Cornell University supplemental essays

Answer only the essay(s) for the college or school you're applying to.

1. CALS: your major

   350 words max

   What interests you about the major you selected? Tell us about experiences (both in and outside of the classroom), questions, and goals that influenced your choice.

2. CALS: why CALS

   350 words max

   What draws you to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)? Reflect on the learning, community, or impact opportunities that matter most to you, and share how they align with Cornell CALS (as you understand it currently).

3. Architecture, Art, and Planning: B.Arch

   650 words max

   Describe how your interests connect to architecture. Include an example of a creative project, design experience, or personal passion that sparked your interest in pursuing a 5-year professional degree in architecture. Reflect on how this experience shaped your understanding of the field and your motivation to study architecture.

4. Architecture, Art, and Planning: BFA

   650 words max

   Submit an artist statement describing your creative interests and practice. Address how your work reflects your artistic voice, influences, and process, and how studying art at Cornell AAP would support and expand your practice. (You will also be prompted to upload a copy to your Slideroom portal.)

5. Architecture, Art, and Planning: URS

   650 words max

   Describe your interest in urban and regional studies. Discuss experiences, ideas, or issues that have shaped your interest in cities, communities, and regional systems, and explain how URS at Cornell aligns with your academic and career goals.

6. Arts and Sciences

   650 words max

   At the College of Arts and Sciences, your education is yours to shape. Describe an intellectual passion, question, or idea that has captured your attention—whether it emerges from your studies or extends beyond your coursework. What specific aspects of our liberal arts curriculum would you draw on to explore and connect your varied interests?

7. Brooks School of Public Policy

   650 words max

   Discuss your interest in pursuing a major in policy at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and what draws you to this field of study. You are encouraged to consider including details related to your personal experiences, values, academic influences, or extracurricular activities that have shaped your perspective and future goals.

8. SC Johnson College of Business

   650 words max

   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).

9. Engineering: why engineering

   200 words max

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

10. Engineering: why Duffield

    200 words max

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

11. Engineering short answer: joy

    100 words max

    What brings you joy?

12. Engineering short answer: your contribution

    100 words max

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

13. Engineering short answer: a meaningful activity

    100 words max

    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.

14. Engineering short answer: an achievement

    100 words max

    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.

15. Human Ecology

    550 words max

    Think about an extracurricular/community engagement/work experience that most closely connects you to the CHE mission and your intended choice of major. Tell us what that experience taught you about your broader community and its needs, and the impact you can make. How will your intended CHE major help you make that impact? (Refer to our essay application tips as you write your essay.)

16. Industrial and Labor Relations

    650 words max

    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.

Source: Cornell University admissions