Cornell Just Dropped Its University-Wide Essay. Here’s What Gets Students In Now.

For years, one of the most recognizable parts of the Cornell application was its university-wide writing supplement. Beginning with the latest admissions cycle, Cornell has removed that essay, leaving only the college-specific supplemental questions required by individual schools.

While this may sound like one less hurdle for applicants, the bigger story isn’t about writing fewer essays. It’s about how admissions offices continue shifting toward evidence that students have demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and sustained engagement beyond the classroom.

For families, the question shouldn’t be, “How do we replace one essay?”

Instead, ask:

“What experiences will give my student something meaningful to write about?”

What Actually Changed?

Previously, Cornell applicants completed:

The Common Application Personal Essay
Cornell’s university-wide writing supplement
College-specific supplemental questions

Now, applicants complete:

The Common Application Personal Essay
College-specific supplemental questions only

The university-wide essay has been eliminated.

Students should always verify the exact requirements for the college within Cornell to which they are applying, since individual colleges may still require their own writing responses.

Why This Matters

Admissions officers are reading thousands of applications.

As generative AI makes polished writing easier than ever to produce, essays alone become less effective at distinguishing applicants.

Instead, universities increasingly look for evidence of:

sustained intellectual curiosity
authentic initiative
solving real problems
long-term commitment
measurable impact

Those qualities cannot be generated by ChatGPT.

They have to be demonstrated.

The Students Who Stand Out

Increasingly, the strongest applicants can point to something they built, researched, or created.

Examples include:

an original AI research project
a community impact initiative
a startup prototype
published research
an open-source tool
an engineering build
a data science investigation

These experiences create stronger essays because they provide authentic stories, reflection, and evidence of growth.

The project doesn’t replace the essay.

It gives the essay substance.

What Parents Should Be Asking

Instead of asking:

“How many essays does this college require?”

Consider asking:

What has my student created that demonstrates initiative?
Can they explain why they chose the problem?
What did they learn when things didn’t work?
Can they discuss the ethical implications of their work?
Would an admissions officer remember this project after reading thousands of applications?

Those conversations often matter more than another polished paragraph.

STEAM in AI Insight

Cornell’s announcement reflects a broader trend rather than an isolated admissions change.

As AI becomes more capable of generating polished written content, authentic experiences become increasingly valuable. Colleges aren’t moving away from storytelling—they’re looking for stories that are difficult to fabricate because they’re grounded in real work.

Students who identify meaningful problems, build thoughtful solutions, and can clearly explain their decision-making are often in a stronger position than students who simply accumulate credentials.

The strongest college applications rarely begin with the essay—they begin with meaningful experiences. Whether that’s conducting original research, building an AI-powered solution to a real-world problem, launching a community initiative, or pursuing an independent passion project, those experiences give students something authentic to write about. Essays tell the story. Projects create the story.

Recommended Next Step

If your student is planning to apply this fall and wants to build an AI project or research experience that strengthens their college application, now is the time to start.

Fall Cohort applications close August 15.

Our complimentary 45-minute AI Project & Fit Assessment Consultation helps families explore whether an AI Build or AI Research project aligns with the student’s interests, goals, and admissions timeline.