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10 of the Best MBA Programs

Just 20 years ago, a bachelor’s degree was enough to compete in the job market. Despite the rising costs of tuition, a bachelor’s degree doesn’t hold the same value as more and more people are getting them. This is why many people are pushing for a master’s degree. Those with a master’s will make more money in their lifetimes than one with a bachelor’s. If you’re considering a graduate degree in business, take a look at the 10 best MBA programs.

The gold standard of higher education, Harvard is the best business school in the country, but it’s notoriously difficult to get into. However, getting in is only half the battle. Harvard is a difficult and expensive college. Once you make it through you’ll have the best MBA you can get.

Cornell consistently makes it in the top 10 business schools every year. Located in Ithica, NY, Cornell is a great option to get your MBA. For those unwilling to move, they offer an online program through their extension school. Because of this, Cornell should be on your list of schools to get your MBA.

University of Chicago

Booth business school at the University of Chicago is a great option for those who love urban city life. Booth is in a relatively safer area of the city and is located close to Lake Michigan. Sometimes, the deciding factor in getting your MBA is the location of the school which is why this program attracts great people.

University of Pennsylvania

Wharton business school is known for its high profile alumni and its excellent curriculum. Located at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton attracts people from all over the world and for a good reason. The connections made there can resort to high profile careers and even positions at startups and getting the connection to start your own company.

Stanford has some of the most well-known alumni in the MBA industry. Many people choose to go to Stanford for the quality education and the sunny California location. However, many also choose to go for the connections you can make. If you’re looking to get into the startup industry this is the place to go.

University of Texas – Austin

While UTA isn’t as popular as Harvard, it’s one of the best options for business schools. Austin has a thriving startup culture and there are plenty of connections to be made there. The best part is the affordable tuition rate. It’s about half the price of other business schools.

Columbia University

Columbia is another one of those business schools that always makes it in the top 10. Based in New York, Columbia attracts worldwide talent every year. The program is highly competitive due to the number of applicants but don’t let that stop you from applying. After all, you could get in.

Duke University

Duke is also a well-known business school located in North Carolina. Many alumni leave the school highly well trained, and due to the competitive nature of the curriculum, you can expect to leave this school ready to enter the job market. Duke also has a fantastic alumni program.

University of Michigan

U of M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their business school has made it in the top 10 several years in a row, and they always make the top 20. Ann Arbor is a lovely college town with plenty of chances to network and make connections to benefit your future.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is a school that everyone instantly recognizes. For those who are seeking an MBA in the technology field, MIT is the place to go. Like Harvard, MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and because of this there are plenty of opportunities to network. MIT has a tough curriculum but it will prepare you for the job market.

MBA Essay Tips

Most graduate business programs require applicants to submit at least one MBA essay as part of the application process. Admissions committees use essays, along with other application components , to determine whether or not you are a good fit for their business school. A well-written MBA essay can increase your chances of acceptance and help you stand out among other applicants.

Choosing an MBA Essay Topic

In most cases, you will be assigned a topic or instructed to answer a specific question. However, there are some schools that allow you to choose a topic or select from a shortlist of provided topics.

If you are given the opportunity to choose your own MBA essay topic, you should make strategic choices that allow you to highlight your best qualities. This may include an essay that demonstrates your leadership ability, an essay that showcases your ability to overcome obstacles or an essay that clearly defines your career goals.

Chances are, you will be asked to submit multiple essays, usually two or three. You may also have the opportunity to submit an "optional essay ." Optional essays are usually guideline and topic free, which means you can write about anything you want. Find out when to use the optional essay .

Whatever topic you choose, be sure to come up with stories that support the topic or answer a specific question. Your MBA essay should be focused and feature you as the central player.

Common MBA Essay Topics

Remember, most business schools will provide you with a topic to write on. Although topics can vary from school to school, there are a few common topics/questions that can be found on many business school applications. They include:

Answer the Question

One of the biggest mistakes that MBA applicants make is not answering the question they are asked. If you are asked about your professional goals, then professional goals should be the focus of the essay. If you are asked about your failures, you should discuss mistakes you have made and lessons you have learned, not accomplishments or success.

Stick to the topic and avoid beating around the bush. Your essay should be direct and pointed from start to finish. It should also focus on you. Remember, an MBA essay is meant to introduce you to the admissions committee. You should be the main character of the story. It is okay to describe admiring someone else, learning from someone else, or helping someone else, but these mentions should support the story of you, not cover it up.

Basic Essay Tips

As with any essay assignment, you'll want to carefully follow any instructions you are given. Again, answer the question assigned to you, keep it focused and concise. It is also important to pay attention to word counts. If you are asked for a 500-word essay, you should aim for 500 words, rather than 400 or 600. Make every word count.

Your essay should also be readable and grammatically correct. The entire paper should be free of errors. Do not use special paper or a crazy font. Keep it simple and professional. Above all, give yourself enough time to write your MBA essays. You don’t want to have to slop through them and turn in something that's less than your best work simply because you had to meet a deadline.

More Essay Writing Tips

Remember that the #1 rule when writing an MBA essay is to answer the question/stay on topic. When you have finished your essay, ask at least two people to proofread it and guess the topic or question you were trying to answer. If they do not guess correctly, you should revisit the essay and adjust the focus until your proofreaders can easily tell what the essay is supposed to be about.

Tips for the 8 University of California Personal Insight Questions

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MBA Admissions Process & Application Guide

Are you considering applying to one of Johnson’s full-time residential MBA program? Below you’ll find action items related to the admissions process and learn what to expect before, during, and after you apply.

Note that the information below applies to the Two-Year MBA program in Ithaca. Candidates applying for the One-Year Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program should refer to the Cornell Tech website for application and admissions process information. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Important notice: Cornell Johnson is offering candidates of the Full-Time MBA 2022-2023 application cycle the ability to request a GMAT/GRE test waiver, without negative bias. Full details can be found under MBA Application Requirements . In response to the recent events, Cornell Johnson is also offering qualified candidates who have been laid off by a U.S. tech company an application fee waiver and an application GRE/GMAT test waiver for the January 2023 deadline. Start your application today and reach out to the admissions team to obtain the waivers.

Before you apply

Applicants are permitted to apply to only one of Johnson’s full-time MBA programs . Make sure to research each program and choose carefully. We encourage you to engage with us in one or more of the ways listed below before you begin MBA the application process. This will help you determine if Johnson’s MBA programs are a good fit for you. It’s also important to be sure you are financially prepared for your MBA journey .

Note that Johnson does not offer candidates pre-assessments. All aspects of your application must be reviewed in full to determine whether or not you are qualified for admission.

Attend an MBA admissions event

Johnson’s Ask Admissions online chat series is a great way to ask questions about all three of our residential programs. Our team is also on the road to meet with prospective candidates! Take a look at upcoming MBA fairs and multi-school events, both domestic events and international events , in a city near you.

Johnson admissions and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion also host alumni dinners and brunches throughout the United States and take part in affinity partner events for candidates with diverse backgrounds.

Visit the Cornell University campus in Ithaca

The Two-Year MBA program in Ithaca hosts several different types of on-campus events . You can connect with students, sit in on a class, attend an in-person information session, and meet with the admissions team.

Prospective students interested in the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program should check Cornell Tech’s website for up-to-date campus opportunities . Due to the high volume of requests, Cornell Tech Admissions cannot provide consultations for applicants or schedule class visits.

Premier on-campus events in Ithaca

Johnson hosts weekend-long events for diverse candidates, women, and military veterans interested in the Two-Year MBA program based in Ithaca. During these premier admissions events and symposiums, prospective MBAs can connect with admissions officers, meet with students, and listen to a series of panels and speakers discuss topics relevant to their MBA journeys.

Connect with Two-Year MBA students

Use Johnson’s Community Search Tool to communicate with current students, or you can connect with MBA student ambassadors in our Ithaca program. You can choose to speak with someone in your program of interest, in a particular immersion, or from a certain state, country, or branch of the military.

Consider your MBA scholarship & financial aid options

Financial planning is an important part of the MBA admissions process. Visit Johnson’s financial planning page to learn more about MBA loan programs and scholarships and grants . You can also find answers to common financial aid questions . Consider all of your options, plan carefully, and connect with us if you have questions.

Preparing your full-time MBA application

When deciding to apply for a Two-Year MBA in Ithaca, be aware of application deadlines and other important dates for each of Johnson’s full-time residential programs. Applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the indicated MBA application round deadline.

MBA Application Checklist

Refer to this list to be sure your application to the Two-Year MBA program includes the following:

*You may submit unofficial copies of your transcripts and test scores for your application; however, if you are admitted and enroll, you will be required to submit official copies of these documents by the required deadline. Offers of admission are not binding until we verify your official academic records and test scores.

