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Standardized Test Requirements


Undergraduate Applicants

  • The Cooper Union test policy varies per school:  
    • School of Architecture – TEST OPTIONAL
    • School of Art – TEST OPTIONAL
    • School of Engineering – TEST SCORES REQUIRED 
  • School of Engineering applicants are required to submit their SAT or ACT scores; Scores will be evaluated in context with the application as part of a full and holistic review process. The SAT writing section and ACT science and writing sections are not required.
  • School of Architecture and School of Art applicants that choose to take the SAT or ACT may submit test results as part of their application for consideration. Each application will receive a full and holistic review. School of Architecture and School of Art applicants will not be advantaged or disadvantaged by their choice to submit or not to submit test scores. 
Testing Deadlines
  • Testing deadlines mirror our application deadlines 
  • Schedule testing well in advance of application deadlines
  • Applications must still be submitted by the application deadline even if updated scores are submitted later
  • Updated scores may be uploaded to the applicant portal after an application has been submitted
Superscore

If an applicant takes the SAT or ACT more than once, the highest scores per section, across all test dates will be considered through superscoring; The applicant's highest score in each section will be evaluated regardless of when the exam was taken or whether it was administered on paper or digitally.

  • SAT: The highest section scores will be used to calculate the superscore
  • ACT: The highest english, math, and reading section scores will be used to calculate the composite superscore
The Cooper Union SAT and ACT Codes
  • SAT Code: 2097  
  • ACT Code: 2724 
SAT/ACT Waiver Request
  • If unable to submit SAT or ACT scores due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. financial hardship, limited testing availability, medical circumstances, or other situations beyond the applicant's control), an SAT/ACT waiver request may be submitted. Waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. 
  • If the SAT/ACT waiver request is not approved, submission of scores will be necessary—for applicants applying to a program that requires test submission, e.g., School of Engineering—for the application to be considered complete. 
International Applicants

The standardized testing policies stated above also apply to international applicants. If unable to submit SAT or ACT scores due to extenuating circumstances, an SAT/ACT waiver request may be submitted. Waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. 


Graduate Applicants

  • The Cooper Union graduate programs do not require a GRE submission. 
  • Applicants will not be advantaged or disadvantaged by their choice to submit or not to submit test scores.

To learn more about our application process, please visit our apply webpage.

  • 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.