How to Get into Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management
- Cornell Johnson Program Overview
- Cornell Johnson Curriculum
- Cornell Johnson Extracurriculars
- Cornell Johnson Notable Professors and Classes
- Cornell Johnson Statistics
- Tips for Cornell Johnson 2024-2025 Essays
- Application Requirements for Cornell Johnson
- Cornell Johnson FAQ
Cornell Johnson Program Overview
The Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management has a small, close-knit community and amiable culture with an emphasis on intense collaboration and preparing leaders for success on a global scale. The school looks for candidates who will have an impact on the program both during their studies and after graduation. Leadership, teamwork skills, the ability to analyze problems, and strong interpersonal skills are key traits the admissions committee likes to see in applicants. In 2016, Johnson joined Cornell’s other business schools including the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management to establish the SC Johnson College of Business.
Johnson’s full-time, two-year MBA program is STEM certified and is touted on the school’s website as a “one-of-a-kind” curricular experience. One of the most unique aspects of the program is the optional immersion semester, during which students choose from such options as Strategy and Consulting, Investment Banking, and Corporate Finance to apply their learnings to real-life business situations.
Johnson’s location in Ithaca, New York, offers students a small college town atmosphere with easy access to such larger cities as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Toronto. Ithaca is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls and is a treat for nature lovers. The city has more restaurants per capita than New York City and attracts food lovers from around the globe.
Johnson’s “hub” on campus is Sage Hall, a 19th century High Victorian Gothic building that stands in stark contrast to the buildings at the school’s Roosevelt Island campus in New York City, where MBA students can also take classes. The school’s faculty and staff are very much involved in Johnson’s community, and they can be seen at the Atrium Café in Sage Hall on weekdays as well as at student-run events and Sage Socials. “The Sage Socials on Thursdays have been an important tradition for years at Johnson, fostering a community-focused culture,” a Stratus counselor and Johnson graduate notes. “The Dyson Atrium transforms from a café/study area to a networking and socializing place to catch up with students and faculty over food and drinks.”
In addition to the Sage Socials, faculty frequently invite students to their homes for dinner.
Cornell Johnson Curriculum
Applying classroom concepts to real-world problems is arguably the best way to learn, and Johnson provides the training ground for its students from the first semester. The full-time MBA program curriculum is based on providing students with a foundation in key business areas, allowing them to put their learning into action through what the school refers to as “performance learning,” and offering a flexible elective curriculum that students can tailor to their interests.
During the fall semester of the first year, students take seven core courses, with topics including “Managerial Finance,” “Financial Accounting,” and “Leading Teams.” Only two core courses remain for the spring semester, titled “Data Analytics and Modeling” and “Managing Operations.” Students can also start taking elective courses in the spring semester, in addition to beginning their immersions. Immersions, which the Johnson website describes as “unique,” “intense,” and “hands-on,” are available in the following areas:
- Corporate Finance
- Customized Immersion
- Digital Technology
- Investment Banking
- Strategy and Consulting
- Strategic Product and Marketing
Immersions are optional, but most Johnson students choose to participate. After completing an immersion, students can also select one or more areas of focus, which encompass 12 topics including Emerging Markets, Leadership & Ethics, and Technology Product Management. Students must earn nine elective course credits in an area of focus. In addition, Johnson offers a FinTech intensive, which the school’s website describes as “a customized package of classes, collaborative opportunities, and close partnerships with industry.” A Stratus counselor and Johnson graduate told us, “The unique Johnson Immersion program, offered during the second semester of the first year, features tailored course offerings, live cases, and site visits for different tracks. The program ensures you have the skills to hit the ground running when heading to internships.”
Leadership is an essential trait that Johnson wants to instill in each of its students through the Core Teams practicum, which is part of the core curriculum. Through the “Leading Teams” course in the second year, students are prepared to lead large teams and organizations. Students also have the opportunity to be nominated and selected to serve as Leadership Fellows during their second year and advise a Core Team of first-year MBA students throughout their core curriculum.
A Stratus counselor and Johnson graduate mentioned Professor Risa M. Mish as one of their favorites, saying, “[Professor Mish] is truly a guru when it comes to teaching about critical thinking, strategic thinking, and leadership. She is extremely energetic and makes class discussions fun and engaging.”
