<p>The essay prompt for the College of Engineering application says to describe an "engineering idea." What exactly constitutes an "engineering idea?"</p>
<p>If there are any ex-applicants out there, feel free to describe what you wrote to help people with similar questions!</p>
<p>hmm now that I reread my essay it sounds like a bunch of nonsensical bs. most of it doesn’t really make any sense</p>
<p>anyway, I wrote about an idea in one of my past research internships and how cornell can help make that idea come true.</p>
<p>It’s okay, most (99.9%+) high school kids don’t know what they’re talking about.</p>
<p>I didn’t write about an engineering idea I think my prompt was why I want to go into engineering</p>
<p>My prompt was:
“Engineers turn ideas (technical, scientific, mathematical) into reality. Tell us about an engineering idea you have or your interest in engineering. Explain how Cornell Engineering can help you further explore this idea or interest.”</p>
<p>I went with interest too. Just seems a bit easier.</p>
<p>Given you aren’t (yet) an engineer, I think they’re looking for whatever you write to be a combination of creativity and passion. Purely my opinion, but I would think it’s less important to nail down/emphasize the details of your idea and more important to emphasize WHY the idea is meaningful.</p>
<p>I’d say mine was pretty cliched. In any case engineering focuses more on the test scores, grades and math/science grades ECs an achievements.</p>
<p>If you have any idea that you think will stand out then it could potentially help you in the review process. I’m pretty sure they get more essays about interest, compared with ideas.</p>
<p>Erm…I can’t really say what they look for but here’s part of my essay:
Here’s an experience everyone dreads thinking of: a trip to the dentist. Have the every-six-months-or-so outings to the dentist ever been a pleasant experience for you? The only thing I’ve gained from going to that frightening place is either a mouthful of blood from not flossing every single day - I acknowledge that it’s partly my fault - or having my mouth harassed with their latex fingers and an intimidating drill in their hands. Despite the flowery, uplifting posters on the wall and the occasional fish tank, the waiting room still contains a jittery atmosphere. Speaking from experience, it’s like anticipating your death - the impending pain and the horrific things you plan that they will do to your mouth.
Well I propose this: a plasma machine that would make your trips to the dentist pain free and dread free. Just like how laser eye surgery is ultimately pain free due to recent advancements in technology, the “plasma toothbrush” will become a part of everyday tools a dentist would utilize.
And blahblahblah.</p>
<p>^ can’t tell if trolling or actually serious…</p>
<p>I’m serious…LOL. I figured too many essays were serious face so I tried to add a voice in mine. Well it was my attempt to be original xP There are way too many essays filled with people bragging about their ECs and whatnot - it tends to get boring to the reader at one point.</p>
<p>And you should of seen my “essay” to JHU xP I wrote a poem.</p>
<p>Haha that actually sounds amazing. I’d want that if you ever manage to make it a reality.</p>