cornell supplemental essays

Cornell University 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

You Have: 

Cornell University 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One essay of 350 words for all applicants; one essay of 500 or 650 words or two essays of 200 words and four short answers of 100 words, depending on major selection

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community

How to Write Cornell Supplemental Essays

If you’re worried about writing Cornell supplemental essays that get you noticed (and accepted), fear not. College Essay Advisors is here to help. Read on to access our expert advice for writing the Cornell supplement and fill out a contact form at the bottom of the page to learn about our one-on-one advising services!

In the online Common Application Writing Supplement for those applying for Fall 2025 entry, please respond to both the Cornell University essay question and the essay prompt that corresponds to the undergraduate college or school to which you are applying.

Cornell university essay question, we all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. , remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (350 word limit).

This is a classic Community Essay, and admissions wants to know what or who has made you into the person you are today. Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person, and how has that made your perspective unique? What you focus on here can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or specific to you and only you. Cornell is looking to add diverse perspectives to the melting pot that is their student body. Is there anything you can teach your classmates about your hometown, traditions, culture, cuisine, orientation, identity, race, or ethnicity that they might not already know? Are you a varsity-level swimmer? Do you identify as trans or queer? Do you spend your Saturdays teaching at Chinese school? What has influenced your identity? As with every essay you submit to admissions, think about something you want them to know that hasn’t been represented in your application elsewhere. What can you expand upon to show your versatility, passion, and ability to connect with the world around you?

Cornell University Schools and Their Supplemental Essays

College of agriculture and life sciences: why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at cornell cals you should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500-word limit).

With such a specific professional focus, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is asking for an equally specific commitment from you. Make sure you have concrete reasons and practical experiences to back up your chosen course of study. The admissions officer reviewing your application will likely expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion as well, so tell a story. The essays that stick with us are the ones that jump off the page with concrete descriptions from real life. What interests you and why? How have you gone about learning more about your subject of interest? What will this degree empower you to do? How have you already explored your inclination? Try to focus on one significant experience; your story should showcase your unique connection to your chosen course of study. Once you have explained where you’re coming from, discuss how CALS’s unique program will help you get where you want to go next. Why couldn’t you pursue your interests in a more general liberal arts environment? Make sure you do your research on the program so you can cite specific aspects that appeal to you. 

Optional: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100-word limit)

Cornell wants to hear about an experience you engaged in that made a positive impact on a community or location close to your heart. Your answer doesn’t have to be connected to Agriculture and Life Sciences in any way, so let your mind wander. Maybe you bring your therapy dog to a local hospital once a month and you love watching everyone’s eyes light up the moment Spunky enters the room. Perhaps you challenged your fear of public speaking to deliver an address at a school board meeting to advocate for improved wheelchair access on your school’s campus. Maybe you spent your spring break last year cleaning up your local beach. When have you gotten involved for the greater good? This essay is optional, but why would you pass up the opportunity to provide Admissions with more information about yourself and your motivations? 

Optional: Cornell CALS is dedicated to purpose-driven study of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An “agricultural entity” for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.).

Select all that apply:, a primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity., my extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity., i have experience working in an agricultural entity., i have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.                                           , please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100-word limit).

If there’s any information that you didn’t include in the two previous optional short essays, this is the place for you to expand as you wish.

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

This is a simple Why Essay , even if the prompt is verbose. Applicants need to write an essay explaining why they want to study their major, specifically, at AAP. Admissions is looking for evidence of previous interest/experience in your major of choice, confirmation that you’ve taken the time to explore Cornell’s resources and programs thoroughly, and (if you’re hoping to pursue a 5-year professional degree program) an indication that you’ve already started putting your passions into practice with a project. You’d be wise to write an essay that weaves together your interest in architecture, art, and/or urban planning with your vision for the future, hopefully one that includes graduating from AAP.

College of Arts & Sciences: At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 word limit)

You’re never going to guess what we’re about to recommend! (Okay, maybe you will.) Before you even put pen to paper, do some research. Spend a little time on the school website, campus, or at local Cornell events to learn everything you can about the academic offerings, opportunities, and curriculum. Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences is the most generalized of Cornell’s colleges, so take this opportunity to show your well-rounded worth. Why have you chosen not to pursue a more specific or vocation-oriented pathway at this point? What will you gain from having access to a diverse array of academic departments? Is there departmental cross-pollination that excites you? What about an Arts and Sciences education at Cornell compels you, specifically? Finally, don’t forget to weave your “passion for learning” into your response in order to address both questions.

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy: Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 word limit)

This prompt is very simple: Why do you want to study Public Policy and how will the Brooks School help you to realize your dreams? If you’re pursuing a degree in Health Care Policy or Policy Analysis and Management as an undergraduate, it’s likely that you have a very personal tie to social issues and other systemic problems that impact the public domain. This is your opportunity to share your story with Admissions. Maybe you are passionate about using your persuasive writing and critical thinking skills to implement policies that will benefit the earth (and all its inhabitants). Perhaps you’re eager to take action to close the gender wage gap or reimagine the U.S. healthcare system. Whatever your reasoning may be, show Admissions that you have thought carefully about your decision to not only pursue public policy, but pursue it at Cornell.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)

Business College hopefuls have also been tasked with writing a Why Essay , but in this case, it’s more about your fit than the schools’ offerings. Show how your own goals and interests align with the school’s programs and opportunities. But more importantly, demonstrate how your background and pathway to business school sets you apart from your peers. You’ll need to learn how to write a good value proposition eventually, so consider this essay your first foray into marketing—what issues do you care about when it comes to business, why are they important to you, and which Cornell program will help you both address them and achieve your goals?

College of Engineering

Instructions : all engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays., long essay responses (200 word limit), question 1: fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. why do you want to study engineering.

Cornell is asking you to get philosophical and share what draws you to the field of engineering. Spend some time considering their definition of engineering and your personal relationship to math, science, technology, and problem-solving. Maybe you have always been fascinated by the tech behind your household appliances and computers, which drew you to electrical engineering. Perhaps you love civil engineering because you spent much of your adolescence pestering your teachers for real-world applications of the math you loved. Maybe you dream of solving major societal issues like sustainable power generation and engineering is the key to reconfiguring our grid. Whatever your intended major, share what excites you about engineering and what you hope to do with your degree, citing specific examples from your life that have led you to this application. This question leads directly into Question 2 below: 

Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?

You can get an Engineering degree at thousands of schools across the country, so why are you so keen to study at Cornell, specifically? This is a perfect opportunity to show off your (wait for it) research! Cornell is obviously a prestigious university, so rather than talk about the school’s storied reputation, use your 200 words to discuss why the program is perfect for you (and vice versa). Dive into the curriculum, extra-curricular opportunities, and impressive 14 majors and 21 minors and tell admissions what excites you about Cornell. Maybe their Environmental Engineering program will propel you toward your dream career in city planning and hazardous waste management. Perhaps you’re excited by the student-led projects and can’t wait to collaborate with your peers on hands-on research. Whatever it is that draws you to Cornell (besides Andy’s unhinged school spirit in The Office ), admissions wants you to describe that interest and then connect it to your aspirations. 

Short Answer Responses (100 word limit)

Question 1: what brings you joy.

Try not to overthink your response to this question and go with your gut. Your response doesn’t have to be related to engineering at all. Maybe you love watching the sunset on your grandmother’s porch over a pitcher of lemonade and a game of checkers. Or perhaps you want to tell admissions about the look on your sister’s face every time you agree to a custom makeover (neon eyeshadows only). If you want to write about something bigger, maybe it’s the app you’re building to help people find volunteer opportunities in their community or the scientific discovery you made last spring. Whatever it may be, be true to yourself and you’ll ace this response by letting your unique self shine through.

Question 2: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?

This is a classic Community Essay, through and through. Admissions officers want to know which diverse perspectives you, specifically, will bring to the Cornell community. Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What you address can be reflective of your larger cultural background or a trait specific to you and only you. Consider why your particular background or experience will be useful in an academic setting. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? Were you raised in an indigenous community? Do you identify as nonbinary? Have you lived on three different continents? What has influenced your identity? How will your worldview and experiences bring something of value to the engineering community at Cornell?

Question 3: What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.

What would your life be mundane without? Elaborate on an activity, responsibility, or passion that is meaningful to you. Unlike an activities resume entry, this should be expanded to reflect your priorities, worldview, and sense of purpose. Use your experiences to tell admissions something about you they wouldn’t already know from your list of extracurriculars. What gives your life meaning? Why do you wake up in the morning? What are you working toward? Perhaps you babysit your cousins when your aunt gets called into work and have a unique relationship with the phrase, “it takes a village.” Maybe you inherited your love of animals from your dad who used to work as a farmhand and now you foster rescue cats until they find their forever homes. Perhaps you were diagnosed with a degenerative disease as a kid so playing on your school’s baseball team takes on a particular significance for you. Whatever you choose to talk about, make sure you highlight its significance in your life. 

Question 4: What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you. 

This question could refer to an external award or a personal achievement for which you received no formal recognition. What you choose to write about should be something that means a lot to you regardless of how others might perceive it. Maybe your school spelling bee win represented a triumph over your learning disability. Perhaps running in Race for the Cure was not just an athletic accomplishment, but also a tribute to your mom, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Maybe you were always told you were tone deaf but after working hard with your high school choir director, you sang a solo at the spring concert. Whether you choose to write about national, state, or other awards or something more personal, make sure you focus on its importance in your own eyes.

