How does Parsons School of Design's ranking impact admissions?

I'm curious about Parsons School of Design and how its ranking affects admissions. I've heard that rankings can influence the selectivity of a school and was wondering if this is true for Parsons. Do applicants need to be particularly competitive?

While there's no denying that ranking can be a potential indicator of a school's reputation or perceived quality, it's important not to overemphasize its importance. Parsons School of Design, for example, is frequently highly ranked for art and design programs, so applicants may face strong competition. But it's also critical to remember that 'competitive' does not equate solely to a high GPA or standardized test scores.

Admissions at Parsons are more focused on a student's creative potential, originality, and energy towards their chosen field of study. The key elements of a Parsons application are your creative assignment, portfolio, and your essay responses, all of which give you opportunities to display your artistic ability and commitment to your craft.

There's a common saying: "fit" trumps "rank". If you're passionate about your work and you can effectively communicate that in your application, being a competitive applicant to Parsons means more than just meeting high academic standards. So, while the school's strong ranking indeed implies a high level of competition, it's your artistic ability and fit with the program that genuinely determine your competitiveness as an applicant. Always remember, the ranking is just one aspect to consider when evaluating a school.