Cornell University: Supplemental Essays & Deadlines 2026-27

Every Cornell University application deadline and writing prompt for the 2026-27 cycle, verified against the school's own materials on August 7, 2026.

2026-27 Application Deadlines

Supplemental Essays & Short Answers

1. 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
2. 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.
   350 words
3. 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?
   650 words
4. 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.
   650 words
5. 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 Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration)
   650 words
6. Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
   200 words
7. Why do you think you would love to study at Duffield Engineering?
   200 words
8. What brings you joy?
   100 words
9. 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?
   100 words
10. 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.
    100 words
11. 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.
    100 words
12. 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?
    600 words
13. 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.
    650 words
14. 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 currently understand it.
    350 words
15. Please describe why you are interested in being considered for the Brooks School DC Start program.
    350 words · optional

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Deadlines and prompts change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026; always confirm on Cornell University's official admissions site before submitting.