As you plan for your Cornell application, you will likely spend the most time preparing and writing your application essays. All prospective Cornellians should review the colleges and schools to see where their preferred major is housed. This will inform many of your choices, like recommended coursework and required materials beyond basic requirements. It will also determine which essay you complete. You may  also want to explore minors; students at Cornell can minor in any college or school. This will better allow you to tailor your educational experience to your area(s) of interest. If you’re still navigating your preferred field of study, we invite you to explore academic areas of interest.

The Essay Requirements

All applicants to Cornell are required to complete two essays: the Cornell supplement and the college or school-specific essay. The writing prompts for first-year applicants are available on our website.

The Cornell University Essay is an opportunity to describe how you see yourself fitting here as a student, and the ways you might contribute to the community. Please refer to our Preparing For Your Cornell Application page for more details about what we look for in an applicant, advice for transfer applicants, and our guidelines regarding the use of AI for admissions essays.  

Tips for your Essays

1. Make it personal. Think about what has truly shaped you, your interests, and why Cornell is the best option for your academic and future goals.

2. Tell us why you’re a good fit—not just for Cornell, but specifically, the college or school and major you’ve indicated an interest in. We review applications on a college or school basis. Take the time to explore virtual visit resources and Cornell websites to learn about the student experience. Tell us what excites you! What do you most want to learn about? How will you learn and grow here?  

3. Proofread. Make sure your essays are genuine, authentic, and free of spelling and grammar errors. Have someone you trust read it over before you submit it so you can get honest feedback.  

If you have any questions throughout the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!