Prompt:
Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative problem solving that helps people, communities… the world. Consider your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to improve the world we live in. (650 words)
I talked about how I developed my interest in computer science for the first half of the essay. Is that okay? Or should I be specific to Cornell from the very beginning?
My $.02 is to use your limited words to answer the specific question being asked. Your interest in CS could be 1 or 2 sentences.
Cornell wants you brainstorm how your knowledge of Computer science might solve a world challenging problem. Such as climate change, polluted water, healthcare, education etc. Get creative how using technology can help the world.
Too late to think about it now 
i’ve applied for engineering too - I talked about my interest in sustainable building engineering and what I liked about their environmental programs - a different field of engineering I guess. the question is quite broad and allowed to explore my interest both in improving the world and their courses to learn that problem solving. good luck
Someone told me their environmental engineering is one of their most popular engineering programs, especially for females. Like anything, it’s just a question of who is reading it and how they feel about it.
I’ve read and essay by one of my kids that I didn’t like, but other people have loved and vice versa, so who really knows? They have so much information about each applicant plus what is in the letter of rec that someone might think is great, but really isn’t or quite the opposite.
Good luck to all!