Learn more about the MBA application components above in greater detail on our Application Requirements page .

Applying for a dual-degree MBA program

Applications for dual-degree programs at Cornell must be filed separately with Johnson and the co-sponsoring school. Often, the co-sponsoring school has different application deadlines and procedures than Johnson does. Applicants to dual-degree programs should make sure to follow the individual school’s instructions carefully. More information can be found on our dual degree Applications and Requirements page.

Applying as a reapplicant

Reapplicants to the Two-Year MBA program are required to complete the second essay. Use this essay to explain how you have improved your candidacy. You are also required to submit a new letter of recommendation (though, it can be from the same person), and new test scores if your previous scores have expired.

MBA application form guidelines

Is there a format to follow when uploading documents into my application.

When uploading Word documents or PDFs into your application, check that the “Title” of the document matches your name listed on your application.

Word document example:

PDF example:

Why is my Rich Text Area field stating I am over the allotted limit?

When cutting/copying and pasting text from any product that uses an HTML editor (including Salesforce and Microsoft Word), the hidden HTML is included in the character count. To minimize character count, we recommend that you copy and paste your text to a neutral editor like Notepad before entering it into your online application.

When completing my declaration of finance form, what constitutes an “asset?”

You must include documentation for assets equal to educational and living expenses for one year of the MBA program when completing your declaration of finance form. Acceptable assets include:

Do not include loans, property deeds, property assessments, gold, or jewelry.

After submitting your MBA application

We know waiting for the next step in the admissions process or an admissions decision can be challenging. We’ve outlined important MBA program application dates and deadlines here , per application round. In general, here’s what you can expect after you hit submit.

1. Initial notification

You will receive one of three initial notifications following a preliminary review of your application materials:

2. MBA admissions interviews

Interviews will be conducted for candidates invited to continue in the admissions process.

3. Final notification

Following the admissions interview, you will receive one of three decision outcomes:

MBA application notification procedures

Updates to the status of your application are officially communicated via our online application portal. Throughout the admissions cycle, you will receive emails indicating that there has been a change to your application status and that you should login to the online portal for updated information. However, the Admissions Committee loves to communicate offers of admission by phone so we can share the good news directly—make sure you answer your phone!

Applications are reviewed and decisions are rendered regularly throughout the application cycle. We release decisions on a rolling basis and will post decision outcomes by the initial and final notification dates for each round of admission. Please review our application deadlines for specific dates. We do not offer early decision notifications.

Interview requirements

Your admissions interview allows the Admissions Committee to get to know you, and you’ll have the opportunity to assess whether our program and community are a good fit. Interviews are available by invitation only. Invitations will be sent via email following a preliminary review of your application materials. Candidates must complete an admissions interview in order to be offered admission to either the Two-Year MBA program in Ithaca.

MBA admissions interview process

Interview format.

Interviews may be conducted in person in Ithaca, New York, or via Zoom. On occasion, we may also conduct in-person interviews in your local city. While we encourage you to visit us in Ithaca, we understand that making a trip is not always possible, especially for international applicants. Please know that the Admissions Committee does not have a preference in terms of interview format and that interviewing via Zoom will not have a negative impact on your presentation as a candidate.

Interview scheduling and completion

We encourage you to schedule your admissions interview within seven days of receiving your interview invitation. Interviews must be scheduled and completed by the interview completion deadline that corresponds to the round in which you have applied. Please note: Admissions interviews are scheduled by invitation only. If invited to interview, you will be notified via email following a preliminary review of your application materials.

Interviewers

Admissions interviews are conducted by admissions and MBA programs professional staff and/or trained second-year MBA students known as members of our Johnson Admissions Group (JAG). All interviews are evaluated equally, regardless of the interviewer.

While we do not offer alumni-conducted interviews, we do offer a limited number of in-person interviews to be conducted off campus. If you are to be invited to complete an off-campus interview, we will notify you by email of our plans to travel to your city.

Group MBA interview days

Admissions interviews may be conducted at various admissions events throughout the admissions cycle, such as our Johnson Leadership Exploration and Assessment Day (LEAD) and Consortium Super Day. Interviews to be completed during these events are scheduled by invitation only.

Final notification of Johnson's MBA admissions decision

Following your interview, final decisions, including invitations to join the waitlist, will be released on a rolling basis and posted no later than the date noted for the round in which you submitted your application. Your decision will be posted to your Johnson Application portal and you will receive an email message indicating that your decision is available.

Notification of financial awards for accepted MBAs

Scholarships are awarded based on merit, regardless of citizenship, and recipients are selected once an offer of admission is made. If you are awarded a scholarship, this information will be included in your official offer letter at the time of your admission decision. All admitted students are considered for merit-based funding/scholarships—no additional application is needed.

In addition to Johnson’s merit-based scholarships , we partner with other organizations to offer Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellowships and Forté Fellowships , Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Fellowships , and TOIGO Fellowships . Two-Year MBA candidates are also eligible for Park Leadership Fellowships (an additional essay required at the time of your application).

Two-Year MBA students who enroll without scholarship funding during their first year should not expect to receive scholarship support in their second year.

Deferred admissions requests

Deferral requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and typically granted for reasons of health and/or medical emergency, military service, or enrollment in a Cornell dual degree program with a defined (delayed MBA program start) degree sequence. Deferral requests are typically not granted for financial reasons (i.e., needing more time to secure funding), educational reasons (i.e., studying elsewhere), or work obligations and/or changes to employment status.

Feedback for MBA candidates not offered admission

Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not admitted.

Information for waitlisted candidates

If you have been invited to join our waitlist with or without an interview, it means that you show potential as an applicant but may have one or more areas in which you can strengthen your candidacy. While a visit to campus can be very helpful in understanding the culture and community here at Johnson, it does not have a direct impact on your candidacy. If you voluntarily choose to visit us on campus, we encourage you to make the most of your experience by reaching out to current students and clubs that you are interested in or attending a class or Coffee and Convos session with our current students.

Interviews for waitlisted MBA candidates

We reserve our admissions interviews for candidates invited to complete this step in the admissions process. Candidates may be invited to join Johnson’s waitlist without an interview or after their interview takes place. Due to the volume of requests that we receive throughout the admissions cycle, we are not able to provide individual feedback sessions for waitlisted candidates.

Initial action items for waitlisted MBA candidates

We encourage you to engage in self-assessment and review your application to determine where there may be possible areas for improvement. When reviewing your application, you may consider our Two-Year MBA class profile to gain a better understanding of the general profile of students who were successfully admitted to the program.

If you were waitlisted following your admissions interview, you may also want to reflect on your interview experience and determine whether you sufficiently addressed any potential areas for concern with the interviewer.

Candidates can attend one of our Waitlist Webinars hosted throughout the admissions cycle, which will provide feedback and tips. We also ask that you review your application, identify potential areas for improvement, and create an action plan. Once you have done this, please send your action plan to [email protected] . Your action plan will be reviewed, and we will be in touch should we identify any additional areas for you to consider or address.

Improving GMAT/GRE test scores

If you have identified that your GMAT/GRE score is a potential outlier within your application, then we encourage you to consider a retake of the exam, especially if you have only taken the exam once. While not required, having two or more scores gives us a more informed understanding of your performance relative to this admissions requirement. Please also note—while your average score may be at or above the posted class average, the average score of this year’s applicant pool may be higher, and therefore, your application may not be as competitive.

If you have taken a standardized test multiple times and have received consistent scores that you believe do not reflect your capabilities, consider taking an alternate test (GMAT or GRE). Both exams are accepted for admission to our full-time MBA programs, and while one exam format is not easier than the other is, some candidates indicate that the change in format results in better test performance.

For waitlisted candidates with low undergraduate GPAs

Consider taking courses to demonstrate your academic aptitude and capabilities in the classroom. MBA Math online , or an accounting or finance course can help the admissions committee better understand your capabilities as well as introducing or re-introducing you to business math skills and concepts.

Additional recommendation letters

You are welcome to submit an additional letter of recommendation if you believe the recommender can add new information to your application. Please send no more than two additional letters. Additional letters of recommendation should be emailed to the attention of our MBA admissions team at [email protected] . There is no specific format for additional letters of recommendation, though please make sure that your recommender can highlight the accomplishments and/or details that you would like to have conveyed on your behalf.

Changes to your work experience

If your work experience has changed following your application to the program, please send us a copy of your updated resume and call attention to the areas that have changed.

Final admissions decisions for waitlisted MBA candidates

Waitlisted candidates are reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the admissions cycle. While it is possible to receive a final admissions decision during the admissions cycle, it is also possible to remain on the waitlist through, and following, our final deposit deadline in June and until our entering class is finalized.

