When you apply to a Cornell University Precollege Summer Program, you'll be asked to respond to the following question(s).

These statements are an important part of your application (and writing them is good practice for your college application essays), so please be thoughtful about your responses.

Your answers should be in English and should not exceed 250 words.

Essay question for all students

1. Tell us about the primary academic area(s) you're interested in pursuing in Precollege Studies.
  • Why are you interested in the area(s) you choose?
  • What do you expect to gain from studying the area(s) you choose?
  • What personal, work, or volunteer experience have you had related to the area(s) you choose?

Additional essay questions for residential students

2. What are your three most significant interests and activities (including any employment or volunteer work experience)?
  • Note the time you devote to the activities, how long you've been involved in them, and your main responsibilities.
  • Describe why one of these interests or activities is important to you, your reasons for becoming involved in it, and your related accomplishments.
3. So that we can get to know you better, please provide a personal statement that addresses the following question:
  • What distinguishes you from your classmates and peers?