Cornell's supplement depends entirely on the college you apply to. Arts and Sciences, ILR and the SC Johnson College of Business ask one essay of up to 650 words; Human Ecology asks 550; Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) asks two essays of 350 words; Duffield Engineering asks two 200-word essays and four 100-word short answers; and AAP asks a 650-word essay specific to architecture, fine arts or urban and regional studies.
Each college's page says it looks for your reasons for choosing Cornell and your reasons for choosing that college. So every Cornell essay is, at heart, an essay about fit between you and one college's way of teaching your subject.
Cornell's questions at a glance
| Question | Limit | Who answers it | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Sciences: an intellectual passion | 650 words | College of Arts and Sciences only · Required | Why this major or school |
| CALS: why your major | 350 words | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) only · Required | Why this major or school |
| CALS: what draws you to CALS | 350 words | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) only · Required | Why this college |
| Engineering: why engineering | 200 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Why this major or school |
| Engineering: why Duffield | 200 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Why this college |
| Engineering: what brings you joy | 100 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Short answer |
| Engineering: your contribution and voice | 100 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Background and identity |
| Engineering: a meaningful activity | 100 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Activity |
| Engineering: an award or achievement | 100 words | Duffield College of Engineering only · Required | Short answer |
| Human Ecology: an experience and the CHE mission | 550 words | College of Human Ecology only · Required | Why this major or school |
| ILR: the issues you care about | 650 words | ILR School only · Required | Why this major or school |
| SC Johnson: what kind of business student you are | 650 words | SC Johnson College of Business (Dyson or Nolan) only · Required | Why this major or school |
| AAP Architecture: your interest in architecture | 650 words | AAP: Architecture (B.Arch) only · Required | Why this major or school |
| AAP Fine Arts: artist statement | 650 words | AAP: Fine Arts (BFA) only · Required | Why this major or school |
| AAP Urban and Regional Studies: your interest in URS | 650 words | AAP: Urban and Regional Studies only · Required | Why this major or school |
Which questions you see depends on where you apply: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS); Duffield College of Engineering; College of Human Ecology; ILR School; SC Johnson College of Business (Dyson or Nolan); AAP: Architecture (B.Arch); AAP: Fine Arts (BFA); AAP: Urban and Regional Studies. Answer only the ones for yours.
Not covered here: Brooks School of Public Policy prompt (its page could not be checked); Portfolios and design supplements (AAP, Human Ecology design majors).
How to plan the Cornell supplement
- 1Read your college's page and its curriculum before you write: the essays reward knowing how that college works.
- 2Use the long essay for your intellectual story and the reasons it belongs in that college; your Common App essay can stay personal.
- 3Duffield applicants: make the four short answers four different sides of you (joy, contribution, an activity, an achievement).
1. Arts and Sciences: an intellectual passion
Cornell's wording · 650 words · College of Arts and Sciences only · Required“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?”
What it is really asking. An intellectual passion, question or idea that has captured you, and which parts of Arts and Sciences' liberal arts curriculum you would use to explore and connect your interests.
How to approach it
- 1Start with the question, not the subject.
- 2Show how you have pursued it in and beyond class.
- 3Name the parts of the curriculum (departments, courses, combinations) that would let you connect it to your other interests, and check them on Cornell's site.
Mistakes to avoid
- A list of every interest.
- Praise of the liberal arts with no plan.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell's Arts and Sciences Essay
2. CALS: why your major
Cornell's wording · 350 words · College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. What interests you about the major you selected, and which experiences, questions and goals led you to it.
How to approach it
- 1Name the major and the problem in it you care about.
- 2Give one or two experiences, in and outside class.
- 3End on the goal, briefly.
Mistakes to avoid
- Talking about CALS here; that is the second question.
- Childhood origins only.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell CALS's "Why This Major" Essay
3. CALS: what draws you to CALS
Cornell's wording · 350 words · College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) only · Required“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).”