College of Human Ecology: How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) (650 word limit)

Admissions wants you to build a bridge between your past experiences and your decision to apply to CHE. Then they want you to kick it up a notch and build a (more theoretical) bridge from CHE to your future aspirations. Unlike many of Cornell’s specific schools, this one doesn’t necessarily flow directly into a particular career path, so it’s important for you to demonstrate that you have a plan before committing to such a focused course of study. Take a gander at the page linked in the prompt for some further guidance on this question. Remember, the more you can demonstrate a deep familiarity with CHE and your vision for your future, the better!

School of Industrial and Labor Relations: Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 word limit)

What subject could you talk about for hours on end with your friends, family, or even a complete stranger? Maybe it’s the need for more stringent legislation to regulate toxic chemicals in everything from our cosmetics to our food and water sources. Perhaps it’s the impending water crisis and the public policy that you believe would change the way Americans use and think about water. With this prompt, it’s a good idea to touch on when or where your passion first began, how it developed over time, and how you are planning to pursue this issue or interest at Cornell. This prompt gives you a wonderful opportunity to reveal something new about yourself by discussing your enthusiastic engagement with a given issue; in the process, you will showcase your curious, well-rounded nature to admissions—and huzzah for that!

Why Choose College Essay Advisors for Cornell Essays

We at College Essay Advisors have been guiding students one-on-one through the essay writing process for the Cornell supplements for over twenty years. We take a holistic approach to these essays, considering each student’s application package as a whole and identifying their strengths to highlight. Our Advisors accommodate each student’s scheduling needs to virtually brainstorm, draft, and revise winning essays. It’s incredibly important to us that each student’s voice is preserved, and we pride ourselves in helping students to write successful Cornell supplemental essays that differentiate them from similarly qualified applicants. For more information, submit a contact form below or review our one-on-one advising services or list of student acceptances . 

About Amanda Amah

View all posts by Amanda Amah »

Inquire about our rates and availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Cornell asks all applicants to write one 350-word essay and another essay (or six!), depending on the specific College you are applying to. Students who are interested in applying to the College of Engineering will need to write two (2) 200-word essays and four (4) 100-word essays.

In order to write a compelling Cornell supplemental essay, students will need to think critically about their passions and goals. Each college-specific essay prompt is, in its own way, asking applicants to share information about their interests, curiosities, and aspirations. Strong responses will tell a story that demonstrates a clear vision for the future and the role Cornell will play in making that dream a reality.

The Cornell supplement is due when you submit your application—November 1st for Early Decision applicants and January 2nd for Regular Decision applicants.

Cornell requires two essays from students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), College of Human Ecology, and SC Johnson College of Business. Cornell requires seven (7) essays from students applying to the College of Engineering.

"I’m not sure if [my son] told you but he got accepted to his dream school…Cornell!! Thank you so much for all your help! Your style of creative brainstorming, thoughtful follow-up questions, and invaluable editing resulted in unique, interesting essays that represented [my son] well. We are so appreciative of your expertise and patience throughout this stressful process!"

– CEA Parent, Cornell, Class of 2028

"Your Advisor was able to connect with [my daughter] right away, drawing out nuggets and vignettes that I can see peppered throughout the essays. I immediately saw [my daughter] open up to [her Advisor], which is not something that happens easily. [The Advisor] did a wonderful job of holding [my daughter] accountable while, at the same time, letting her be a typical 18-year-old who had other things on her mind (like her boyfriend LOL). Thank you both so much for your guidance."

– CEA Parent, Cornell, Class of 2026

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search Podcast New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Perks at Work Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• Clemson University
• Coastal Carolina University
• College of Charleston
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Dickinson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• The George Washington University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Hamilton College
• Hampshire College
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Howard University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Meredith College
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Carolina State
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Reed College
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Roger Williams University
• Saint Anselm College
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Seattle University
• Siena College
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• Spelman College
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University (TCU)
• The College of Idaho
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• UNC Wilmington
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia (UGA)
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of Rochester
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach
• Meet The Founder
• Meet the Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• UC Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Deferral Guides
• Get Started

Cornell Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Search cornell admissions, first-year applicants.

Let’s Get Started

Are you ready to embark on your Cornell journey? We have compiled the information you will need on this page. The Undergraduate Admissions staff is available to provide support along the way.

Testing Policy

Fall 2025 standardized testing policy.

For students applying to enroll for fall 2025, Cornell will be test-recommended or score-free depending on the college/school the student is applying to. 

For students applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond, official SAT or ACT scores will be required.

First-Year Domestic Applicants

First-year international applicants, special populations, transfer applicants, advice for applicants, first-year application timeline, applying through questbridge.

Learn more about applying for QuestBridge !

Application Process

Expand the information below to learn more about each aspect of the application and your Cornell journey.

Are You a First-Year Domestic Applicant?

First-year applicant.

First-year domestic applicants will complete high school during the current academic year and hold one of the following United States citizenship or residency statuses:

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S./Dual Citizenship 
• Permanent Residency (approved — not pending)
• Undocumented Students with and without DACA 
• Students whose permanent resident status is pending are considered international students. If your pending status changes to approved during the application process, please let us know and we will update your status.

Students enrolled in concurrent high school and college courses are considered first-year candidates. 

Students who graduated from high school but have earned fewer than 12 credits at a college or university are considered first-year candidates. If you have earned 12 credits or more, you should see our instructions for how to apply as a transfer student here . For domestic students, Cornell University practices need-blind admissions and meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. 

International applicants can find instructions for how to apply here .

Choose Early Decision or Regular Decision

Early decision .

Early Decision is a binding commitment for students who have selected Cornell as their first choice. Students may initiate applications to other colleges under nonbinding plans but must withdraw those applications if admitted to Cornell. Students who apply Early Decision submit their application and $80 application fee or fee waiver by November 1, submit supporting materials by November 15, and will learn their admissions decision by mid-December.

Cornell’s Early Decision Agreement is on the Common Application under Cornell University > Application > Questions > General. Students do not need to submit a separate agreement from their counselor.

All admission decisions are final. There are three possible admission outcomes from Early Decision:

• Admit: Admitted applicants must withdraw all other college applications, may not submit any additional applications after accepting the offer, and must accept Cornell's offer of admission by submitting an enrollment deposit by early January.
• Defer:  Deferred applicants are reconsidered in the Regular Decision pool and are no longer subject to the Early Decision binding commitment.
• Deny:  Denied applicants will not be considered in the Regular Decision pool.

Those admitted under Early Decision who demonstrate financial aid eligibility and submit all required materials by the deadline will receive a financial aid award at the time of admission. Students may be eligible to be released from the early decision agreement if the financial aid award does not make a Cornell education affordable for applicants and their families.

Cornell University will honor any required commitment to matriculate that has been made to another college under an Early Decision plan.

Regular Decision 

Regular Decision is a non-binding decision plan. Students who apply in Regular Decision submit their application fee and $80 application fee or fee waiver by January 2, submit supporting materials shortly after that date, 2 and learn their admissions decision by early April.

All admission decisions are final. There are three admission outcomes from Regular Decision; the admission committee will:

• Admit: Admitted applicants must submit an enrollment deposit by May 2 if choosing to enroll at Cornell.
• Waitlist:  Applicants who are offered a place on the waitlist may elect to be considered for admission if space in the class becomes available.
• Deny:  Denied applicants can re-apply as transfer candidates in future admissions cycles.

Those admitted under Regular Decision who demonstrate financial aid eligibility and submit all required materials by the deadline will receive a financial aid award at the time of admission.

Choose Your College or School

Which one of cornell's colleges and schools is right for you.

You will apply to only one undergraduate college or school at Cornell. Explore each of our undergraduate colleges and schools at the links below and see which fits you best before filling out your application:

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• College of Architecture, Art and Planning
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• College of Human Ecology
• Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
• Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
• Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
• School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Applicants cannot change the college to which they have applied after they have submitted the Common Application.

Explore our Majors

Review the College and School Admissions Requirements

Read the requirements.

When applying to Cornell University, you'll choose the undergraduate college or school within the university that is the best fit for your interests and talents. While there are general recommendations and requirements for students applying to our university, each college and school has its own unique recommendations and requirements.

Find the Requirements here  

Complete the Required Application Components

Application.

Submit the online Common Application . 

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

Cornell’s application fee is $80. However, if the application fee presents a financial burden for you or your family, and you plan to apply for financial aid, you may qualify for a fee waiver. To request a fee waiver on the Common Application:

• Review Common App’s fee waiver eligibility criteria to confirm that you meet at least one of those criteria.
• Select “Yes” when asked “Do you meet one or more of the Common Application fee waiver eligibility criteria?”
• Provide your signature to complete the fee waiver request.
• On the Cornell University questions, select “Yes, I am eligible for a fee waiver as outlined in the profile section of the Common Application” when asked “Are you eligible for an application fee waiver?”
• Answer the three additional fee waiver eligibility questions in Cornell’s application questions. 

Please note that your fee waiver will be automatically applied, and you do not need to submit documentation to Cornell for your fee waiver request.

If you or your family are dealing with a financial hardship not included in the Common App fee waiver eligibility criteria or your family’s annual household income is below $75,000 USD, please contact our office at [email protected] to request a fee waiver code.

