<p>That is all my dad keeps telling me after he read the "intellectual interest" essay. The other essays he is happy with. This one..not the same. </p>
<p>We seem to disagree on what "intellectual interest" means. Are they looking for us to pick an individual subject that we like in school? Or are they looking at more of a generalize thing such as a field like humanities? Or something completely different such as writing short stories for little kids or investing in the stock market? Please, someone clear this up. I really want to hear other people's opinions.</p>
<p>I think this essay is meant for Cornell to hear a little about how your academic interests have progressed and by what means that they have done so. I would say pick your general interest and then use specifics to show how you have explored it in high school and if you have plans to continue to pursue it. There is no one way to write this essay. Just make sure you are clear and tell Cornell something about you.
Take a deep breath.</p>
<p>"Intellectual interest" is a very broad subject matter which could be an interest inside or ouside of school. I believe all of the subjects you mentioned would be appropriate. I wrote my essay on chess which I pursued outside of school.</p>
<p>Hmm.. but chess seems to be intellectual, the clubs I want to write about (ie directing a school play) dont.</p>
<p>Do you think its a good idea that I link my intellectual interests to my ECs if they fit?</p>
<p>I think anything intellectual is open. I don't think it's meant to be a "right or wrong" kind of thing, but something really broad and open-ended</p>
<p>If it fits, I believe it is a good idea to expand on one of your Ec's and write about why it interests you and how this interest evolved.</p>
<p>One of the big tips that many college essay books recommend is to not have your parents mettle with your essay. Oftentime the end result will not reflect your voice, and will come out sounding forced and rigid</p>
<p>Nah I am not concerned with that. My dad is really good with these essays. He has always been.</p>
<p>Last year for mine i had two paragraphs. The first one was about my love of computer science both inside and outside of school, and I tied that into the second paragraph with my love of math. I felt it was really strong, and since I was applying to engineering I believe it fit very well. I wouldn't suggest to pick a bunch of subjects/activites; either pick two or three (may be too much) and talk about how you love them (they don't want to hear stuff that you think they think you want them to hear, if you don't love the interest, don't write about it), or pick a general broad interest, but narrow it down. Personally I think two subjects with a segway is the best to go on it, but it all comes down to preference.</p>
<p>You like chess and you can mention that, but I think you should stick to more explicitly academic things. Chess is intellectual, so you should mention that I think, as long as you talk about it in an academic way.</p>
<p>I wrote my essay about chess last year. I will be attending Cornell in engineering.</p>
<p>I feel that everyone's opinions here are right. Cornell just wants to get to know you a little better. An interest that is non-academic as well as academic would be fine.
I look at an intellectual interest as something non-physical. For example playing football is not an intellectual interest but an interest in football strategy would be.</p>