Cornell Johnson Extracurriculars
The more than 70 student clubs at Johnson provide a great opportunity for students to organize company/site visits and treks and practice their leadership skills. All academic clubs provide great career resources to students, from career sessions and interview preparation to such activities as mock interviews and resume workshops.
The Old Ezra Finance Club is one of the largest and oldest clubs at Johnson. The group hosts a variety of evening socials and breakfasts for students and provides opportunities to attend panel discussions and network with industry professionals. Other professional clubs include the Family Business Club, Media, Entertainment and Sports Club, Retail & Luxury Club, and Consulting Club. Cultural and regional clubs range from the Southeast Asian Club and Johnson Japan Club to the European Club, Jewish Business Association, and West Coast Society. For extracurricular interests, students can join such clubs as the Johnson Wine and Spirits Club, Sailing Club, Cornell F1 Club, and Ski and Snowboard Club.
Students have various opportunities to attend conferences that are held jointly with other business schools. For example, the annual Emerging Markets Institute Conference is held at Cornell Tech. Johnson hosts annual Leadership Expeditions to such locations as Patagonia, Chile, where students test and enhance their leadership skills in the wilderness.
The annual Johnson Diwali Night brings together the entire business school community including faculty and staff to celebrate the festival of lights with music, dance, and Indian food. Diwali Night is typically hosted on campus.
Cornell Johnson Notable Professors and Classes
George W. Casey
General George W. Casey served as chief of staff for the US Army during his more than 40-year military career, in addition to working as a consultant for several companies and serving as a board member for numerous organizations. At Johnson, General Casey is a Distinguished Senior Lecturer of Leadership. He teaches the course “Core Leadership Skills for a VUCA World” (which explores the role of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity in leadership).
Ya-Ru Chen
Ya-Ru Chen is the Nicholas H. Noyes Professor of Management and the academic dean of China initiatives at Johnson, where she teaches the courses “Organizational Behavior” and “Organizational Behavior – Negotiations.” Professor Chen’s extensive research explores such topics as employee culture; power and status in relation to leadership; and cross-cultural differences in the workplace. She has received the Johnson Star Teacher Award four times, most recently in 2023 and 2022.
Glen W.S. Dowell
Professor Glen W.S. Dowell teaches sustainable global business and strategic thinking at Johnson, in addition to serving as the senior director of the MBA and MPS programs. Professor Dowell’s research focuses on such topics as corporate sustainability and environmental performance. His research has been published in numerous journals, including the Strategic Management Journal and the Journal of Business Ethics, and he serves as the co-editor of the Strategic Organization journal. In recent academic years, Professor Dowell has taught such courses as “Critical and Strategic Thinking” and “Sustainable Global Enterprise.”
Johnson Immersions
After completing the majority of core courses in the first semester of the program, Johnson MBA students have the option of choosing an immersion experience from six offerings. The Johnson website explains that the immersions are “designed to give [students] foundational knowledge and develop key skills in [their] area of interest.” The six immersion options include Strategy and Consulting, Investment Banking, and Digital Technology. Students can also customize their own immersion.
Johnson Intensive
The Johnson MBA program also features the FinTech Intensive option. The FinTech Intensive includes four courses on such topics as technical concepts, startup ideas and ventures, and case studies. The intensive is shared with students from the Cornell Tech program, allowing MBA students to exchange ideas with members of the other program.
Cornell Johnson Statistics
Class Profile (Class of 2026)
Class Size: 282
Average Work Experience: 5.3 years
Average Age: 28
Median GMAT: 710
Median GPA: 3.4
Women: 41%
Underrepresented Minorities: 22%
International Citizenship: 35%
Countries Represented: 34
U.S. Military: 9%
Career Placement (Industries, Class of 2023)
- Consulting: 42%
- Financial Services: 35%
- Technology and Telecommunications: 11%
- Consumer Packaged Goods: 4%
- Healthcare/Medical Services/Pharmaceuticals: 3%
- Energy/Utilities: 2%
- Manufacturing: 2%
- Other (includes Real Estate, Retail, and Hospitality/Tourism): 1%
Geographic Placement (Class of 2023)
- North America: 95%
- Northeast: 55%
- West: 16%
- Midwest: 9%
- Mid-Atlantic: 7%
- South: 7%
- Southwest: 7%
- International: 5%
- Central America and Caribbean/South America: 3%
- Asia and Middle East/North Africa: 2%
- European Free Trade Zone: <1%
Tips for Cornell Johnson 2024-2025 Essays
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.