We understand and appreciate that you may have alternate offers to consider, and likewise, appreciate you for being in touch to let us know of your considerations and decision timelines. As our review of waitlisted candidates is driven by our own entering class composition and priorities, please understand that sharing an update about your decision timeline is unlikely to result in an immediate decision or change of status.

If you choose to withdraw yourself from the waitlist you may do so at any time, though we do ask that you notify us of your decision to do so.

Enrollment steps for admitted MBA candidates

If you are offered admission to one of Johnson’s full-time residential programs, you must meet deposit and documentation deadlines (corresponding to the round in which you applied) to reserve your place in the entering class.

Enrollment deposits and official documentation

Candidates who accept an offer of admission must submit an enrollment agreement, as well as a non-refundable initial enrollment deposit, by 12:00 PM ET on the date that corresponds with the round in which you submitted your application. Enrollment deposits are non-refundable. If you feel that a refund is due, or you made a payment in error, please contact the Admissions Office to discuss the correction.

If you applied with unofficial documentation, please refer to our application requirements for official transcript and standardized test submission procedures. You must submit official copies of your materials with your enrollment agreement and deposit. As a policy, we do not offer deposit extensions.

Two-Year MBA program

The initial enrollment deposit for Two-Year MBAs is $1,500. A second and final deposit of $1,500 should be made by June 15 before matriculation.

The initial enrollment deposit for Park Fellowship Recipients (including Consortium candidates selected for Park Fellowships) is $3,000. A second and final deposit of $1,500 should be made by June 15 before matriculation.

Re Vera background check

As a final step in the enrollment process, all matriculating students are asked to complete a background check to confirm that the information provided in their application is accurate and reflective of their own experience and accomplishments. To assist us with this process, we have chosen Re Vera Services , a company specializing in academic verifications, to be the third-party provider of these services for our MBA program. As ethics are a critical component of our programs and in the business world, the completion of the background check helps to ensure that Johnson’s learning environment and community maintains its integrity.

Please note that your admission may be rescinded should you elect not to initiate and complete this required review or if the background check should produce an ethical violation.

How to complete your Re Vera background check

On average, the Re Vera review process will take approximately two weeks, but can take up to 30 days, from the point you receive confirmation of payment and release, which must be submitted by your Deposit, Official Documentation, & Re Vera Initiation Deadline . We encourage you to initiate this process as soon as possible so that you do not run into any delays that could negatively affect your program start.

Congratulations! Action items for new students

All programs begin with a pre-term orientation. The Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program begins in May. The Two-Year MBA program begins in August.

Register for admitted student events

Admitted and incoming Two-Year MBA students should register to attend Destination Johnson . This event will welcome you to the Johnson community and give you the opportunity to interact with current students and faculty and learn more about how you’ll fit into our full-time programs.

Review the New Student Website and Guide

All students enrolled in Johnson’s full-time MBA programs should review the information on our New Student Website . You should also look for and read the New Student Guide, which will be sent to you in the weeks leading into the start of each program.

Congratulations, and welcome to our community!

View Overview

LBS MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Google Meet

The interview was very casual and conversational.

CBS MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumna / Zoom

My interviewer was very conversational and friendly.

HBS MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Off-Campus Hub

Much warmer and conversational than I expected!Interviewer started off by telling me she thought my essay was amazing, which instantly put me at ease.

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Home » MBA Admissions: Essay Topic Analyses 2022-2023 » Cornell MBA Essay Questions & Analysis

Cornell MBA Essay Questions & Analysis

Cornell MBA Essay Questions & Analysis 2022-2023

Let’s take a closer look at each prompt:

Short Answer

Use this short answer question to succinctly share your short and long term goals. If invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate further and should be prepared to connect your prior experience with your future aspirations.

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:

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals? Applicants would be wise to simply fill in the blanks for the first section of the prompt. Past examples for the short answers have included:

Like last year, candidates are expected to elaborate a bit on how their past has informed their planned future. This invites applicants to share their career history and how factors, such as industry exposure, client projects and more have influenced their decisions. This is an opportunity to establish one’s skills and set up the need for an MBA. You do not necessarily need to touch on each role you’ve held since graduation, but rather the most influential ones in preparing you for your future. If you are a career changer, you may touch on transferrable skills or delve deeper into what really sparked your interest in and passion for your new direction. The key for the short answer is to make clear and concise connections to your vision and motivation.

Essay 1: Impact Essay

At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum) Given the adcom’s encouragement to engage the school community, applicants are likely expected to incorporate how they’ve had contact with Johnson alumni, faculty, staff or current students, and, in turn, how this informs their potential to positively impact the Johnson community. Based on these interactions, applicants may want to begin by thinking about an element or two of the Johnson community with which they find the greatest resonance, and should also consider which are already evident in their activities and accomplishments to date. In fact, one to two examples (100-150 words total) that illustrate their skills and potential to make a positive impact should be woven in to selected means of contributing. Consider this in light of the idea that past behavior supports future success.

Of course, the majority of this response should center on the applicant’s planned activities and impact as a Johnson MBA student. It would be wise to discuss their behavior outside of the classroom and identifying specific student organizations in which they might take a leadership role. Candidates should note that speaking convincingly about their ability to make a positive difference will likely require some informed sense of the areas of opportunity and need on campus. Conversations with students and alumni will be very important in producing the most effective essay possible.

The sense of community through Johnson does not end on graduation day, and the adcom may wish to understand the long-term impact a candidate envisions. With room permitting, it would be nice to end on a note of your post-MBA plans to have an impact on the community.

Optional Essay (Required for Reapplicants)

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). For first-time applicants, this optional essay should be reserved for addressing potential liabilities in one’s application. Such discussions should be direct and to the point, providing an explanation and pointing to mitigating factors without being defensive or making excuses.

Meanwhile, reapplicants should comment on how they have spent the past year, taking particular care to highlight improved quantitative records, new professional skills and responsibilities, progress toward their ultimate career goals, and/or increased community involvement.

Clear Admit Resources

Thanks for reading our analysis of this year’s Johnson MBA essay topics! As you work on your Cornell MBA essays and application, we encourage you to consider all of Clear Admit’s Cornell / Johnson offerings:

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Tuesday Tips: Cornell MBA Application Tips for 2022-2023

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 NYC.

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. Finally, make sure 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 before starting your application. You can explain anything necessary in the optional essay.

Cornell MBA Application Essays and Tips

Goals statement.

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: How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

This short answer question is a quick way to cover 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 both the short- and long-term, you can briefly answer how your past experiences have led you to your goals. Then, think about the pivotal moments in your career and how they have prepared you for the next step or have helped you to realize your passions.

Finally, pick a very brief example to cover here. In addition, you can use your resume and recommendations to showcase any other skills you need to accomplish your goals. You can explain more about your accomplishments and leadership in the Impact Essay.

Impact Essay

At cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite mba community (350 words maximum).

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.” When you consider your MBA experience, how do you plan to be an active part of the community?

The first step to answering this question is, once again, 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. Showing that you know 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.

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 admissions policy for additional information about re-applying (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 in the recent past 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 to describe, you can use this space to explain how you have improved your career goals or fit with Cornell.

To talk to Stacy Blackman Consulting about your Cornell MBA essays, don’t hesitate to contact us! Learn more about applying at the Cornell Johnson website.

If you have an interview coming up, you will want to review SBC’s interview prep services . The key to interview success is practice and we provide you with all the tools you need to do just that.

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How to Get into Johnson Graduate School of Management: Cornell Johnson Essay and Examples

June 30, 2022

Jeremy Shinewald

With its straightforward goals statement and single required essay, the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University seems interested in getting right to the heart of the issues it considers most valuable in evaluating its applicants. The admissions committee wants to first know your professional aspirations and motivations for pursuing an MBA degree and then how you see yourself being a contributing member of the Johnson community. An optional essay is available, if needed, to address the usual topics of problematic candidacy issues or any outstanding qualifications that are not represented elsewhere in one’s application. Read on for our full analysis of Cornell Johnson’s application essay questions for 2022–2023.

Cornell Johnson 2022–2023 Essay Tips

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:, in 5–10 years post-mba, my goal is to work as a(n) [role] at [company] within [industry]., how has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals.

With this incredibly direct approach to gathering information about candidates’ professional goals, Cornell Johnson is clearly conveying a desire for information only. The school states in the preamble to this prompt, “If you’re invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate further,” signaling to us that the admissions committee really wants just the facts here. So, respect both the format and the school and be as direct and clear as possible, saving any embellishment or additional explanation for another time.

That said, the inclusion of the mini essay prompt indicates that the admissions committee wants to have some context for your stated aspirations, so do your best within the 350-word allowance to be thorough and clearly connect the dots between where you have been and where you are striving to go. An effective response will provide evidence that you (1) have done your research as to what is required to attain your goals, (2) recognize where you are on that trajectory (what skills and experience you already possess that are key to success in your desired roles and field), and, to some degree, (3) understand why/how attaining an MBA from Cornell Johnson will move you further in the right direction.

