Because your major isn’t just a subject — it’s practically a personality trait.
At The New School, your major often becomes part of your identity — for better or worse. Whether you’re sketching on the train, editing a podcast in a café, or passionately debating gender theory in class, your academic path tends to reflect something deeper about you: how you think, how you move through the world, and yes, maybe even how you dress.
These descriptions are affectionate exaggerations built on observations, stereotypes, and the chaotic, creative energy that makes the New School unique. Our campus is filled with artists, activists, innovators, and deep thinkers — so naturally, our majors come with some strong associations.
Whether you see yourself perfectly reflected here or find yourself in two or three different categories (looking at you, double majors), know that it’s not that serious — but also, maybe it kind of is. 👀
Let’s get into it.
🎨 Fashion Design
You’re: The main character.
You treat the sidewalk like a runway and your Instagram like a curated gallery. You’re detail-oriented and ambitious, and you never leave the house without thinking about your outfit. While others study for finals, you pull all-nighters sewing, pattern-making, or styling your next shoot. You see fashion as both self-expression and social commentary, and you’re always ten steps ahead of the trends. People might say you’re intimidating, but the truth is, you’re just really, really focused — and maybe a little sleep-deprived.
✍️ Literary Studies
You’re: Mysterious, poetic, and maybe a little unhinged.
You’re introspective, observant, and probably carrying at least one notebook at all times. Your friends know you’ll have the perfect song or poem to send when they’re sad. You think deeply about everything — relationships, politics, language — and you write to make sense of it all. While you can be a bit elusive, you’re also incredibly empathetic and curious about people. You might have a chaotic desktop, but your metaphors are always on point. You romanticize rainy days and might have a secret Tumblr. No one knows your major unless they ask.
📢 Journalism + Design
You’re: Chronically online but make it cool.
You live for discourse, memes, and correcting people’s grammar in group chats. You have an eye for aesthetics and a drive to uncover the truth. You’re equal parts media critic and digital storyteller, and you probably know more about New York politics than you’d like to admit. You love a good infographic and consider Canva a love language. You’re the friend with the tea and the receipts. Your dream job is something like “media girly in NYC.”
🧠 Psychology
You’re: The group therapist who low-key needs therapy.
You give the best advice but ghost your own therapist sometimes. You can read body language like a book and secretly analyze everyone at the party. You’re probably passionate about destigmatizing mental health and have strong opinions about attachment theory. You’ve had at least one existential crisis in Union Square Park. You’re either super into astrology or “don’t believe in that stuff,” but still know your big three.
🎭 Drama
You’re: Serving face, monologue, and main character energy.
You never just enter a room — you make an entrance. You quote Shakespeare and Euphoria in the same conversation. You’re expressive, passionate, and not afraid to take up space. Your friends know you as the one who turns every story into a performance (with voices and hand gestures included). You see vulnerability as a strength and bring intensity to everything you do — from a group project to a Friday night karaoke session. Sometimes, people think you’re “too much,” but honestly, you’re just in touch with your feelings.
🌿 Environmental Studies
You’re: Hot, eco-conscious, and maybe a little judgy about meat eaters.
You’re thoughtful, grounded, and always looking at the big picture. You care deeply about the planet but also about systems — policy, equity, infrastructure. You thrift everything, carry a metal straw handy, and probably have a plant named after a philosopher. You dream of policy change but also want to vibe in Prospect Park with a book and a compostable smoothie cup. Your crush is someone who bikes everywhere and owns two tote bags too many.
🎧 Culture & Media
You’re: The ✨cool✨ friend with niche music taste.
You’re media-savvy, culturally fluent, and always ahead of the curve. You don’t just consume content — you dissect it. You’ve probably written a paper comparing reality TV to postmodern theory, and it was actually kind of brilliant. You can reference niche internet drama, indie cinema, and TikTok trends in the same breath. Your Spotify playlists are elite, and your friends always ask what they should watch next. You understand memes on a deeper level and probably have a Letterboxd account. You think podcasts are personality traits (and honestly, same). You could write a 15-page paper on Lana Del Rey’s cultural significance without blinking.
So… Why Do We Care?
At a school like The New School, where identity, expression, and intention are so tightly woven into our academic and social lives, it makes sense that our majors would carry a certain energy. They become shorthand — not just for what we study, but for how we see the world.
Maybe it’s a bit silly to read so much into a course schedule, but maybe it’s also a bit beautiful. The diversity of disciplines here reflects the diversity of thought, background, and ambition that make this campus what it is: a place for people who care deeply — about art, about justice, about ideas.
So whether you’re a Parsons visionary or a Lang essay queen, we see you. And we love your tote bag.