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:
Please share how you plan to utilize the resources available to you at Johnson as well as any existing resources you bring to the program to help you secure your post-MBA career goal?
Impact Essay
At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community? (350 words maximum)
The Unique Trait that Defines Me
What is something unique about you that others will remember you by? (350 words maximum)
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).
The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is a two-year, full-tuition fellowship award for domestic Two-Year MBA candidates 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.
Candidates being considered for the Roy H. Park Leadership Fellowship will be notified after their admissions interview with an invitation to join us for one of our virtual Leadership Exploration and Assessment Day (L.E.A.D.) events. Candidates invited to attend a LEAD event will be required to submit a response to the Park Fellows Essay.
Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay Prompt (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?
Click here to read our advice on Cornell Johnson’s essay questions.
Application Requirements for Cornell Johnson
Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
Johnson requires all applicants to have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent if the applicant graduated outside of the United States) and to provide unofficial academic transcripts with their application. If the applicant is admitted, they are expected to provide official academic transcripts.
Resume
All Johnson applicants must submit a resume with their application. The school’s website notes that while full-time work experience is not required for entry, admitted students typically have an average of two to five years of work experience. “We accept a small number of outstanding applicants with less than one year of full-time experience,” the school states on its website.
Recommendations
Johnson requires one recommendation letter but accepts up to two if the applicant wishes to submit another one. In business school applications, obtaining a recommendation from a direct supervisor or a manager is usually the best option. If you do not have a current direct supervisor or manager, consider past supervisors, colleagues, or clients, based on your work situation. Family members, friends, and professors are typically not suitable recommenders. “You should seek recommendations from people capable of commenting on your professional, leadership, and intellectual capabilities. The most useful evaluations are from people who are able to speak with certainty about your leadership, maturity, team orientation, analytical skills, and interpersonal skills,” the Johnson website reads.
Test scores
Johnson accepts the GMAT and the GRE to fulfill the test score requirement. All applicants must provide a test score, although the school does not have a stipulated minimum score. During the 2023–2024 application cycle, applicants can request a test waiver with no negative effect on their candidacy. For the Class of 2026, the median GMAT score was 710. International applicants are also required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score, with a minimum score of 100 (with a score of at least 25 in each area) or 7.0 (with a score of at least 7.0 in the speaking and writing modules), respectively.
Anything else?
An interview, a goals statement, and one essay are also required of Johnson applicants. Interviews are conducted on an invitation-only basis by admissions committee members or specially trained second-year students. Interviews are conducted either in Ithaca or via Zoom. These are some of the questions that are commonly asked during Johnson interviews:
- Walk me through your resume.
- What is something you don’t like about your job?
- Describe a time when you had to manage people.
- Tell me about a time you did something innovative at work.
- Tell me about a challenging team experience.
Cornell Johnson FAQ
What is Johnson best known for?
Cornell Johnson carries the prestige of an Ivy League university while offering a tight-knit community feel. “Small cohorts, big impact: the power of community,” the school’s website notes. The Johnson MBA curriculum focuses on hands-on, collaborative learning and offers students many options for focusing their studies on particular themes.
How much does tuition cost?
Estimated cost of attendance for the Johnson full-time MBA program is $111,436 for single students for the 2024–2025 academic year. This includes program charges for two terms, housing, food, and such additional fees as transportation and books and supplies.
How difficult is it to get accepted into Johnson?
As is the case with all top-ranked business schools, Johnson has a competitive acceptance rate—in 2023, the school received 2,553 applications and admitted 764 applicants. This means that approximately 29.9% of applicants received an invitation to join the program. Out of the 764 applicants who were admitted, 283 decided to enroll.
Cornell Johnson is known for its intimate community and customizable curriculum. However, do not let a school’s reputation steer you elsewhere if it doesn’t seem like a perfect match right away! Visiting campus and speaking with alumni and current students can give you a better idea of whether a school is right for you.
Are you considering applying to Johnson? Whether you are looking for comprehensive MBA admissions consulting, hourly help, or perhaps interview prep, we at Stratus Admissions Counseling can help you! Sign up for a free consultation today!