Although this prompt is not a request for a full-length personal essay, we offer a number of tips and examples in our free mbaMission Personal Statement Guide that could be helpful in crafting your responses. We encourage you to download your complimentary copy today.

Essay 1 – Impact Essay: This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students , alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance.

Note that with this essay prompt, the school is not asking you to discuss a time in the past when you have made an impact but rather about your expected impact going forward , and specifically as part of the Cornell Johnson community. We always encourage candidates to connect with students, alumni, and others in an MBA program’s greater community when preparing their application, but in this case, Cornell is essentially demanding that you do so with its rather forthright “encouragement” and direct link to the resources it offers to facilitate such connections. If you have not already been making these kinds of connections, now (immediately) is the time to get busy. The admissions committee undoubtedly expects your efforts to yield useful insights, so saying that you have merely contacted a few people will not suffice. You need to show that the insider information you subsequently received has further solidified your choice to pursue an MBA at Cornell Johnson by discussing the ways and areas in which you now feel you can contribute to it.

The school’s specification that you reflect on your past as you determine your best way of adding to the Johnson community means that you need to provide some context for your proposed idea(s) that proves that you are equipped to follow through on your plans. If nothing in the rest of your application indicates that you have experience doing what you say you will do at Johnson, or that you possess the necessary capabilities or qualities, the admissions committee will have difficulty believing that you are being authentic—and might even suspect that you are offering a response you think “sounds good” rather than one rooted in reality and actual possibility. So, we recommend first familiarizing yourself with the Johnson MBA experience well beyond what the school offers in its promotional materials (e.g., read press releases, news stories, and student blogs; check out the Cornell Johnson YouTube channel) and identify elements that resonate with you. Then use that information and inspiration to prepare for thoughtful, productive conversations with multiple members of the Johnson community. And finally, use this essay to reveal what you have learned, the ideas you have developed as a result, and the reasons and ways you are prepared to put those ideas into action at Johnson.

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 since the last time you applied for admission. please also review our application guide for additional information about reapplying. (350 words maximum).

If you are a Cornell Johnson reapplicant, this essay should be pretty straightforward. Whether you have improved your academic record, received a promotion, begun a new and exciting project, increased your community involvement, or taken on some sort of personal challenge, the key to success with this essay is conveying a very deliberate path of achievement. The school wants to know that you have been actively striving to improve yourself and your profile, and that you have seized opportunities during the previous year to do so, because a Cornell Johnson MBA is vital to you. The responses to this essay question will vary greatly from one candidate to the next, because each person’s needs and experiences differ. We are more than happy to provide one-on-one assistance with this highly personal essay to ensure that your efforts over the past year are presented in the best light possible.

If you are not a reapplicant, Johnson’s optional essay prompt gives you the typical opportunity— if needed —to address any lingering questions that an admissions officer might have about your candidacy, such as a poor grade or overall GPA, a low GMAT or GRE score, or a gap in your work experience. Yet it is sufficiently broad to also allow you to emphasize or explain something that if omitted would render your application incomplete. We caution you against simply trying to fill this space because you fear that not doing so would somehow count against you. And of course, however tempted you might be, this is not the place to reuse a strong essay you wrote for another school or to offer a few anecdotes you were unable to include elsewhere in your application. Keep in mind that by submitting an optional essay, you are requiring the already overtaxed admissions readers to do additional work, so avoid being overly verbose or sharing more information than is truly necessary. You must ensure that the admissions committee’s extra time and effort are truly warranted, so write just a very brief piece to explain your troublesome issue or offer the essential (and otherwise uncommunicated) aspect of your profile. If you feel you might have a reason to submit this additional essay, we encourage you to download our free mbaMission Optional Essays Guide , in which we offer detailed advice on when and how to take advantage of the optional essay, along with multiple illustrative examples.

Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay Prompt: Describe a past formal or informal leadership experience and how it informs your goals for growth as a leader. How would the Park Leadership Fellowship assist with these goals? (500-word limit)

This is a fairly straightforward essay prompt, and we recommend responding in an equally straightforward manner. Launch directly into the story of your leadership experience, and detail the specific actions you took in directing others in pursuit of a desired result. We recommend using a narrative approach to present your story, but be sure to also share the thought process and motivation(s) behind your actions. This way, the admissions committee will take away a clearer picture of the aspects of your character that inspired you and guided your actions and decisions. Note that Johnson recognizes that the leadership experience you share could have been a less formal one. Leadership does not need to have an official title attached to it, and it can be expressed in a community service or even family life setting just as much as in a workplace, so explore all the different areas of your life for possible stories.

A particularly important element of this essay is showing that you recognize where your leadership skills can improve and why doing so is important for your long-term success. Although you are expected to discuss areas for development, take care not to deride your strengths. Rather than solely discussing the ways in which you are lacking as a leader, focus on the ways you could become a more complete and capable one. Equally important is tying your educational and experiential needs to the Park Leadership Fellows Program specifically, so of course, your first step (if you have not already done so) is to familiarize yourself thoroughly with what this program entails and provides. Then, in your response, you will need to draw clear connections between the areas you hope to strengthen and the offerings in this program that will enable you to do so.

For a thorough exploration of Johnson’s academic offerings, defining characteristics, crucial statistics, social life, community/environment, and other key facets of the program, please download your free copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management .

The Next Step: Mastering Your Cornell Johnson Interview

Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. We therefore offer our free Interview Guides to spur you along! Download your free copy of the Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management Interview Guide today.

To learn more about the essays for other top business schools, visit our MBA Essay Tips and Examples Resources Page .

2022-2023 Business School Cornell University (Johnson) Essays MBA Essay Tips

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Cornell Johnson MBA Sample Essays

Cornell MBA Application Essays for 2019-20

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): How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?*

At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (350 words maximum)

Cornell MBA Winning Sample Essays – 1

Cornell Goals Essay 1: 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)

Targeted Job Role* – Associate, Investment Banking

Targeted Company* – JP Morgan

Industry – Financial Services

In 5-10 years post-MBA my goal is to work as a

Targeted Job Role* – Vice President, Investment Banking

Industry – Financial Services

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?* (350 Words)

Completing puzzles has always been my favourite pastime. I consider puzzles to be building blocks of a well-rounded individual. Over the years, puzzles have contributed robustly to building my cognitive, and emotional skills. These early problem solving exercises via puzzle especially mathematical numericals based puzzles spurred my interest in pursuing a career in the Financial Services Industry.

I acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Temple University, Philadelphia and a few years later, passed the CFA level I examination. After my bachelor’s I returned to my home country Nigeria and I have worked in the Finance department of an NGO, made a switch to one of the largest Commercial Banks in Africa and I am currently working with a boutique investment banking firm.

At the United Bank for Africa, I worked closely with various global International Institutions to raise and structure funds for the Bank . Through this experience, I learnt how financial institutions are key to nation building and how to manage these client relationships efficiently. After developing client relationship management skills and the basic understanding of how a financial services company works, I have now delved into a boutique Investment Banking company, offering Financial Advisory services. As a senior analyst at SEL Capital & Finance, I lead the team to identify investment opportunities across various sectors in Africa and provide project finance advisory services for our clients.

Working in commercial banks and boutique investment banking has enabled me to see the real impact of my work in the development of my nation. These experiences have motivated me to continue developing my skills in the investment banking world and that is why i aspire to pursue a career as an investment banker. After consulting my mentors and carefully thinking about existing skillset, I would love to further my career at a global financial services firm such as JP Morgan or goldmanSachs.

Given my previous experiences in the financial services industry and a reputable MBA from Cornell, I am confident that I will have a stern foundation required to succeed in my short term goals as an Investment Banker.

Cornell Essay 2 – 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 an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (350 words maximum)

Being born and brought up in Nigeria have made me witness the harsh realities of poverty and underdevelopment. Though Nigeria is blessed abundantly with human and natural resources, it is still faced with a fundamental lack of access to basic education and health services which are necessary for the development of the country.

I started my career with Dangote Foundation which represented a huge milestone in my life. The organization worked with internally displaced people in the Country, donated to several causes and sent volunteers to teach in deprived schools. Being a part of these groups in various events afforded me the opportunity to make a difference as I was able to improve the well-being of my immediate and wider community.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant a lot of less privileged families in the country were left much poorer and bereft of access to education. To lend a helping hand, I started my own NGO named Ife-Oma which means “Good Thing” in my native language. Ife-Oma aims to enhance education in Nigeria by providing funding and mentorship to the less privileged youth in need. We commenced our first cohort by enrolling five elementary children from a neighboring school on a full scholarship. Our aim is to support and see them through to their College education and enable them to achieve their career goals and aspirations.

