College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Purpose-Driven Science & Innovation
Essay Prompt (500 words)
"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."
Purpose of This Essay
The CALS essay is your opportunity to connect your academic curiosity and career aspirations with the college's mission of purpose-driven science. CALS values problem solvers and innovators who want to use research and science to make a difference.
Through this prompt, the admissions committee seeks to understand:
- Your personal and intellectual motivations for selecting your major
- How your past experiences support this choice
- Why CALS is the ideal environment for your goals
Reflective Brainstorming Questions
Personal Connection
- What real-world problem fascinates you most? (e.g., soil degradation, food insecurity, climate migration)
- Was there a turning point when this interest became more than just academic?
- Did a mentor, family member, documentary, or experience inspire you?
Academic Trajectory
- What high school classes, readings, or extracurriculars reinforced your interest?
- Have you participated in science fairs, fieldwork, internships, or local advocacy?
- What skills have you already started developing in this area?
Cornell-Specific Research
- Which professors, labs, or research initiatives at CALS excite you?
- What programs, courses, or field-based learning opportunities would you pursue?
- How does the CALS mission of science with public purpose align with your values?
Major Alignment Worksheet
| Element | Your Brainstorm Notes |
|---|---|
| Intended Major at CALS | |
| Moment That Sparked Interest | |
| Courses or Projects That Inspired You | |
| Real-World Issue You Want to Solve | |
| CALS-Specific Labs or Professors | |
| Long-Term Career Goals |
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Draw a timeline that maps your journey with this subject: Where did it begin? What key moments or decisions reaffirmed your interest? What's next?
Exercise 2
Write a 3-sentence response: "I'm drawn to [major] because ________. At CALS, I want to study under _______ and engage with ________, so I can ultimately ________."
Exercise 3
Research 2 CALS classes or faculty members in your major. Write a short paragraph on how you'd engage with that course/professor and how it supports your goal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing generic interests (e.g., "I care about the environment") without personal anecdotes
- Not naming any Cornell-specific courses, programs, or professors
- Writing a resume in paragraph form instead of telling a focused story
Sample Hook Ideas
- A childhood memory in your family's garden that sparked your interest in plant biology
- A community food initiative you volunteered for that made you think about sustainable agriculture
- A failed science project that taught you something profound about experimentation
Optional Short-Answer Questions
Optional Question 1 (100 words)
"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."
Optional Question 2
"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."
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)
Creative Excellence & Conceptual Rigor
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues."
Purpose of This Essay
The AAP essay helps admissions understand the depth of your intellectual and creative investment. It's not just about interest—it's about alignment with the intensive, studio-based and conceptually rigorous environment of AAP.
Reflective Questions by Track
Architecture (B.Arch)
- What kind of spaces inspire you and why?
- What hands-on experiences have helped you understand architecture?
- Do you think of architecture through aesthetics, function, sustainability, or social context?
Art (BFA)
- What media (painting, video, sculpture, etc.) do you work with—and why?
- How do you blend art with your academic, cultural, or social interests?
- What themes do you keep coming back to in your work?
- How might you use Cornell's interdisciplinary opportunities to deepen your art practice?
URS (Urban and Regional Studies)
- What's one challenge cities or communities face that you want to help solve?
- Have you been involved in activism, local government, mapping projects, or urban policy research?
- How do planning, infrastructure, or social equity issues influence your worldview?
- What part of the URS curriculum excites you most?
AAP Major Alignment Table
| Category | Your Notes |
|---|---|
| Intended AAP Major | |
| Core Issue or Theme You Explore | |
| Related Creative/Academic Work | |
| AAP Resources You'd Engage With | |
| Faculty, Labs, or Studios | |
| How You'll Contribute to AAP |
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Write about the first time you realized creating or analyzing space, visuals, or systems made you feel intellectually alive. Include sensory detail and emotion.
Exercise 2
Research a class, studio, or exhibit at AAP. Describe how you would participate in it and what you would hope to gain.
Exercise 3
Write 4 sentences answering: "At Cornell AAP, I would blend my interest in [X] with [Y]. Through [lab/course/professor], I hope to contribute to [goal/project/community]."
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Vague interest in design or cities without clear examples
- Treating art or architecture like a hobby instead of a rigorous practice
- Failing to name AAP-specific programs, studio formats, or cross-disciplinary options
College of Arts and Sciences
Curiosity-Driven Liberal Arts
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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."
Purpose of This Essay
This essay is an intellectual autobiography. It's designed to understand how you think, what questions captivate you, and how the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the academic environment where your curiosity flourishes.
