Cooper Union or Syracuse for architecture (Barch)

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1

If both schools were the same price, which one would be the best to study architecture?
I would like to focus on quality of learning, well being of students and employability afterwards.
Thank you

2

Assuming both are affordable, I would be sure to visit and choose the school which provides the college experience you want. Syracuse will provide a traditional 4 year college experience while Copper Union is very NYC based.

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3

In addition to what @happy1 said, I would take a look at the curriculum and focus of the respective architecture programs. I’m paraphrasing from what I recall, but some schools are more design focused, some more structural focused, etc, and you would want the focus to align with your interests. Pinging those more knowledgeable than I: @Mashinations @momrath

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4

Both are very good, very highly ranked programs. Both will have good/easy access to NYC Firms - maybe Cooper slightly more so being in the city rather than a little ways away.

Beyond that the schools couldnt be more different. Rural or City? Big Arch program within a big school or small program in a small school… athletics, greek, campus social scene or “make your own fun” in the city.

Employment opportunities I’d say are going to be about the same but I also believe such opportunities are driven by the student as much/more than the school.

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5

Both are a 5 year course, NAAB accredited, so that already guarantees their quality.
I was a little worried because I’ve read in some forums that Cooper’s teaching is more theoretical, not forming prepared professionals to enter the building industry. But I am sure if this is true because the school reputation is very good.
If there is anyone from CU that could give me an insight, I would really appreciate.

6

If you haven’t already…

Since they’re both accredited programs they are going to be structured very similarly.
There are differences one program to the next that will run Design v. Tech (i.e. Virginia Tech’s curriculum is definitely slanted more engineering with more math/structure type of courses). Syracuse is definitely more Design - they’ll tell you so. When we were researching the different programs we reached out directly to them and asked any questions we had. Cooper Union was not on S23’s list as he was looking for a bigger school with more options. If you haven’t connected with the school yet directly it might be worthwhile.

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