Cornell "influenced to apply" question? Forum

[chrispyreddit]

Going through my cornell app, it looks like there's a required question asking for the names of individuals who influenced you to apply to cornell.

What?

Do they really just want a list of names? Or should I offer some context/explanation? What if I don't really have any names?

How should I treat this question?

thanks!

[jttoplawschools93]

i didn't have any names so I just wrote not applicable or something like that
can't like make names up so can't do anything else

[hichvichwoh]

I dare you to put "Jesus"

[mandyjay11]

I dare you to put "Jesus"

LMAO

[ManoftheHour]

I dare you to put "Jesus"

[HYSenberg]

Andy Bernard obv.

[AntipodeanPhil]

Superman and Jesus.

[akg144]

This is a great section for name dropping: Bill Clinton, Usher, the Dalai Lama - all close friends delivered the same message in hand written notes to your door - Cornell Law or bust.

[Trout et al]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

[redsox]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

Yeah but that would be a lie.

[Trout et al]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

Yeah but that would be a lie.

It certainly would not. "Influenced" is a fluid concept, and could be contributory. Just starting the Cornell application does not mean you can no longer be influenced to apply by other factors, and it sure as hell doesn't mean that uncovering more factors couldn't lead you to do more research about the school. Thus, no "lie."

[redsox]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

Yeah but that would be a lie.

It certainly would not. "Influenced" is a fluid concept, and could be contributory. Just starting the Cornell application does not mean you can no longer be influenced to apply by other factors, and it sure as hell doesn't mean that uncovering more factors couldn't lead you to do more research about the school. Thus, no "lie."

Dude, that's total bullshit. Please tell me you don't actually believe that. OP - I suggest not answering the question. Don't let the law school application process rob you of your dignity. Your legal career will do so soon enough.

[midwest17]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

Yeah but that would be a lie.

It certainly would not. "Influenced" is a fluid concept, and could be contributory. Just starting the Cornell application does not mean you can no longer be influenced to apply by other factors, and it sure as hell doesn't mean that uncovering more factors couldn't lead you to do more research about the school. Thus, no "lie."

This is bad advice and you should feel bad.

[Lincoln]

I left it blank and got in (and attended).

[Trout et al]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

Yeah but that would be a lie.

It certainly would not. "Influenced" is a fluid concept, and could be contributory. Just starting the Cornell application does not mean you can no longer be influenced to apply by other factors, and it sure as hell doesn't mean that uncovering more factors couldn't lead you to do more research about the school. Thus, no "lie."

This is bad advice and you should feel bad.

I wasn't answering the question to promote lying. I was trying to provide useful advice beyond "Jesus" or "Andy Bernard." The world isn't so black and white, and the question can be taken many ways. My honest reaction is "Oh, that's a good question. I don't have an answer for it yet so I obviously haven't done enough thoughtful research about the school."

I really don't think this reaction is bad-intentioned at all, it's just a recognition that maybe you haven't done enough thoughtful research about the people that make it a great institution.

But, by all means, if you think my advice constitutes lying and that the question was simply designed to weed out those people who already have connections to the institution then answer "Jesus" or "Andy Bernard."

[dcoppo01]

If it weren't for The Office I probably would not have considered applying to Cornell, so I am very tempted to put Andy Bernard.

[wowhio]

Plenty of people don't know a Cornell alum who influenced them. Look up a faculty member, dean, or alumni doing something in the news and write about how they influenced you to do more research about the school. It shouldn't be too hard. The school will post stuff whenever their people show up in the news.

This sounds like bullshit to me. I think they're going to see right through an answer like that. I think this is a sneaky way of finding out if you are a Cornell Law legacy or near-legacy, and if you're not I doubt your answer really matters.

[The Dark Kite]

I dare you to put "Jesus"

+1... bump.