I am a senior from New York, and I’m unsure whether I would have a stronger chance applying to ILR or Public Policy at Cornell. My extracurricular activities are more focused on historical research and journalism—I have published history research and have won several writing awards. As a New York resident, I’m interested in applying to Cornell’s public schools for the in-state preference. The Brooks School of Public Policy seems like a good academic fit for me, but it is very small. ILR, on the other hand, admits many more students overall, but it feels more oriented toward human resources, which doesn’t align as well with my interests.
Given my background, which option would give me the best chance of admission to Cornell? If I apply to ILR, how should I frame my application to show a strong fit?