What it is really asking. What draws you to CALS: the learning, community or impact opportunities that matter most to you and how they align with CALS as you understand it.
How to approach it
- 1Pick one or two CALS opportunities and say why they matter to you.
- 2Show alignment with something you already do.
- 3Keep it about CALS, not Cornell in general.
Mistakes to avoid
- Repeating the major essay.
- Cornell-wide facts that are not about CALS.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell CALS's "What Draws You to CALS" Essay
4. Engineering: why engineering
Cornell's wording · 200 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?”
What it is really asking. Why you want to study engineering: the problems you want to apply math, science and technology to.
How to approach it
- 1Start from a problem you have tried to solve.
- 2Show your process and what you learned.
- 3Say what kind of engineer that makes you want to be.
Mistakes to avoid
- "I love math and science".
- A childhood Lego story with no recent example.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell Engineering's "Why Engineering" Essay
5. Engineering: why Duffield
Cornell's wording · 200 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“Why do you think you would love to study at Duffield Engineering?”
What it is really asking. Why you would love to study at Duffield Engineering specifically.
How to approach it
- 1Name one or two things particular to Duffield.
- 2Tie each to the problem from your first essay.
Mistakes to avoid
- Cornell-wide reasons only.
- A list of labs.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell's "Why Duffield Engineering" Essay
6. Engineering: what brings you joy
Cornell's wording · 100 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“What brings you joy?”
What it is really asking. What brings you joy, in 100 words.
How to approach it
- 1Something specific and true; show one moment.
Mistakes to avoid
- Joy in the abstract.
More on this kind of question: How to write short answer questions
7. Engineering: your contribution and voice
Cornell's wording · 100 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“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?”
What it is really asking. What you would contribute to the Duffield community beyond your application, and your unique voice.
How to approach it
- 1Pick one quality and one example.
Mistakes to avoid
- Repeating your activities list.
More on this kind of question: How to write the diversity essay
8. Engineering: a meaningful activity
Cornell's wording · 100 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. One activity, team, job or family responsibility that is especially meaningful, and why.
How to approach it
- 1One activity, one moment, one reason.
Mistakes to avoid
- Restating the activities list.
More on this kind of question: How to write the activity essay
9. Engineering: an award or achievement
Cornell's wording · 100 words · Duffield College of Engineering only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. The award or achievement that meant the most to you, and why.
How to approach it
- 1Choose by meaning, not size; explain the meaning.
Mistakes to avoid
- The biggest prize with no reflection.
More on this kind of question: How to write short answer questions
10. Human Ecology: an experience and the CHE mission
Cornell's wording · 550 words · College of Human Ecology only · RequiredThe College of Human Ecology prepares students to respond to human needs through an education organized around the interconnected issues that profoundly affect individuals, communities, and the institutions that shape our lives.“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?”
What it is really asking. One extracurricular, community or work experience that connects you to Human Ecology's mission and your intended major, what it taught you about your community, and how the major will help you make an impact.
How to approach it
- 1Choose one experience and show it.
- 2Say what it taught you about your community's needs.
- 3Connect your intended CHE major to the impact you want to make.
Mistakes to avoid
- Three experiences in passing.
- Skipping the major.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell's Human Ecology Essay
11. ILR: the issues you care about
Cornell's wording · 650 words · ILR School only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. The topics or issues you care about, from personal, academic or work experience, and why they matter; your interests should align with the ILR School (work, labor and employment).
How to approach it
- 1Choose issues connected to work, employment or policy.
- 2Ground each in what you have seen or done.
- 3Show you know what ILR studies; Cornell suggests reviewing ILR's course offerings.
Mistakes to avoid
- Issues unrelated to ILR's field.
- Law or business in general.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell's ILR Essay
12. SC Johnson: what kind of business student you are
Cornell's wording · 650 words · SC Johnson College of Business (Dyson or Nolan) only · Required“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 Dyson School or the Nolan School).”
What it is really asking. What kind of business student you are: the topics or issues you care about and why, aligned with Dyson or Nolan specifically.
