Cooper Union Hard to Get Into?

I've heard Cooper Union is one of the hardest colleges to get into. Can anyone provide some insight into this? Their engineering program catches my eye, and I was wondering what the acceptance rate and standards are like. Thanks!

Cooper Union is indeed considered quite selective. Its overall acceptance rate generally hovers around 22%, meaning it admits around 12 out of every 100 students who apply, but the acceptance rate can vary year to year.

The Albert Nerken School of Engineering, which seems to be your interest, is quite well-regarded and produces competitive graduates. The school offers disciplines like civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Due to the quality of these programs, they're fairly competitive to get into.

The GPA and standardized test scores of admitted students are usually high, with the middle 50% SAT score for admitted students generally in the range of 1390-1510. Even though Cooper Union has a test-optional policy, submitting a high SAT or ACT score can certainly bolster your application.

Moreover, successful applicants generally have a strong high school curriculum filled with AP, IB, or honors classes in addition to a high GPA. Cooper Union's engineering programs will also look favorably on students who've taken, and done well in, physics and calculus.

As admission to Cooper Union is highly competitive, it's also important to differentiate yourself with exceptional extracurricular involvement, especially if it relates to your intended engineering major. Tier 1 and Tier 2 extracurriculars related to engineering, such as winning a national robotics competition or serving as an officer in a recognized engineering society, would be particularly impactful.

In addition, Cooper Union requires applicants to submit an artistic portfolio, even for the engineering program. This is quite unique for an engineering application, and it provides yet another opportunity for you to showcase your creativity and innovation.

So, while getting into Cooper Union is certainly challenging, it's definitely possible with strong academics, high standardized test scores (if you have them), and impressive extracurricular engagement. Good luck!