Let’s look at both of the optional Cornell supplemental essays.
Your essay is the place to show off your unique qualities and experience. Cornell’s diverse academic offerings provide students with many options to pursue their interests and passions. If you have a clear goal that you hope to achieve following university, it makes sense to be knowledgeable about the department and major that corresponds. Here is a Cornell transfer essay example showing how one might begin writing about their intellectual interests according to the university offerings:
“Cornell values openness, community engagement, and innovation. I share these values and believe I can positively contribute to the university by researching and analyzing innovations and engineering using reliable sources and presenting my findings in a clear manner to the public. As a part of the team involved in renovating our community library, I researched a variety of innovative methods to make our 200-year-old library more energy-efficient and produced recommendations for our town officials. As a future engineer, I want to design and create solutions myself that will make safer spaces for the disabled and involve the innovative use of ethically sourced materials.”
Of course, one should balance personal history and aspirations in one’s essay. Many students may find it difficult to maintain this balance. On the one hand, a personal anecdote can make your paper stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, your academic aspirations should be prominent. Let’s say you decide to enroll in the agricultural department. This introduction of a Cornell CALS essay example with an anecdote might help inspire you:
Let’s take a closer look at this Cornell essay prompt.
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?
Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?
The first of these two required prompts requires you to reflect on your interest in engineering, while the second requires you to describe your desire to pursue the field at Cornell specifically. When answering the first prompt, note that the phrasing invites you to reflect specifically on the relationship between engineering and problem solving. Consider how you might approach the prompt creatively, tying your own intellectual curiosity and desire to resolve problems with your pursuit of engineering. Then, focus the second essay on the ways in which you will take advantage of opportunities and resources at the Cornell College of Engineering to prepare yourself for the field.
Finally, Cornell requires students to answer four short answer questions that add further context and depth to their personality and accomplishments in 100 words or fewer.
Short Responses
Question 1: What brings you joy? (100 word limit)
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? (100 word limit)
3 Great Cornell Essay Examples | CollegeVine Blog
Your goals and ambitions should correspond to the resources available at Cornell University. In this way, you will achieve your aspirations and make sure that your passion has a place to grow as a student at the university. The first resource is the Career Services Office, which offers career counseling, resume-building workshops, and job/internship search assistance. Another resource is using academic opportunities that the university offers, like participating in research projects, joining clubs and organizations, and attending workshops or conferences that interest you. Also, extracurricular activities can enhance your growth and development.
18 Essays that Worked at Cornell
“I have always wanted to make a meaningful impact in the world. I want to use my skills to bring about positive change through my academics, extracurricular activities, and future career endeavors. I believe that Cornell’s resources will provide me with the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve my goals.”
Cornell University Supplemental Essay Examples
An admission essay must demonstrate an applicant’s motivation, determination, and readiness to succeed. Cornell supplemental essay examples can show you how to do it right. You will see that the structure of the essay is flexible, but it should effectively demonstrate your potential and suitability for admission to the faculty or department.
How to Write the Cornell University Essays 2024-2025
If you consider why Cornell essay examples work, you will see that many of them contain some main elements, such as an introduction, body, and conclusion. Admission committees are very attentive to the epistolary genre. We also recommend including polite addresses to the committees’ officers at the beginning of any essay.
Reading the “Why Cornell” Essay that got me accepted w
It took me a few minutes to get to the hospital and much longer for us to get a physician who understood what my parents were trying to explain about my sister’s medical history. It was on that day that I started thinking about sickle cell anemia patients around the world. I have always recognized that living in the US gives me access to a certain amount of privileged, including access to some of the best doctors in the world. It occurred to me that these same doctors did not know how to approach an issue affecting millions of people of color worldwide, and I wondered how many other doctors worldwide didn’t have that same training or knowledge.