My work at Dangote Foundation gave me the inspiration to start my own NGO and now in the long term I want to grow Ife-Oma into a leading NGO to provide education access to the poorest in Nigeria. At Cornell I aspire to learn how to scale NGOs and create a much larger impact. I also wish to motivate my fellow peers about exciting opportunities in Africa for career development or for giving back to the community. If I can inspire my peers to join me in my cause or the wider Cornell community to consider Africa for their future endeavours, it would be my own little contribution to play a part in nation building and to help propel the continent.

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Cornell MBA Winning Sample Essays – 2

Immediately post-MBA my goal is to work as a – Associate , McKinsey & Company , Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Products Division

In 5-10 years post-MBA my goal is to work as a – Director of Commercial Operations , Pfizer , Rare Disease

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?*

I have always had a passion for intellectually stimulating problem-solving assignments. During my childhood, I used to participate in various intra-school mathematics competitions, and soon after, in my adolescence, I took upon solving puzzles in magazines and newspapers. Fast-forward a few years to college, and I worked towards solving a real-world problem of uplifting the poor with no collaterals through an initiative called Vendors. Though Vendority was a failure, the firsthand experience of working on a real-world problem was exceptional.

My elder brother, Manager at Deloitte Consulting, often mentioned his intellectually stimulating and challenging nature of work as a consultant. Motivated by my brothers, I too joined a consulting firm (ZS Associates) post mine under graduation. After I joined ZS, I was fascinated with the Consultants’ approach towards solving a problem. At ZS, I consulted clients and develop analytic solutions to business problems that clients faced in managing their portfolios. Overtime with projects, I gained insights into commercial operations and improved my problem-solving skills.

During the 1.5 years at ZS, I developed and implemented a new technology stack, R-Shiny, to improve our analytic results and forego the limitation of using Excel/VBA. The R-shiny technology team now has more than 15 members and has built solutions in diverse practice areas such as Market Research, Forecasting, Promotion response, etc.

After successfully contributing to ZS and the businesses of clients, I have realized that consulting is what I want to continue at least in the short term horizon. Post-MBA, I plan on taking a strategic role. The guidance from my seniors further helped me to identify my capabilities and areas of strength. After analytics experience on the operations aspects, the time is ripe to elevate my role, invest in learning and focus on the strategic aspects of the problem/business with a new skill set. The MBA will bridge the knowledge gap, and provide me with a 360-degree view of businesses and help me develop perspectives on modern-day challenges that businesses face.

My father had a long and successful career in hospitality, and he used to contribute to the local restaurant community by providing pro-bono consulting services. My father passed away in 2014 and I decided to pick up a pro-bono consulting effort from where he left off.

The dine-in restaurant sector in India is seeing a massive downslide in customer footfall because of the burst of online food delivery startups like Uber Eats and Zomato. Utilizing my consulting experience from ZS Associates, I have been helping three restaurants since 2017 to better manage their operations and increase revenue & profits.

At one restaurant, at the back end, we analyzed data from cash registers to identify food/order patterns and optimize the amount of food preparation and inventory models. On the front end, we converted the space into a co-working space to better utilize the large sitting areas.

By employing this two-pronged approach, we managed to increase revenue by ~20% in two months. This has given me an opportunity to give back to the hospitality community, that my father served for 40 years, and at the same time make a meaningful contribution to a struggling family-owned business.

During my years at Cornell, I plan to prepare myself well for the challenges and opportunities in the Consulting industry by joining Big Red Consulting to gain first-hand experience of various consulting assignments and, at the same time, add value to clients, nonprofits, and the community. I also look forward to joining and seeking a leadership position in Johnson’s Consulting club to gain strategy development, competitive positioning, and leadership skills.

Post completion of my MBA at Cornell, I plan to continue my pro bono consulting services and expanding them from hospitality businesses to other family-run businesses such as gymnasiums. The goal is to apply acquired knowledge and gradually expand services from adding operational efficiency to providing strategic business insights/direction. I believe the education, values, and experience at Cornell will help me create a more significant community impact while helping me achieve my professional short-term and long-term objectives.

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Cornell MBA Essays: Tips for 2022-2023

Cornell MBA Essays 2022-2023 — MBA Essay Prompts Johnson College of Business

If you are looking for guidance on how to write successful MBA essays for Cornell Johnson, you are in the right place. The Johnson MBA application can be difficult and time-consuming, but with these tips and tricks, you can be more confident about one of the biggest parts of your application: the MBA essays. This article will cover how to compose Cornell MBA essays that will fit the criteria for admissions and hopefully earn you a place in Cornell University’s graduating class of 2025.

Cornell University Johnson School of Business is a prestigious MBA program with renowned faculty and a focus on academic success. Cornell wants to admit students who are intelligent, determined, and prepared to undertake a rigorous curriculum. In addition, Cornell prioritizes community and teamwork. Applicants should pay attention to the specific requirements and expectations set out by Cornell’s admissions committee when writing Cornell MBA essays. Through these Cornell Johnson MBA essays, applicants have a chance to demonstrate their skills, accomplishments, and personal interests.

At Menlo Coaching, we noticed that most MBA essays will fall into one of a number of categories: personal essays, career goals essays, behavioral essays, etc.. Read ahead for our expert guide on approaching these essays for Cornell University’s Johnson College of Business.

Career Goals Essay

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 and complete the following sentences and answering the short answer question below.

Behavioral Essay

At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum)

Optional Essay

If you are applying for the first time and wish to submit an optional essay, please enter it here.

You may use the optional essay to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson. (350 words maximum)

Park Fellowship Essay

To apply for the Park Fellowship, please complete this essay (500 word limit).

Describe a past formal or informal leadership experience and how it informs your goals for g

Reapplicant Essay

If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application. (350 words)

Johnson’s Career Goals Essay

The Cornell career goals essay provides applicants with a place to let the Cornell admissions committee know how the MBA program you want to attend will help you achieve your professional goals. This Cornell MBA essay is a great place to explain why Cornell is truly the best fit for you.

It is vital for Cornell applicants to have a solid plan for their post-MBA career aspirations. First and foremost, this is because Cornell wants its graduates to succeed. However, there are a few selfish motivations for the career goals essay, including the fact that Cornell wants to have an impressive employment report and produce graduates who will become donors someday. Further, the Cornell admissions committee wants to ensure that applicants have a career plan that plays on their past experiences and thus ensures success. They also want applicants with the foresight to develop an alternate career plan in case their first choice does not work out.

Other things to keep in mind for this essay is the necessity to have a career goal that is both ambitious and practical. Applicants should have meaningful goals that fit with what is offered at Cornell’s MBA program. Along this vein, networking is extremely important when preparing to write your career goals essay. The more you know about the program and how it can help you achieve your personal goals, the better.

Johnson’s Behavioral Essay

Behavioral essays involve demonstrating how you have used your leadership skills in real-life situations. The Behavioral Cornell MBA essay gives you a space to identify your morality as a leader and how you might benefit from Cornell’s leadership development programs. Cornell’s MBA admissions committee wants assurance that you are self-reflective and able to identify a moment in which you have been a leader.

In the Cornell behavioral essay, it is important to be truthful and sincere and to tell your personal story in a compelling manner. You should include as much detail as possible for this type of Cornell MBA essay, discussing your role in a situation that required a strong leader. You should reflect on what this situation taught you and how your leadership style might have changed after this experience. Cornell is looking for MBA candidates who can contemplate how they used leadership skills to solve a problem.

In this Cornell MBA essay, you might want to reflect on your role on teams in your previous work experience. Further, rather than solely focusing on your leadership successes, it would also be beneficial to identify some failures and explain how you have learned from these less positive experiences.

Johnson also offers each applicant the opportunity to apply for the Park Fellowship. You can read more about this program here .

Once you’ve completed your application, the optional Ross essay gives you an additional opportunity to provide the AdCom with any additional information or clarity that you feel would enhance your application.

One trap that MBA applicants fall into is using the additional space provided by this essay to write on a whole new topic. However, this is not always the best idea.

You should only make use of this essay if you what you write will provide context to an element of your application to improve your candidacy—you don’t want to jeopardize your chances by adding unnecessary noise to your application.

For reapplicants, Cornell Johnson requires a specific essay in which you can address how your application has improved since your last application.

In this essay, you can address any improvements to your test scores, promotions at work, additional volunteer or community work, or any significant professional development that you have undertaken since you last applied to the program.

Timing is key for reapplicants, and when you’re applying for an MBA program a second time around, you want to be sure that you are a more qualified and desirable client than you were a year ago—even if your application was stellar the first time.

