What kinds of topics should I avoid writing about in Cornell supplemental essays?

For Cornell supplements, avoid topics that are generic, overly broad, or disconnected from the specific college or program you are applying to. A safe rule is this: if your essay does not clearly sound like Cornell, and like your Cornell school within Cornell, it is probably the wrong topic.

Topics that often fall flat include broad "why this major" essays with no concrete experiences behind them, long summaries of achievements already listed elsewhere, and stories that focus more on being impressive than being revealing. For example, saying you love biology because you want to help people is too general unless you tie it to a real experience.

Be careful with cliché personal narratives like sports injuries, mission trips, moving schools, or learning perseverance from a hard class unless you have a very specific angle that only you could write. The issue is usually not the topic itself, but that students tell the broad expected version instead of zooming in on a distinctive moment, decision, question, or habit of mind.

Also avoid risky topics that make the essay feel combative, insensitive, or self-congratulatory. Highly polarizing political arguments, trauma shared without reflection, or essays built around criticizing others can backfire unless handled with unusual care and maturity. If a topic requires a lot of explanation just to make you seem reasonable, it is probably not your best choice.

For Cornell specifically, avoid sounding like you only want prestige, Ivy status, or a picturesque campus. The strongest topics usually show a clear match between what you care about, how you think, and what that particular Cornell college offers.