![Tips for Answering the Cornell University Supplemental Essay Prompts [2020 - 2021]](https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Cornell-University-supplemental-essay-tips.jpg)
While Ivy League schools require the Common Application or Coalition Application essay, they also require supplemental essay responses. These help you to convey in greater detail how the specific school and program of study to which you are applying are a good fit for you and how you can contribute to the collegiate environment. This, in turn, helps elite schools glean a better understanding of you as a potential student. To respond well, think about your future goals and how attending Cornell will help you achieve them!
It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific character of the school before sitting down to write your essays. You can begin by visiting the school website. Whenever possible, a virtual campus visit is also helpful to get a feel for the school and gain a sense of how it supports your interests. Take a remote campus tour, call the admissions office to learn more, and speak with current students.
Cornell’s curriculum focuses on the collaborative nature of a liberal arts education with fundamental knowledge. In addition, its practical approach to education is intentionally designed to impact societal and world problems. As you respond to each prompt, think about your personal objectives, the mission of the school, and why Cornell is the best place for you.
Cornell boasts 14 undergraduate colleges and schools with over 80 majors. Through the broad scope of majors and the individual course of study options, it prides itself on being “a place where any person can find instruction in any study.” It fosters creative collaborations with a bottom-up approach. If you are unsure which major is right for you, the Courses of Study catalog provides degree requirements for each college.
The Cornell Writing Supplement varies between the undergraduate college(s) or school(s) to which you are applying. Each essay response should be a maximum of 650 words. These questions are fairly straightforward and the content is somewhat similar between colleges/schools. Your goal is to do your research and convincingly explain why your selected school and desired course of study at Cornell is the best fit for you and vice versa.
Note: If you are utilizing the Primary/Alternate admission option, you must complete an essay for both colleges/schools that correspond to your primary and alternate selections.
Cornell University writing supplement essay prompts (by college/school)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals?
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
What is your “thing”? What energizes you or engages you so deeply that you lose track of time? Everyone has different passions, obsessions, quirks, and inspirations. What are yours?
College of Arts and Sciences
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.
College of Engineering
Tell us about what excites you most about Cornell Engineering and/or studying engineering at Cornell University. How do you see yourself becoming a part of the Cornell Engineering community?*
College of Human Ecology
How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology been influenced by your related experiences? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future?
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.*
College of Business
What kind of a business student are you? The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business offers two distinct business programs, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the School of Hotel Administration. Please describe how your interests and ambitions can be met through one or both of the Schools within the College.*
Your responses should discuss your past, present, and future, both in terms of your academics, your passions, and your interests and goals. Is there a narrative that helps illustrate your passion for cooking? A particular set of ideas or subject from school that you can’t stop thinking about- that you simply have to pursue on the college level? What sparked your interest in a particular field? By tapping into the topics that excite you and the goals that feel like true ambitions of yours, you’ll be sure to give the adcom a true sense of who YOU are. Demonstrating a strong sense, not only of impressive credentials and passion, but also of self-knowledge and self-articulation, will be crucial to your admission.
But that’s not all you’re doing in these essays! You also need to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of Cornell and its offerings, of specific courses of interest, and of extracurricular opportunities and communities in which you would like to participate. When thinking about how Cornell appeals to you, consider academics, campus atmosphere, location in Ithaca, and your long-term objectives. This is your opportunity to convey your passion for Cornell!
Finally, you also need to reflect on how you will enrich the collegiate environment at the school. What skills and character traits do you bring with you? Are there particular communities or clubs (sports teams, debate club, Catholic student union) you have experience with already and would love to join on campus? Explain how your attending Cornell can play a part in helping Cornell achieve its goals as a university.
Final thoughts on applying to Cornell
Cornell has a highly competitive applicant pool. It received 51,500 undergraduate applications for the class of 2024. Only 5,514 or 10.7% were offered admission, with average SAT scores of 720 in evidenced-based reading and writing, 770 in math, and an average ACT score of 34. The best way to distinguish yourself from your peers is through your essays.
Applying to an Ivy League school can seem like a daunting process. It is reassuring to remember that these supplemental essays are a chance for you to share your personal stories and real-life experiences. Pay attention to deadlines and word limits as you craft each response to represent your unique perspective. Start early to allow time for reflection and revision. Your goal is to demonstrate that Cornell is the right school for you and that you are the right student for Cornell.
If you’re applying to Cornell University, you already know you’re up against tight competition. Don’t be overwhelmed. Get the guidance of an experienced admissions specialist who will help you stand out from the highly competitive applicant pool so you can apply with confidence, and get accepted! Click here to get started!
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Marie Todd has been involved in college admissions for over twenty years. Marie has both counseled applicants to top colleges and evaluated 5000+ applications for the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts; College of Engineering; School of Kinesiology; School of Nursing; and Taubman College of Architecture. Want Marie to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch with Marie Todd.
Related Resources:
- 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your College Application Essays, a free guide
- Stand Out or Fit In? 4 Application Strategies to Help You Do Both
- Tips For Answering Common Application Essay Prompts
The post Tips for Answering the Cornell University Supplemental Essay Prompts [2020 – 2021] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.
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