High School Transcript

Official high school/secondary school transcripts must include grades from 9th through 11th grade and list in-progress 12th-grade courses. Early Decision applicants are encouraged to submit first marking period grades when available. Applicants will be required to submit mid-year grades from 12th grade when available.

Your high school should submit official high school transcripts via the Common App or through an online ordering system or eTranscript service. 

Counselor Recommendation

The counselor letter of recommendation highlights a student's accomplishments within the context of their high school. The letter should come from a student’s school counselor, college counselor, principal, or headmaster. Applicants will not be disadvantaged if their high school structure and counselor’s caseload does not allow students the opportunity to build a personal relationship with their counselor.

School Report

Your counselor or designated school official should submit this Common Application form or your school’s own report form on your behalf.

Teacher Evaluations

The two teacher recommendations highlight the applicant’s academic strengths and contributions in the classroom. 

Mid-year Report Transcript

Your counselor or designated school official should submit your mid-year grades from 12th grade, when available, through the Common Application. We understand that some students with schools on trimesters may not have any new grade information to report at the time of submission, and therefore do not need to send a Midyear Report.

Complete Your Cornell Writing Supplement

Cornell writing supplement.

Before submitting your Cornell Common Application, you will also need to write and submit your Cornell First-Year Writing Supplement. Please note that each college and school at Cornell has a different supplement. 

Writing Supplement Prompts

You cannot change the college or school you applied to after submitting your application. 

Review Standardized Testing Policy

Standardized testing.

• SAT & ACT:  Cornell has updated its policy for students applying to enroll for fall 2025 to a combination of test-recommended or score-free. Cornell has also announced that students applying to enroll for fall 2026 will be required to submit standardized testing scores. 
• SAT Subject Tests:  These tests are not required or expected for admission to Cornell University.
• AP Exams, IB Exams, or AICE Exams: Students may opt to self-report AP, IB or AICE exam scores in the testing section of the Common Application.
• Predicted IB Diploma and A-Levels: Students enrolled in IB and A-Level curricula whose schools submit predicted scores for admission consideration are expected to complete their exams and submit their final results.

Submit Additional Application Items (If Needed)

Supplemental materials.

• Architecture: Required interview and portfolio
• Art: Required art portfolio
• Design and Environmental Analysis: Required design supplement
• Fashion Design and Management: Required design supplement
• Landscape Architecture: Required portfolio
• Music: Optional musical recording supplement for applicants who believe that their musical abilities will enhance their application

AP/IB/Dual Enrollment

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Cornell generally awards credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of 4 or 5. For more information, please visit the AP Credit page .
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams: Cornell generally awards credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for students scoring 6 or 7 on higher level exams. Please visit the International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit page for more information .
• International Exams: Students who complete various international exams–including A-Levels, Cambridge Pre-University Examinations, German Abitur, and French Baccalauréat–may receive credit. For more information, please visit the International Credentials page .
• Transfer/Dual Credit: The Registrar of an enrolling student’s Cornell college/school evaluates courses taken at other accredited colleges or universities (or their foreign equivalent) and are appropriate to the Cornell curriculum for potential transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses included on a student’s high school transcript and used to satisfy high school graduation requirements, i.e., dual credit courses. For more information, read our FAQ on how Cornell handles dual enrollment coursework .

Access Your Applicant Portal

Applicant portal.

When we receive your application, we will email you about establishing an online applicant portal. This email message will be your confirmation that we have received your application. 

Check Your Applicant Portal

Information For:

Homeschooled applicants.

Cornell welcomes applications from students who have been homeschooled. Homeschooled students have the same application requirements and review process as all applicants and are expected to complete the same curriculum requirements as students from traditional high schools. Each homeschooled applicant is encouraged to provide clear, detailed documentation of their curriculum, assessment tools, and learning experiences. Homeschooled students are encouraged to submit a curriculum description and list of educational texts and materials used.

Letters of Recommendation

All applicants, including homeschooled students, must submit the School Report (Counselor Letter of Recommendation) and two Teacher Evaluations. Cornell recommends someone not related to the student complete at least two of the three required letters of recommendation. 

Transcripts

We understand that your transcript may look different from a traditional high school one. However, your transcript should include a list of courses by grade level and performance indicators (such as letter grades or GPA).

If you have completed coursework at one or more traditional high schools, colleges, or universities, submit an official transcript from each institution.

Native and Indigenous Applicants

Native and Indigenous students as well as their advocates, supporters and communities are encouraged to reach out to the Diversity Outreach team to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected] .

Cornell University Land Acknowledgement

Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.  

Applicants Who Are US Military Veterans and Current Service Members

Join our community of veteran scholars.

Cornell invites veterans and current members of the military to join its growing community of veteran scholars. 

There’s never been a better time for those who’ve served in the military to consider Cornell. The veteran community is strong and growing, thanks to a renewed commitment to recruit, enroll, and support those who’ve served. 

Cornell’s commitment to military service and those who’ve served isn’t new; it dates back to our founding as the land grant university for New York and the Morrill Land Grant Act requiring every land grant institution to include military training in its curriculum. We are proud of our students who have graduated from Cornell and gone on to serve in the military and we are proud of our veterans who made the choice to attend Cornell after they have served our country. 

Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Support

Cornell’s Military/Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Services team includes staff and trained student veterans who work to support veterans and current members of the military from the prospective student phase through the applications for admission , financial aid , veteran education benefits , and the enrollment process. 

Please reach out to us at [email protected] . We look forward to working with you!

Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits

Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students and military/veteran applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid , regardless of their veteran benefits eligibility. Cornell also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program , the supplement to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® education benefit. For more information about veteran education benefits, please visit the University Registrar website .

For more information about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at [email protected] .

Learn more about the veteran community . 

Applicants Interested in ROTC

Educating military leaders has been a tradition at cornell university for 150 years..

Cornell's long and prestigious military history started with the Morrill Act of 1862. Cornell's founding and designation as New York State's Land Grant University imparted to it the responsibility to provide military training and education programs. Cornell formally established a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit in 1917. Cornell graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Spanish-American War. Cornell commissioned more officers in World War I than any other institution in the United States including the military academies. During World War II, Cornellians again responded, with more than 20,000 serving in the armed forces in every theatre of war.

Learn more about ROTC at Cornell here . 

First-Generation College and Low and Moderate Income Applicants

Cornell strives to live up to our “any person” ethos, ensuring access to all qualified domestic undergraduate students, regardless of income, assets or family circumstances. Cornell offers financial aid packages that cover the difference between the cost of attendance (which includes living expenses in addition to tuition) and what a family can reasonably be expected to afford.

First Generation College Students and Students from low and moderate income backgrounds as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to Undergraduate Admissions to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

Applicants with DACA status/Applicants Who Are Undocumented

Daca/undocumented applicants.

Undocumented students with and without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to Undergraduate Admissions to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected] .

United World College Applicants

Students attending one of the United World College (UWC) secondary schools around the world as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to Undergraduate Admissions to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at  [email protected] .

Top Enrollment Resources

• How to Apply
• Visit & Connect
• Application Status
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Office of Financial Aid
• Apply for Aid
• Cost to Attend
• Types of Aid
• Office of the Registrar
• Academic Calendar
• Classes and Enrollment
• Courses of Study

Still need help? Look at the Frequently Asked Questions , or contact us .

*** Enter the $2,000 College Transitions No Essay Scholarship Contest ***

Cornell Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 15, 2024

The 7.3% acceptance rate for Cornell’s Class of 2027 was just a touch higher than last year’s 6.9%. However, as late as 2003, the school still had as high as a 31% acceptance rate. Clearly, getting into Cornell in 2024-25 is a vastly different enterprise than earlier in the millennium. Even if you earned a 1450+ on the SAT and maintained straight A’s throughout a high school career littered with AP and honors courses, you still need to find a way to distinguish yourself from other high school superstars. Fortunately, Cornell’s supplemental essays present applicants with just the opportunity they need to showcase their unique personality, writing ability, passions, and talents.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Cornell University? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Cornell: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

In addition to the required supplemental response for all applicants, each college within Cornell has its own essay requirement(s). Below, we examine the Cornell supplemental essays for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.

Cornell Supplemental Essays 2024-25

Required for all applicants:

We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. 

Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (350 word limit)

Most applicants to Cornell are involved in at least one “community,” whether it is an ethnic, religious, or neighborhood community or a group of individuals who gather for a club, sport, or service project. Moreover, you may hold a leadership role within your community of choice—be it the captain of a team, the editor-in-chief of your school paper, or the president of a club. Whichever community you choose, bring your involvement to life. Use your writing ability to show  what type of community member you are rather than merely  telling .

How do you accomplish that? Discuss how you have engaged with your community of choice, and what you have learned from those interactions. How have they shaped you or impacted your perspective? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

By applying to Cornell’s College of Agriculture of Life Sciences (CALS), you are also applying for direct entry into one of our 20+ majors. From here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of our time. 

Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500-word limit)

There are 22 undergraduate majors and more than 40 minors within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Obviously, the content of this essay is going to be quite different for a prospective American Indian Indigenous Studies major versus someone looking to study biomedical engineering. Firstly, you’ll need to discuss your motivations and past experiences related to your major of choice—how have you engaged with the subject, formally and/or informally? What drives you to pursue this course of study in college? Moreover, you’ll need to clearly lay out your academic and career goals, providing explicit evidence of why CALS is the ideal place to help you achieve them. For instance, this may involve researching the professors, courses , study abroad programs , undergraduate research opportunities , and student-run organizations relevant to your major of choice.

