Why Am I interested in Engineering? - Cornell Supplement

College of Engineering:
Engineers turn ideas (technical, scientific, mathematical) into reality. Tell us about an engineering idea you have or your interest in engineering. Explain how Cornell Engineering can help you further explore this idea or interest.

It was probably strange to say that as a young girl, I enjoyed building and programming Lego robots to participate in national competitions called the FIRST Lego League. While many 11 year old girls spent their Friday evenings watching their favorite boy band on TV, I regularly spent my Fridays as a 11 year old building and programming Lego Robots to do specific tasks. During these evenings, we would think of ways to accomplish the different missions that FIRST Lego League had set before us, whether it be creating one arm that would not only function as a sweeping device but also as a hook to turn a object over. It was during these Friday evening meetings that my interest in engineering began to manifest itself. Perhaps it was the idea that even the simplest of movements for the Lego robot would mean a long complex series of commands on the computer fascinated me. Or maybe, it was the challenge of having to build and create a robot with the ability to do a variety of tasks that fascinated me. Either way, I was drawn into the certain challenging allure that Engineering had created.

My interest in Engineering was further heightened after I participated in the Robotics section of Science Olympiad during High School. Just like the FIRST Lego League, we were given a set of "missions" to complete using a robot that met certain parameters of the Science Olympiad requirements. However, unlike the FIRST Lego League competition, we were not restricted to legos, but instead were allowed to variety of everyday items. The idea that even the seemingly simplest of everyday objects can be combined to build a complex robot, intrigued me. I was again amazed at the sheer complexity of the object, and the amount of perfection needed to build one or else face the heartbreak faced when the robot malfunctioned on the playfield.

At Cornell University, I feel that I would be able to pursue my interest in engineering in ways paramount to other schools. As one of the participants in the Cornell unmanned missions to Mars, Cornell would be an ideal place for me to develop my interest in engineering. Through Cornell's many challenging internship programs and large alumni network, I hope to gain crucial experience and deepen my passion for engineering. As one of the top ranked engineering schools in the nation with cutting-edge facilities and world-renowned professors, I feel that Cornell would be an ideal place for me to grow as both a student and as a person

--

Any Problems?D:

...I regularly spent my Fridays as a 11 year oldredundant building and programming Lego Robots to do specific tasks.
Perhaps it was the idea that even the simplest of movements for the Lego robot would mean a long complex series of commands on the computer fascinated me.Sentence is grammatically awkward

Or maybe,Those two words make it into a fragment. it was the challenge of having to build and create a robot with the ability to do a variety of tasks that fascinated me.

Just like the FIRST Lego League, we were given a set of "missions" to complete using a robot that met certain parameters of the Science Olympiad requirements.

The idea that even the seemingly simplest of everyday objects can be combined to build a complex robot, intrigued me.

Take my changes as suggestions. Good luck!

Return the favor and read my essay please

I think I may have commented on another of your essays recently, and I think I remember saying that I don't think it's good to focus too much on celebrating the idea that you are breaking out of a gender role. :-) I'll just repeat that idea here (it's hard for me to explain what I mean!) It is better, I think, to be so far removed from the old paradigm of gender roles that you do not have any patience for people questioning your interest in science based on your gender. Rather than calling attention to the gender role, mention that you want to be part of the process of making gender roles become a thing of the past.

...cutting-edge facilities and world-renowned professors, I feel that----In this part it would be good to mention a few facilities or profs specifically, and in terms of how they appeal to you with your unique approach you your chosen field.