<p>I'm thinking of applying early decision to human ecology. I want to begin writing the essays over the summer if I can. How heavily is the essay weighted in admissions? Also, does anyone have tips about what makes a Cornell-worthy essay?</p>
<p>I think it's very heavily weighted; I was denied acceptance for freshmen year even though I had 1560, 800/800/750, Rank 1/120, and I am almost positive it was because of the essays (I was foolish enough to leave the essays till the last week of the deadline...).</p>
<p>Being international from an over-represented country didn't help either, but I believe it was the essays that failed me.</p>
<p>eos is right....essays are CRUCIAL. It's amazing that someone with eos's credentials is denied, but Cornell wants to see that you know something about them, your chosen field, and that you really want to go there. They sense when you are applying to Cornell just for the heck of it, or worse, if you are applying there in case you don't get into Harvard.</p>
<p>What makes a good essay...is it the actual writing style that is most important, or the passion with which you speak about the topic, or a combo of both?</p>
<p>Both of course. My advice: get some impartial readers, not your parents and siblings, but a few college grads who will counsel you honestly and wisely. Avoid sounding canned, but don't be an experimentalist either.</p>
<p>Express your passion and you're safe. Don't use too many big words, especially if you use them wrong...that is a GIANT no-no.</p>
<p>My impression is that they really want to know why you are passionate about going to Cornell. Where have you come from, what do you want to do, and why is Cornell the place to help you get there??? The essay needs to be an intense, specific piece of work containing a lot of detail about why Cornell is the place for you.</p>
<p>I agree with cnp55. Cornell admissions would rather take someone who would be a perfect match for the desired school than someone with good credentials (although obviously both are needed). Since you are applying to Human Ecology, there must be a specific program there that you desire that's unique from other universities (considering that the programs are pretty specialized - DEA, TXA, etc). Express in your essays why you love that program and what you'll bring to it.</p>
<p>Also you need to show who you are. What makes you you. What makes you different from every other top student across the country. Don't be afraid to show the real you, because if a school doesn't like who you are, then you don't want to go there anyway!</p>
<p>Show them what things you can bring to Cornell (talents etc..) Sell yourself in a nice way though.</p>
<p>We are talking about the essays for Cornell. The main essay that you send to every school should be unique, well written, ect...</p>
<p>Does anyone else have suggestions for the main essay? How figurative should language be? Are adcoms english experts/really good at interpretation and comprehension, or will they miss subtle messages? I ask this because from the essays I have read from friends, etc., some have been straight forward while others have been very rhetorical.</p>
<p>just write in a style that you are used to writing in. if you tend to be a straightforward writer, then go ahead. if you like to use humor, then do that. do what style suits YOU best. but no matter what make sure to be clear, concise, and interesting no matter what.</p>