Cornell Supplemental Essays (Continued)

There are also two optional essays for CALS:

• At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100-word limit)
• A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity.
• My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity.
• I have experience working in an agricultural entity.
• I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.                                           

                  Please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100-word limit)

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

There are five departments within the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning : Architecture. Art, City and Regional Planning, Real Estate, and Design Tech. Firstly, discuss your motivations and past experiences related to your major of choice. How have you engaged with the subject, formally and/or informally? What drives you to pursue this course of study in college? Moreover, you’ll need to clearly lay out your academic and career goals, providing explicit evidence of why Cornell AAP is the ideal place to help you achieve them. For instance, this may involve researching the professors , courses, study abroad programs , undergraduate research opportunities , and student-run organizations relevant to your major of choice. Note that the prompt provides specific guidance on what exactly should be addressed in the response depending on prospective major, so be sure to integrate that guidance into your essay.

College of Arts and Sciences – Cornell Supplemental Essays 

At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 words)

With 78 different majors and minors , the College of Arts and Sciences offers myriad opportunities for any student. As such, Cornell wants to see evidence of your drive, passion, and intellectual ambition. They also want to hear your specific plans for continuing to be academically engaged while in college. What are your current interests? How have you explored them inside and outside the classroom? How do you hope to continue pursuing them as an undergraduate? Great things to highlight here include:

• Departmental offerings , curriculum attributes , and/or specific courses offered in your discipline(s) of interest at Cornell.
• Undergraduate research opportunities  in the summer or during the school year. You can also mention independent research you would like to conduct under faculty supervision.
• Cornell professors whose work/research/writings you find fascinating and how you might want to connect with them as an undergraduate.
• Last, explore academically focused  student organizations  at Cornell.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 words)

To stand out as an applicant to Dyson or the School of Hotel Administration , applicants need to show that they have availed themselves of every opportunity to dive into the business world during their high school years. Of course, not everyone has parents who hand them money to invest in the stock market or hook them up with a Goldman Sachs internship in ninth grade. Relevant experiences can include high school investing clubs, participation in activities like FBLA, summer programs/courses in business/finance/economics, running your own local small business or e-business (Etsy, landscaping, etc.), or just a regular old retail job. From there, and as a result of your experiences, what topics or issues are you interested in? How do you plan to explore said issues or topics at Cornell? You might consider citing departmental/curricular attributes , specific courses, research opportunities , and/or experiential learning opportunities, among others.

College of Engineering – Cornell Supplemental Essays 

Instructions:  All engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays.

Long Essay Responses (200 word limit)

Question 1: Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?

Here, Cornell wants to understand your motivation for studying engineering. Where did this desire originate? How has it grown, changed, and flourished over the years? What specific experiences have you had—academic or extracurricular–that made you realize that engineering was the career path for you?

Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?

For the “Why Cornell Engineering?” prompt, refer to our recommendation above for the College of Arts & Sciences essay. Do your homework. Tell Cornell about the departments , courses , professors , facilities , research opportunities , and unique programs that make their College of Engineering your top choice. Since you don’t have a ton of space, consider focusing on two to three things that you are most excited about vs. trying to squeeze in a laundry list of offerings.

Short Answer Responses (100 word limit)

• Question 1: What brings you joy?
• Question 2: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?
• Question 3: What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.
• Question 4: What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you. 

College of Human Ecology

How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our  essay application tips  before you begin.) (650 word limit)

The direction of your essay will be guided by your choice of major within the College of Human Ecology . For example, the content will look substantively different for a Fashion Design and Management major versus a Nutritional Sciences applicant. Regardless of your area of study, the prompt seeks to get the heart of why you’re interested in your particular field and where you see your education/career moving forward. In summary, speak honestly about your goals for the future and how your major will help you achieve them. Along the way, be sure to cite specific CHE offerings like courses , professors , research initiatives , student organizations , and/or special programs.

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 words)

Labor relations is not exactly the most common topic for a 17-year-old to fall in love with. Therefore, there is probably a pretty interesting story behind your desire to pursue the ILR path. Given that this major is an intersection of areas like business, economics, government, history, law, and public policy, among others—your interest in Cornell’s ILR program may have been sparked by traditional classroom learning. Or, on the other hand, perhaps the spark was the experience of a friend or relative. Perhaps it was even something you have been following in the news (e.g., Starbucks workers trying to unionize). Above all, let your passion and commitment to this field shine through in your composition. Finally, be sure to cite ILR offerings that will allow you to pursue your interests even more deeply, such as the curriculum structure , research opportunities , internships , or student organizations , among others.

Brooks School of Public Policy

Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 words)

At Brooks, you can pursue one of two majors: Public Policy or Health Care Policy . As such, in this essay, you’ll want to be sure to communicate why you’re interested in your major of choice. What related experiences have you had? How have you explored your interests and curiosities inside and outside the classroom? Most importantly, how do you hope to continue pursuing them as an undergraduate? Great things to highlight here include departmental offerings , specific courses, research opportunities , faculty members , student life , and/or experiential learning opportunities of interest.

Want personalized coaching for your Cornell supplemental essays?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Cornell supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

Need additional essay writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

• 2-Year Colleges
• ADHD/LD/Autism/Executive Functioning
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• General Knowledge
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Homeschool Resources
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Outdoor Adventure
• Private High School Spotlight
• Research Programs
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

$2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Presented by College Transitions

• Win $2,000 for college • 1 minute or less to enter • No essay required • Open to students and parents in the U.S.

Create your account today and easily enter all future sweepstakes!

Enter to Win $2,000 Today!

How to Write the Cornell Supplemental Essays 2024-2025

Subscribe to our newsletter for college app advice!

Cornell University provides rich academic and extracurricular offerings to its students, not to mention a gorgeous campus located in upstate New York. Uniquely, you may only apply to one specific college at Cornell, with little flexibility for changes down the line. Each of Cornell’s colleges sets unique prompts. So, as you embark on your application, this breakdown of the Cornell supplemental essays can help you elevate your application. Let’s dive in.

General Tips

Once you’ve chosen which school you wish to apply to, you’ll need to extensively research its courses, professors, areas of research, and history. This exercise will help you not only understand where you’ll belong, but also what makes Cornell unique.

In your Cornell supplemental essays, you should strive to communicate an understanding of what you as an individual will contribute to the Cornell community and vice versa. Strive to be specific and tie in anecdotal experiences with your research on Cornell. Moreover, provide specific details about Cornell to the reader. Doing so won’t just evidence your thorough research. A specific, concrete essay will also help the reader visualize how you will fit in at Cornell.

We’ll review your essay

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

Cornell’s 2024-2025 Prompts

The first prompt listed below is required for all applicants to Cornell University. The rest of the Cornell supplemental essays are only applicable to applicants to particular colleges. Some of the colleges have just one longer prompt, while others have a series of shorter prompts. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is unique in that it has one required essay prompt and two optional essay prompts. The rest of the colleges require applicants to respond to all of their prompts.

General Essay Prompt

We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural.  (350 words or fewer), college of agriculture and life sciences essays, required: by applying to cornell’s college of agriculture and life sciences (cals), you are also applying for direct entry into one of our 20+ majors. from here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of our time. why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at cornell cals you should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500 words or fewer), optional: at cornell cals, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100 words or fewer), optional: given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. an “agricultural entity” for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.) (100 words or fewer), college of architecture, art, and planning essay, how do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the college of architecture, art, and planning (aap) why architecture (b.arch), art (bfa), or urban and regional studies (urs) b. arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. bfa applicants may want to to [sic] consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at cornell into a coherent art practice. urs students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 words or fewer), college of arts and sciences essay, at the college of arts and sciences, curiosity will be your guide. discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. your response should convey how your interests align with the college, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in arts and sciences.  (650 words or fewer), brooks school of public policy essay, why are you drawn to studying public policy drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the brooks school will help you achieve your life goals.  (650 words or fewer), sc johnson college of business essay, what kind of a business student are you using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the cornell sc johnson college of business (charles h. dyson school of applied economics and management or the cornell peter and stephanie nolan school of hotel administration).  (650 words or fewer), college of engineering essays, fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. why do you want to study engineering (200 words or fewer), why do you think you would love to study at cornell engineering (200 words or fewer), what brings you joy (100 words or fewer), what do you believe you will contribute to the cornell engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application what unique voice will you bring (100 words or fewer), what is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you please briefly tell us about its significance for you. (100 words or fewer), what is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you please briefly describe its importance to you.  (100 words or fewer), college of human ecology essay.

• How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.)  (650 words or fewer)

School of Industrial and Labor Relations Essays

Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. your response should show us that your interests align with the ilr school.  (650 words or fewer).

This essay isn’t easy, because it requires a level of vulnerability. The admissions team poses this question in order to understand who you are as a person, your values, and where you come from. When answering this prompt, identify one community that you’d like to focus on. Then, describe how this community has changed you and helped you grow.

