<p>I have encountered a number of essays that ask for an "engineering idea" that the applicant has had (such as Cornell). What does this mean?</p>
<p>Does the essay want me to design a plane??? How would I explain that in an essay?</p>
<p>I don't get it. Does it just want me to demonstrate my interest in engineering?</p>
<p>I want to approach this topic in a creative way. I am a borderline applicant, so I need REALLY GOOD essays. advice?</p>
<p>Have you ever figured out something cool, some novel way to solve or think about a practical problem?</p>
<p>Not really… :/</p>
<p>but thanks</p>
<p>You are planning to study engineering? What brings you to that field?</p>
<p>My interest in math, the sciences, and engineering.</p>
<p>So you like math and science, both of which involve problem solving, you like engineering, which is a field in which one often solves practical problems, and yet you yourself have never solved a practical problem? </p>
<p>You’ve never had that satisfying internal light go on. You’ve never said to yourself something like “Hey, that’s a good idea!”</p>
<p>Or have you? Haven’t you figured out a better way to organize yourself, to store stuff, to get from point A to point B, to improve yourself at a game, sport, musical instrument, homework, to get a job done more efficiently, even if it is as simple a job as loading the dishwasher? Haven’t you had a task to do–paid or unpaid–and figured out a better way to do it? Have you ever built anything or fooled around with computer software or hardware–even if only for your family?</p>
<p>I’m skeptical. If you can’t think of any such event in your entire high school career, I can only urge you to think again.</p>
<p>Sure I’ve written plenty of calculator programs to assist me in doing basic stuff. and I’ve made some games. I’ve come up with unique coding systems based on colors and values, and such. I’ve designed simple HTML web pages. I’ve tried 100 times to come up with the perfect government system. I am really into logic. I’ve attempted to disprove mathematics, only to realize its beauty. I have systems for a lot of things I do.</p>
<p>But hasn’t every top engineering applicant done these things? I don’t think these are the traditional “ideas” they are looking for. and are any of these significant enough to write on?</p>
<p>I really appreciate your guidance!</p>
<p>I knew it! :)</p>
<p>Okay so this is the prompt, right?</p>
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</p>
<p>which means</p>
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</p>
<p>Note in particular</p>
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<p>[Cornell</a> Engineering Admissions: I only need to write one essay, right?](<a href=“http://cornellengineeringadmissions-jill.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-only-need-to-write-one-essay-right.html]Cornell”>http://cornellengineeringadmissions-jill.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-only-need-to-write-one-essay-right.html)</p>
<p>Now, I would imagine that you have ideas on how to extend, modify, build on what you have already accomplished. And, no doubt, an education in the various fields of engineering (give details), which is available at Cornell, would help you advance your ideas. </p>
<p>That has the makings of a perfectly reasonable, if not actually fine, essay.</p>
<p>But what about your objection,</p>
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<p>Well, yes and no.</p>
<p>Yes: Sure, lots of prospective engineering students do such things. So what? Lots of prospective English majors read novels on their own time. Lots of prospective French majors study France and speak French for fun. Lots of prospective math majors do proofs in their spare time. Why is any of that a problem?</p>
<p>No: no one has done them exactly the way that you have or would. Your essay can reveal that. Your essay can show how good you are. There are not enough people with good ideas around. If you have a reasonably good record, you will be wanted at a good engineering school.</p>
<p>Don’t aim for an essay that automatically gets you in. That’s a recipe for being so paralyzed with indecision and self-doubt that you end up submitting a weak essay at the last second. Look, in nearly five years, I’ve only seen one essay that, imho, was so good that the writer should automatically, without looking at the rest of the application, be accepted to a top college. Don’t try for that. I’m sure that your projects are worthwhile. Just be personal, detailed and revealing about them and you will add to the strength of your application.</p>
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<p>–Henry Van Dyke</p>
<p>It says your interest “or” an ideal.
Make sure you only do one.</p>
<p>So I could also give an experience that shows my interest in engineering and what in engineering inspires/interests me? I don’t really have to give an idea so to speak?</p>
<p>Yes, that would be responsive to the prompt.</p>
<p>However, your interest in engineering is going to be much more credible and persuasive if buttressed by details from your experience. </p>
<p>More advice here:</p>
<p>[Essays</a>, Admission Information, Undergraduate Admission, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Essays”>http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html)</p>
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<p>Really? What would be in the harm in combing it?
Does anyone agree?</p>
<p>Because if you combine it, odds are you might just be vague and not focus on anything. I mean you can certainly say how your interest in say electrical engineering has inspired you to come up with ideas on a certain project and such… just be conclusive and not vague.</p>
<p>It is hard enough to cover one topic competently–being personal, detailed, and revealing-- in 500 words.</p>