Cornell University

Personal statement required (250-650 words), plus supplements that depend on your college or program:

1. Required (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) applicants) · 350-word limit

   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.

   College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) - Question #1. CALS applicants answer BOTH CALS questions. Preceded on the page by this intro: “By applying to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), you are also applying directly to one of our majors. From here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle complex, real-world challenges. Please respond to the following writing prompts when completing your Common Application Writing Supplement:”

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2. Required (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) applicants) · 350-word limit

   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).

   College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) - Question #2. Replaces the old single 500-word CALS essay used through 2025-26.

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3. Required (College of Arts and Sciences applicants) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

   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?

   College of Arts and Sciences - the only A&S supplemental essay. New wording for 2026-27 (the 2025-26 version began 'At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide').

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4. Required (Architecture / B.Arch applicants answer this version) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

   How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP)? 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.

   College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) - Architecture applicants. AAP publishes one 650-word prompt with a major-specific second sentence; you answer only the version for your major. Architecture and Fine Arts applicants also submit a portfolio via SlideRoom (Nov 1 ED / Jan 2 RD).

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5. Required (Fine Arts / BFA applicants answer this version) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

   How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP)? 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.

   College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) - Fine Arts applicants.

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6. Required (Urban and Regional Studies applicants answer this version) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

   How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP)? URS students, you may want to emphasize your enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.

   College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) - Urban and Regional Studies applicants.

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7. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 200-word limit per response

   Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?

   Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Long Essay Question 1. Duffield applicants write two long essays and four short essays (six pieces total). The college was renamed from 'Cornell Engineering' for 2026-27.

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8. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 200-word limit per response

   Why do you think you would love to study at Duffield Engineering?

   Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Long Essay Question 2.

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9. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 100-word limit per response

   What brings you joy?

   Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Short Answer Question 1.

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10. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 100-word limit per response

    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?

    Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Short Answer Question 2. The apostrophe in "you've" is a straight apostrophe on Cornell's page.

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11. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 100-word limit per response

    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.

    Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Short Answer Question 3.

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12. Required (Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants) · 100-word limit per response

    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.

    Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering - Short Answer Question 4.

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13. Required (College of Human Ecology (CHE) applicants) · Common Application Writing Supplement (600-word limit)

    The 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? (Refer to our essay application tips as you write your essay.)

    College of Human Ecology (CHE) - the only CHE supplemental essay. On the page the first sentence sits in its own paragraph above the question; both paragraphs are part of the prompt. New wording for 2026-27 (2025-26 asked applicants to 'Identify a challenge in your greater community...'). Some CHE design majors also submit a design portfolio.

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14. Required (School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) applicants) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

    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.

    School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) - the only ILR supplemental essay.

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15. Required (Cornell SC Johnson College of Business applicants) · Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit)

    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).

    Cornell SC Johnson College of Business - covers BOTH the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management AND the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. One shared prompt; name your school inside the answer. SC Johnson applicants must also submit a resume.

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16. Required (Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy applicants) · 650-word limit

    Discuss your interest in pursuing a major in policy at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and what draws you to this field of study. You are encouraged to consider including details related to your personal experiences, values, academic influences, or extracurricular activities that have shaped your perspective and future goals.

    Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy - All Applicants.

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17. Required (DC Start applicants only) · 350-word limit

    Please describe why you are interested in being considered for the Brooks School DC Start program.

    Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy - DC Start Applicants ONLY. Skip this unless you are applying to the DC Start program.

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