Cooper Union Home Test Advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cooper Union
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<p>Hello everyone! </p>

<p>My name is Samuel Choi and I am one of the students who are lucky to get the acceptance letter from the Cooper Union - School of Architecture. </p>

<p>I'm writing this thread in order to aid future applicants to the Cooper Union.
When I was searching for resources that might help me get into this School, it was reall difficult since there were not much resources except for this VERY helpful one: </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/921395-what-i-learned-cooper-union-advice-architecture-apps.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/921395-what-i-learned-cooper-union-advice-architecture-apps.html&lt;/a>
[Mark Kremer made this extremely helpful thread which aided me LOTS when making me home test.]</p>

<p>So, now, I'm going to share my experience and my advice to all future applicants to the Cooper Union! :) </p>

<p>Like Mark Kremer said in his thread, home test is the most important factor in your application to the Cooper Union (for art and architecture school). As long as you have a GPA above 3.5 and SAT above 1700-1800, you will be fine. </p>

<p>So here are my advise for the home test: </p>

<p>1) Plan your time WISELY and EFFICIENTLY.
Although a month or so might sound a lot, it isn't. TIME flies.
It is advisable for everyone to make a time table in order to finish everything in a timely fashion.
NOTE: Cooper Union is extremely strict with deadlines. You wouldn't want to waste all your time making the home test and not being able to submit it one time. </p>

<p>2) GATHER IDEAS!
In my opinion, the most important thing for the home test is gathering IDEAS.
Although you need GOOD skills, Cooper Union looks at how you gathered your ideas and thoughts for each project you made. Be intellectual and THINK and PLAN a lot before you actually make your home test. </p>

<p>3) My Opinion only- All artworks you create must have meanings in them
In my opinion, artworks are not just there to please the viewers for its beauty. They are there to communicate message to the viewers! It sure can be beautiful - that's a plus. But art is another way of communication. If you communicate an intellectual and insightful message using your home test, it will be great! :) </p>

<p>4) USE mixed media (as mentioned by Mark Kremer)
In my opinion, Cooper Union likes mixed media because it brings the home test to life!
If you just use one medium, like charcoal, it will be quite boring and not very unique and distinct. Try making something no one has ever made before. My advice: Even make some works in three dimensional. Also, although making works using mixed media might help you, don't over do it - it might ruin your work.<br>
P.S.: All works you make must fit in this green envelope Cooper Union sends you. So be aware of this when making your artworks.
Also, if you are an international student applying to Cooper, you also have to put the home test inside the green envelope and then you can put this package into an envelope or a box the mailing service provides you with (like DHL, FedEx, or UPS). </p>

<p>5) Work equally well on the writing section as you do in the art section (Also as mentioned by Mark Kremer)
There are several writing questions at the end of the home test. THINK well and answer them well. These questions make you think HARD. Spend time on these questions and DO NOT CRAM when answering these questions. </p>

<p>5) Have Fun making your home test! :)
Finally, just have fun making your home test! It will be a REALLY good experience for you since it will make you think a lot. Don't stress out and just enjoy and HOPE for the best! :) </p>

<p>ALSO, if you don't get into Cooper Union, don't be discouraged. You tried your best and it is not the end of the World. Life is not just about getting into a good college. Look further out. Even though you go to another college, and DO your BEST there, you can become one of the best architects or artists. Wherever you go, just do your best in whatever you are given to do. </p>

<p>If you guys have any questions, you can send me an email here:
<a href="mailto:samvgud@gmail.com">samvgud@gmail.com</a></p>

<p>Also, for those of you who want to see my home test:
samuelchoi.weebly.com </p>

<p>GOO LUCK to all you future applicants out there!</p>

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<p>Also, I’m not really sure but I think it is good if you have a unifying aspect.
Like, if your home test questions somehow all relate to each other at the end, it would be good. </p>

<p>Have a common theme throughout.
Although I’m not so sure, I think this will strengthen your home test.
I think this works since I had a common theme in my home test. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Once again, good luck to future Cooper Union applicants!</p>

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<p>Thank you for the info! I’m applying to Cooper next year for architecture. It’s always been my dream school and, as you said, it’s very difficult to find information on the home test. Congrats on the acceptance!</p>

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<p>It’s my pleasure to provide information to future applicants! :slight_smile:
And thank you! </p>

<p>If you have any questions regarding the home test, the application process, or Cooper Union in general, feel free to ask questions here or you can send an e-mail to: </p>

<p><a href="mailto:samvgud@gmail.com">samvgud@gmail.com</a> </p>

<p>Best of luck! Hope you get in! :)</p>

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<p>Hi, samuelchoi.
How is Cooper Union so far?</p>

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<p>I just received my hometest, and I’m worried about messing it up. I looked at your hometest on your website, and I saw that you made some of the pieces 3-d. I don’t know if they changed the instructions, or if I’m just reading it wrong. </p>

<p>It says “All work is to be presented on the enclosed formatted sheets, or duplicates of them.” I took this as meaning that everything i did had to fit inside the squares, and that I had to just draw directly on the paper. Is this the wrong way of thinking?</p>

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<p>nope, but “redefining” the grid by the means of 3d is not wrong either.
I received my hometest, too.
I actually have a question.
Are all applicants handed out hometests? because I heard that only some kids get them</p>

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<p>I’m pretty sure that every applicant receives one because, as far as I can tell, the home test is the real deciding factor.</p>