When composing this essay, it can be helpful to think of the arc you’d like your essay to achieve. You may want to bring your reader through your journey of becoming more compassionate as a result of your community. Alternatively, you could discuss a lesson your community has taught you. Similarly, you could describe a value or multiple values that you hold dear and which were promoted by your community. Whatever angle you take in this essay, focus on showing your growth and/or evolution as a person as a result of your community. Let this personal journey guide your narrative.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

If you’re passionate about ecosystems, food systems, agriculture, and human interactions with nature, there’s probably a cool story behind that. The key here is to match the school’s emphasis on real-world commitments. How will you apply your education beyond the theoretical? What steps will you take outside of the classroom to reinforce your knowledge and community contribution?

Couple that with your learning, growth, and pursuit of your goals. You can describe academic goals or personal goals more broadly. You can also write about a person or situation that influenced you to pursue your interests. Be sure to define your specific academic interests in this essay regardless of how you decide to elaborate on them.

Consider giving the reader a glimpse into your growth before college before describing the growth you’d like to achieve through college, specifically at CALS. Lastly, refer to your career and life goals. Explain how CALS has unique programs, courses, and/or opportunities that will bring you closer to achieving those goals. In sum, you should weave a narrative about your interests and goals as they relate to this college .

This Cornell supplemental essay prompt is essentially asking you to describe a community service activity you’ve participated in. Note that it is even better if you can come up with a service activity connected to the agricultural sector. There’s also no pressure here to list something wildly impressive . Even just showing care toward a community, and how you’ve taken steps to be a good member of it, will go a long way toward showing your values.

Remember, show don’t tell . Don’t just tell the reader your experience of service impacted the community. Instead, describe the results of your service. List the number of people you helped, the amount of money you raised, and other quantities as applicable.

In this optional question, you have the opportunity to indicate your family and/or personal history in agriculture. Select the options that apply to you, if any. Then, offer as many as 100 words of clarifying details if you did select any of the options.

The clarifying details about your agricultural background are a completely optional portion of this completely optional question. Still, it’s advisable to provide some additional information if you did select one or more of the provided options.

Even though it’s only 100 words, it’s an opportunity for you to describe an extracurricular activity of great relevance to your application if you have worked in agriculture yourself before. If you have family who have worked in agriculture, then you can describe the influence of that background on your decision to apply to CALS. Any opportunity to further display your interest in CALS will help your application!

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

This question asks you to describe how your past experiences drive your goals. That said, it’s a complicated question just to look at. Let’s break it down:

How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)?

This question asks you to list some of your interests. Then, you should display some research skills and interest in the school by naming a few programs, courses, professors, or other aspects of AAP that are directly linked to your interests.

Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)?

This question asks you to briefly draw the connections between your interests, the aspects of AAP you just listed, the specific degree you want to pursue, and your future plans. In other words, you should express how this degree will help you toward your interest-driven goals.

B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program.

This question is particularly for students interested in Cornell’s B. Arch degree, and it provides you an opportunity to describe some of the high school experiences which you might not have been able to discuss elsewhere in your application. For example, you could describe a moment when you were working on a creative project and realized that this project was the beginning of your future career. Alternatively, you could describe how you realized your passion for architecture would become your career or was something you could enjoy doing all day everyday.

BFA applicants may want to to [sic] consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice.

This question, which is particularly for students interested in Cornell’s BFA degree, expects you to do a little more research into the “available resources at Cornell.” Mention the resources most of interest to you when responding to this question. Then, describe how you might utilize those resources while a student at Cornell. Consider describing how you could use those resources to create a specific proposed art series. What does a “coherent art practice” look like for you, and how would Cornell’s resources facilitate one for you?

URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.

This question is particularly for students interested in the URS program at Cornell. If you have past experience with urban or regional issues, now is the time to discuss them. For instance, if you grew up in an urban environment, have worked a summer job in regional politics, or completed a research project in urban studies, then this essay prompt is a great opportunity for you to provide more nuance regarding those experiences.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers the broadest liberal arts education of Cornell’s various colleges. That’s certainly reflected in the multidisciplinary interests of the students they admit. In this essay, it’s helpful to describe a few (no more than two or three) of the topics that interest you. You should also clarify how they’re all related and important to you.

Then, you’ll want to discuss how you’ll take advantage of these opportunities and curricula. What energy will you bring to class? What kind of learner will you be? How will you approach your studies? What past experiences of learning and joy in your education will you bring with you?

Bear in mind that the biggest thing you should be accomplishing with this essay is explaining reasons why Cornell would be the place for you to combine these interests. For instance, you can do this by describing programs you’ve researched, alumni you admire, and/or classes you couldn’t take anywhere else.

Public policy is rooted in a desire to improve our conditions. With the Brooks School’s goal of making “positive change in the world,” you’ll want to explain where you too developed this goal. How did your interest begin, and how have you fostered this interest since its inception?

This is a good space to expand on an initiative you’ve taken for your community, a political campaign or volunteer center you’ve worked for. You can even discuss what gets you thinking about ways to better the world. Whatever it is, heed the prompt’s request that you talk about your experiences. It’s also typically easier to sound compelling when writing what you know.

Lastly, you’ll want to touch on your life goals and how specific programs, courses, professors, or other aspects of the Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell connects to your life goals and will facilitate you in achieving them.

SC Johnson College of Business

As business schools on the whole tend to be more professionally-minded, this is a good space to reflect on the real-world impact you wish your business school education to give you. Pay special attention to how the prompt asks you to explain how what you want to achieve aligns with the specific school you’re applying to. For instance, if you’re applying to Dyson, perhaps focus on the marketing skills and business savvy you’ve been building up throughout your life. If you’re applying to be a Hotelier, use this essay to communicate what it is about the hotel, food, and administration industry that intrigues you.

Like the personal statement, this essay provides you an opportunity to talk about yourself. You’ll want to use personal details, experiences, and/or anecdotes in order to build out your essay and support your claims of interest in business. Bring in aspects of your personality that might not have been able to come through in your personal statement or other parts of your application if you can!

College of Engineering

You may have a great story underpinning your interest in engineering, and if so, here’s your opportunity to tell it. If not, you may want to think back on the cumulative experiences you’ve had in your life that have progressively pushed you toward engineering. In other words, this essay can consist of a single anecdote or many smaller anecdotes that build upon each other. Both types of structure will help your reader understand the nuances behind your interest in engineering.

In addition, you may want to consider the past, present, and future of your interest in engineering. To break that down, what past experience(s) have pushed you toward engineering? Why and how do you passionately and thoughtfully pursue engineering today? And how do you hope your interest in engineering guides your future? Regardless of how you answer these questions, make sure you clarify what specific field(s) in engineering interest you. You may also want to specify the engineering specialties you hope to study further in college.

As you only have 200 words to fulfill this prompt, you must be concise about your interests and how they connect to Cornell Engineering. Don’t hesitate to show you’ve done research on the school. Consider name-dropping classes, professors, or areas of research you would ideally pursue should you be admitted. Although you can write about why you want to study engineering more generally, your essay may be more compelling if you connect that excitement for engineering directly to the engineering opportunities at Cornell.

A great exercise to get you started is to visualize yourself as a student at Cornell. What classes would you be taking? What major would you eventually choose? Which professors would you elect to work with? Imagine yourself as a future engineer at Cornell: not only will help drum up your excitement for applying, but it will also help you craft a more compelling picture of your reasons to the admissions reader.

Unlike most of the Cornell supplemental essays, this prompt doesn’t directly relate to Cornell or academics. In other words, you can feel free to discuss whatever comes to mind. You should not feel pressure to describe an aspect of engineering. If that’s the most authentic response for you, though, then go for it!

Note that this prompt doesn’t require a single answer. You can provide a list of things, people, topics, places, etc. that bring you joy. Alternatively, you could focus on one thing with as much nuance as 100 words can hold. Either route requires specificity. If the details you choose to include in this essay are genuinely personal and unique to you, then they’ll also be more memorable and striking for the reader.

Consider the following guiding questions:

• Beyond being an aspiring engineer, who are you ?
• What experiences make you you , and why do they contribute to your study of engineering?
• How would you contribute to the humanistic side of engineering?

Understanding the role that your lived experiences and identity play into your Cornell engineering focus will help build your voice in that community. This essay is an occasion for you to use that voice.

Consider the traditional and/or stereotypical voices in engineering. You may also want to research the Cornell engineering community for more specificity. This research may reveal to you the ways in which you’re different from the average engineer. Your unique voice could be related to your life experiences or background. It might also relate to your worldviews and penchant for out-of-the-box ideas.

You may also want to brainstorm about the times when you’ve added a new perspective to a conversation, changed the direction of a project, or positively impacted others by raising your unique voice. Any of these past experiences could provide the basis of your essay by signifying how you might contribute in the future.

This prompt, like most of the Cornell supplemental essays, seeks to understand your values and what drives you as a person. Two key words in this prompt are “one” and “meaningful.” The reader is looking for a focused essay that discusses one way you have participated in community (broadly defined) and the meaning behind that experience. What made the experience special for you? How did it stand out? How has it changed you?

You can think about your personal growth as you brainstorm for this essay. As you’ve matured and become more self-aware, thoughtful, and capable, you’ve likely been supported along the way by certain groups of people. Those people could be teammates, friends, colleagues, family members, or any other group of people. Whoever those people are, tell the reader about them here in this essay. Additionally, share how they have impacted you through your shared experiences.

