Getting into Parsons School of Design is not simply about earning good grades. For most Bachelor of Fine Arts applicants, the university wants to see how you think, experiment, develop ideas and communicate visually.
One current College Board profile reports a 56.61% admission rate, based on 3,353 offers from 5,922 applicants. Other college databases report rates near 78% from different applicant pools. A final, Parsons-specific Fall 2026 admission rate could not be independently confirmed from the school’s official admissions website.
The critical distinction: Parsons is part of The New School, and university-wide figures should not be mistaken for the admission rate of every design program.
Reporting year not explicitly established as Fall 2026
The College Board’s current Parsons admissions profile lists 56.61%—5,922 applicants, 3,353 admitted and 894 enrolled. Separately, Peterson’s and CollegeData show approximately 78% based on 4,612 admissions from 5,921 applicants, with CollegeData identifying its profile information as from 2024–25. These are conflicting reporting sets and should not be combined or assumed to describe the same entering class.
For students applying in late 2026 for Fall 2027, Parsons’ official admissions instructions matter much more than either historical rate: most BFA students need an 8–12-slide portfolio, a program-specific essay, transcripts and recommendations. SAT and ACT scores are not used in the university’s admission review.
Why Parsons Acceptance Rate Statistics Differ So Much
The most common error in Parsons admissions articles is treating Parsons School of Design, its older separately reported institutional identity and the present-day university-wide admissions population as identical.
Parsons is one of the colleges of The New School. The New School also includes Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts and the College of Performing Arts. When an admissions source reports a combined university acceptance rate, that number does not reveal how many applicants were admitted to Parsons BFA Fashion Design, Communication Design, Product Design or another individual program.
| Published reference | Applicants | Admitted | Rate | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Board BigFuture Parsons profile | 5,922 | 3,353 | 56.61% | Published Parsons-labeled college profile, not explicitly verified as Fall 2026. |
| Peterson’s / CollegeData Parsons profile | 5,921 | 4,612 | 77.9% | Different reporting set; CollegeData associates its information with the 2024–25 year. |
| The New School university-wide figures | Varies by report | Varies by report | Different | Includes other colleges; not an individual Parsons major rate. |
| Confirmed Fall 2026 Parsons-only admissions data | Not verified | Not verified | Not established | Do not manufacture a new 2026 percentage. |
The difference between 56.61% and 77.9% is far too large to ignore. It can arise from different years, reporting definitions or institutional profiles. Neither source alone establishes the exact proportion of students admitted to Parsons’ current undergraduate BFA programs in Fall 2026.
Parsons is often described online as having an acceptance rate of 35%, 50%, 56%, 63% or 78%. Without a clear academic year, the correct applicant population and the corresponding number admitted, these figures should not be presented as a verified current Parsons-specific rate.
Does that make Parsons easy or difficult to enter?
Parsons is best understood as a design school with selective creative evaluation. A majority of students may receive offers in some reported datasets, but the application is not interchangeable with an ordinary test-driven college application.
For a BFA applicant, completing a high-quality portfolio is not optional. The admissions committee evaluates both technical and conceptual abilities. An attractive GPA cannot compensate for failing to submit a required portfolio.
Sources: College Board admissions profile, Peterson’s profile and CollegeData reporting.
What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Parsons?
There is no single published GPA that guarantees admission to Parsons School of Design. Academic performance matters, but a successful application also depends on artistic development, critical thinking, writing and the required portfolio.
Some third-party college profiles report a historical average high school GPA of approximately 3.46 for enrolled Parsons students. That should be treated as an older profile statistic, not a newly verified Fall 2026 mean or an official current cutoff.
What if your GPA is 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0?
| Applicant GPA | Practical interpretation | What deserves attention |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8–4.0 | Strong academic preparation, but no guarantee. | Originality and range of work, creative development, application essay. |
| 3.5–3.79 | Reasonable historical GPA context. | Show both academic seriousness and a compelling portfolio. |
| 3.0–3.49 | Admission cannot be ruled out from GPA alone. | Course selection, academic improvement, polished application materials. |
| Below 3.0 | More uncertainty; no reliable GPA-specific admit rate. | Discuss academic circumstances and portfolio preparation with admissions. |
A student with a 3.6 GPA and a portfolio documenting strong experimentation may present a more compelling creative application than a student with a perfect GPA and a collection of technically neat copies of existing artwork.
