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Thank you to the Cornell Johnson adcom team for an excellent Q&A. The following excerpt offers some important insights into ways you can demonstrate fit in your Johnson application. This is such an important topic, so please read on!
Linda Abraham: How does an applicant demonstrate fit with Johnson?
Laurie Shunney McCloskey: I think there are a variety of different ways to represent how you would fit at the school. I think the more you know about Johnson, the more you will be able to articulate exactly how you would be able to fit into a specific club, or maybe you would like to lead an initiative here. I often encourage candidates on the waitlist to connect with current students and alumni to learn a little bit more about the areas that interest them most. So it would be good to reach out to a club officer at one of the clubs you would like to join, or learn a little bit more from our alumni about their experiences here, just to learn what the community is really like. Obviously visiting was a key part of that; seeing everything firsthand, attending a class. So learn as much about the school as possible, and then articulate exactly how you would fit into the community in terms of what you would like to add.
Our students go above and beyond in all of their club activities. They are not just members of an organization going through the process. They are often leading initiatives and changing dynamics at the school. They are really passionate about this place, and they really want to be here in Ithaca as well. And we often hear that from candidates on the waitlist, saying that they particularly want to join this specific club and that they’ve networked with these specific students. And we also hear from our current students or alumni, if they’ve connected with you, if they believe that you would be a great fit for the school, and we do take that into consideration. So keep networking, researching, and then sending in those updates when you do find key areas of the school that you would like to participate in, and we’ll keep an eye on that.
Ann Richards: I also want to say that fit is a two-way street. We look at your goals and your objectives, and whether or not we can help you achieve those goals. And that is also a component of fit. It’s not just how you fit in with us, but how do we fit into your plans and are we the best program to help you accomplish your goals?
Linda Abraham: That is actually something I’ve been making a deal of for years, but it’s the main point of my book. Goals are just so critical, and one of the best ways to show fit is to be able to tie the achievement of your goal to the school’s program.
For the full Q&A, please view the Cornell Johnson MBA transcript or listen to the audio file. You can also boost your Johnson IQ by visiting our Cornell Johnson B-School Zone and our blog post, Cornell Johnson 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines & Tips. Don’t want to leave any stone unturned? Check out our previous Cornell Q&A for additional advice.
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