This essay gives you the opportunity, albeit briefly, to pat yourself on the back. Like the last prompt, though, this essay should be driven by what is personally meaningfully to you. Instead of describing your accomplishment itself in great detail, you should focus on why the recognition of your accomplishment was particularly important to you. How did this recognition impact you? Did it boost your self-confidence or open the door for new opportunities?

While working on this essay, consider sharing your drafts with people who don’t know you very well. Because this essay will involve you discussing your successes, it risks sounding immodest or arrogant. In order to avoid this issue, you can seek additional opinions from unbiased readers.

College of Human Ecology

How has your decision to apply to the college of human ecology (che) been shaped and informed by your related experiences how will what you learn through che and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with che’s programs and mission.  (650 words or fewer).

Unlike some of the other schools’ more clear-cut questions, this one asks for a more big-picture approach for how you will apply your education to a real-world setting. The College of Human Ecology is rooted in its mission to improve the human connection to nature . This is evidenced by its multidisciplinary approach, which you should research before embarking on this essay.

You’ll want to talk about your own big-picture goals in this question. What is the difference you hope to achieve in the world? What’s your goal career? You might not know the answers to these questions yet, but you can still broach the topic in this essay response.

Lastly, don’t forget to still include the specific details of this vision: which classes you’ll take, professors you admire, etc. Working some of the details of the four years you’ll spend at Cornell into your broader vision will help you write a cohesive essay.

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

The ILR school leads in all things labor relations, economics, human resources, and management. Some of the most pressing problems it seeks to tackle are labor negotiations, conflicts among employers and employees, and the social sciences (in diversity, statistics, etc) surrounding labor and employment.

These topics seem to be in the news all the time, and are certainly relevant to a large number of people. So what makes them relevant to you? Why have you taken an interest in labor relations? How have you demonstrated this interest through your actions?

This prompt is also a personal question. You should definitely write about how the school and its programs will help you accomplish your goals in labor relations. That said, don’t hesitate to get personal about the motivations behind your decision to apply to this college.

If you need help polishing up your Cornell supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

Sign Up for More College App Tips

Subscribe to the Next Admit newsletter, a weekly newsletter where you'll receive our best college essay and college app advice. You can unsubscribe at any time!

Students Also Read

Deferred? Denied? Learn about Ivy Coach's PostMortem, Letter of Continued Interest, and Application Assistance

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

Cornell University Supplemental Essay Prompts: 2024-2025

Cornell University has released its 2024-2025 supplemental admissions essays for applicants to the Class of 2029 . For years, Cornell asked applicants to respond to an essay of up to 650 words in length that essentially asked, “ Why Cornell ?” But this year, the Ivy League institution has changed things up, creating essays specific to the individual school to which a student is applying within Cornell. So what supplemental admissions essays will applicants to Cornell’s Class of 2029 be asked to write? Let’s dive in!

2024-2025 Cornell Essay Topics and Questions

Required essay prompt for all applicants.

In 350 words or less, all applicants to Cornell University are asked to answer the following prompt:

We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. 

Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural.

It’s difficult not to view this new essay prompt as Cornell’s direct response to the SCOTUS ruling outlawing Affirmative Action . While colleges can no longer directly consider race as a factor in the highly selective college admissions process, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a legal loophole in the majority opinion .

Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

While Cornell’s admissions committee explicitly cited family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, or cultural in the question, students can write about their race, faith, gender, sexuality, or just about anything else in response to this prompt. After all, Cornell’s admissions committee seeks to build a diverse incoming class, and no Supreme Court decision will get in their way. While the Ivy League school wasn’t nearly as bold as Johns Hopkins University in citing race in its supplemental essay prompt, it’s very much implied that race is on the table.

School-Specific Essay Prompts

College of agriculture and life sciences.

CALS asks applicants to respond to a required essay of up to 500 words in length followed by optional essays of up to 200 words and 100 words. Of course, no optional essay should ever be considered optional in Cornell’s admissions process. Write it!

Required Essay Prompt

Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice.

This is a hybrid prompt: Why Major and Why School at Cornell? More so than any Ivy League school, Cornell cares about  school fit . Cornell’s admissions committee not only wants to know why you wish to attend Cornell but why you wish to attend the school within the school at Cornell.

After all, Cornell’s admissions committee wasn’t born yesterday. They, too, know that getting into certain schools at Cornell is easier than others. So if a student is genuinely interested in computer science yet is applying to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, simply writing they enjoy farming won’t pass the sniff test.

In this essay, applicants should avoid name-dropping professors at CALS who may or may not even be there next year or classes that may or may not even be offered next year and instead focus on the enduring aspects of the school within a school. Cornell’s admissions committee wants to see how applicants hope to leave a mark in agriculture and life sciences during their lifetime.

By thoroughly examining specific programs, institutes, culture, traditions, and activities at CALS, applicants can show rather than tell why they wish to attend.

Optional Essay Prompts

CALS applicants have up to 100 words to answer each of the following two optional essay prompts:

Instructions: The optional short-answer questions invite you to share additional information about your background, interests, and experiences as they relate to aspects of the Cornell CALS mission.

1. At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are not simply driven to master their discipline, but who are also passionate about doing so to serve the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you had a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you.

CALS applicants would be wise to choose an experience that relates to agriculture or life sciences for this prompt. Ideally, the experience the student writes about will also be reflected in their extracurricular pursuits listed on The Common Application. Applicants should tell a small story. Too often, applicants try to accomplish too much by telling grandiose stories. And applicants should be sure to leave out the self-congratulatory sentences. There’s no need to brag in elite college admissions — ever! 

2. Cornell CALS is dedicated to purpose-driven study of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An “agricultural entity” for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.). 

Select all that apply:

• A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity.
•   My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity.
•   I have experience working in an agricultural entity.
•   I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.                      

Please feel free to share additional details.

This prompt allows applicants to write a more detailed portrait of their family’s farm or their experience working as, say, a farmhand. It’s another chance for students to show rather than tell why they hope to contribute to the field of agriculture.

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Students have up to 650 words to respond to the below essay prompt:

How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.

It’s a hybrid essay prompt as Cornell’s admissions committee not only wants to know why applicants want to study architecture, art, and planning, but they want to hear a specific example of an instance that inspires their interest in the field. Of course, we always encourage our students at Ivy Coach to share such anecdotes when asked why they’re interested in a discipline — whether they’re asked to cite an example or not — since showing rather than telling is always the way to go.

And then the third component of this hybrid essay prompt is a Why College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. This component of an applicant’s answer should be filled with genuine specifics about the school within a school. And, no, name-dropping professors and regurgitating classes listed in a course catalog do not count. Applicants should aim to capture enduring aspects of the school within a school at Cornell.

College of Arts & Sciences

At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences.

It’s a hybrid essay prompt: Why Major and Why School within a School. Cornell wants to understand the origin story of your interest in studying your intended major through a specific narrative — always as a high schooler rather than a child. And they also want to know why Cornell’s College of Arts & Sciences. The second part of this essay’s answer should be filled with specifics that only apply to Cornell’s College of Arts & Sciences. If a sentence can apply to another university, delete it.

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals.

It’s a straight-up-the-middle hybrid essay prompt: Why Major and Why Brooks? Cornell wants to hear a narrative about a student’s interest in studying public policy. It could be through their coursework, their activities, or even their reading for pleasure. And then Cornell wants to hear that an applicant has done their homework on the Brooks School of Public Policy. As such, applicants should cite specifics about the school within a school at Cornell that do not apply to any other school at Cornell or any other university.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration).

It’s a hybrid essay prompt: Why Business and Why SC Johnson? Applicants should share a story or stories about their interest in business — ideally as evidenced in their extracurricular pursuits listed in the activities section of their Common Applications.

And then, applicants should transition to demonstrating how they can best pursue their interests at SC Johnson. To do so, applicants should cite specifics about the school within a school at Cornell that don’t apply to any other undergraduate business school. And, no, name-dropping professors and listing classes do not count as genuine specifics. Instead, applicants should cite enduring specifics about the school within a school to show rather than tell why they wish to attend.

College of Engineering

College of Engineering applicants must write two long essay responses, each of up to 200 words in length, and four short answer responses of up to 100 words.

Long Essay Response 1

Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?

It’s a Why Major question. Cornell’s admissions committee wants to understand why applicants are interested in pursuing an engineering degree. To address the question, it would be ideal for applicants to write about something they’ve been doing in engineering that has inspired their interest. They should then transition to how they hope to carry this interest forward over their college years.

Long Essay Response 2

Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?

It’s a Why College (within a broader university) question. Applicants should focus on the curriculum design and the programs and institutes Cornell boasts that tackle research in engineering. And they’d be wise to avoid writing about classes. After all, Why College essays should not be approached like a game of Mad Libs where a student can insert a class name for one university and change it to another name for another university. It’s all about capturing the enduring specifics of the College of Engineering, and the specific engineering track a student intends to pursue.

Short Answer Response 1

What brings you joy?

Applicants would be wise to write about how engineering brings them joy — duh ! This prompt presents a fantastic opportunity for engineering applicants to showcase how they think and want to change the world in a specific way. Applicants, for instance, can pick a small problem in their local community that they encounter — and it need not be a sexy problem. Maybe it’s potholes. Whatever it is, applicants should showcase how they find joy in leveraging the power of engineering to make the problem better for locals.

Short Answer Response 2

What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?