Reflective Questions
- What subject(s) do you think about when no one's making you?
- Have you ever pursued a question beyond class expectations? If so, what did you discover?
- What kinds of ideas or problems stir you emotionally or ethically?
- How do you like to learn—debate, fieldwork, writing, experiments, dialogue?
- How does CAS's commitment to exploration and interdisciplinary thinking match your learning style?
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Write a short paragraph that begins: "If someone tracked my curiosity for a month, they'd see me researching..."
Exercise 2
Identify two departments or programs within CAS that you're interested in. Write a 5-sentence response showing how they intersect in your intellectual life. Example: Government + Philosophy, or Biology + Ethics.
Exercise 3
List three big questions that have stayed with you for over a year. Then, research how CAS helps students investigate those through classes, faculty, or labs.
Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
Policy Research & Societal Impact
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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."
Purpose of This Essay
The Brooks School prompt asks applicants to connect academic interests with broader societal impact. The school is focused on addressing public problems through research, leadership, and interdisciplinary study. This is not just a "why policy" essay—it's a mission statement.
Reflective Questions
- When did you first become aware of a public issue that mattered to you?
- How have you tried to understand, address, or advocate around that issue?
- What systems or structures do you want to change—and why?
- Have you worked with a nonprofit, led a community project, or engaged in civic discourse?
- How do you imagine making a difference in local, national, or global spheres?
- Why is Cornell the right place for your development as a policymaker?
Policy Planner and Resources Table
| Area of Public Policy | Origin of Interest | Real-Life Impact or Experience | Brooks Resource That Aligns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Equity | Watching a family member struggle with unaffordable care | Volunteered at a free clinic; researched Medicaid expansion | Health Equity Lab |
| Education Policy | Public school closures in my community | Created a tutoring initiative during COVID-19 school shutdowns | Policy Analysis and Management major |
| Climate Resilience Policy | Grew up in a drought-prone region | Led school composting initiative; lobbied for municipal green practices | Environmental Policy concentration |
| Criminal Justice Reform | Personal encounter with systemic bias | Led restorative justice workshops for youth in detention | Race, Racism, and Public Policy |
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Write about a time you became frustrated with a system or policy. What did you learn from that experience? What would you do differently if you had more power?
Exercise 2
"Ten years from now, I hope to be working on..." and describe what role you want to play in policy change. Then work backwards to explain how Cornell helps build that path.
Exercise 3
Identify two courses, one professor, and one initiative or institute within the Brooks School that excites you. Write a short paragraph connecting each to your policy interests.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Talking only about law, politics, or government without connecting to real policy reform
- Treating policy like a general interest instead of a problem-solving discipline
- Forgetting to show how you'll grow from specific Cornell experiences
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Dyson School & Nolan School of Hotel Administration
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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)."
Purpose of This Essay
This essay evaluates your business philosophy, personal motivation, and academic fit. Whether you're drawn to entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, sustainability, or social enterprise, Cornell wants to see that your goals are rooted in personal insight and aligned with your chosen school's approach to business education.
Reflective Questions
- What economic or business issue do you keep returning to?
- Have you run, built, or supported any initiatives (clubs, startups, nonprofits, events)?
- What ethical, social, or global lens do you bring to the business world?
- Do you care more about operational excellence, customer experience, data analysis, innovation, or human connection?
- How does Dyson or Nolan uniquely support your growth?
Reflection Table
| Focus Area | Related Experience or Story | Desired Impact or Long-Term Goal | Dyson/Nolan Resource That Supports This |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Business Models | Launched an eco-friendly packaging campaign in school | Help companies reduce waste and boost profitability | Business of Sustainability |
| Hospitality Leadership | Managed a charity event at a local hotel | Run a purpose-driven resort chain | Nolan's Hotel Leadership Development Program |
| Financial Literacy | Taught budgeting skills to teens in a local NGO | Create fintech tools for underserved communities | Applied Economics major |
| Customer Experience Design | Volunteered at a family-owned restaurant | Improve service culture in high-impact businesses | Nolan's Service Operations course |
Cornell College of Engineering
Innovation Through Applied Math, Science & Technology
Long Essay 1 (200 words)
"Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?"
Long Essay 2 (200 words)
"Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?"
Reflective Questions
For Essay 1
- When did you first begin to think like an engineer?
- What problems, puzzles, or systems fascinate you?
- Do you enjoy building, coding, designing, or testing? What's your process?
- What values (efficiency, sustainability, innovation, precision) define your engineering mindset?
For Essay 2
- What labs, professors, or design experiences excite you at Cornell?
