The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (CU)

A truly unique New York City institution, Cooper Union provides grants covering more than half tuition to all students (as well as additional need-based aid). Degree programs focus on art, architecture, or engineering. Academics are "very rigorous, although consistent and achievable with the resources provided," and students are very driven in achieving their coursework, "especially with major projects that offer them a great deal of academic freedom to create their own content." Students are pushed "to achieve the most in a short amount of time" and are well aware of the value they are getting relative to "cost of tuition and good job placement after graduating."

Professors are "generally very knowledgeable in their subject area" and "you're not that likely to have the same professor over and over again," making for a diverse learning experience. The "very focused" engineering program "sets you up to be a functioning member of the engineering community and workforce": "Even as a sophomore I have had the opportunity to take (and understand) graduate level material," says one student. The art school "constructs an art curriculum around the individual practice," and the "caliber of art teachers is unbelievable," with professors that "have exhibited at the MOMA and Guggenheim, just to name a few." Students from all major programs mix in the required humanities courses. Though the school's 2009 addition of a new academic building (housing the engineering and art programs, and bringing the total up to two) increased visibility, the building is "chronically short on space due to its atrium," and the school "could use more classrooms to work with." The academic prestige of the school attracts a high standard all around, and art, architects, and engineers come together "to create a rich environment for scholarly thinking, problem solving, learning, and debate."

Students at the Cooper Union are "generally stressed and hardworking, but high-spirited." Most are "socially and politically left"; "almost everyone is pretty friendly," and finds their niche within the "small but complex community." These "highly intelligent...and helpful" students are there to succeed, and "school work is valued over social interaction." Many students have part-time jobs, and "the level students are at and their work ethic makes you feel like the people here are destined for success." This "strange and ambitious" group "excels in their field doing extra activities that they don't need to because of the curiosity and fun." "Everyone has their own thing that makes them tick," says a student.

Aside from classes, students have "ample opportunity to explore New York City" due to "the abundance of safe public transit and places of interest." The campus is in the heart of the East Village and accessible by two subway lines, so students "will often visit local offcampus businesses such as restaurants, stores, and gyms." The "limited on-campus food service," combined with the availability of stovetops in the residence hall, "encourages students to cook their own food when time permits." Meeting areas within the campus are utilized "for both group study and recreational uses," and the small campus (just two buildings) means students are "always near each other ready to chat and grab a coffee for a little break." The school "requires a lot of time to study in order to pass the courses" and "the life is packed"; many take to a bar on weekends or partake in "healthier activities like the gym; sports or video games (not as healthy) are also stress-management mechanisms."