Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) presents applicants with a unique challenge: one mandatory essay and two optional prompts. This guide aims to demystify these prompts, offering clear, actionable advice to help you convey your aspirations, community involvement, and interest in agriculture with authenticity and confidence. Using free essay writing tools from PaperTyper can further enhance your writing process.

Prompt 1 – Academic Goals

1. Understanding the Prompt: The first essay requires you to articulate your academic interests, particularly in relation to your chosen major. It’s an opportunity to delve into your intellectual curiosities and academic journey.
2. Approach and Analysis: Focus on explaining why you’re drawn to your selected major. Avoid career-centered narratives; instead, illuminate your academic passions and how these align with CALS’ offerings.
3. Incorporating Experiences: Highlight extracurricular activities, research, or projects that fueled your interest. How have these experiences prepared you for the major you’ve chosen?
4. Utilizing CALS Resources: Clearly articulate how specific resources and opportunities at CALS will facilitate your academic growth. This shows not only your enthusiasm but also your awareness of what CALS uniquely offers.

Prompt 2 – Community and Public Good

1. Prompt Overview: This essay is about your impact on community and dedication to public good. It seeks to understand your community involvement and your aspirations to contribute positively in the future.
2. Demonstrating Commitment: Share experiences that illustrate your involvement in community initiatives. This could range from local volunteering to global projects.
3. Highlighting Long-term Impact: Cornell values sustained commitment. Showcase how your efforts have made a lasting difference in your community, rather than one-time activities.
4. Aligning with Cornell’s Values: Reflect on how your community work aligns with CALS’ mission. Demonstrating this alignment indicates that you’re not just a good fit for the college, but also poised to contribute to its community-focused ethos.

Prompt 3 – Agriculture Interest

1. Optional Nature: This prompt is specifically tailored for those with a background or interest in agriculture. It’s optional but crucial for students inclined towards agricultural studies.
2. Importance in CALS: Your response helps illustrate your genuine interest in agriculture, a core aspect of CALS’ heritage and future vision.
3. Crafting a Genuine Response: Share personal anecdotes and experiences in agriculture. This could range from family farming practices to academic interests in agricultural sciences.
4. Personalization and Authenticity: Use your narrative to demonstrate a real affection for agriculture. Authenticity in your essay resonates more strongly than just listing experiences.

Conclusion

In summary, each essay prompt offered by CALS is an avenue to showcase different facets of your personality and aspirations. From elucidating your academic goals, demonstrating your community impact, to expressing your agricultural interests, it’s crucial to maintain authenticity and align your responses with CALS’ values and offerings. This guide aims to help you present a compelling, well-rounded application to one of Cornell University’s most prestigious colleges.