While the Supreme Court outlawed Affirmative Action, Cornell’s admissions committee still wishes to admit a diverse class. And diversity doesn’t only mean racial diversity. It also means diversity of faiths, geography, gender, sexual orientation, and thought. So the question is wide open for an applicant to showcase what life experience or perspective they’ll bring to the College of Engineering.

Short Answer Response 3

What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.

This prompt is a straight-up-the-middle activity essay. Applicants should write about one of the most significant activities related to engineering that they’ve pursued in high school. It should be an activity that they have not addressed in the Personal Statement or any other Cornell supplemental essay.

Short Answer Response 4

What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you.

Applicants will ideally choose an award related to engineering. Ideally, the award will be a reflection of how a student contributed to their community through the power of engineering (the gold standard answer, of course, would be William Kamkwamba’s narrative in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope ).

College of Human Ecology

Students have up to 650 words to respond to the below essay prompt. Students are also asked to check out these essay application tips  before beginning.

How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission.

It’s a three-part question. Cornell’s admissions committee wants to know why students are interested in studying a discipline within the College of Human Ecology, how they hope to influence this field during their lifetime, and why the College of Human Ecology is the right fit for them. As such, students should share a narrative that demonstrates the origin of their interest in the field — always as a high schooler instead of as a child — before transitioning to their hopes and dreams for shaping the field in their own small but meaningful way during their lifetimes, and then citing specifics about CHE that only apply to this school within a school at Cornell.

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School.

It’s a hybrid essay prompt: Why Labor Relations and Why ILR? Students should thus begin by writing a narrative that details their interest in studying labor relations — always as a high schooler rather than as a child — which is ideally evidenced in their activities listed in The Common Application.

Applicants should then transition to the Why ILR component of the prompt. And, no, citing that ILR is the most prestigious school to study labor relations sure doesn’t count. Students need to detail specific after specific about ILR — without stooping to naming professors or listing classes — that do not apply to another university.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Cornell Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your case for admission to Cornell University by submitting powerful admissions essays, fill out Ivy Coach ’s consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college counseling services for seniors .

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

How Formal Should a College Essay Be? A Word on Writing Style

December 7, 2024

How to Write a College Essay About Nothing

December 6, 2024

Is Grammar Important in a College Essay?

December 5, 2024

Discussing Personal Accomplishments in College Admissions Essays

December 3, 2024

Avoid the Most Common Mistakes in College Essays

November 29, 2024

The Iconic ‘I Am’ College Essay: Why It Doesn’t Hold Up Anymore

November 24, 2024

TOWARD THE CONQUEST OF ADMISSION

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 15-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

3 Great Cornell Essay Examples

Cornell is one of the top schools in the nation, and a member of the esteemed Ivy League. With an extremely low general acceptance rate, admissions is highly-selective, though keep in mind that acceptance rates vary by schools within the university.

Cornell requires a single supplement for all applicants, but the prompt will vary based on the college you’re applying to. In this post, we’ll be going over two prompts for the College of Arts and Sciences and one prompt for the SC Johnson College of Business (which includes the infamous Hotel School!). We’ll outline what admissions officers are looking for, and we’ll analyze a sample essay written by a real applicant!

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized.  

Read our Cornell University essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

Essay Example #1

Prompt: Students in Arts and Sciences embrace the opportunity to delve into multifaceted academic interests, embodying in 21st-century terms Ezra Cornell’s “any person…any study” founding vision. Tell us about the areas of study you are excited to explore, and specifically why you wish to pursue them in our College. (650 words)

“Give me liberty or give me death!” When I first read this quote, I got shivers. As a fourth-grader, I remember thinking: “How could one love liberty so much that they would give up their own life?” To me, American revolutionaries were too passionate about paying taxes and I shrugged off their fervor for liberty. But five years later, I found myself asking the same question.

During my freshman year of high school, I became completely engrossed in learning about the Atlantic Revolutions. From studying the Storming of the Bastille to Haitain independence, I noticed that people sacrificed everything for freedom. It was soon that I learned about Enlightenment philosophers and the role they played in spurring revolutions by inspiring others to challenge social and political norms. I was amazed that philosophy had the power to mobilize entire populations and positively reform nations. But as I reflected on the circumstances of social inequality and political corruption that led to these revolutions, I realized that philosophy is not just a powerful practice of the past; it is just as relevant today.

The United States is a country of contradictions. We boast values of equality and justice, yet our prison, immigration, and education systems are rife with inequity and corruption. I seek a philosophy education to lend me an understanding of existing power structures and how to create a more equitable society. There is no better place to further my educational career than at the Sage School of Philosophy, the birthplace of the first philosophical review in our country. Cornell’s long-standing commitment to approaching philosophy in a holistic manner is evident in its wide range of courses offered. Specifically, I am drawn to the Discussion of Justice course that focuses on current political controversies such as immigration and racial inequality, both issues I care deeply about. After witnessing the cycle of poverty that plagues my community, I see that our society is facing a moral dilemma. This course will enable me to question the values held collectively by our society and recognize the impact such values have on minority groups.

With a greater understanding of morality and social inequality, I hope to pursue a career in civil law rights, helping underrepresented groups in our country receive the justice they deserve. It would be a privilege to begin my career in law by learning the Philosophy of Law from Professor Julia Markovitz. Professor Markovitz’s expertise in moral reasoning will push me to consider the ethical problems that lawyers face and how to fairly represent those in need. I am energized by this course’s goal to not only learn the law, but also challenge it. Building a fairer future relies on changing current institutions based on the government’s moral obligation to its people. I am eager to study philosophy through a career-oriented lens that enables me to apply my learned knowledge to the field of law.

Among the many political issues our country is facing, I am motivated to learn more about global migration. Just miles from my home in South Texas, the humanitarian crisis at the southern border has shown me the complexity of migration. This year, my experiences volunteering with Loaves and Fishes, an organization that shelters and aids undocumented immigrants, have given me insight into the poverty and violence that many are trying to escape from. To those arriving from the southern border, migration is not a choice; it is a matter of survival. On a larger scale, with rising global temperatures creating climate change refugees and international wars rendering thousands of people homeless, I crave a more extensive understanding of the factors that prompt migration. I plan to pursue a minor in Migration Studies in order to learn how populations can be sustained and thrive in a constantly moving world. Taking classes at the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies will allow me to interact with students and faculty from other colleges on campus. I believe there are a myriad of factors that drive international migration; thus, working with students from all disciplines will expose me to a diversity in research that can shape future immigration policies. As a daughter of immigrants, I am moved by Cornell’s dedication to supporting education on migration, namely through launching ‘Migrations’ as the theme for Cornell’s first Global Grand Challenge. By researching, teaching, and engaging with communities to tackle the challenges of migration, I am excited to be part of a generation of activists that assist and empower migrants.

Today, the passion American revolutionaries had for change is no longer perplexing to me. I, too, am ready to enact change in our country and society. With Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences’ broad curriculum that encourages me to explore my many interests, I am confident that I will have the resources to improve our world in a truly revolutionary way.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay effectively accomplished the most important part of a “ Why This Major? ” essay: walking us through the past, present, and future of their interests. The essay starts by explaining how an interest in history spurred this student to care about philosophy and social justice, then they describe how they hope to further their academic passions at Cornell, and then the student tells us how they will make an impact after graduation.

Beyond the structure, this essay does a nice job of integrating the student’s multi-dimensional passions into the college’s offerings. From the beginning where they describe their research on revolutions to concrete examples of current social inequalities, they present their interests in a very real manner that makes it clear exactly what they care about. Because of this elaboration, the reader can clearly see how the student’s passion for philosophy, immigration, and social justice easily fit into Cornell’s curriculum.

The connection between their interests and Cornell was strengthened by the context this student provided about themselves. For example, when they mention the Discussion of Justice class, the student explains that they have witnessed the effects of poverty first-hand and need this class to better understand and address those issues one day. 

Providing detailed, personal context for school-specific opportunities, as this essay does, highlights your genuine interest and connection to the topics you are talking about. The true strength of this essay lies in the ability to connect the Cornell major to this student, with ample background information, at every stage of their academic career.

What Could Be Improved

While this essay starts strong with an anecdote that places the reader in the middle of the action, the rest of the essay falls a bit short on the action and excitement. The essay is a well-written account of this student’s passions, where they originated from, and where they hope to take them, but we are also looking for an energizing story that keeps us reading.

One easy way to bring more energy to the essay is to simply have shorter paragraphs. Long blocks of text are overwhelming and easier to get lost in, but shorter, more direct paragraphs help move the reader effortlessly from one paragraph to the next. Finding natural breaks in a paragraph is an easy way to make the essay flow more smoothly and maintain the reader’s engagement.

Another way to liven up the essay would be to interject more of the student’s personal thoughts and quotes. In the first paragraph, the student provides a quote to show the reader their inner monologue, which is an excellent way to show us what you think or feel rather than telling us. If more thoughts were interjected throughout the essay, we could get a better sense of how this student feels about certain topics, as well as see their personal voice shine through.

Essay Example #2

Throughout middle school and high school, I continuously took advanced science and technology classes. It wasn’t until four years ago when my eyes caught a glance of a flier posted next to my biology classroom: “Academy of Biotechnology! Meeting in room 307 today for freshmen interested in biotechnology,” that I realized my two favorite classes were intertwined in a field of their own: biotechnology. 

