Engineering: Optional Writing Sample

[bme123]

Hey all,

The Cornell University online application allows me to provide an optional writing sample (I am applying for Engineering).

Does anyone know if "optional" actually means recommended?

If so, any ideas on what type of writing sample I should provide? (ie: research writing sample, English class writing sample, etc.)

Thanks.

[Tam]

Is this the department-specific application or just the general Cornell one? If it's the general Cornell one then it's probably optional depending on what department you're applying to, so that candidates applying to English or History have somewhere to upload a writing sample. I wouldn't think an engineering department would want to see one, necessarily, but if you do submit one, it should be engineering-related. They definitely wouldn't want to see a literature essay.