Cornell essay prompts
2025-26verified Cornell University admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
SC Johnson College of Business — Why Business
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).
650 words max · Required
Engineering — Why Engineering (Long Essay 1)
Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
No limit listed · Required
Brooks School of Public Policy — Why Policy
Why are you interested in studying policy, and why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals have influenced your choice of policy major.
650 words max · Required
Engineering — Why Cornell Engineering (Long Essay 2)
Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?
No limit listed · Required
Engineering — Contribution (Short Essay 1)
What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you've already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?
No limit listed · Required
AAP — Why This Major
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 to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants, you may want to consider how you could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students you may want to emphasize your enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.
650 words max · Required
Engineering — Achievement (Short Essay 3)
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.
No limit listed · Required
Arts & Sciences — Intellectual Curiosity
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.
650 words max · Required
Human Ecology — Challenge + Why CHE
Identify a challenge in your greater community or in the career/industry in which you are interested. Share how the CHE education, your CHE major of choice, as well as the breadth of CHE majors, will help you address that challenge.
600 words max · Required
CALS — Why This Major
By applying to Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), you are also applying for direct entry into one of our 20 majors. From here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of our time. 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.
No limit listed · Required
Engineering — Meaningful Activity (Short Essay 2)
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.
No limit listed · Required
ILR — Why ILR / Issues That Matter
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.
600 words max · Required
Any Person, Any Study
In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, 'I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.' Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to 'any person, any study.'
350 words max · Required
Major and College Fit
How have your interests and related experiences influenced your selection of major and college (or school) at Cornell?
650 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Cornell essay prompts for 2025-26?
- Cornell lists SC Johnson College of Business — Why Business (1 prompt); Engineering — Why Engineering (Long Essay 1) (1 prompt); Brooks School of Public Policy — Why Policy (1 prompt); Engineering — Why Cornell Engineering (Long Essay 2) (1 prompt); Engineering — Contribution (Short Essay 1) (1 prompt); AAP — Why This Major (1 prompt); Engineering — Achievement (Short Essay 3) (1 prompt); Arts & Sciences — Intellectual Curiosity (1 prompt); Human Ecology — Challenge + Why CHE (1 prompt); CALS — Why This Major (1 prompt); Engineering — Meaningful Activity (Short Essay 2) (1 prompt); ILR — Why ILR / Issues That Matter (1 prompt); Any Person, Any Study (1 prompt); Major and College Fit (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does Cornell require?
- Cornell requires 14 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 14 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Cornell supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 650 words max, 600 words max, 350 words max.