I’ve been in Room 307 every Thursday this year listening to guest speakers talk about various topics from sleep to drug development, exploring new advances in biotech, and planning the annual career fair.

Last summer, my internship at Holy Cross furthered my interest in biotechnology. When I was introduced to the da Vinci Xi surgical system – a robot that utilizes high-tech guided targeting and auxiliary technology to achieve less blood loss and a faster recovery time for patients, I was amazed at the employment of technology and its power to renovate the medical field. Cornell’s world-leading academics in its College of Arts and Science, particularly the interdisciplinary Biology and Society major, makes it a dream place for me to pursue my passion in both health and biotechnology. I’m specifically interested in the course on Ethical Issues in Health and Medicine, and the seminar course on Controversies in Science, Technology, and Medicine. These capstone courses under top professors will enable me to acquire knowledge about the breadth of biology within the dimensions of modern medical and ethical issues. 

I love that biotechnology encompasses a public health side as well as a microbiology side. Wanting to further explore the molecular side of biotechnology, I sought out the opportunity to work as a research intern at Montgomery College. I have been modeling protein and protein dockings of a cyanobacterium Synechococcus species through computational biology. I’m also drawn to Cornell’s Biological Sciences major with a concentration in Molecular and Cell Biology, where I can further explore my interest in biotechnology. Cornell’s wide range of courses in this major reflects its commitment to supporting its students with novel opportunities. Particularly, I am drawn to the Orientation Lectures in Molecular Biology & Genetics course. I’m eager to learn about the variety of research that Cornell’s experienced faculty is conducting. 

It would be an honor to learn from and work with Cornell’s researchers at one of the world’s greatest research institutions, through the myriad of opportunities the college provides. I’m especially interested in the research of Dr. Cohen and his team in the creation of micrometer-scale robots for following biochemical signals and encapsulating a soft tissue analog for new future treatments of disease. 

Outside of the classroom, I hope to combine my passions for public health and advocacy by engaging in the American Red Cross student organization, and perhaps the Cornell Sun. I also excitedly anticipate running Club Cross Country through Cornell’s astounding gorges and gardens. I look forward to contributing to the various student organizations at Cornell with my interests and background. 

Cornell’s unique freedom of course selection offers an uncommon opportunity for career exploration. I’m confident Cornell’s College of Arts and Science’s opportunities, courses, cutting-edge research and researchers, and community will make it my perfect next Room 307: an opening to practically endless exploration and growth that cannot be found elsewhere.

A positive aspect of this essay is how it neatly parallels the student’s interdisciplinary interests in science and technology to the interdisciplinary aspect of the major and the College of Arts and Sciences. The reader gains a full appreciation for the diverse interests this student has and exactly how they align with a Cornell education.

Providing context about the biotechnology club, their internship at Holy Cross, and their experience as a research assistant at Montgomery College are all great ways to show the reader how this student has already expressed intellectual curiosity in this field in the past. Although you don’t need to go into too much detail about things that will be included on your extracurricular profile, it’s always a good idea to tie in your experiences whenever possible.

Additionally, this essay successfully employs an echo back to the opening in the conclusion. The essay starts by introducing illustrious Room 307 as the birthplace of this student’s joint passion in science and technology, so circling back to that room in the conclusion helps bring the essay to a satisfying full-circle moment. It was also clever to use Room 307 as a metaphor for exploring their interest, and thereby comparing Cornell to the next Room 307.

This essay exceeds in covering a breadth of opportunities at Cornell that excite them, but it could use some work on the depth of each opportunity. What do we mean by this? The student mentions nine different aspects of Cornell that excite them, but they provide little meaningful elaboration on why they want to get involved with these particular choices, how they relate to their interests, or what they hope to gain from these experiences.

For instance, instead of just telling the reader they are interested in Dr. Cohen’s research, the essay should delve into what about micro-scale robots following biochemical signals excites them so much. Have they or a loved one been affected by a disease these robots could cure? Did they read an article about this technique a few years back and have been dreaming about implementing it up close? 

Asking these questions to probe deeper than the surface layer of “ I like this topic ” helps bring the essay (and you as an applicant) to life. If the student chose to cut back on the number of offerings they included and instead focused on the depth and context for each one, it would make the essay much stronger.

One more thing this essay does that we’d caution against is the empty flattery of the school. Cornell admissions officers know that it’s one of the greatest research institutions and there are many opportunities for supporting students, so it’s unnecessary for the student to repeat that in their essay. What they don’t know about is you . Try to steer clear of mentioning the college’s accolades and rankings, and maintain attention on you and how you fit in.

Essay Example #3

Prompt: What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 words)

I rounded third base; dust flew in a whirling cloud of dirt behind me. On my wrist I sported a stained pink wristband with the name of my grandmother, who had recently finished her last chemo treatment. I slid into home plate, narrowly escaping the daunting reach of the catcher. As I got up, I looked around at the field of players, all donning a similar wristband with the name of someone close to them that had battled cancer. I turned to the bleachers and smiled as a sea of pink cheered me on. While cancer can be a dismal matter, it was a merging force that brought a community together for that charity game. Seeing what a unifying tragedy cancer can be, I knew I wanted to help.

At the Dyson School within the Cornell SC Johnson School of Business I aim to gain a strong foundation in business, with a concentration in marketing, to conduct meaningful research as an undergraduate. Taking part in the CALS Honors Research program, I aspire to research marketing strategies for increasing cancer screening rates. Having numerous family members that have battled with cancer has shown me the burdensome effect it can have not only on the individual, but on the family. Through my project, I hope to minimize those effects, as catching the disease early on is vital to a patient’s recovery. With the unique opportunity provided by the program, I know that I will have that chance.

After graduation, I want to continue with a career in marketing for the betterment of society. For me, the importance of marketing is not about convincing consumers to buy the latest product to boost sales, it is about encouraging consumers to make decisions that will benefit themselves and their community. With a focus in healthcare, I will have the ability to positively influence people’s precautionary screening measures, keeping them safe and healthy. Similarly, I aim to apply the same principle in other fields during my career and my time at Cornell.

One of those fields is green energy. Protecting the planet is a sentiment that is also very important to me, and with its beautiful, vast landscape and focus on environmental conservation, Cornell is the perfect place for me to advance that mission. With the state of today’s climate, the need to act swiftly is paramount, and citizen participation is key. As a marketer, I would strive to convince consumers to make the switch to green energy. In the digital age, marketing relies heavily on the internet, and I am excited to take Digital Marketing with Professor Tomaso Bondi to develop my skills in that area.

With Cornell already performing groundbreaking research in sustainable energy, I want to get involved with the initiative from a marketing perspective. An opportunity that intrigues me is the student project Cornell Electric Vehicles. Although it is an engineering project team, I would love to get involved as a student from Dyson working on marketing the effectiveness of the vehicles designed by the team. Switching to electric cars is an efficient way to reduce our carbon footprint and sharing the successes achieved by the team would be a great way to showcase the capabilities of electric vehicles.

As a student looking to make a positive impact on his global community through research and marketing, I know that Cornell can provide me with the opportunities to achieve my goals. Whether it be persuading an unknowing cancer victim to receive a screening or a consumer looking for a new car to switch to green energy, I will make a change through marketing. By gaining a strong understanding of the foundations of business and marketing, I will strive to ensure that everyone after that charity game will be able to return home and hug their loved one and have a healthy and thriving planet to call home.

This student exemplified the prompt by showing us exactly what kind of business student they are. They are a student passionate about having a social and environmental impact through marketing. The fact that the reader can walk away with such a clear impression of who this student is and what they hope to accomplish with a Cornell business degree is a result of the concise and dynamic flow of this essay.

Every new idea they introduced—whether it was pursuing the honors research program or joining the Cornell Electric Vehicle project team—was supported by contextual reasoning and personal connections. Tying everything back to their past or their goals for the future really brought the student front and center and made it very easy for the reader to feel like they know this student.

In addition to connecting everything to the student, the essay also managed to connect interdisciplinary topics that you might not immediately think of when you hear business to marketing. Not being afraid to delve into healthcare and sustainability in an essay for a business school brings a personal and unique perspective to a prompt that admissions officers are sure to appreciate.

Another source of this essay’s strength is how each paragraph is concise and focused. There is a very intentional use of space that makes it extremely easy for the reader to follow along with each new idea and take away the main points from each paragraph. 

Although this essay is quite strong as it is, one weakness was the abrupt switch from cancer and healthcare to sustainability. It’s great that this student has multifaceted interests and that they were able to touch on both, but given that the anecdote at the beginning was solely focused on cancer, it felt somewhat jarring to switch to green energy halfway through the essay.

One way this discontinuity could be addressed is to find a different anecdote to begin the essay, ideally one that combines cancer and sustainability if at all possible. Or, the student could keep the cancer anecdote and add a second one that connects to their interest in green energy more. However, it’s important to not let the anecdote overwhelm the essay and take up too much space, so keeping it concise and providing just enough to spark interest is key.

This essay only includes three Cornell-specific opportunities, and while this allows for more personal connections to be made to each offering, the student’s interest and research on the college could be demonstrated with one or two more details. It might be nice if they found a club that related to marketing and healthcare on campus and a class that relates to business and green energy to show how they plan to address both of their passions in and out of the classroom.

Where to Get Your Cornell Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Cornell essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts