<p>I'm about to start the engr supplement and it asks me to either describe an interesting engineering idea or my interests in engineering. I am thinking that an impressive engineering idea will leave much more of an impact on the admission officers. Is it advisable for me to use a variety of terms that only engineers would know? Or should I simplify the description to a level that anyone could understand?</p>
<p>If you're speaking of the essay on the supplement, I can give you my words of advice. When I wrote my essay, I used as words as big as I needed them to be to get my idea across. If I recall correctly, the second part of the question asks how cornell can help you achieve what it is you want to do, and I'm sure they would prefer you incorporate a decent part of the essay to that rather than a detailed blueprint of the death ray you are designing and the specific amount of voltage it requires. </p>
<p>In my opinion, you need to find the balance between a simple yet technical description that conveys your idea correctly and as succinctly as possible. Make it sound like you know what you are talking about, but don't make it sound like you're a practicing engineer for 20 years.</p>