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How to Write Cornell's "Why Duffield Engineering" Essay

Why you would love to study at Duffield Engineering specifically.

200 wordsDuffield College of Engineering only · RequiredWhy this college2026-27
Cornell University's wording, checked October 26, 2026
“Why do you think you would love to study at Duffield Engineering?”

How to approach it

  1. 1Name one or two things particular to Duffield.
  2. 2Tie each to the problem from your first essay.

A structure that works

One way to shape this answer. It describes moves, not sentences: the words have to be yours.

  1. 1The Duffield thing you would love most, named.
  2. 2Why, through your own work.
  3. 3What you would do there in your first year.

Where the 200 words go

PartWords
Your first, most specific reasonabout 70
A second reason, tied to your experienceabout 70
What you would do or add thereabout 60

Mistakes to avoid

  • Cornell-wide reasons only.
  • A list of labs.

The checklist our grader uses for this question

When you check your Cornell answers, this answer is read against these 5 areas. Each comes back Met, Partly or Missing with a quote from your draft as evidence, and together with the 200 words limit they set its readiness verdict.

AreaWhat a reader looks for
Answers the questionThe opening sentences answer what was asked, plainly, before background or a hook; every part of a multi-part question is answered.
Specific to this collegeIt names at least two concrete things that exist at this college (a program, course, research group, tradition, place, way of teaching) and could not survive a swap of the college's name.
Connected to youEach thing named is tied to something the applicant has done, asked or wants, so the reader sees why it matters to THIS student, not why the college is good.
What you would do thereIt shows how the applicant would use those things and what they would add (join, start, research, contribute), not only what they would receive.
Cornell's askNames what at Duffield Engineering specifically the applicant would love, and why.

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Questions

How long is Cornell's "Engineering: why Duffield" essay?

Up to 200 words.

Is it required?

Duffield College of Engineering only · Required. Cornell's full set of questions is on the Cornell supplemental essays page.

Can I reuse an essay from another college for this prompt?

Not without real changes. Readers spot answers that would work for any college; at least half of this answer should be about Cornell specifically, tied to you.

Can Statementory write or improve my answer?

We never write or rewrite it: colleges ask you to affirm your essays are your own work. Our checker reviews it against the checklist on this page, quotes your own words, and asks the questions only you can answer.

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