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Frequently Asked Questions
Please keep in mind that these statistics may change at any time. The numbers stated here reflect those of the fall of 2007.
For the convenience of our visitors, we've gathered the most frequently asked questions about the admissions process at Cooper Union. Read the following material to see if your question is addressed before contacting us.
Of course, if your question is not addressed below, feel free to e-mail your question
to admissions@cooper.edu.
- How many students attend The Cooper Union?
- What is the size of a freshman class?
- How many students apply and how many of those are accepted?
- When are applications due?
- What does "Early Decision" really mean?
- What are the requirements for international students to apply to The Cooper Union?
- What tests and documents do I need to apply to The Cooper Union?
- What is the "home test" in Architecture and Art?
- What is a portfolio? Do I need one?
- Does The Cooper Union accept transfer students? What do they need to apply?
- When can I visit The Cooper Union?
- What classes should I be taking in high school to better prepare myself for The Cooper Union?
- Which Advanced Placement (AP) examinations can I receive credit for?
- How much does it really cost to attend The Cooper Union?
- What clubs and activities are offered at The Cooper Union?
- Further requests for information
1. How many students attend The Cooper Union?
Approximately 1000, which includes about 175 in The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, 250 in The School of Art, and 550 in The Albert Nerken School of Engineering. We also have about 50 students in our graduate engineering program.
2. What is the size of a freshman class?
About 220—35 in Architecture, 65 in Art and 120 in Engineering.
3. How many students apply and how many of those are accepted?
Usually, we have about 2,600 applicants (600 for Architecture, 1,200 for The School of Art, and 800 for Engineering). We admit about 275 students (35 in Architecture, 65 in Art and 175 in Engineering).
Early Decision:
The School of Art—December 3, 2007
The School of Engineering—November 30, 2007First-Year Applicants:
The School of Architecture—January 4, 2008
The School of Art—January 11, 2008
The School of Engineering—February 1, 2008Transfer Applicants:
The School of Architecture—January 4, 2008
The School of Art—January 11, 2008
The School of Engineering—April 4, 2008
5. What does "Early Decision" really mean?
If Cooper Union is truly your first choice, you might consider applying "Early Decision" to Art or Engineering (there is no "Early Decision" application to Architecture). Your application will be evaluated earlier than those of the regular application process and if offered admission, you must agree to enroll at The Cooper Union and withdraw your applications to all other colleges. If you are planning to apply early decision, you should send all supporting documentation and test scores to The Office of Admissions and Records before December 10. If you are not accepted under the early decision process, you might be reconsidered during the regular decision process. Although most applicants are "rolled-over" into the regular decision pool, re-evaluation is not guaranteed.
6. What are the requirements for international students to apply to The Cooper Union?
- Permanent U.S. mailing address
- TOEFL (if English isn't your country's native language)
- SAT I/ACT
- SAT II in Math and Chemistry or Physics (Engineering only)
- Student visa (certificate of finances needed for I-20)
- High school transcript
7. What tests and documents do I need to apply to The Cooper Union?
- Architecture details
- Application
- $65 application fee
- High school transcript
- SAT I/ACT score
- Completed hometest
- Art details
- Application
- $65 application fee
- High school transcript
- SAT I/ACT score
- Portfolio of work
- Completed hometest
- Recommendation letters (forms are sent to applicants with the hometest)
- Engineering details
- Application(you must choose a major)
- $65 application fee
- High school transcript
- SAT I/ACT score
- SAT II in Mathematics AND Physics or Chemistry
- Part II Essays
- Recommendation letters: 2-3 in any format (recommended)
We will accept the GED (General Equivalency Diploma) in lieu of the high school diploma.
8. What is the "home test" in Architecture and Art?
The "home test" is different for Architecture and Art. Each one consists of a number of visual projects to be completed within one month and returned to The Cooper Union for review. Each "home test" contains its own instructions to be followed explicitly.
9. What is a portfolio? Do I need one?
Portfolios should be submitted when you return the home test if you are a transfer applicant to Architecture or Art and if you are a first-year applicant to Art. A portfolio is a collection of a cross-section of your best recent work. It should include enough pieces to demonstrate your degree of interest. Generally, between ten and twenty pieces should be included. Art students are encouraged to include sketchbooks. All pieces should fit into a 13"x17" envelope; otherwise, include slides.
Art applicants are encouraged to attend one of our four open houses or one of the National Portfolio Days which we attend. A list of these National Portfolio Days can be found under the School of Art Web information.
10. Does The Cooper Union accept transfer students? What do they need to apply?
The Cooper Union admits a select number of transfer students. Transfer applicants in Architecture and Art are required to submit the following: high school and college transcripts, a portfolio and a completed home test. Transfer Engineering applicants must submit high school and college transcripts and a Part II essay. Please refer to a catalog for the definition of a "transfer" student.
11. When can I visit The Cooper Union?
Please check the Visiting Cooper Union section for further information.
12. What classes should I be taking in high school to better prepare myself for The Cooper Union?
All applicants should take a well-rounded high school program, challenging oneself in advanced coursework (i.e. AP, IB, etc). Engineering students should be well prepared in pre-calculus, calculus, chemistry and physics. Art and architecture applicants should study visual art classes (drawing, painting, design, sculpture, etc) as well. In addition, all students should take courses that provide a solid grounding in the liberal arts, which is a basis for your humanities and social science study at The Cooper Union. For more information, see our brochure "Think Big: What to do if you are interested in studying Architecture, Art or Engineering." (PDF)
13. Which Advanced Placement (AP) examinations can I receive credit for?
Please refer to our catalog for a detailed description of credit granted.
14. How much does it really cost to attend The Cooper Union?
Tuition is listed at $31,500 per year. Every student receives a full tuition scholarship and is not responsible for tuition-related costs.
Cooper Union students are responsible for living and miscellaneous expenses. These include mandatory student fees (totaling $1,550 per year), room and board (about $13,000 per year), books and supplies (about $1,000-1,800 per year), and general living expenses (about $2,300 per year), totaling approximately $18,000 per year. In addition, international students are assessed a $1,700/year filing fee. All students must prove medical insurance coverage or participate in our medical insurance plan for a health services fee of $1,709/year.
A more detailed budget is available by accessing the Office of Financial Aid Web site or by viewing the catalog.
15. What clubs and activities are offered at The Cooper Union?
Please visit our Student Services Web site for more information:
16. Further requests for information
Please refer to our catalog for additional information regarding student services, classes offered, our Master's Degree Programs and other information pertaining to each of our three schools.
If you have specific questions, you can e-mail us at admissions@cooper.edu or call our office between the hours of 9:00-5:00 Eastern time at 212- 353-4120.