Let’s take a closer look at this Cornell essay prompt.
What kind of 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 word limit)
What kind of 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 word limit)
A recent to Cornell’s offerings, the Brooks School of Public Policy seeks to admit interested in Policy Analysis and Management or Health Care Policy. As the Brooks School is another college with very specific requirements and programs of study, showing that you have completed extensive research and demonstrating your expertise in their newly created opportunities will make your essay shine. Make sure to carefully study all of —including course selections, the Peer-Mentoring program, career paths, and research opportunities and write about those that best suit your needs in an intentional manner.
Cornell Essay Guide: ILR School
A recent to Cornell’s offerings, the Brooks School of Public Policy seeks to admit interested in Policy Analysis and Management or Health Care Policy. As the Brooks School is another college with very specific requirements and programs of study, showing that you have completed extensive research and demonstrating your expertise in their newly created opportunities will make your essay shine. Make sure to carefully study all of —including course selections, the Peer-Mentoring program, career paths, and research opportunities and write about those that best suit your needs in an intentional manner.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Cornell is known for fostering intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary investigation across a wide range of disciplines. This prompt invites you to reflect on your passion for learning and how it’s influencing your academic journey, so consider writing about an anecdote that shows your curiosity, inquisitiveness, and love of learning. The school’s core values of “any person… any study” places special emphasis on interdisciplinary education. How will you take advantage of opportunities for cross disciplinary study? For example, to combine your interests in marketing and social justice, you might be interested in joining the marketing team for , a student-run organization addressing food insecurity on campus. Or, you might be interested in participating in a paid research opportunity under the , available for any discipline within the College of Arts and Sciences.
End with your thesis: As you read this essay, it doesn’t take long to figure out what brings this writer joy, and what they do so well is . We get to read about connecting with loved ones in the outdoors and taking the time to be self-reflective, and it isn’t until the final sentence that this writer directly addresses the language in the prompt. And it works really nicely here. This essay builds to the main idea instead of starting with it though we’re pretty clear on it from the first few sentences), and this can be a particularly effective way to keep your reader engaged until the very end.
Home to one of the top-ranked undergraduate architecture programs in the U.S., the Cornell College of Architecture, Art, and Planning asks you to write about your authentic passions. Demonstrating your interests, however niche, is crucial to writing a stellar essay. Be specific in your description of how your interests or previous experiences confirmed your desire to pursue the degree, and mention the opportunities you intend to take advantage of once at the college. Pick and choose the elements from this college that excite you, including programs, professors, or extracurricular activities, and write about how they will complement your academic endeavors. The more specific you are, the stronger your essay will be.
3 Great Cornell Essay Examples | CollegeVine Blog
For that magical moment, lying there and gazing up at those stars, I can catch my breath. I escape from a world that only seems to get busier and more stressful every day. Looking up in wonder, I feel nothing but peace. Stargazing brings me joy. (220 words)
Here are some Cornell essay examples, written by a real applicant
The Cornell supplemental essays are a great way to impress admissions, but make sure the rest of your Cornell application impresses as well. Don’t forget to read our How to Get Into Cornell for an overview of application strategy. Good luck!
How to Write the Cornell Supplemental Essay
Maybe you’re applying with a lower than or , or maybe you have a couple of blemishes on your transcript. A well-written set of Cornell supplemental essays can work in your favor and make it obvious that you would be a great addition to campus. So, if you’re dreaming about the day you at Cornell, use this guide to help you approach each Cornell application essay with a solid strategy.
18 Essays that Worked at Cornell
Check out these successful for inspiration. While they won’t be exactly like the Cornell supplemental essay prompts, they will show you how college essays can vary greatly from one another. The most important thing of any Cornell essay is showing admissions who you are while fully answering the prompt.
How to Write the Cornell Supplemental Essays 2024-2025
This Cornell supplemental essay guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how can support you in the college application process.