Seems a bit confusing. Maybe contact admissions:
This link for applications for 2015-16 says 500
words for Cornell supplement:
But this links for 2015-16 says 650 words (scroll all the way to page 11 and you will see the essay instructions. It seems, however, that this may be for the UCA (universal common app). Don’t know why this would be different than the common app supplement though. They should both be the same.
@TiggyB62 I call bull ■■■■.
http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/admissions.cornell.edu/files/Essays%20and%20Questions.pdf
My application is not an SAT trick question, if that’s what Cornell wants this to be, then eff them. I’m not changing my essay this late in the game…I swear @Gatortristan 's link didn’t exist before mid-September…
Hope to hell you guys are wrong: http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/admissions.cornell.edu/files/2015-16%20Freshman%20App%20Instructions_0.pdf
This seems to be the “lego instruction book” of the Cornell app, I’d say this has the highest authority among all other links/bits of info concerning the supplement essay length. @Gatortristan if you do get a hold of them be sure to point out these inconsistencies!
It looks like they changed it to 500 words for this year’s admission cycle, but missed that one entry on the UCA Supplement. Interesting to see how admissions deals with this. The Common App, however, is quite clear that the limit is 500 words.
No, the Common App says, “Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests? (Please limit your response to 650 words.)”
They can reject me if they really are gonna get their panties in a wad over this constantly changing word limit, I’d rather not attend a snooty school with admission officers who can’t make up their effing minds on something so stupid as a flipping word limit. This is a friggin application, not a trick question. Oh boo hoo, you had to read ~150 more words, sue me. If you’d like, I’ll make you too rewrite an essay you spent 5 months writing a week before its due.
ArthurDent - I don’t want to put you in a panic. but the link you posted is for the 2015 Common App, meaning for the students who just entered. The 2016 Common App is clear that it is limited to 500 words:
If you have already submitted, you may want to call and explain your confusion.
Yes, but what about this link?
Page 11, “Please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 650 words) that corresponds to the undergraduate college or
school to which you are applying.”
At this point, I’m not going to call them, I don’t have the effort nor the desire in me to get into a discussion about this mess with some person a thousand miles away who will undoubtedly not relate with my scenario at all. I’m exhausted after spending the last 5 months filling out applications and writing essay after essay after essay after essay. They can accept me or not over this bs, I don’t care at this point. Senioritis ftw.
Btw, let me make it clear I am not directing this anger at anyone in this thread (you’ve all been exceptionally helpful in this process and I thank you all immensely for that), but instead the inconsistent fools at the Cornell Office of Undergraduate Admissions. God, what ass holes.
I know, I saw that, and as I noted earlier, that is the only reference to the 650 limit. I think it is an oversight by someone and it only refers to the UCA. The current Common App prompt says 500 words. I certainly don’t think you are doomed, and you probably aren’t the only person who got tripped up by the change. I’d call to make yourself feel better.
Well for the prompt on the common app website it says 650 words, so I am sticking with 650 words.
crossovercuber - you are looking at the wrong year. The word count is 500. Click the link on Cornell’s website:
Okay I called admissions and this is what they told me:
-THE ESSAY IS 500 WORDS I REPEAT 500 WORDS. They said they made a mistake and are working on fixing it and making all sites consistent.
-The admissions to spring 2017 option is if you’re interested in a GT offer if you don’t get in ED/RD so go ahead and check it.
-If you’re taking october ACT they don’t need it to be priority sent
Well at least somebody called and got clarification. Because of the snafu, I’m sure they will be lenient with word count, at least for ED round.
Dang it, I don’t know how I am gonna shave 100+ words off my essay. @blporf the problem is that they have two separate writing supplement pages for the same year
I highly doubt Cornell will revoke applications if it’s over 500 words because it is a HUGE mistake on their part and there is only 7 days left before ED is due and all the websites are still not consistent
@crossovercuber Exactly.
Hey, are you speedcuber by chance?
@ArthurDent42 I am in fact a speedcuber
@crossovercuber Oh yeah!!! What’s your best time for 3 by 3?
Did you go to Nationals this year?
Wait so is it 500 words for sure?