- What engineering sub-field or application do you want to explore?
- What do you hope to contribute to team projects, clubs, or research?
Engineering Interest Alignment Table
| Area of Engineering Interest | Personal Spark or Experience | Real-World Problem You Want to Solve | Cornell Resource That Supports This Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Engineering | Volunteering at a local hospital and observing device usage | Making medical devices more accessible and affordable | Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, DEBUT Challenge |
| Environmental Engineering | Growing up near polluted rivers | Creating sustainable water purification systems | Cornell's AguaClara Lab |
| Computer Science + AI | Building a basic chatbot in middle school | Reducing bias in AI systems used in hiring and policing | Cornell AI Initiative |
| Civil & Structural Engineering | Designing earthquake-resistant LEGO towers | Making infrastructure safer in earthquake-prone regions | Cornell's Structural Engineering |
| Aerospace Engineering | Watching Mars rover landings as a child | Designing propulsion systems for sustainable space travel | Cornell Mars Rover Team |
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Recall a time you tried to fix, design, analyze, or build something. What excited or frustrated you? What did you learn about your approach?
Exercise 2
Describe one complex problem you've explored or want to solve. What makes it difficult? Why do you care about finding a solution?
Exercise 3
Pick a lab, club, or design course at Cornell Engineering. Write a paragraph about how you'd engage with it and what role you'd play.
Short Answer Responses (Each 100 words)
Four Short Answer Prompts
- Prompt 1: "What brings you joy?"
- Prompt 2: "What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you've already detailed in your application?"
- Prompt 3: "What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you?"
- Prompt 4: "What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you?"
Tips for Short Answers
- Use specific stories
- Show, don't just tell
- Balance humility with confidence
- Let your personality shine
College of Human Ecology
Improving Lives Through Science, Policy & Design
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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?"
Purpose of This Essay
The College of Human Ecology looks for students who want to improve lives through the integration of scientific inquiry, policy, design, and service. Whether you're drawn to health, design, psychology, policy, or textiles, CHE expects a clear through-line from who you are now to who you hope to become.
Reflective Questions
- When have you seen science, health, design, or policy improve someone's life?
- What role do you want to play in solving complex societal challenges?
- Do you want to study people, systems, environments, or interactions?
- How does CHE's balance of theory, research, and application excite you?
- What major are you applying to, and why does it resonate with your goals?
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Describe a human-centered challenge (mental health, family nutrition, housing, etc.) that matters deeply to you. What experiences have shaped your perspective on it?
Exercise 2
Finish this sentence: "Through CHE, I want to develop the tools to…" and explain what kind of change you hope to create, and for whom.
Exercise 3
Pick one CHE class and one lab or institute. Write a paragraph showing how they'd support your intellectual and professional growth.
School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR)
People, Policy, Work & Society
Essay Prompt (650 words)
"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."
Purpose of This Essay
ILR is Cornell's school of people, policy, work, and society. This prompt seeks to uncover how your lived experiences have sparked an interest in labor, human rights, economic justice, workplace law, or organizational behavior. This is not about writing a generic interest in justice or leadership—it's about showing how your story connects to real issues ILR students and alumni tackle every day.
Reflective Questions
- Have you experienced or observed workplace inequality, union activism, labor rights challenges, or economic injustice?
- What role do you play in group dynamics, organizing, or community-building?
- How do you approach fairness, negotiations, or leadership in your life?
- What systems or institutions fascinate you—corporate, nonprofit, legal, educational?
- What ILR classes, centers, or faculty speak to your ambitions?
ILR Alignment Table
| Topic or Issue That Matters to You | Experience That Shaped Your Interest | Long-Term Impact You Hope to Make | ILR Resource That Aligns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Rights | A family member in a factory with poor conditions | Fight for safe workplaces globally | Worker Institute |
| Pay Equity | Research project on wage gaps by gender | Design policy that closes the income gap | Institute for Compensation Studies |
| Employment Law | Volunteered with local legal aid | Become a workplace discrimination lawyer | ILR's Law & Society minor |
| Collective Bargaining | Studied the 2023 Writers' Strike | Help modernize union strategy | ILR School's Scheinman Institute |
Writing Exercises
Exercise 1
Describe one moment that helped you see work, labor, or human systems differently. Why did that moment stick with you?
Exercise 2
Think of a disagreement or injustice you witnessed in a group or job setting. How did it shape your thinking about negotiation, leadership, or fairness?
Exercise 3
Research one ILR center, one class, and one faculty member. Write a paragraph that explains how engaging with all three will move you closer to your goals.