That is a practical illustration, not a claim that Parsons uses a particular numerical weighting for grades versus creative work.
Do AP, IB and advanced art classes help?
Advanced coursework can demonstrate academic preparation and sustained effort. Art and design courses can also generate work for the portfolio, but Parsons does not require students to submit only school-assigned projects.
Independent work, sketchbooks, experiments, self-directed research and projects responding to personal experiences may contribute meaningfully.
Do not assume your portfolio must contain professional photography, fashion-show garments or costly digital rendering. Parsons encourages varied media and evidence of original thinking. A thoughtfully developed project using inexpensive materials can be more revealing than an expensive but generic project.
Does Parsons Require SAT or ACT Scores in 2026?
No. The New School’s current Parsons undergraduate application instructions state that SAT and ACT scores are not required and do not play a part in the admission review process.
That differs from a conventional test-optional approach in which high scores might provide an advantage. Parsons explicitly says standardized testing is not used in the review.
SAT
Not required for admission. The university’s listed SAT code is 2521, but students should not assume submitting a high score strengthens their application.
ACT
Not required for admission. The university’s ACT code is 2828. The current Parsons policy does not use SAT/ACT results in admission review.
What SAT score is good for Parsons?
Because Parsons does not use the SAT for undergraduate admission review, there is no meaningful official current SAT cutoff or middle-50% score requirement applicants must meet.
Older websites may list SAT or ACT ranges, but those should not be used to advise a current applicant to aim for a specific score to improve Parsons admission chances.
Does test-free mean no examinations at all?
Not necessarily. Students whose native language is not English may need to demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo or another accepted examination, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Academic standardized testing and English proficiency testing are separate requirements.
Parsons Portfolio Requirements: The Most Important Part of the Application
The portfolio is an essential part of Parsons’ BFA application. It is also considered in the scholarship process. The school assesses both technical ability and conceptual development—not simply how polished the final image looks.
| Applicant category | Portfolio requirement | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| First-year BFA | 8–12 slides | Required for admission. |
| Transfer BFA | 8–12 slides; up to 20 allowed | Studio coursework and previous creative development may be included. |
| BBA Strategic Design and Management | Optional, 2–12 slides | May include visual communication, infographics or data visualization. |
| Personal portfolio website | Not a substitute | Upload images/slides through the university’s Admission Hub. |
What can you include?
Parsons explicitly welcomes work across media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, animation, performance, graphic design and sketchbook pages.
Applicants may include more than one image within a slide where useful, and the university encourages high school applicants to show experimentation and breadth. You are not required to make every project about your intended major.
What should you avoid?
Parsons cautions applicants against submitting copied artwork or work that does not reveal their own ideas. Its portfolio guidance specifically discourages direct copies of other artists’ work, certain generic anime character drawings, AutoCAD drawings, Roblox imagery, Sims housing renderings, influencer-style TikTok videos and fashion styling with purchased clothing as substitutes for original design work.
These examples should not be read as a prohibition on every use of technology or popular visual culture. The central issue is whether the submitted work communicates independent thinking and design ability.
Parsons’ current AI disclosure rule
This is especially relevant to 2026 applicants. Parsons says applicants must disclose the process and tools used for any portfolio work supported or created by AI. It strongly recommends against submitting fully generative AI images or essays.
If work was made collaboratively, applicants must describe their personal contribution. The school may request additional materials when AI-generated work is involved.
Parsons is evaluating the student’s creative thinking. Generating impressive-looking images without being able to explain the choices, process or authorship undermines the purpose of the portfolio and conflicts with the university’s application guidance.
Portfolio descriptions matter, too
The current application instructions require portfolio submitters to use description fields to explain the process behind at least two favorite pieces. Those explanations can include the original idea, inspiration, materials and experimentation.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate thoughtfulness. Instead of writing “mixed-media artwork,” explain what you wanted to investigate, which approaches failed and how the piece developed.
What about the old Parsons Challenge?
