Apply to the
Cooper Union

The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture

3rd Floor Architecture Studio

3rd Floor Architecture Studio

Our fall 2023 first-year application is closed. The fall 2024 first-year application will open in August.

Dates and Deadlines

  • Early Decision

    • Application Deadline: December 1
      Studio Test Released: December 8
      Studio Test Submission Deadline: January 5
      Digital submissions must be uploaded to the portal on January 5. Physical submissions (mailed or dropped off) must be received by January 9, no later than at 4 pm EST.
      Application Notification: February 1

  • Regular Decision

    • Application Deadline: January 5
      Studio Test Released: January 9
      Studio Test Submission Deadline: February 6
      Digital submissions must be uploaded to the portal on February 6. Physical submissions (mailed or dropped off) must be received by February 10, no later than at 4 pm EST.
      Application Notification: April 1  

Application Instructions

These application instructions are for first-year applicants only. There are alternate instructions for transfer students.

  • Application Steps

    • A completed Common Application with thoughtful responses to all questions in the writing section
    • 1 teacher recommendation
    • Your official high school transcript or GED certificate (including mid-year report)
    • Any official college transcripts (sent directly from the college or university)
    • SAT/ACT (test optional)
    • SAT II (optional)
    • English language proficiency test (if applicable)
    • $75 application fee or fee waiver (if applicable)

  • Supplemental Materials

    • After students have submitted the required application, they will be asked to complete a supplemental Studio Test (instructions to appear in your applicant portal once the test is released)

  • English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students

    Undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and have not had at least 3 years of English at a school where English was the official medium of instruction, are required to take one of the exams below. Please note that your English language proficiency test results are only valid for two years. Please ensure that the name on your passport matches the name on your application, and on your language scores.. 

    Test for English Language Proficiency

    Minimum Score Requirements

    TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

    600 (paper-based test)

    100 (internet-based test)

    MyBest® scores are not accepted

    IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

    7.0 

    DET (Duolingo English Test)

    120 

    We do not accept results from the following exams: IELTS Indicator, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, TOEFL Essentials, and PTE Academic Online.

  • High School Graduation Requirements

If you have questions about our undergraduate application process, please attend an info session, check out our FAQs, or email us at admissions@cooper.edu.

  • 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.