If anyone happens to wander across this forum and see my questions...

einnob · 07-26-2009, 12:47 AM

Hello, I'm going to be a senior and am planning on applying to Cooper Union's School of Architecture this fall.

Does Cooper Union focus more on modern or traditional architecture?
Do students use computers as much as they draw by hand, do they use computers at all?

This question is poorly worded, but is Cooper Unions Arch. more design/art based or more technical (i.e. sustainibility) based? If their architecture school had to be combined with Cooper Unions other schools, would it fit better with art or engineering?

For current students, how heavy is the workload/projects/model making? Do people have time outside of class on a weekly basis, or does everyone practically live in the studio?

Last question! What are the admissions people looking for in the portfolio? Spatial drawings? Paintings/fine art, 3D models, etc?

Thank you for looking at my post, and I'll truly appreciate it if you answer even one of my questions.

avman · 07-30-2009, 11:02 AM

I went on a tour a few weeks ago and they said that the Architecture is more art based. Sorry, that's the only question I can answer because it was an engineering tour.

einnob · 07-31-2009, 01:03 AM

An answer! Thank you! :]

smilodon · 08-06-2009, 07:23 PM

My roommate is in the Arch school, I am an EE. Chanin, the arch school, would better fit with the art school at Cooper and the education is more traditional and it places a high value on hand drawings.

As a general rule, the 3 schools behave more like relics from the 1950's than a modern academic institution. This is actually a good thing at the university level.

trakwrecka · 08-25-2009, 09:01 PM

Hey, i'm also applying to the Architecture school this year.

I've been in a couple of the outreach programs at cooper and from what i've gathered and learned, the architecture school tends to be more traditional based. I've looked at their curriculum and though they do offer CAD classes, most of the work there done is by hand without much use of the computer.
Cooper Union does not require you to send in a portfolio unless you are a transfer applicant. I've talked to admission reps and have been told that the hometest (coopers do at home test to gauge creativity and potential ) is the most important part of the application. You can't prepare for the test, but they recommend taking some art classes and sketching for at least 20 minutes a day.
Well, if you have any more questions feel free to ask