Some older Parsons application guides discuss a separate “Parsons Challenge.” Current official undergraduate instructions focus on the required portfolio, its content descriptions and the school-specific essay. Do not assume an older challenge prompt is still required unless it appears in your current Admission Hub.
How to Build a Strong Parsons Portfolio: A Practical Approach
The most effective portfolio is rarely twelve unrelated pieces selected because they each look attractive. It usually tells a reader something about how an applicant observes, experiments and solves creative problems.
Choose work that genuinely belongs to you
Start with projects that show original decisions. Include work you can discuss confidently, including how and why you made it.
Include different creative approaches
Try to demonstrate some range across media, techniques, subjects or processes. Variety should be authentic, not forced.
Show process, not just polished outcomes
Sketchbook pages, early versions, material tests and revisions can make your thinking visible. They help distinguish experimentation from simple imitation.
Photograph physical work clearly
Use even lighting, an uncluttered background and appropriate cropping. A great physical project is difficult to evaluate if the photographs obscure it.
Write two genuinely useful descriptions
Explain the inspiration, decisions, materials and learning behind at least two selected projects. Avoid vague claims about being passionate or creative.
Upload through the Admission Hub
Submit the Common Application first, use the resulting portfolio-upload link and confirm the files are received. Parsons says submitted portfolios cannot be edited afterward.
If you are interested in fashion, you might investigate how a garment responds to movement, repair or sustainability rather than simply drawing a beautiful collection. If you are interested in communication design, show how you explored a visual problem and tested different ways of communicating an idea.
The project does not need to be expensive. It needs to make your decisions visible.
Parsons BFA vs BBA: Why Your Degree Choice Changes the Application
Students often search for a single “Parsons acceptance rate” even though the application requirements differ between creative studio degrees and the Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Design and Management.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
A creative studio-oriented degree. An 8–12-slide visual portfolio is required for first-year applicants. Parsons assesses conceptual and technical development.
BBA in Strategic Design and Management
A design-and-business pathway. The visual portfolio is optional, with a permitted range of 2–12 slides if an applicant chooses to submit one.
Does Fashion Design have a different acceptance rate?
Parsons does not provide a verified public Fall 2026 Fashion Design-specific application and admit table in the sources reviewed. Therefore, its overall college profile should not be converted into a Fashion Design acceptance rate.
Does Communication Design have a different acceptance rate?
The same limitation applies. Portfolio quality and program fit matter, but no precise program-specific Fall 2026 acceptance figure should be claimed without separate official applicant and admitted totals.
Is the BBA easier because a portfolio is optional?
A portfolio being optional does not automatically make the program easier to enter. The review still considers academic preparation and program fit, and applicants should not assume the BBA has a higher admit rate without official data.
Parsons Undergraduate Application Requirements
For current standard undergraduate admission, Parsons instructs applicants to use the Common Application, followed by the university’s Admission Hub for portfolio materials.
| Application item | First-year requirement | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Common Application | Required | Submit before uploading the portfolio. |
| Application fee | $50 domestic; $75 first-year international | Fee waivers may be available. |
| School-specific essay | Required | 300–400 words about the academic programs or community that drew you to apply. |
| High school transcript | Required | Official academic records; translations if needed. |
| Counselor recommendation | Required | One counselor recommendation for standard first-year applicants. |
| Teacher recommendation | Required | One teacher recommendation for standard first-year applicants. |
| Common App School Report | Required | Submitted by the high school. |
| Portfolio | Required for BFA; optional for BBA | Submitted through Admission Hub. |
| SAT/ACT | Not required or used | Do not prioritize standardized testing for Parsons review. |
| English proficiency | Where applicable | Accepted examinations or qualifying exemption. |
What is the Parsons essay prompt?
The school’s current undergraduate instructions ask students to explain which specific aspects of The New School’s academic programs or community drew them to apply, with particular attention to the selected college and program. The required response is 300–400 words.
How do you make that essay specific?
A persuasive answer might connect your own experiments to a Parsons approach or explain how a particular curriculum supports the questions you want to investigate.
It is less convincing to write a paragraph that consists only of the school’s rankings, famous alumni, New York City location and general praise for creativity.
Remove the words “Parsons” and “New School” from your draft. Could the exact same essay be submitted to five unrelated colleges? If yes, your explanation probably needs more specific academic reasons and personal detail.