How to approach it
- 1Decide which school you are writing for and say so.
- 2Show the issue through experience.
- 3Connect it to how that school teaches business.
Mistakes to avoid
- Writing for both schools at once.
- "I want to start a company" with no issue.
Full guide: How to Write Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business Essay
13. AAP Architecture: your interest in architecture
Cornell's wording · 650 words · AAP: Architecture (B.Arch) only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. How your interests connect to architecture, with a creative project or experience, and your motivation for a five-year professional degree.
How to approach it
- 1Center one project or place and what it taught you.
Mistakes to avoid
- Only admiring famous buildings.
More on this kind of question: How to write the "Why this major" essay
14. AAP Fine Arts: artist statement
Cornell's wording · 650 words · AAP: Fine Arts (BFA) only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. An artist statement: your creative interests, practice, voice, influences, process, and how AAP would expand your practice.
How to approach it
- 1Write about your work, your process and where you want to take it.
Mistakes to avoid
- Generic art-world language.
More on this kind of question: How to write the "Why this major" essay
15. AAP Urban and Regional Studies: your interest in URS
Cornell's wording · 650 words · AAP: Urban and Regional Studies only · Required“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.”
What it is really asking. Your interest in urban and regional studies: experiences, ideas or issues about cities and regions, and how URS fits your goals.
How to approach it
- 1Start from one place you know well and a question about it.
Mistakes to avoid
- Cities in general.
More on this kind of question: How to write the "Why this major" essay
What our grader checks in your Cornell answers
Every answer is judged against a checklist for its kind of question plus one check written for Cornell's own wording. Each area comes back Met, Partly or Missing, and those verdicts (with the word limit) set the answer's readiness: Ready, Nearly there or Needs work. There is no score out of 100.
| Question | Cornell's own check |
|---|---|
| Arts and Sciences: an intellectual passion | Names specific parts of the Arts and Sciences liberal arts curriculum the applicant would use to connect their interests. |
| CALS: why your major | Says what interests the applicant about the specific major and which experiences, questions and goals led there. |
| CALS: what draws you to CALS | Names CALS learning, community or impact opportunities and how they align with the applicant. |
| Engineering: why engineering | Says why engineering, with a concrete problem or experience, not a general love of math and science. |
| Engineering: why Duffield | Names what at Duffield Engineering specifically the applicant would love, and why. |
| Engineering: what brings you joy | It does every part of what Cornell's question asks, in the college's own terms. |
| Engineering: your contribution and voice | It connects the answer to Cornell's community and does every part of what Cornell's question asks. |
| Engineering: a meaningful activity | It does every part of what Cornell's question asks, in the college's own terms. |
| Engineering: an award or achievement | It does every part of what Cornell's question asks, in the college's own terms. |
| Human Ecology: an experience and the CHE mission | Connects one experience to the CHE mission and the intended major, and to the impact the applicant wants to make. |
| ILR: the issues you care about | Shows the applicant's interests align with the ILR School's topics (work, labor, employment, policy). |
| SC Johnson: what kind of business student you are | Shows what kind of business student the applicant is and how their interests align with Dyson or Nolan specifically. |
| AAP Architecture: your interest in architecture | It ties the academic interest to what Cornell offers, not to the field in general. |
| AAP Fine Arts: artist statement | It ties the academic interest to what Cornell offers, not to the field in general. |
| AAP Urban and Regional Studies: your interest in URS | It ties the academic interest to what Cornell offers, not to the field in general. |
The type checklists are on the supplemental essay grader page.
Check your Cornell supplemental essays
Paste the answers you have, leave the rest empty. One report covers all of them: a checklist and a readiness verdict for each, a note on every sentence and a revision plan. Half a token, or your first review free. We never write a word of it.
Check your college supplemental essays
Your first full review is free. Every answer reviewed in one report.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Common App or any college.
Open the picker and search for a college to see its 2026–27 supplemental questions.
No card needed · one free full review per student · we never write your answers