Prompt database · 2026-27 cycle
Cornell University
Deadlines
source| Early Decision | November 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Regular Decision | January 2, 2027 |
Essay prompts (13)
- academic interest2026-27500 words
Applies to: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27650 words
Applies to: College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27650 words
Applies to: College of Arts & Sciences applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27650 words
Applies to: Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27650 words
Applies to: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business applicants (Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or Nolan School of Hotel Administration)
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).
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27200 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — long essay 1 of 2 (all engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays)
Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- why us2026-27200 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — long essay 2 of 2
Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27100 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — short answer 1 of 4
What brings you joy?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- community2026-27100 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — short answer 2 of 4
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?
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- activity2026-27100 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — short answer 3 of 4
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- short answer2026-27100 words
Applies to: Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering applicants — short answer 4 of 4
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27600 words
Applies to: College of Human Ecology (CHE) applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
- academic interest2026-27650 words
Applies to: School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) applicants
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.
This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: Cornell University has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.
The school's published AI policy
sourceCornell's admissions FAQ stresses that essays must be in the applicant's own voice ('it's important that we hear from you'): using generative AI to research colleges, brainstorm essay topics, or review grammar and spelling of a completed essay is considered ethical, while using it to outline, draft, or write essays, to translate essays written in another language, or to create images for required portfolios is considered unethical.
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