| Average GMAT Score | 710 | GMAT Range | 660-750 |
| Total Applicants | 1872 | Acceptance Rate | 7.5% |
| Class Size | 306 | Average Work Experience | 60 Months |
| Applicant Deadlines | R1: Sep 18 2024 R2: Jan 09 2025 R3: Apr 10 2025 | Decision Dates | R1: Dec 06 2024 R2: Apr 04 2025 R3: May 01 2025 |
| Length of Program | 21 Months | Average Salary | $162,808 |
| International Students | 42% | Top Companies Visiting Campus | Amazon, EY, Deloitte, Citi, J.P.Morgan, Bank Of America |
Cornell MBA Interview Questions and Experiences
Cornell University
Established in 1946, Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management is situated in Ithaca, New York. Across its various MBA programs — full-time two-year MBA, Executive MBA, and one-year Accelerated MBA — it enrolls close to 600 students annually. The business school also has an esteemed alumni strength of 15,200.
Cornell MBA Requirements:
As per the university’s official website, the following are a few essential qualities that the admissions committee look for MBA applicants:
- Excellent academic track record and consistent performance
- A profile that reflects outstanding professional accomplishments
- Effective application essay which reflects how you can contribute and participate as a community member at Cornell
- GMAT or GRE test scores
- Willingness to create a positive impact
- A clear vision regarding their career goals and how Johnson can help them achieve them
Things you need to do/consider doing before you apply to the Johnson Graduate School of Management:
- Check eligibility criteria and see if you are eligible for the MBA program
- Attend an admission event or join online admission chat series to get your questions answered
- Visit the Cornell University campus if possible
- Connect with current MBA student (One-year and Two-year MBA)
- Evaluate your finance options like financial aid and scholarships
What would applying to Cornell’s MBA program entail?
You need the following things while applying for the MBA program:
- A finished online application form
- Your updated resume
- List of activities
- A goal statement and one required essay: ( Source: https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/programs/full-time-mba/admissions/mba-application-guide/application-requirements/)
Cornell MBA Essays 2023-2024:
Here is the prompt for the goal statement for MBA application:
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?
Additional Essay Questions:
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.
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)
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 full-time MBA program at Johnson Graduate School of Management is renowned globally, and the following prestigious rankings it secured are proof of that status:
- Global Rankings garnered by Cornell University: Johnson:
- Financial Times Global MBA Rankings: 15
- 3-year Average rank in Financial Times: 22
- Q.S. Top Universities rank (MBA): 32
- Let’s learn a few more details about the career progression and student composition At Cornell University’s MBA program:
| Career progression Statistics | |
| Percentage people achieved their MBA goals | 89 |
| Career progress rank | 48 |
| Careers service rank | 9 |
| Employed at three months (%) | 90 |
| Female faculty (%) | 17 |
| Salary increase (%) | 128 |
| Salary today (Per Annum) | $162,808 |
| Weighted salary (Per Annum) | $162,808 |
| Statistics about the Programme | |
| Alumni recommend rank | 18 |
| CSR rank | 70 |
| Percentage of Faculty with doctorates | 100 |
| FT research ranking | 25 |
| Overall Satisfaction score | 9.73 |
| Value for money ranking | 76 |
A wholesome learning experience enriched with a diverse student pool:
Cornell university ensures that the Class has a diversity that will allow students to learn various perspectives and cultures. Cornell prioritizes building a classroom of students with diverse work experiences, ethnicities, communities, and educational backgrounds from the application phase.
Here is a quick look at the diversity quotient of the school:
| Diversity Statistics | (in Percentage) |
| Female students | 31% |
| International board | 42% |
| International faculty | 50% |
| International students | 42% |
| Women on board | 22% |
| International Statistics | Rank |
| International course experience | 29 |
| International mobility | 69 |
How much does it cost you to pursue an MBA at Cornell?
We have put together all the details you would need to estimate the cost of an MBA education at Cornell.
| First Year cost of Two-year MBA in Ithaca | |
| Tuition | $79,910 |
| Student Activity Fee | $85 |
| Health Fee | $500 |
| Housing | $11,562 |
| Meals | $6,992 |
| Books&Supplies | $2,700 |
| Transportation | $3,042 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,420 |
| Total | $107,211 |
| Total Estimated cost of Cornell Tech MBA | |||
| Area of cost | Summer Term – Ithaca | Fall/Spring Term – NYC | Total |
| Tuition | $44,244 | $80,678 | $124,922 |
| Housing | $4,239 | $19,980 | $24,219 |
| Meals | $2,564 | $6,992 | $9,556 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,350 | $2,700 | $4,050 |
| Transportation | $1,521 | $1,140 | $2,661 |
| Miscellaneous | $887 | $2,590 | $3,477 |
| Total | $54,805 | $114,165 | $168,970 |
An overview of Class of 2023 :
| Class of 2023 (Two-Year MBA) | |
| Number Enrolled | 304 |
| The average age of the Class | 28 |
| Average Full-Time Work Experience of the Class | 5 years |
| Median GMAT score of the Class | 710 |
| Median GPA score of the Class | 3.34 |
| Percentage of Female Students | 39% |
| Percentage of International Students | 35% |
| Nationalities Represented in the class | 30 |
| Percentage of Under- Represented Minorities | 25% |
| Percentage of students from U.S. Military | 9% |
Industries in which the students are employed:
Most of the Class — well over one-third of it— has been employed in the financial services industry. However, this industry accounted for the second-highest average base salary. Consulting with almost one-third of the students employed also has the highest average base salary, a staggering $15,000 more than the financial services industry. Here is detailed information about industry-wise employment.
| Industry | Average Base Salary | Percentage of Class Employed |
| Consulting | $177,592 | 42% |
| Financial Services | $165,814 | 35% |
| Technology & Telecommunications | $138,374 | 11% |
| Consumer Products | $119,300 | 4% |
| Healthcare | $133,971 | 3% |
| Retail | $118,333 | 1% |
| Manufacturing | $177,592 | 1% |
| Energy/Utilities | $131,250 | 2% |
| Manufacturing | $120,500 | 2% |
| Entertainment/Media | N/A | 1% |
| Non-Profit/Other | N/A | 1% |
| Real Estate | N/A | 1% |
Job functions in which the students are employed:
The most popular job functions include finance and consulting. The following listed all the job functions in which Cornell MBA graduates were employed in 2023:
| Function | Average Base Salary | Percentage of Class Employed |
| Finance & Investment Banking | ||
| Investment Banking | $175,062 | 70% |
| Corporate Finance | $130,589 | 19% |
| Asset Management | $143,267 | 4% |
| Other Finance & Investment Banking | $159,000 | 6% |
| Other* | N/A | 1% |
| Marketing | $154,337 | 30% |
| Brand/Product Management | $127,133 | 54% |
| General and Other Marketing | $116,500 | 14% |
| Sales Management | $125,250 | 14% |
| Other Marketing | $140,620 | 18% |
| Marketing Total | ≈100% | |
| Management | ||
| Project/ Program Management | $135,429 | 37% |
| Rotational/Development Program | $141,429 | 37% |
| General Management | $116,667 | 21% |
| Other Management | N/A | 5% |
The other job functions here include Economic Analysis/Research, Engineering/Technical, and Legal
Top Recruiters of Cornell MBA graduates:
Following is the list of the top recruiters of MBA graduates from Cornell:
- Amazon
- Bain and Company
- Bank of America
- Boston Consultancy Group
- Citi Bank
- Credit Suisse
- Deloitte
- EY
- Evercore
- Johnson & Johnson
- J.P. Morgan
- Mckinsey & Company
- PWC
- SCJohnson