Special Common App direct-admission offers
The New School currently describes a conditional Common Application direct-admission route for certain U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying to the Parsons BBA in Strategic Design and Management or to Eugene Lang.
This is not a guaranteed final offer and does not extend automatically to Parsons BFA programs. Applicants receiving such a conditional offer should follow its particular documentation and recommendation instructions rather than assuming all ordinary requirements have disappeared.
Parsons Application Deadlines for Fall 2027
Students applying during the 2026–27 cycle should use the dates below from Parsons’ current undergraduate admissions page. These are for its New York undergraduate campus, not Parsons Paris.
First-year early applications are due. Upload the visual portfolio as soon as the Admission Hub is available after applying.
Eligible Early Decision applicants seeking a need-based aid package with their admission offer should follow the school’s Net Price Calculator submission instructions.
Parsons publishes this general notification window for fall Early Action and Early Decision applications.
First-year Regular Decision applications are due. The portfolio should be submitted promptly rather than held until the last moment.
Eligible domestic students should submit FAFSA as early as possible, no later than the school’s stated date.
The current Parsons admissions page separately lists March 1 for fall transfer applicants.
Parsons says fall first-year Regular Decision decisions are released by April 1 for high school applicants.
Is Parsons Early Decision binding?
Yes. Early Decision is designed for applicants prepared to commit if admitted under the agreement’s conditions. Early Action is the nonbinding early route.
Families should review financial aid considerations carefully before entering a binding commitment, particularly given New York City’s living costs.
What if you miss January 15?
Parsons describes most deadlines other than Early Action and Early Decision as priority deadlines. It may continue accepting applications after those dates if space remains. That is not a promise that every program will remain open.
Parsons lists October 15 for spring entry. First-year students entering in the spring must complete a required summer term to align with the sophomore-year sequence. Applicants should budget for that requirement before choosing spring entry.
Applying to Parsons Fashion Design: What Is Actually Important?
Parsons is especially well known for fashion education, but a Fashion Design applicant should be cautious about assuming the best portfolio is simply a series of polished runway sketches.
Parsons emphasizes conceptual development, experimentation and personal perspective. Projects exploring material behavior, fabric manipulation, clothing construction, cultural context or sustainability can give the committee insight into the applicant’s interests.
What might a fashion-focused portfolio include?
- Original garment concepts supported by sketches and material tests.
- Photographs of garments or textile experiments the student actually created.
- Research into a design problem, with early concepts and revisions.
- Observational drawing and work in media outside fashion.
- Documentation of failures or redesigns showing how the student learned.
Applicants should not assume a portfolio must already resemble a professional fashion collection. Parsons says it welcomes diverse media and encourages breadth among high school applicants.
Should a Fashion Design portfolio include only fashion?
No. Parsons explicitly permits work beyond the intended major. Strong drawing, photography, sculpture, visual storytelling or other work can reveal relevant creative abilities.
Fashion styling versus original fashion design
The school discourages styling presentations made primarily from ready-made or purchased garments. That differs from designing, constructing, altering or experimentally researching garments to communicate an original idea.
A student may be inspired by fashion collections seen in Manhattan, but the portfolio should show their own viewpoint. Walking through a museum exhibition, observing everyday streetwear or studying the construction of an ordinary garment can provide a starting point for original inquiry.
Parsons Transfer Acceptance Rate and Transfer Portfolio
The current public sources reviewed do not establish a reliable separate Fall 2026 Parsons transfer acceptance percentage. An undergraduate freshman admission statistic should not be used as a substitute.
Transfer applicants submit college-level transcripts and generally need a professor recommendation. The visual portfolio is required for BFA transfer applicants, who may submit up to 20 slides.
Parsons encourages transfer students to include examples from studio courses they have completed.
Does every previous art-school credit transfer?
No. Transfer credit evaluation depends on coursework and degree requirements. Even when a course is accepted for general credit, it may not replace a particular studio or foundation requirement.
Ask for credit-evaluation guidance before making a cost comparison based on the assumption that all prior work will shorten the degree by a full year.
Is changing majors within Parsons automatic?
