Describe your intellectual interest and contribution to Cornell?
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts & Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major or field of study (maximum 500 words).
I am a storyteller. Weaving fictional characters' conflicts and concrete themes and symbols into a novel is my passion. My dream of becoming an author grew from the various books I read and artistic styles I examined. I hope to join the legions of respected authors, whose books line shelves around the world. Stories crafted by literary geniuses, like Toni Morrison's Beloved, that leave an emotional impact on the reader are the source of my inspiration. My interest in creative writing evolved after reading Scott Westerfeld's The Uglies. The cautionary tale of the price of perfection is a contemporary novel that offers a blend of dynamic action and literary themes instead of mindless entertainment or tedious schoolwork. Westerfeld's refreshing style revitalized my fading hopes of being acclaimed by critics and adored by readers. My desire to pursue writing as a career instead of a hobby was heightened through reading classical literature. The light hearted romance of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, psychological thrills of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, and unnerving realism of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale are just a portion of the literary rollercoaster that powered my dreams. On the other hand, modern artists offer a glimmer of hope that success can found in the artistic world with work and determination. Sofia Coppola's inventive directing, J. J. Abrams's impressive productions, and Zhang Jingna's unique visions are a few examples of successful artists in the 20th century. They prove creativity and imagination have not been erased. At Cornell University, I hope to be involved with its prestigious Department of English. The Creative Writing Program would help me develop my writing abilities in classes like Narrative and Verse Writing. The university also holds an open reading series and a literary magazine, organizations I want to participate in. Working with a group of intellectual students and challenging professors drives me to following my ambitions. Thus, Cornell University represents a new future, where I can expand my literary knowledge and creativity. My path toward becoming an author began with a fascination with books and will hopefully end at an engaging university full of opportunities and success.
(359/500)
My path toward becoming an author began with a fascination with books and will hopefully end at an engaging university full of opportunities and success.
That last sentence seems not quite right. You mean, you want to continue your path at the university right? not "end" it?
maybe use words like "develop further"?
Good luck with Cornell! Hope you get in!
Great essay, really. I'm applying to the same college, except I want to go for Econ major.
It's very nicely written and most likely will have a positive influence on the officer. Honestly, as a immigrant I can't write like you, so I mostly composes essays that reflects my inner thoughts in a less fashionable way.
The only thing I have to point out is that you don't want to simply overwhelm the reader. What if the reader is an english major? You are focusing a bit too much on the things you read, and although you cleverly incorporate your thoughts on different writers and works, it's not completely obvious what impact they really have on you, except that they fascinate you.
By the way, your style matches with a guy I know, he likes fanciful writing a lot.
I love your writing style. It is fresh and allows the reader to stay focused when reading your essay.
I do have a question, however, when you submit this essay, are you going to break up into paragraphs or leave it as one paragraph?
Nice writing style but when you incooparate book titles it sounds more like your selling these books then telling what impact they have on you.
Your last sentance does not work but I see someone has already told you that.
Maybe you should broaden yourself a bit? Talk about what cources you want to take or what else you can do with a creative writting major besides become an authour.
This is a well-written essay and answers the prompt sufficiently.
However, as
t1292 said, listing the title of the works with just one- or two-word descriptions sounds a bit superficial.
Since you more space to write anyways, it'd be great if you could eleborate more on some of the works and artists you mentioned.
Also,
At Cornell University, I hope to be involved with its prestigious Department of English.
I think this would be a good place to begin a new paragraph.
Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you.
You definitely cover the first part of the prompt, but somewhere between all those book titles I got lost...and you don't want your reader to get lost, especially since they only spend a few minutes per applicant. I'd suggest dividing your essay into paragraphs, and going with a more linear style. Right now it's like the layers of the cake are melting into each other, rather than being distinct. I'm not saying go with the cliched 5 paragraph style, but evolution implies direction, with the structure isn't really helping. Other than that, what excites you about writing? You briefly touch on it with the mention of emotional impact, but you should dig deeper.
what excites you about writing?
mmm. true, the essay sounds more like excitement about literature in general, and not specifically writing. good point.
Nice essay :) I'm applying to Cornell as well!
Wow, THAT is why your comment on my essay was so good.
You must be a very good writer!