Applicants to Cornell should pay close attention to the specific expectations for each type of Cornell MBA essay. Although it may be tempting to look up sample essays and draw from these formats, it is most important to let your personal background guide the construction of your Cornell Johnson MBA essays. Menlo Coaching can help you throughout your Cornell MBA essay writing process, offering one-on-one coaching and exclusive materials.

Tips for Your Cornell Johnson Application Essays

July 3, 2022

Lisa Cummings

Cornell Johnson School Application Essay Tips, 2022-2023

Cornell Johnson has a small, close-knit community and an amiable culture with an international focus and an emphasis on collaboration. The school looks for candidates who will have an impact on the program both as students and after graduation. Leadership, teamwork skills, the ability to analyze problems, and strong interpersonal capabilities are key traits the admissions committee likes to see.

In general, Johnson looks for MBA applicants with the following:

Applicants to Johnson’s one- and two-year programs must provide a goals statement and one essay.

Free : Download Stratus Admissions’ Guide to Getting into Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management

Goals statement:, 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., 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] ..

The first part of this prompt is straightforward. The admissions committee wants to understand what your short- and long-term goals are and to see that you can articulate a clear plan. Be specific. Keep your responses short and unambiguous.

Short answer question (350 words maximum): How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

Here you want to share with Johnson what is driving your interest in your goals. Give some context for your aspirations so the admissions committee can easily understand why you have decided on the goals you present. Provide examples of two or three pivotal experiences (professional and perhaps personal), then share specifics about how those experiences have shaped you and factored into your career choices. This is a backward-looking essay in which you need to describe past experiences, so it is not where you should discuss how Johnson will prepare you for your career. However, if you have adequate space, you could add a sentence that ties your goals to the Johnson MBA.

Impact Essay: This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students , alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance.

Unlike the short-answer prompt, this question is forward looking. Johnsons seeks candidates who can hit the ground running and make the most of their time on campus. While the prompt asks how you will engage with and affect the community, by choosing your examples wisely, you can tie your goals to your anticipated activities on campus. This essay is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your research on the program. The school actively encourages you to reach out to community members, and after you have done so, avoid just offering a long list of the students and alumni you contacted. If you name a particular student or alum in your essay, be sure to say how they influenced your decision to apply to Johnson and/or what you learned about the program from them. Look for insider tidbits that you could not find on the school’s website or in blogs. Think about how you will engage with your peers both inside and outside the classroom, as a student and later as an alum.

Give a very brief overview of how you have had an impact on an organization in the past, with a professional or a community group. As noted, this is a forward-looking essay, but you want to touch on your past experiences to frame them as a springboard for how you plan to grow your impact at Cornell Johnson.

Describe ways you intend to engage with the Cornell community, through classes, teams, clubs, and activities. Look for places where you can add value. For example, if you have connections or expertise in a certain professional community, you might offer to host a speaker series to share your knowledge. Are you involved in a STEM education program for local high school students? Perhaps you could join or even start a STEM outreach program in Ithaca. Johnson knows you will learn from your peers; the schools wants to see that you are willing to add value back into your cohort.

Close with a reiteration of your desire to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community.

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).

For first-time applicants, this essay is entirely optional. Use this space only if there is something unusual in your candidacy that you want to explain. For example, you might have a low GPA because of an illness or work or family obligations while you were in college. Be factual and brief; do not feel the need to use the entire word count.

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).

Reapplicants must submit an essay for this prompt. Provide very specific examples of how you are a different candidate this year from the one you were when you applied previously. Perhaps you have received a promotion or been staffed on a critical project. Maybe you have taken on a leadership role (formal or informal) at work or in your extracurricular activities. If you have retaken the GMAT/GRE, did your score improve significantly? If your GPA might have been an issue, did you take a quant class such as calculus or statistics to demonstrate your capabilities in the classroom? This is your opportunity to show Johnson how you have grown over the past year(s) and demonstrate that you are currently a strong candidate.

Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay (optional, Two-Year MBA only): The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is a two-year, full-tuition fellowship award for Two-Year MBA candidates in Ithaca who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and who are committed to making an impact within their communities. Each year, fellowships are awarded to up to 25 incoming students with the expectation that they will participate in additional leadership and personal development activities outside of our regular curriculum, serve in leadership roles within the school, and complete a public service project by the time they graduate. The Park Fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens applying for the Two-Year MBA program.

Describe a past formal or informal leadership experience and how it informs your goals for growth as a leader. how would the park leadership fellowship assist with these goals (500-word limit).

Park Leadership Fellows have a strong track record of leadership and community service, so be sure to reflect in your essay on how these characteristics apply to you. Show how your past leadership experience has set the stage for your future growth as a leader and how Johnson, and the Park Leadership Fellowship specifically, will be key to continuing that growth. The school encourages candidates to reach out to current Park Fellows, and we agree that this is an important part of writing an effective essay here. It is a great way to learn more about the cohort and about the projects these students are engaged in.

Give a brief assessment of a significant leadership experience you have had. Where possible, incorporate key Johnson values, and focus on your commitment to community service and/or socially responsible business. Explain how the experience has influenced your goals. Then, describe how you need to grow as a leader. What skills do you believe you need to attain? This is a chance to show self-awareness through introspection.

Use your conversations with current Park Fellows to identify specific projects or teams you might get involved in. How would those activities nurture and strengthen your leadership capabilities? If you have space, highlight classes, clubs, and/or treks that would also help you build your leadership skills. Look beyond core classes and obvious clubs; perhaps think about how you could leverage opportunities throughout the greater Cornell community. Be specific about how each activity you mention would help in your development as a leader.

Close with a reiteration of how being a Park Fellow at the Johnson School would be the best way for you to attain your career goals.

In Stratus Admissions’ Guide to Getting into Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management , you will find information on a variety of the MBA program’s offerings such as the Sage Socials, Immersions, and Johnson Diwali Night. Download your free copy today.

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July 6, 2022

Cornell Johnson College of Business MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

If you are looking for a small MBA class in an idyllic location with warm and genuine classmates, then Cornell Johnson may be your program. While Johnson places the largest portion of its class in the financial industry after graduation (36% of the class of 2021 ), 27% entered the consulting industry, 17% joined the technology industry, and 6% went into consumer products, which is a diversity of industries that reflects the strong quant, analytical, and marketing curricula of the school.

Cornell’s class of approximately 300 students is known to be close knit and collaborative. Most first-year students choose to spend their second semester in an Immersion Experience, a unique combination of course and field work that positions them to thrive in their summer internships.

Below are Johnson’s essay questions and the admissions office’s guidance, followed by my tips.

Cornell Johnson MBA goals statement

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 Prompt: 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: How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

If your goal immediately after graduating from Johnson is not deemed possible by the Admissions office, then you might as well not bother finishing the application. No applicant will be accepted if their short-term goal is unachievable. Admitting a student with unrealistic, if not unachievable, goals at the very least will ruin Johnson’s placement rating, but at worst it could potentially leave a graduate in a great deal of debt and little or no means to repay it.

Speak to current students and recent graduates to hear about the recruiting process, positions available, and the qualifications, if any, that students must have to enter your field of interest. Then, use this essay space to share one or two examples from your prior experience that demonstrate that you have those skills. Discuss how these skills and experiences will help you perform particularly well in your desired future role.

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Cornell Johnson impact essay

This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students , alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance. Impact Essay Prompt: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum)

The best answers to this essay question don’t solely focus on the impact you hope to make at Cornell Johnson and beyond but rather share how your background and previous impacts have prepared you to make this future impact . To prove you will be an engaged community member in Ithaca and your future career, you will need to show in what other environments you have been such a member in the past. Use this essay to demonstrate your knowledge of the Cornell community and how you plan to immerse in it.

Cornell Johnson MBA 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) .

If you are a reapplicant, use this space to demonstrate that you have made considerable efforts to improve your candidacy: you have improved your GMAT score, taken on more leadership roles , reached out to more Cornell staff and students to understand the program and how you will fit into it, and/or researched your career goals in greater depth.

If you are a first-time applicant, then you should use this space to address any issue that you feel the application left unaddressed. For example, if you feel your grades require some explanation, if you have an employment gap, or if you have chosen a non-traditional recommender for any reason, this is the space to explain.

Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay (optional, Two-Year MBA only)

The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is a two-year, full-tuition fellowship award for Two-Year MBA candidates in Ithaca who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and who are committed to making an impact within their communities. Each year, fellowships are awarded to up to 25 incoming students with the expectation that they will participate in additional leadership and personal development activities outside of our regular curriculum, serve in leadership roles within the school, and complete a public service project by the time they graduate. The Park Fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens applying for the Two-Year MBA program. To receive consideration for the fellowship, you must submit your online application during the October or January Application Rounds or by the Consortium Early Application or Consortium Traditional Application Deadlines, complete the enclosed essay regarding leadership, and be invited to attend a Johnson Leadership Exploration and Assessment Day (L.E.A.D.) event. To apply for the Park Fellowship, please complete this essay (500-word limit). Describe a past formal or informal leadership experience and how it informs your goals for growth as a leader. How would the Park Leadership Fellowship assist with these goals?

