After the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2023, Cornell adjusted its application to include new, identity-based application questions. The questions were designed to provide applicants the opportunity to discuss any aspects of their identity they believe to be essential for conveying who they are as an individual and as a student.
The identity-focused essay asked students to “define community the way that is most meaningful to you.” The Sun surveyed six students of varying backgrounds to gather reactions to the new essay prompt and the prospect of declining diversity in Cornell’s student body.
Tiffany Alvarez ’28, a student in Industrial and Labor Relations, viewed the new question as restrictive and struggled in her ability to openly express herself. Alvarez felt that she needed to explain her racial background in the question to give admissions officers context about her background…