<p>If there is anybody out there who knows anything about Cooper Union's art program, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Is it worth the hype? Someone told me if you go there, it's a life changing experience. They don't seem to have concentrations but they emphasize teaching everything. Is that possible? My son is looking for a career where he can utilize his artistic ability, but he isn't sure what he would concentrate on anyway. He's looking at other schools with strong art programs (and lots of concentrations to choose from). We'll be visiting the school in a few weeks, but any comments beforehand would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Good luck, I just completed my application, now I’m waiting on the home test. I’m pretty sure you know that the school is extremely hard to get into…best of luck. How was the visit?</p>
<p>i applied there as well this year!! as the person above said its really hard to get into which means its prestigious so he most likely get a great well rounded art education and a high paying job if he graduates from there! not to mention the tuition is free!</p>
<p>We visited two weeks ago. My son really loved NYC and liked the Foundation building and the facilities, but we were disappointed that it was the only building we toured. They didn’t show us the dorms/apartments or anything else. I understand there aren’t many buildings to the campus. </p>
<p>The assembly was informative but contradicting. They told us the art majors average SAT scores were in the 500 range (as opposed to 600s for engineering), but that the home test was most important. They give you six problems and about 3 weeks to finish. I think they might ask for a self portrait and a still life among those problems. I’ve also heard there might be essays involved–not sure on that. </p>
<p>Here’s the contradiction: They don’t expect students to pick a major right away–usually junior year. But I thought they didn’t have “concentrations” per se, so I’m confused about that. Also, my son had a portfolio review after the tour and assembly, and although they thought he had a lot of talent, they criticized him for not having much “direction” in his work? Again, if you’re not required to choose a major right away, why are they criticizing him for not being sure what he wanted to specifically do, whether it’s graphic design, illustration, animation and so forth? They also criticized him for being from the suburbs (seriously). </p>
<p>So we really don’t think he’ll get accepted, even though he’s already been accepted at some other pretty prestigious art programs. He’ll still do the home test and give it a try, but…you know.</p>
<p>Any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated.</p>
<p>There are no major concentrations at cooper - there was a misunderstanding at some point during your visit - , but most people gravitate towards one thing or two here. However, I can understand, the sort of criticism directed to someone who has a bit of skill in various mediums but little focus. Regardless of what you do, its good to have ideas guiding the kind of work you do be it painting, sculpture, drawing, design. Being technically gifted is great but eventually you must apply it to direct ideas.</p>
<p>Think about it, whats the point of building up skills if you dont do something with them. Developing a language/personal voice at cooper is also very big here and something all the teachers try to get students to do.</p>
<p>Thank you, Timkerdes. It’s just a little frustrating for my son because he’s been to so many National Portfolio Days and has gotten totally different feedback from each college rep he spoke to. He’s had very strong (as in encouraging, promising) reviews and has been accepted to other schools already, but it’s just so funny how one college rep might totally love one piece, and the next college rep might not like it and hit on something else no other rep hit on. Nobody ever told him he needed focus or direction at this stage. As a matter of fact, some reps told him to include more variety (different mediums/ideas, etc) in his portfolio. He had mostly illustrations done in either charcoal or pencil, all very good. Some printmaking. Some painting (water color and acrylic). One rep told him to include some sculptures, even if it’s not his area of interest, just so they could see “who you are.” I figured it might be a requirement after your first or second year of college to have that focus. Cooper Union was the only school whose response was lukewarm at best. It is his first choice too. </p>
<p>Thanks again for your advise. I appreciate it, and believe me, my son is thinking hard about it. If you don’t mind my asking, what year are you, what’s your area of focus, and how do you like Cooper Union?</p>
<p>I disagree with the idea of making stuff for a portfolio if your not strong in it, plus what does the rep even mean by showing sculptures to “see who you are”? They cant see that in other mediums?</p>
<p>Anyway, from what I can tell, focus and direction is something stressed particularly at Cooper early on. One thing I notice when I walk through the studios is that for the most part, no one at cooper really does the same thing at all.</p>
<p>No problem. I do drawing, painting, and graphic design. Sculpture is something I’m beginning to get into. I’m a second semester sophmore. Cooper’s great. The student/teacher relationship is interesting in that teachers arent paid by student’s tuition so there’s a degree more of honesty and engagement. Teachers are also a bit closer as peers in the art school. And within two months everyone will know you more or less. </p>
<p>The only thing I don’t like so much is the humanities classes as they are pretty much humanities-lite because the (major specific) curriculum of art, architecture, and engineering are demanding.</p>
<p>careerMom66:
My daughter got a lukewarm review from Cooper and she got in.
Some people got good review but didn’t got in as of I know.
One thing cool about Cooper is the dynamic in class. One prof taught at Cooper and another art school in nyc in the same time and he said the class discuss make the cooper kid really learn more and it is so quiet in another school. cooper student is talented and they learn from teacher and student.
Their dorm is good but you have to move out the second year.</p>
<p>Thanks, loveblue. What year is your daughter? I wonder how easy/difficult it is to find apartments and how affordable they are? I hear it’s very expensive there and most kids move to Brooklyn.</p>
<p>CareerMom66:
I sent you a private message</p>