Students should consult academic advisers about changing departments within Parsons. Moving between colleges of The New School involves an internal-transfer process, and a program change can affect degree requirements and financial aid.
International Admissions and English Proficiency at Parsons
Parsons welcomes international applicants and evaluates a variety of secondary-school qualifications. A U.S.-style GPA is not necessarily required when the applicant’s original academic system uses different marks, grades or examination structures.
Students should submit transcripts in the form required by The New School, with certified English translations where necessary.
Current English proficiency examples
| English test | Published minimum or standard |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 92 / 5.0 on relevant reporting scales, with 5.0 writing and speaking on the new scale. |
| IELTS | 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 63 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 writing and 110 speaking |
| Cambridge English | 185 |
The New School publishes exemptions for some students educated in English for four consecutive years of secondary school, subject to its conditions. Applicants should verify exemptions rather than assume English-medium schooling automatically qualifies in every case.
International applicants should also budget for translated documents, travel, visa-related requirements, housing deposits and art or design materials.
Submit your original CBSE, ISC, state-board, IB, A-level or other recognized academic results as instructed. Avoid converting them into a self-invented GPA. Your portfolio remains a separate assessment of your creative work.
Parsons Tuition, Financial Aid and New York City Costs
Parsons’ academic and creative fit matters, but attending a private design school in Manhattan also requires realistic financial planning.
For 2026–27, The New School lists $31,174 per semester for full-time new undergraduates in Parsons and related undergraduate programs, generally covering 12–18 credits.
$31,174 per semester
Published full-time tuition for the applicable 2026–27 new undergraduate cohort.
$62,348 per academic year
Two-semester tuition calculation before university fees, housing, meals, supplies and other expenses.
New York City design students may also need specialized materials, digital hardware, printing, software, fabrication supplies and transportation in addition to ordinary living expenses.
Scholarships and FAFSA
Parsons says admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships; a separate general merit scholarship application is not required.
Eligible U.S. students should complete FAFSA using The New School’s federal school code 002780. International students typically have more limited need-based funding eligibility and should study scholarship terms carefully.
A large scholarship can meaningfully reduce tuition, but families should calculate the final cost including New York housing and recurring art supplies.
Official new undergraduate tuition rates | Scholarship and FAFSA instructions.
New York City Tips for Parsons Applicants and Families
Parsons is based in the Greenwich Village/Union Square area of Manhattan. That urban location offers access to galleries, exhibitions, design events, studios and professional networks, but it also makes commuting and living costs important.
Begin your visit at the correct Welcome Center
The university identifies its Welcome Center at 2 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011, at Fifth Avenue.
Visitors should register for the appropriate Parsons undergraduate tour or university-wide event rather than arrive expecting unrestricted access to every studio.
Choose the correct type of tour
Parsons offers events covering the entire university as well as sessions specifically focused on the School of Design. An applicant interested in studio facilities should choose the school-specific option when available.
The university also offers virtual tours, portfolio reviews and admissions events for applicants unable to visit New York.
Public transportation is usually more practical
The university recommends using public transportation for campus visits because Manhattan street parking is scarce and paid parking can be expensive.
The area is accessible from multiple nearby subway lines around 14th Street–Union Square and Sixth Avenue. Allow additional time for walking, station exits and street-level navigation.
Explore creative work beyond campus
A visit to Parsons can be more useful when combined with observing exhibitions or design environments across the city. Nearby galleries and museums can help applicants think critically about presentation, material experimentation and contemporary visual culture.
The purpose is not to imitate art you see. It is to notice how creative practitioners organize ideas, research subjects and communicate meaning.
Ask current students how often they buy materials, where they fabricate work, how they transport large projects and whether certain studio classes require extra spending. Those questions can reveal the everyday cost and logistics of design education more effectively than a general campus presentation.
Do campus portfolio reviews replace the application portfolio?
No. Parsons says an interview or informal portfolio review is not required for admission and does not replace the final portfolio submission through the Admission Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parsons Acceptance Rate 2026
1. What is Parsons School of Design’s acceptance rate in 2026?
College Board currently reports 56.61%, based on 3,353 admitted students from 5,922 applicants. Other profiles report approximately 78% from a different dataset. Neither establishes a finalized, school-specific Fall 2026 admission rate, so both should be identified by their source and reporting population.
