Cornell Johnson 2009 MBA Application Deadlines

Round    Deadline          Notification

1            Oct 6, 2008         Dec 17, 2008
2            Nov 17, 2008      Feb 4, 2009
3          *Jan 12, 2009       Mar 18, 2009
4            Mar 23, 2009       Apr 29, 2009

* Suggested application deadline for international applicants & last round to apply for scholarship consideration.

Cornell Johnson 2009 MBA Essay Questions

My comments are in red.

To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.

MBA/AMBA - Essays 1, 2 and 3 are required essays. Essay 4 is optional. All re-applicants are required to complete essay 5. Please observe the 400 word maximum limit for each essay.

1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization.

Whatever is your greatest achievement would have to have impact by saving money, raising revenue, increasing prestige, adding clients/customers, or contributing to the achievement of some other organizational goal.

As you answer this question, keep in mind Johnson's general management, team, and project orientation. I am not saying that sitting in a lab in isolation and elegantly solving a long-standing mathematical problem won't help you at all. But I suspect that working with multiple stakeholders on a marketing plan that resulted in gang-buster sales would carry more weight.

2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal?

Goals question. I recommend you try to choose an achievement for #1 that can be a corner stone of your future career, demonstrate your talent for it, or at least relate to it. Doing so will save you precious words when answering the "why" of this question. You still need to discuss your reasons for your goals, but if #1 partially answers the question or provides context, then most of #2 can focus on what you want to do and why Johnson.

3. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the Table of Contents for the book.

New Question! And a chance for creativity. Aren't  you lucky.

Have a little fun with the question. You can reveal something about your youth, influential experiences or people, challenges, hobbies, interests, passions... It's Your Life Story. 

4. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School.

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.

5. Describe the measures you have taken to strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School.

This is the key question that has to be addressed by all MBA re-applicants. Why are you a better applicant now than you were when they rejected you last time?

Cornell Johnson will be Accepted's guest at an admissions chat on October 13th at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET/ 5:00 PM GMT.

Reminder: Accepted is hosting Randal Sawyer and other Cornell Johnson representatives on October 13 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET/5:00 PM GMT in the Accepted chat room. Please join us this Monday to learn more about the Johnson School.