Cornell's 'any person...any study' essay - how to approach it?

Anyone who applied to Cornell have any tips on the 'any person...any study' essay? It feels kind of broad and I'm not sure how to approach it.

This is the prompt: In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “…any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. (350 words)

Sure, I'm happy to provide some guidance on the essay. First, here's some background on this quote from Ezra Cornell: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.”

'Any person...any study' is a key element of Cornell University's founding principles, emphasizing the institution's commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive environment, supporting a wide range of academic interests and pursuits. This philosophy shapes the opportunities and atmosphere at Cornell in various ways, which may influence your decision to apply:

1. Academic Diversity: Cornell offers a rich selection of undergraduate majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs across its eight undergraduate colleges. This allows you to explore and pursue your passions, as well as discover new interests.

2. Collaborative Environment: The philosophy fosters a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Students from diverse backgrounds and fields of study come together, share ideas, and engage in interdisciplinary research and projects, enriching the overall learning experience.

3. Access and Inclusion: Cornell continually works to improve access and affordability for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. They offer need-blind admission to domestic students and provide financial aid packages that often minimize the need for loans, making it possible for more students to attend.

4. Supportive Campus Community: The 'any person' part of the philosophy translates to a dynamic and diverse student body. Cornell is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment through various student organizations, cultural centers, and support services that cater to different identities and backgrounds.

5. Global Perspectives: Cornell encourages its students to engage with global issues and offers opportunities for international exposure, such as study abroad programs, internships, and research projects across the world.

Now, the essay: there are two main approaches you can take to the essay - focusing on the "any person" part or the "any study" part.

The "any person" approach is for students who find that an aspect of their background is central to their personality; In this essay style, you can highlight how your race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation, sexuality, etc, impacts the way you see and approach the world.

An example of the student taking the “any person” approach would be a Latinx student who had to serve as a translator for her parents from a young age, which exposed her to many legal and procedural discussions. Because of this, she developed an interest in conflict mediation and wants to concentrate in Human Resources at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

The "any study" approach is for students who want to focus on their future goals. You could consider structuring your essay so you showcase what you love about your major, why you are drawn to that particular topic, and how your knowledge in that field will help you contribute to the campus community. Even if you go down this road, you still want to emphasize how your interests or passions have given you a unique perspective that will make you a beneficial contributor to the Cornell campus.

For example, a student might describe how they are addicted to the Food Network, hosted their own annual Chopped competitions with their friends, and dream of opening their own restaurant because cooking allows them to express their creativity in a way no other medium can. They are planning on working in the restaurant run by Hotel Administration students to continue exploring creative ways to cook.

If you want more advice/tips/examples, check out our Cornell essay guide: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-cornell-university-essays (the essay tips/examples came from here!).