Tuesday Tips: Cornell MBA Application Tips for 2024-2025
Are you targeting Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management? The Cornell MBA application is now live, so it’s time to tackle those MBA essays. Cornell Johnson is a flexible MBA program within an Ivy League campus. The school offers multiple full-time options, including a one-year MBA, specialized executive programs, and the Cornell Tech MBA in Ithaca and New York City.
Whatever your goals and background, Cornell has a program that can help you achieve them. Johnson also works to integrate the MBA experience into the larger Cornell community and leverage coursework at the other top-ranked graduate programs to provide more opportunities to Johnson students.
When approaching the Cornell MBA application essay and goal statement, set your strategy before you start working. Then, identify the program at Cornell in which you are most interested. Do some comprehensive school research. That means researching the faculty, coursework, and career opportunities. Also, examine your background and goals to see what is most important to explain as part of your story.
Make sure to inject a layer of personal background and experiences—what makes you truly unique (this year, there is a question to highlight that aspect of your application). Finally, ensure you have solid academics, work experience, and extracurriculars.
These can be covered in your Cornell MBA essays, resume, or recommendations. If you identify any holes in your profile or story, take the time to fill them out before starting your application. You can explain anything necessary in the optional essay.
Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.
Cornell MBA Application Essays and Tips
Use this short-answer section to succinctly share your short- and long-term goals. If you’re invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate on your statement further, and you should be prepared to connect your prior experience with your future aspirations.
Goals Statement
A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):
Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Role]____ at ___[Company]___within___[Industry]___.
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:
In 5 – 10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Role]____ at ___[Company]___within___[Industry]___.
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:
Please share how you plan to utilize the resources available to you at Johnson as well as any existing resources you bring to the program to help you secure your post-MBA career goal.
This short answer question quickly covers the relevant career goals questions for your Cornell MBA application. Make sure that your answers are clear and are consistent with your recommenders.
Once you have identified your industry, company, and role in the short- and long-term, you can briefly answer the short question. This question asks how you plan to achieve your goals. First, how will Johnson prepare you? This could be classes, networking, or internships.
It also could be projects you pursue at Johnson or leadership in a professional club. Second, think about any resources you already have. One is likely your current professional network. Also, consider your work experience and any other academic experiences that could help you achieve your goal.
As the lead-in to the question reminds you, this essay is just the beginning of a conversation that will continue with your interview. Finally, ensure you have logically connected your past experiences with your future aspirations in this essay.
Impact Essay Or The Unique Trat That Defines Me
Choose one of the following essay options.
Option 1: Impact Essay: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community? (350 words maximum)
Choose this essay if you want to show your strong connection to Cornell and have a good idea of how you will contribute to the school. As the Cornell Johnson admissions committee says, “This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Whether during the program or following graduation, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve.”
Considering your MBA experience, how do you plan to actively participate in the community? Once again, the first step to answering this question is to do your research. The admissions team at Johnson suggests connecting with current students using the community search tool. Another way to find a personal connection is to reach out to friends, family, and work colleagues to see if anyone knows a current or future member of the Johnson community.
As you prepare for conversations to learn more about Cornell Johnson, think about programs, extracurricular activities, and the informal ways students might interact. Johnson offers groups for interests ranging from cooking to ice hockey and has professional clubs for every possible career path.
Those formal groups or connecting in a classroom or party might be ways you make connections at Johnson. Knowing the school well is essential for a successful Cornell MBA application. Once you have identified opportunities to contribute to campus life at Johnson, you should support your story with evidence from your past experiences.
For example, maybe you want to bring new speakers to the Johnson Marketing Association because you have contributed to your young professionals group at work. Explain that you have successfully organized events featuring prominent speakers for a large group of people and can bring that skill to impact your peers at Johnson.
Option 2: The Unique Trait that Defines Me: What is something unique about you that others will remember you by? (350 words maximum)
This essay option is a good choice if you want to expand upon your background or personal qualities. Consider what unique trait you want to discuss and if it will enhance your application. For example, if you are especially passionate about your career path and that is due to something unique in your circumstances or personality, this would be an ideal essay for you.
It’s also a useful essay to tell a story that helps you stand out from other applicants. For example, perhaps you had an early defining leadership experience you want to highlight. Or, you have a particularly interesting background. The admissions committee often searches for students who will add a new element to the class. If you have something unique to contribute, this is the essay to describe it.
Once you have described the unique trait, tell a story that helps the reader visualize how the trait has impacted those around you. Is there a story that illustrates why people remember you? And, if you can draw a conclusion that shows how you will positively impact the Johnson community with your trait that is a powerful ending.
Optional Essay (Required for Reapplicants)
You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson. (350 words maximum)
If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying (350 words maximum).
This essay allows for either an explanation of any weaknesses in your application or additional information. Your issue could be a poor GPA or GMAT. Or you might have concerns with your undergraduate record. Possibly, you were unable to provide a recommendation from a current supervisor. If any of those issues exist, this is the place to give the background.
Briefly describe the situation and what may have contributed to the issue (illness, family difficulties, etc.). Make sure you don’t editorialize—facts only. Focus the balance of your essay on looking forward. What have you done recently to demonstrate your skills and intelligence?
For re-applicants, this is the place to explain what you have done since your last application. Make sure to strengthen your case for admission. If you have a new GMAT score or took classes in calculus or statistics, you have a solid case for improved academics. A promotion could signal career development and leadership.
Even if you don’t have a clear-cut update, you can use this space to explain how you have improved your career goals or fit with Cornell.
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To talk to Stacy Blackman Consulting about your Cornell MBA essays, don’t hesitate to contact us! We offer multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to hourly help reviewing your essays, MBA resume, and more. Contact SBC today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.
Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Kerry
Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Geri
Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Erin B.
Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
