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Cooper Union

Applying to Cooper Union

Cooper Square
School of Art
Engineering Lab

Engineering Lab
School of Architecture

Our fall 2025 applications are now closed. The fall 2026 applications will open in August.
 

Application Deadlines 

UNDERGRADUATE

Early Decision

  • Albert Nerken School of Engineering: November 1
  • Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture: December 1
  • School of Art: December 1

Regular Decision

  • All three schools: January 5

GRADUATE

  • Master of Science in Architecture: January 5
  • Master of Engineering: January 15

Application Instructions

The Cooper Union uses the Common App for first-year undergraduate applicants. All transfer and graduate applicants apply through the Cooper Application. Additional supplemental application steps are indicated on the pages below.

First Year

Transfer

Masters

Non-Matriculating Student Programs

AI and Your Application

The use of AI is becoming more common, but it should strictly serve as a tool for creative brainstorming, idea refinement, or resume building—not as a direct representation of your work. Using AI-generated content without modification is considered plagiarism. This includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated drawings, statements, essays, or responses to prompts. While gaining inspiration from AI and other sources can be helpful, presenting anyone else's work, including that of AI, as your own is unacceptable. The work you present must be a reflection of your thoughts and efforts.

Learn more about Cooper by downloading our publications: Viewbook; The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture; School of Art; Albert Nerken School of Engineering; Albert Nerken School of Engineering Master of Engineering; Computer Science; Financial Aid; International; and Fact Sheet. Or preview Cooper by attending one of our high school programs. 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.