How to apply to The Cooper Union for art and design: the School of Art BFA with its faculty-set Hometest plus a 15–20 piece portfolio, the Early Decision and Regular Decision timelines, a half-tuition scholarship for every admitted undergraduate, and portfolio requirements and timelines for students at high schools in China and Canada and for transfer students

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, in Manhattan, New York, has schools of architecture, art and engineering. This guide covers only the School of Art undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts, summarized from the official website, for students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A-Level, IB, AP), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

Note: while we were reading the site, the portfolio review day page returned an access error, and under our rules we stopped reading the site after that. The English requirements, cost breakdown and curriculum pages were therefore not read; the guide says where to check.

1. Degree

• The degree programs page says the School of Art’s Bachelor of Fine Arts includes drawing, film/video, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
• The Cooper Union describes itself as an all-honors private college that gives every undergraduate in good standing a half-tuition scholarship (degree programs and international applicants pages).
• We did not read the curriculum structure, whether there is a foundation year, or rules on changing focus; see the School of Art curriculum page or ask admissions (admissions@cooper.edu).

2. Deadlines and application steps

Dates on the School of Art first-year page (no year shown):

• Early Decision: apply by December 1; Hometest live December 7; Hometest due January 5 (physical and digital submissions both required); decision February 1.
• Regular Decision: apply by January 5; Hometest live January 12; Hometest due February 9 (physical and digital submissions both required); decision April 1.

First-year materials:

• The Common Application
• One letter of recommendation
• Official high school transcript or GED (with a mid-year report if still enrolled), plus official transcripts sent directly from any college attended
• SAT/ACT optional
• English proficiency test (if applicable)
• USD 75 application fee or a fee waiver (if applicable)

3. Hometest and portfolio

• The Hometest is required: a creative assessment showing your visual imagination, concept development, hands-on making, and how well you follow directions and manage your time.
• Prompts: each year it has 6 visual and 10 written prompts developed by faculty, with about a month to complete and submit.
• When you get it: instructions appear in your applicant portal within one week of the application deadline, along with an email explaining how to complete and submit it. Both a physical and a digital version are required for a complete submission.
• Different tests by round: Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants receive different Hometests.
• Portfolio: submitted with the Hometest, with 15 to 20 of your strongest, most recent works.
• The homepage also mentions art open houses and National Portfolio Review Days; we did not read that page, so check the website for the schedule.

4. International applicants

• Who counts as international: students without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Students of any immigration status are welcome, status is not considered in review, and the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is not involved in admissions.
• English: the first-year page lists an English proficiency test “if applicable”. The details and waivers are on the International Student Requirements page, which we did not read; please check it directly.
• I-20: you must be admitted full time and prove funding for tuition, fees and living costs for the first year, with a plan for later years. After admission ISSO emails the next steps; I-20s are usually issued 2–3 weeks after complete documents are verified.
• Aid: scholarships go to all admitted undergraduates, domestic and international; international students are not eligible for federal or state aid.
• International student fee: USD 1,005 per semester. Other costs are on the Cost of Attendance page, which we did not read.
• Students at high schools in China: the website does not say how the Gaokao or art exams are used, so this is not published; ask admissions (admissions@cooper.edu).
• Students at Canadian high schools (including BC): we did not read whether Canadian students need English scores or what BC grades are required; check the international requirements page above or ask admissions.

5. Transfer

• Who is a transfer: anyone who has graduated from high school and enrolled in or completed coursework at a college or other postsecondary institution. Preference goes to applicants with 18–60 credits of studio art courses. High school students who have taken college courses still apply as first-years through the Common App. School of Art exchange students cannot apply to transfer while in residence.
• Regular Decision only: apply by January 5; Hometest live January 12 and due February 9 (physical and digital); decision April 1.
• Materials: the Cooper application, two letters of recommendation, official high school transcript or GED, official transcripts from all colleges, optional SAT/ACT, English test if applicable, and a USD 75 fee or waiver.
• Hometest and portfolio: transfers also complete a faculty-set Hometest in about a month, with the portfolio submitted alongside it. The transfer page does not give a number of pieces.
• We did not read how many credits transfer; ask admissions or the registrar.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare 15–20 recent works early and leave about a month after the deadline for the Hometest (physical and digital)
• Choose Early Decision (December 1) or Regular Decision (January 5)
• Check English requirements on the international requirements page; ask admissions whether the Gaokao is considered
• Prepare proof of first-year funding for the I-20 after admission

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Prepare the portfolio and Hometest the same way, making sure the physical version arrives on time
• Ask admissions whether English scores are needed and how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Applicants with 18–60 studio art credits are preferred
• Submit the Cooper application and two recommendations by January 5, then the Hometest and portfolio on time

Sources: The Cooper Union, School of Art first-year application; School of Art transfer application; Degree programs; International applicants; ISSO FAQ. The deadline page shows no year; check The Cooper Union’s website for the latest.