The Park Leadership Fellowship aims to bring a strong contingent of socially responsible leaders to Johnson. With up to 25 Park Fellowships to provide each year, that means that nearly 9% of the class will earn this award (and since 65% of the class are U.S. citizens, that means that up to approximately one-fourth of them may earn this full sponsorship of their two-year MBA!).

The best essays will not only share a story of leadership but one in which gaining that leadership role was somewhat difficult, for example leading volunteers or people outside of your organization. Of course, your story also needs to demonstrate a clear impact on your community as well, ideally a lasting one.

Johnson at Cornell at a glance

Cornell MBA average GMAT score: 704

Cornell MBA average GPA: 3.34

Cornell MBA acceptance rate: 29.5%

U.S. News ranked Cornell Johnson #15 in the 2023 rankings.

Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats.

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Cornell Johnson application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Johnson at Cornell MBA application deadlines 2022-2023

One-Year MBA:

Two-Year MBA:

Source: Cornell Johnson website

Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar !

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***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

Top MBA Program Essay Questions: How to Answer them right!

By Jennifer Bloom, admissions consultant at Accepted for 20 years and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). She is an expert at guiding you to produce application materials that truly differentiate you from the rest of the driven applicant pool. If you would like help with your application, Jennifer can suggest a number of options that work with any budget. Want Jennifer to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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2022-2023 Cornell Johnson Essay Analysis + Downloadable Sample Essays

Jul 6, 2022

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on September 4, 2019. It has been updated with new information and tips below.

With its focus on immersion learning and campuses in both Ithaca and New York City, Cornell is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek to pursue high-impact business careers.

However, with its unique 1-year MBA option and interface with leading tech companies, landing a spot at Cornell Johnson is more difficult than ever.

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Cornell admissions essays to stand out . We’ve rounded up only our best tips to ensure you give your Cornell application your best shot.

1. Who is Cornell Johnson looking for?

(Photo courtesy of @cornellmba on Instagram)

“Innovation is fundamental to Johnson and to Cornell. Our emphasis on performance learning ensures that Johnson MBAs can make an immediate impact in business and society. That’s what they’re practicing, and that’s what they’re prepared to do.” Mark W. Nelson, PhD, Dean Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Every year, Cornell recruits highly-talented individuals from across the globe to fill its 1-year and 2-year MBA programs. With a strong emphasis on diversity and there is no “typical” Cornell student, yet the average admitted student to the 2-year MBA does tend to have an average age of 28 and a 710 GMAT .

Beyond the statistics, though, Cornell is looking for candidates who want to positively disrupt the world of business through outstanding leadership . That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT and university grades), Cornell also seeks candidates who demonstrate the following traits:

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Cornell’s admissions essay questions.

2. How should I answer the essay questions

Before starting to write your Cornell Johnson MBA essays, we suggest that you take a few moments to peruse the application guide the school offers on its website. Not only does this guide spell out exactly what you need to do in order to submit a complete application, but it also gives you some great tips along the way.

Luckily, this year, Cornell has made no major changes to their essay questions, just a few minor tweaks!

2.1. Short Essay Tips

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].

In 5–10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry].

Industry:

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

Though a bit unorthodox in format, this is essentially a goals essay . For goals essays, the admissions committee wants to see that you have a clear, defined plan for the future that both makes sense based on your previous experience and that shows a clear connection between your short- and long-term goals.

For the text boxes, be brief and precise. Tell them exactly what you want to do.

For the longer essay, you have a bit more room, but not much!

That’s why we suggest not recapping your goals in this essay, unless you need them to transition between the two parts I believe this essay should have: your previous experience and what motivates you to pursue the goals you’ve stated (to tie this to the question, you need to show how you’ve prepared and what has encouraged you to pursue your goals).

First, let’s start with how you’ve prepared. Remember, goals without context often lack clarity or impact. You may want to include one mini-story or several small anecdotes to provide this context.

Don’t write a list of everything you’ve ever done (we have your CV after all!) but carefully craft a description of your path that shows us you’ve built skills and experience that are relevant to your future job.

Second, discuss why you are passionate about the goals you’ve set for yourself. Though you may be pursuing an MBA to earn more money or add a bit more prestige to your CV, these are not interesting motivations for an admissions committee. It’s like saying you want to be a brain surgeon to impress your friends.

Rather, discuss your passions . Do you want to launch a social business to reduce waste? Tell us why sustainability is important to you and how you think your future work can make the world a better place. Want to go into private equity? Show us how your interest in investing in overlooked middle-market companies will help create a more robust economy in your home country.

For example, our client Katherine wrote an essay about her goal to move into the operations area of a big tech company. You may be asking yourself, how do you show passion when it comes to operations? Here’s how she solved that dilemma:

“Throughout my life, I’ve seen technology transform how we interact with our world. Most recently, at __________, I used technology to strengthen our business when tasked with creating and implementing a more comprehensive customer service solution. Previously, the competitive mobile POS market had been rapidly expanding, yet we struggled to capture market share. To reverse the trend, I led the development of an operational solution to create a targeted customer service channel and set the plan in motion by managing numerous service providers. Together, we increased mPOS usage by 20% in two months.

More importantly, this experience showed me how complex and fundamental operations are within innovation-driven companies. Operations range from strategy to product design to management—it’s the beating heart of any company. After my MBA, I plan to lead an operations department in a technology company in LatAm to put innovative products and services into the hands of consumers. As I grow in my career, I seek to increasingly enhance the presence and influence of innovative companies in my region. Personally, I’m highly motivated to use technology and harness the change it can promote to positively impact the lives of real people.”

No matter what your goals are, show us the passion behind them!

You can also choose to end with one sentence about how your goals align with Cornell Johnson’s mission, but take great care not to turn this into a “Why Cornell” essay .

Finally, writing a 350-word essay can be challenging, but we’ve prepared an in-depth post to help you maximize every word in short essays like this one.

TOP TIP : Cornell Johnson doesn’t give you space for fuzzy or less-than-defined goals in its application. As such, if you’re struggling to define what your goals are, check out this post, which we wrote specifically to help you self-reflect and define this all-important aspect of your profile.

Need more guidance? Our MBA Resource Library has dozens of past successful Cornell Johnson essays and a detailed brainstorm to help you plan out a winning Cornell essay. Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join !

2.2. Essay 1 Tips

Impact Essay: This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students , alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance.

This continues to be perhaps one of the most challenging MBA essays out there.

First, the essay begins by essentially telling you that connecting with specific members of the Cornell community is considered something of a prerequisite for admission to Cornell. It’s little surprise that they state this, as they are stating very clearly that they want candidates who are applying to Johnson because they know and identify with the program instead of candidates who are applying to dozens of schools to see what happens.

As such, if you haven’t spoken with anyone in the Cornell community, stop reading and go do that. For many international candidates, this can be a tough task. If this sounds like you, we have a few key suggestions.

1) Attend an event . Despite the limitations caused by COVID-19, there are still a number of ways you can connect with Cornell Johnson. Perhaps one of the best ways to learn about the school right now is through one of their multiple webinars, which you can use this to enhance your knowledge of the program and make connections you can follow up with later.

2) Use LinkedIn to your advantage. It’s ok to “cold call” contacts on LinkedIn and ask if they might be willing to chat with you about the school. Remember, alumni and students get many such requests, so be persistent until you get in touch with someone. At the end of that call, ask if they can introduce you to another student, professor, or alumni who might be willing to talk to you more about Cornell Johnson.

Now that you’ve done your homework, time to write your essay!

First, keep in mind that this essay should not be a list of everyone and everything you know about Cornell Johnson. It should focus on the impact you want to make in the world and, using your research, connect to how you think the Johnson MBA is best positioned to help you achieve that impact.

We suggest first defining what impact you want to make after your career. This will be in some way related to your goals, but consider the impact you can make in your goals beyond reaching X or Y position.

If you want to return to consulting to focus on digital transformation, for example, demonstrate why this is important to you and how you think you can help create a better world through digital transformation.

After defining the impact you hope to make, consider thoughtfully how Cornell can help you grow.

We suggest then showing how Cornell’s culture, clubs, classes, and people can help you reach this goal and how you plan to make an impact on campus.

2.4. Optional/Reapplicant Essay Tips

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 since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying. (350 words maximum)

Though with such a short application you may be tempted to use this response to add additional stories and information you couldn’t quite squeeze in elsewhere, restraint is necessary here. Make sure you focus on explaining gaps in your application only , though you can use these explanations to highlight related achievements.

