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?
Cornell too wants to admit MBA students who are very clear, focused, and realistic about their plans and can give a clear rationale for their career path.
Cornell MBA admissions team aspires to also clearly see the connection between your past and your future. Only if you can show that connect credibly and intelligently - it will reflect the feasibility of your goals. This is the most important part of the question - how your past connects with your future - so make sure this connection is explained very clearly and strongly in your MBA essay.
You must be aware and clear that you must have already gained experience and skills that your future employer would expect. For example, if you have never worked in finance or technology, you can't possibly make a career switch to those fields after MBA. So highlight what aspects of your education, work experiences, and exposure make you an attractive candidate for your target companies.
When giving details about your target industry and function, give an example or two of your ideal employers. If you can, try to also include your geographical preference.Option 1: 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).
This Cornell MBA essay is designed to understand prospective MBA students' passion and commitment to joining and contributing to the Cornell MBA community. The MBA admissions team seeks to know, how during the program and following graduation, you will stay engaged with the community and make a positive impact.
As a first step - we strongly suggest that you connect with the current MBA students and Cornell alumni, and speak with them to understand the different opportunities to engage and make an impact at Cornell. These could range from professional and social club activities to conferences - anything where you as a student can engage and provide your positive contribution and enhance the experience of your peers.
As a second step - reflect on your strengths, passion, and assets and then make a strong connection between the two. What you are good at and how, with those strengths, you'd contribute to the Cornell community.
We suggest focusing on 2-4 main areas in which you could make a strong and meaningful impact. Taking a forward-thinking approach, describe in detail, how you will specifically engage and what kind of positive impact you want to make at Cornell. If talking about clubs - identify what leadership roles you'd take in your clubs of choice and what actions and initiatives you'd take that would enrich the Cornell MBA community. If you can connect the same with some of your past community or impact stories at work- that would be great!
Option 2: The Unique Trait that Defines Me: What is something unique about you that others will remember you by? (350 words).
Students from all over the world apply to Cornell MBA. For gaining admission to this highly competitive school, you must convince the admissions team that you are unique, you are special!
A unique trait - can be reflected in your life experiences, perspectives, personal qualities or professional pursuits. You will have to find out the special and extraordinary aspect of your traits, that will be valuable to Cornell and be remembered by others.
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 (500 words maximum).
Some of the possible extenuating circumstances that you can address: lack of recommendation letter from the current direct supervisor, low GPA, GMAT scores, any gaps in your resume, or any other factor which you think needs to be explained or else might be construed against you.
Comment on your shortcomings with intelligence, perspective, and credibility. Giving vague excuses or blaming others for your failures will be counter-productive. Explain the issues clearly and maintain a greater focus on the corrective actions taken.
Cornell MBA application requires you to submit a one-page resume along with details about your employment and academics. The typical MBA resume format consists of employment, education, and extracurricular details. MBA resume tips
One letter of recommendation is required, but you may submit up to two for review by the committee.
Cornell MBA admissions team suggests that 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. Examples include a current supervisor, colleague, client, or former supervisor.
Like many top business schools in the US, Cornell MBA application constitutes of letter of recommendation questions from the GMAC MBA letter of recommendation template. MBA LOR tips
As is the policy with most top business schools, Cornell MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would recieve an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications.
As per Cornell MBA admissions team: 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.
MBA 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 MBA interview tips
