Campus Spotlight: The Cooper Union
This week I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by the office of engineering admissions at The Cooper Union. Historically known for its groundbreaking commitment to providing a tuition-free education for all admitted students until 2012, Cooper Union continues to champion accessibility and excellence in education.
Today all Cooper Union students receive a 50% tuition scholarship. The institution is dedicated to reinstating its tuition-free model within the next few years. This commitment speaks volumes about Cooper Union's unwavering dedication to making education accessible to deserving students, ensuring that financial barriers don't hinder the pursuit of academic dreams. While Cooper Union adapts to changes in its financial model, its core principles remain steadfast: a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the nurturing of bright young minds. This dedication is reflected in the vibrant community and the educational experiences that inspire students to think beyond boundaries and drive positive change in the world.
Campus Life:
Although The Cooper Union is not centralized around a traditional campus quad, the college buildings are teeming with innovation and creativity where aspiring artists, architects, and engineers can envision their futures taking shape. At Cooper Union, the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering converge to offer world-class programs designed to empower students to push boundaries and shape the world around them. Envision starting your college journey in the heart of the East Village, where first-year students live in apartment-style dormitories. This unique housing arrangement offers a comfortable and communal living space, fostering connections and friendships among peers. Living in the midst of one of the world's most dynamic cities provides an immersive experience, allowing students to explore diverse cultures, arts, and opportunities that only New York City can offer.
While settling into these apartment-style dorms, students can immediately become part of a close-knit community, sharing experiences on class projects, exploring the city, and forging lifelong friendships. Cooper Union understands the importance of creating a collaborative environment not just within classrooms but also within residence halls, ensuring that students have the support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Academic Programs and Career Preparation:
Parents seeking an institution that values not only academic excellence but also the holistic growth of their child will find Cooper Union to be an ideal choice. The institution's distinguished alumni, who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields, stand as a testament to the transformative education and opportunities available to students. From internships at top companies to engaging with local communities through service projects, students are encouraged to embrace the city as an active part of their education. Networking opportunities, cultural events, and access to many resources are just steps away, allowing students to complement their academic studies with real-world experiences.
The Cooper Union is committed to offering enriching opportunities for students, including exciting study abroad programs. For engineering students, this experience occurs during the summer semesters, providing an immersive global perspective in various captivating locations such as Iceland, Guatemala, Spain, Singapore, and Australia. These programs are designed to broaden horizons, expose students to diverse cultures, and provide hands-on learning in an international setting.
Students at The Cooper Union typically complete an average of two internships before graduation. These internships serve as invaluable experiences, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations and gain practical skills in their chosen fields. These opportunities not only bolster academic learning but also enhance their professional growth and readiness for their future careers.
Admissions:
The Cooper Union is a highly selective institution with an overall acceptance rate of 14% (The School of Architecture admits about 5%, while the School of Engineering admitted 22% last year). The admissions department uses a holistic approach. While they are proud to be test-optional, approximately 65% of applicants choose to submit their SAT or ACT scores.
Each student's journey is unique, and their admissions process reflects a commitment to considering a range of factors beyond standardized test scores. Whether students decide to submit test scores or not, rest assured that all applications will be thoroughly reviewed, focusing on academic achievements, extracurricular involvements, personal strengths, and potential contributions to the Cooper community.
When preparing your application for The Cooper Union, paying attention to the supplemental essays is important. The admissions team at TCU truly values these responses, considering them as a window into your understanding of The Cooper Union experience, aspirations, ability to collaborate, and your unique perspective on the world. While TCU admissions welcomes links to student projects, they emphasize that the application itself provides comprehensive information necessary to understand the applicant. The essays allow you to showcase your individuality, passions, and the qualities that make you an ideal candidate for their academic community. Craft your supplemental essays thoughtfully, using them as an opportunity to express themselves authentically and demonstrate how they align with The Cooper Union's values and mission.
The Cooper Union is enthusiastic about its social media presence which is mostly run by students. You can learn quite a bit about the culture of the school by following @cooperunion_admissions on Tik Tok and @cooper_admissions on Instagram.