2. Is Parsons School of Design difficult to get into?
Parsons requires a substantial creative application for BFA students. Its BFA portfolio is assessed for technical and conceptual ability. Historical overall acceptance percentages do not predict admission to a particular major.
3. What GPA do you need for Parsons?
Parsons does not publish one universal GPA cutoff guaranteeing admission. Some historical third-party profiles report an average high school GPA around 3.46, but this is not a verified Fall 2026 requirement.
4. Does Parsons require SAT or ACT scores?
No. The New School says SAT and ACT scores are not required and do not play a role in its current undergraduate admissions review. English proficiency testing can still be required for qualifying international applicants.
5. How many portfolio pieces do you need for Parsons?
First-year BFA applicants submit 8–12 portfolio slides. BFA transfer applicants may submit up to 20 slides. The BBA in Strategic Design and Management has an optional portfolio, with 2–12 slides permitted.
6. Does Parsons still require the Parsons Challenge?
Current undergraduate instructions emphasize a visual portfolio, descriptions of at least two selected works and a school-specific essay. Applicants should follow their current Admission Hub rather than assume an older Parsons Challenge prompt remains required.
7. What is the Parsons Fashion Design acceptance rate?
A verified separate Fall 2026 Fashion Design applicant/admit table was not identified in the reviewed official sources. General Parsons or New School rates should not be presented as the Fashion Design-specific acceptance rate.
8. What is the Parsons Regular Decision deadline?
For Fall 2027 first-year applicants, Parsons lists January 15, 2027 as the Regular Decision priority deadline. Early Action and Early Decision are due November 1, 2026.
9. How much does Parsons cost in 2026–27?
The New School lists $31,174 per semester in full-time new undergraduate tuition for the applicable Parsons programs, or $62,348 over two semesters before fees, housing, meals, supplies and other expenses.
10. Can I apply to Parsons without a portfolio?
Applicants to a Parsons BFA must submit a visual portfolio. Applicants to the BBA in Strategic Design and Management may apply without a portfolio because it is optional for that program.
Official Parsons and New School Sources
Parsons acceptance-rate information is unusually inconsistent among college databases. The primary sources below establish current portfolio, testing, deadline and application policies, while the admissions-data profiles document the different historical reported rates.
- Parsons Undergraduate Application Instructions — Official deadlines, Common Application, fees, essay, recommendations, transcripts, standardized testing and international requirements.
- Parsons Portfolio Help — BFA/BBA portfolio quantities, accepted media, work recommendations and portfolio reviews.
- College Board Admissions Data — The 5,922-applicant, 3,353-admit reporting set.
- Peterson’s Parsons Profile — The alternative 5,921-applicant, 4,612-admit dataset and historical GPA reference.
- CollegeData Parsons Profile — Historical admissions information marked as the 2024–25 academic year.
- Parsons Undergraduate Admission Events — Campus tours, portfolio reviews, location and virtual sessions.
- 2026–27 Tuition for New Students — Published full-time tuition by degree category.
- The New School Catalog Tuition and Fees — Academic-year fee tables and related cost details.
Research reviewed October 15, 2026. Parsons, Parsons Paris and university-wide admission statistics may refer to distinct populations. The historical figures displayed here are not represented as a verified Fall 2026 Parsons-only admission rate. Always use your current Admission Hub and official school communications for applicant-specific requirements.
Final Takeaway: Build a Parsons Application That Reveals How You Think
Parsons School of Design is a compelling option for students serious about fashion, visual communication, design research, creative technology and related disciplines. But the headline acceptance rate is not the most useful indicator of an individual applicant’s chances, especially when public reporting sources disagree.
A current BFA applicant should focus on an original and well-documented 8–12-slide portfolio, a specific 300–400-word essay, academic records and recommendation requirements. SAT and ACT scores are not used in the current review. BBA applicants should understand that their portfolio is optional, not mandatory.
Before committing, examine the degree program, the university’s New York City facilities, tuition and financial aid, and what everyday design-studio life will require. The strongest decision is based on the kind of designer you want to become—not simply whether an admissions website labels Parsons selective.