Apply to the
Cooper Union

School of Art First-Year Application Process

School of Art Student in their Studio Space

School of Art Student in their Studio Space

Our fall 2026 application is live!
 

Dates and Deadlines

Early Decision
  • Application Deadline: December 1
  • Hometest Live: Monday, December 8
  • Hometest Submission Deadline: Monday, January 5
    (both physical and digital submissions are required)
  • Decision Notification: February 1
Regular Decision
  • Application Deadline: January 5
  • Hometest Live: Monday, January 12
  • Hometest Submission Deadline: Monday, February 9
    (both physical and digital submissions are required)
  • Decision Notification: April 1 

Application Instructions

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

Application Steps

Prospective School of Art students who have received a preliminary review at a National Portfolio Day that occurs after The Cooper Union’s regular decision admission deadline of January 5, may be invited to apply after the deadline. All reasonable effort is made by the School of Art admissions committee to review applications in a fair and timely fashion.

  • A completed application, the Common Application (for first-year applicants), the Cooper Application (for transfer applicants)
  • Letters of recommendation (one for first-year applicants, two for transfer applicants)
  • Official high school transcript or GED certificate (include mid-year report if currently enrolled in school)
  • Official college transcripts for ALL schools attended, sent directly from the college or university
  • SAT/ACT (test optional)
  • English language proficiency test (if applicable)
  • $75 application fee or fee waiver (if applicable)
     
Required Supplemental Materials: Hometest + Portfolio + Sketchbook
  • The Hometest is a required part of your application to The Cooper Union School of Art. This creative assessment is a cornerstone of our long-standing admissions process, designed to show the admissions committee your visual imagination, concept development, hand-on making, and how effectively you can follow directions and manage your time.
  • Each year, the Hometest includes 6 visual and 10 written prompts. These are thoughtfully developed by our faculty. You will have approximately one month to complete and submit the test.
  • Detailed instructions will be available in your applicant portal within one week of the application deadline. You will also receive an email with clear guidance on how to complete and submit the Hometest. A digital and physical version of Hometest are required for a complete submission.
  • Portfolio and sketchbook (to be submitted with the Hometest)
    • Your portfolio should consist of 15 to 20 of your strongest, most recent works
  • Please note: Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants receive different Hometests.
International Student Requirements 

International Student Requirements 
 

High School Graduation Requirements

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.