education with loans. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> Rolling admissions*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $75**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 90% **</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $47,333**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 11.7%**</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtNSAD">Student Life at NSAD</h2> <p>Located about an hour and a half south of Los Angeles and only 17 miles from Tijuana, Mexico, the NewSchool is situated in the culturally diverse city of San Diego. There are no dormitories on the school's 100,000 square foot campus, but its proximity to downtown offers you many housing options as well as opportunities for unique dining, entertainment and retail experiences. </p> <p>Because there are also no school-sponsored athletic programs, fraternities, or sororities, student life at the NewSchool might differ from a traditional college experience. However, the campus features some unique structures that have been re-purposed to house computer and materials labs, studios, classrooms, and a library containing over 14,000 materials. As a degree candidate at the NewSchool, you'll have constant access to your own studio space in addition to woodworking and CNC machinery, print centers and a MAC lab. </p> <p>The student population at the NewSchool is predominantly male and currently includes no international students. According to College Board, the average age of students is 29. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Large city**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 613**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i> Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 76% Male 25 % Female**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 87%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 65% *</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 53% for full-time students; 100% for part-time students**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> None***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Libraries</i></td><td> 1***</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article Sources: *College Board, **NCES College Navigator, ***NewSchool of Architecture and Design</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li>Address: 725 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 </li><li>Phone: (619) 684-8786</li></ul>