<p>For a bit of background information, I am an eleventh-grader from Canada, currently with a 93% average and waiting to write my ACT and a [practice] LNAT later this year.
I've heard that grades don't matter for CU and that the hometest does, but I was wondering if you guys knew how much your marks can boost you, as I'm not very confident in my artistic/hometest abilities (I myself am more of a graphic designer and less of a traditional fine-arts type...)
Would it be possible for any accepted CU students to post their hometests? :] </p>
<p>Additionally, how much importance does the school place on extracurriculars? I know a lot of intense people who are on national-level teams, or extremely competitive provincial teams, so on and so forth. It's kind of terrifying ><</p>
<p>Lastly, could any students describe the atmosphere/student life? How difficult is the whole getting-a-place-to-live bit? Do you feel like the student body is too small? What about the professors?</p>
<p>Many thanks!</p>
<p>I will be applying to Cooper Union for architecture, and for art/architecture it appears to be that they focus more on conceptual thinking, creativity, and talent. For art they probably will focus more on artistic merit, as for architecture they may be a bit more lenient. </p>
<p>Grades, SAT/ACT/Standardized Test Scores, and extracurriculars are important as they ensure a student is active and responsible, but they definitely will not be the determining factor. </p>
<p>When went to visit the school, our tour guide said that students have stayed up until 2 AM working on projects in the studio… that sounds kinda fun, but I’m sure after a few days it’ll suck</p>
<p>Actually, they recently opened a “Student Residence” hall for art and architecture students.
Link: [Student</a> Residence | Cooper Union](<a href=“http://cooper.edu/students/housing/residence]Student”>http://cooper.edu/students/housing/residence)</p>
<p>I just sent in my Cooper Union application for art (should get my hometest soon so I’m like freaking out but excited as hell). And yes, the hometest is the deal maker or breaker. The admissions people I have spoken to have all said that your hometest will decide whether you are accepted or not.</p>
<p>Basically last weekend I attended a National Portfolio Day in Boston and had my portfolio reviewed by Cooper Union. I’m kind of like you, zombiac19, I’m a photographer so all everything I brought to them was photographs and design projects, and I was really nervous because it is a fine arts based school and my “fine arts” aren’t as strong as my digital/photographic art. It ended up going brilliantly. Don’t be discouraged if you are better digitally, they very much appreciate that type of art work as well. I was treated as any of the drawers were, and sometimes they liked my work even more.</p>
<p>BUT the woman who reviewed me gave me some really helpful tips about the hometest for digital/photography artists. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>you CAN use photographs or digital work for hometests </p></li>
<li><p>make sure at least TWO of the design questions (the ones you need to draw/create for) are a medium besides digital and at least ONE of them is a “pencil” sketch (a drawing basically)</p></li>
<li><p>think outside the box</p></li>
<li><p>for the written question section, they dont say to write an essay, but the woman told me they are still looking for at least one paragraph for each question so make sure you write complete and in detail.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck with your applications! Please email me (either of you) if you want to talk about the hometests or applying, it could be helpful and fun!</p>
<p>Hometest and portfolio (artistic ability) is by far the most important.</p>
<p>Extra-curricular not so important. I listed two.</p>
<p>Essays/responses are also very important.</p>
<p>When you say you are a Graphic designer, are you saying you have a strong background in layout/typography and are versed in the theory/history of graphic design? Thats generally what Cooper is looking for regardless of what you plan to do; which is to say that you need strong technical ability in your practice as well as having your work grounded theoretically.</p>
<p>Timkerdes, were you accepted to Cooper Union?</p>
<p>Wow! Congratulations on the acceptance to such a prestigious art school. I just got done with my application. I was wondering if you guys could look at my portfolio and give me some feedback because I’m also a “Digital Base” artists. Let me know if you could-- would be a tremendous help :-D</p>