Can anyone share examples of strong Cornell College of Arts and Sciences supplemental essays?

When it comes to the Cornell College of Arts and Sciences supplement, the prompt usually asks you to connect your academic interests with specific programs or philosophies in the college. The strongest essays almost always demonstrate a clear intellectual curiosity and a genuine fit for what Cornell offers.

Instead of copying an existing essay, here's the general structure seen in outstanding submissions:
1. Start with a personal anecdote or a moment that sparked your interest in a subject. For example, maybe you realized you were fascinated by linguistics after trying to decode song lyrics in multiple languages with your grandfather.
2. Connect that curiosity to specific offerings at Cornell. Mention a course, professor, research project, or philosophical approach unique to the College of Arts and Sciences. For instance, you might say something like, "I was thrilled to discover Professor John Smith’s research in sociolinguistics, particularly his work on urban dialects, and the opportunity to join the Undergraduate Linguistics Society at Cornell."
3. Show growth by discussing how your interest has developed and what questions you want to explore further in college. Use this moment to be specific about your future goals and how Cornell will help you achieve them, not in a generic way but with well-researched details.

Here's a brief example:

"During a summer volunteering at a local museum, I became obsessed with how artifacts tell stories—not just their historical context, but the way individual objects shape collective memory. This curiosity led me to delve into interdisciplinary studies, combining history and anthropology. Cornell’s emphasis on the intersection of disciplines, especially through the Humanities Scholars Program, perfectly aligns with my belief that understanding the past requires more than just facts: it requires empathy, context, and critique.

By working with faculty like Professor X, whose research on cultural memory directly echoes my own interests, and engaging in courses like HIST 2150: 'Museums and Memory,' I hope to explore how narratives are constructed and why they matter. Ultimately, I want to contribute to the museum world by making history more inclusive and engaging, a vision I know will be shaped and strengthened at the College of Arts and Sciences."

Some tips based on strong past essays:
- Be specific: Generic statements about “diversity” or “exploring many disciplines” aren’t enough. Mention actual programs, classes, or clubs.
- Make it personal: Start with a story or detail only you could write.
- Focus on intellectual excitement: What questions keep you up at night? What do you want to explore that only Cornell can help you pursue?
- End with a look forward: How do you see yourself growing at Cornell?

If you can prove you’ve thought about why Arts and Sciences at Cornell is uniquely right for you, and connect it back to your individual experiences and goals, your essay will have a strong shot at standing out.