For example, our client Fernando needed to explain his 6-month gap in work experience. As luck would have it, he spent these 6 months volunteering in Asia, so we not only addressed a “weakness” but were also able to include a new achievement in his application.

We have written extensively on the issue of optional essays, giving tips and tricks for how to address issues like low GMAT scores or poor academic performance here .

3. Need help?

Landing a spot at Cornell Johnson is no easy task. You’ve spent years building a track record of professional success, dedicated yourself to getting a good GMAT score, and carefully developed your application strategy .

Now is the time to make sure your accomplishments truly shine, and the only way to do so is to write a clear, compelling admissions essay.

Ellin Lolis Consulting began with one mission: provide the best possible service to our clients and get them the best possible results .

Serving our customers is at the core of our company, and we know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but our goal is to take away as much of the stress as possible by acting as your ally in the process.

So if you need much more than just a few comments on your essay, but instead want focused help shaping how you present your life’s greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics, you can count on us.

In the words of our client Henrique ,

“ Ellin helped me in the application process from the beginning, helping me organize myself for the whole year. I truly believe that my interactions with her not only provided a foundation for the application creation, but also, and more importantly, structured my life at business school. I even got a scholarship. I really recommend her since she is really committed, hard-working and made me feel comfortable and confident during the entire process. Thanks for the phenomenal service, Ellin .”

Get in touch and let our award-winning team of writers and storytellers help you make an unforgettable first impression.

4. Deadlines

Here are the deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle. You can access the online application here .

Ellin Lolis MBA Resource Center

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With our expertise and 98.9% success rate in placing our consulting clients in at least one of their target schools, we can add more value to your application than you ever thought possible.

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Cornell Johnson MBA Essays for 2022-2023: Tips & Strategy

November 14, 2022 | by Silpa Sarma

Cornell’s Johnson school is known for its tight-knit community and culture of collaboration.

Learning to harness the power of a team to drive impact is a key component of the MBA experience at Johnson, and diversity among backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences is greatly valued.

To that end, Cornell’s essay prompts aim to uncover applicants who demonstrate EQ, self-awareness, a collaborative mindset, and a track record of impact across the spaces they inhabit. For the 2022-2023 cycle, Cornell asks that you respond to a Goals Statement and one required essay (a second essay is optional).

As a Fortuna Admissions coach, Cornell Johnson alum, and former Stanford GSB Admissions Reader, I’m seasoned in helping candidates position their candidacy to the MBA admissions committee. Your essays are an opportunity to connect the dots for Cornell between who you are, where you’re going, and what you hope to bring to the community.

The following are some tips to keep in mind as you approach each essay:

Goals Statement: How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals? (no word count given but last year it was a hard cut-off at 350 words)

Cornell prefaces this essay question with a fill-in-the-blank goals statement that brings laser focus to both your short-term (immediately post-MBA) and long-term goal (5-10 years post-MBA), asking for specificity (role, company, industry). While there’s no word count given, last year there was a hard cut-off at 350 words, which is a useful benchmark.

Share the inspiration behind your goals by providing the context of how your passions, academic background, and professional experiences have solidified your desire to achieve these goals. Think about what you’ve learned throughout your career and how each role inspired you, and prepared you, to take the next step. This will help convey your motivation to make an impact and effect change. To demonstrate that your career vision is ambitious but still realistic, select two or three past experiences that highlight your existing skills and/or expertise that you will leverage, and then articulate how the offerings at the school will take you the rest of the way toward achieving your goals.

While the essay prompt focuses on your experience as it pertains to your goals, you can include a quick sentence or two about how Cornell’s Johnson School will bridge the gap to your short-term goals, and ultimately, your long-term goals.

(View this insightful article by Fortuna’s Heidi Hillis for more advice on how to create your short- and long-term MBA goals .)

Impact Essay: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words, hard cut-off)

This question requires applicants to do their research. While reviewing the school’s website, student blogs, and YouTube videos might be good initial steps, it would be helpful to connect with current students, alumni, and other members of the Cornell Johnson community to gain a more in-depth understanding of the experience. Once you have a better idea of the Johnson ecosystem and offerings, think about how you’d like to leverage your unique background, skill sets, strengths, and interests to contribute to the community and consequently, enhance the experience of your classmates. Consider how you might share your sector expertise or industry connections with your peers, be it in a class discussion, during the recruiting cycle, or through a guest speaker series at Johnson. Find ways to continue your favorite extracurricular or community pursuits on campus, and if the avenue doesn’t exist, consider how you might create the opportunity and generate interest and engagement among your fellow students.

Through specific examples, demonstrate an understanding of the close-knit community feel and spirit of collaboration at Johnson and convey how much you’d like to contribute to it if given the opportunity. It’s also an invitation to get personal and speak to how you see yourself fitting into the culture at Cornell. As my Fortuna colleague Randall Sawyer, former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Cornell Johnson, says: “The challenge – and opportunity – is to unveil what you’re truly passionate about, something interesting about you and/or what you’re interested in. Get introspective about who you are as a person.”

Optional Essay (required for re-applicants): You may use the optional essay to explain gaps in your resume, call attention to items needing clarification, or provide additional details about any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson. (350 words max)

For first-time applicants, this is a good place to cover any contextual information that’s relevant for the Admissions team to know. This might include reasons for a gap in your employment history, issues that impacted academic performance, or a career trajectory that isn’t quite intuitive or linear. Try to be as concise as possible in discussing this information, and if applicable, articulate how you resolved the issue and suggest a more appropriate indicator of your potential for success at Johnson. For example, if your undergraduate grades were somewhat weak, you could explain the context behind your performance and inspire increased confidence in your abilities with a strong GMAT/GRE score or a commendable performance in MBA math courses or other graduate studies.

For reapplicants, this space is intended for covering what’s changed since you last applied. Discuss the most significant ways in which you’ve strengthened your candidacy. This might include earning a promotion, a more competitive GMAT/GRE score, a higher-profile position at work, or increased community engagement. This would also be the space to mention any clarity you may have gained regarding your MBA career vision , including how the Johnson School fits into achieving your goals. Whichever aspects of your candidacy you’re covering, make it quite clear that you’ve elevated your profile and you’re well-prepared to join the Johnson community and thrive within it.

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Updated October 2022

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Cornell Johnson Fall 2018 MBA Essays
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10 of the Best MBA Programs
Just 20 years ago, a bachelor’s degree was enough to compete in the job market. Despite the rising costs of tuition, a bachelor’s degree doesn’t hold the same value as more and more people are getting them. This is why many people are pushi...
What Is a “who Am I” Essay?
A “who am I” essay is a simple type of open-ended introductory essay. It is used in certain schools, workplaces and around the world to help members of a group introduce themselves through their writing. They are generally about a page long...
How to Write an MBA Essay
A good MBA essay is essential to your MBA application. Find out how to choose an essay topic, see a list of common MBA essay questions, and get tips on how to write a standout MBA essay. Most graduate business programs require applicants to...
Residential MBA Application Requirements
Please prepare a short statement that describes your personal circumstance and provide a clear and compelling argument for why you will flourish in our rigorous
Full-time MBA Application & Admissions Process
Reapplicants to the Two-Year MBA program are required to complete the second essay. Use this essay to explain how you have improved your candidacy. You are also
Cornell MBA Essay Questions & Analysis
Clear Admit provides a detailed assessment of how to tackle the MBA admissions essay questions for the Cornell MBA application to the Johnson School.
Tuesday Tips: Cornell MBA Application Tips for 2022-2023
Ready to tackle your Cornell MBA application essays? SBC's expert essay tips will help you put together the best possible application.
Cornell Johnson Essay Examples & Tips, 2022-2023
At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration
Cornell Johnson MBA Sample Essays
Cornell MBA Application Essays for 2019-20 · A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your
Cornell MBA Essays: Tips for 2022-2023
The Behavioral Cornell MBA essay gives you a space to identify your morality as a leader and how you might benefit from Cornell's leadership development
Tips for Your Cornell Johnson Application Essays
Cornell Johnson School Application Essay Tips, 2022-2023 · Goals Statement: · Use this short-answer section to succinctly share your short- and
Cornell Johnson College of Business MBA Essay Tips and
Cornell Johnson impact essay ... This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni
2022-2023 Cornell Johnson Essay Analysis + Downloadable
Though a bit unorthodox in format, this is essentially a goals essay. For goals essays, the admissions committee wants to see that you have a
Cornell Johnson MBA Essays for 2022-2023: Tips & Strategy
To that end, Cornell's essay prompts aim to uncover applicants who demonstrate EQ, self-awareness, a collaborative mindset, and a track record