Cornell Johnson 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips

This Cornell Johnson 2012 MBA Application tip post is one in a series providing MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top MBA programs around the world. Review the entire 2012 MBA Application Tips series for more valuable MBA essay advice. 

Cornell Johnson 2012 MBA Essay Questions

Essays Required for All Applicants:

1) What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why?

MBA goals question, but slightly different from last year, which also asked “Why Johnson?” This is a straight-forward goals question. What do you want to do after your MBA degree. Answer in terms of function and industry, and maybe geography, if that is an important part of your goal. 

As long as your goal requires an MBA and is supported by Johnson’s curriculum, the “why” part of this question is almost certainly more important than the “What.” Rather than waxing eloquent about your philosophy of career choice, tell a story about a seminal event or impressive achievement that reflects your interest in and fitness for your chosen profession. If your a career changer, then your story needs to reveal the qualities that you have demonstrated and that are required for your desired path.

2) You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the table of contents for the book.
Note: Approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity.

Have a little fun with the question. You certainly have a lot of options and flexibility here. You can reveal something about your youth, influential experiences or people, challenges, hobbies, interests, passions… Perhaps where you intend to be in 30 years. It’s Your Life Story. 

3) What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson Graduate?

Christine Sneva writes on the Johnson admissions blog “The adcom wants you to really evaluate what “fit” means to you for Johnson. ‘Fit’ is different for everyone, so we want to see how authentic and purposeful you are about applying.”

So this question is about fit, but it also is about “legacy.” What are you going to leave at Johnson? How will your class be better because you are in it? Where do you plan to contribute? Show that you have done your homework on the curricular and co-curricular aspects of Cornell Johson in your response.

Essay Required for All Re-applicants: How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School?(400 word limit)

This is the key question for all MBA re-applicants. Why are you a better applicant now than you were when they rejected you last time?

Optional Essay: Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 word limit)

Given how little Johnson requests, I encourage you to write the optional essay. Just make sure you are submitting an informative optional essay that complements the required essays and adds to the reader’s knowledge of you and your qualifications.  If you do not have something to explain, this optional would be a great place to explore in depth a non-professional interest or commitment of yours.

If you would like professional guidance with your Cornell Johnson application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting or our Cornell Johnson School Packages, which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the Johnson MBA application.  

Cornell Johnson 2012 MBA Application Deadlines

By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.