{"id":39494,"date":"2017-10-22T06:00:05","date_gmt":"2017-10-22T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=39494"},"modified":"2017-10-18T02:40:55","modified_gmt":"2017-10-18T09:40:55","slug":"do-you-fit-with-cornell-johnson-episode-229","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/do-you-fit-with-cornell-johnson-episode-229\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Fit With Cornell Johnson? [Episode 229]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Interview<\/a><\/p>\n

It gives me great pleasure to have for the first time on AST, Judi Byers, the Executive Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at Johnson School of Management at Cornell University<\/a>. Judi earned her bachelors degree and masters degrees from American University in Washington DC. She also worked for American University\u2019s Kogod School of Business for a little over 10 years before moving to beautiful Ithaca New York in 2015 to become the Executive Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at Johnson School of Management at Cornell University.<\/p>\n

Welcome, Judi!<\/p>\n

Can you give us an overview of Cornell Johnson\u2019s two-year MBA program?<\/strong> [1:30]<\/p>\n

It starts every August. The first semester is built around a core curriculum, to give students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of business. We find that students are either seeking career advancement or changing careers.<\/p>\n

In the second semester, students have the opportunity to pursue an Immersion area<\/a> \u2013 there are eight areas of focus \u2013 bundles of electives and experiences focused around a career path. We want to prepare them for summer internships with hands-on experience and casework.<\/p>\n

Feedback has indicated the immersions are a real differentiator.<\/p>\n

The second year is more of an open canvas \u2013 there\u2019s more flexibility. There are concentrations for breadth and depth, and elective coursework or the opportunity for dual degree study in hotel, engineering, labor relations, law, and medicine.<\/p>\n

There are also 30+ international partners, so students have the opportunity to study abroad. The second year provides the opportunity to customize.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a 1-year program in Ithaca and the Cornell Tech program. How are they different?<\/strong> [4:40]<\/p>\n

For Cornell Tech, we\u2019re looking for students with a strong background in tech \u2013 often science and engineering, and often with an entrepreneurial focus.<\/p>\n

The one-year program in Ithaca is different \u2013 there\u2019s less of a tech focus. It\u2019s really designed for professionals with more work experience, or who have advanced degrees or certifications.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new at Johnson?<\/strong> [6:15]<\/p>\n

There are a lot of exciting developments! I\u2019ve been blown away by the growth since I joined.<\/p>\n

Cornell Johnson is now part of our College of Business \u2013 integration has led to positive developments. There are 3,200 students across the College of Business, and the teaching faculty is one of the largest in the country, with a large operating budget. Integrating three schools helps the alignment across our teaching and recruiting functions.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re looking at new opportunities for areas of focus for MBA students in terms of academic specializations.<\/p>\n

Another exciting thing: the opening of the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education. It\u2019s important for a couple of reasons \u2013 it optimizes our facilities and it\u2019s an early gift from one of our alumni\/trustees.<\/p>\n

Going back to the Johnson Immersion program \u2013 can you give an example of how it works? <\/strong>[11:45]<\/p>\n

As I mentioned, the Immersions are a combination of elective courses and a practical component (a hands-on project or case). It allows them to apply their learning in a practical sense Some also include company site visits.<\/p>\n

This is in the second semester of the first year. They also take two courses in data and analytics.<\/p>\n

Cornell Johnson is located in Ithaca New York. It's magnificently beautiful, but somewhat remote. Some potential applicants may be concerned that Johnson's location is a disadvantage when compared to other major business centers. Can you address that concern?<\/strong> [14:40]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s geographically located such that there are a lot of positives.<\/p>\n

One is the new connectivity with the new Cornell Tech campus.<\/p>\n

The residential community promotes close relationships \u2013 with each other, faculty, administrators. It facilitates longer-term collegiality and communication. People stay connected long term.<\/p>\n

That said \u2013 students are excited about sharing some of their time with the Roosevelt Island campus \u2013 they have the chance to do short term courses there (on digital marketing and fin tech). So going forward we see greater opportunities to connect Ithaca and Manhattan.<\/p>\n

Turning to the application \u2013 do you have any advice for Johnson\u2019s essays<\/a>?<\/strong> [17:50]<\/p>\n

Yes.<\/p>\n

We have a few prompts. One is a short answer, fill-in-the-blank prompt about short and long-term goals. It\u2019s the start of a conversation, not the end.<\/p>\n

Then we have an essay about impact. I see it as a core value of the community. This essay prompt is designed to allow applicants to talk about how they foresee the opportunity to have impact in their careers. Another way to talk about impact is to talk about how an applicant plans to leverage their previous experience to have an impact on the MBA program.<\/p>\n

Then we have a prompt that we\u2019ve had for many years \u2013 our Table of Contents prompt, which is meant to be a creative opportunity for applicants to tell their story and help us get to know them. Share highlights \u2013 personal, professional, obstacles overcome. We\u2019re a small program and who we admit matters to us. The TOC allows us to get to know applicants personally.<\/p>\n

What if someone carries the TOC forward?<\/strong> [23:05]<\/p>\n

Think about how Cornell ties into your story and helps you write the next chapter.<\/p>\n

You get a lot more applicants than you have spots. How do you winnow it down?<\/strong> [24:20]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a very holistic process. We look for students with a diversity of perspectives \u2013 geographic, academic, professional. A variety of backgrounds.<\/p>\n

We look very carefully at the notion of fit. In a small community the notion of how an individual fits in is important. We look at values.<\/p>\n

\u201cFit\u201d has to do with an alignment of your values with the institution\u2019s values and the experience they offer you.<\/p>\n

For a candidate, assessing fit means getting to know the culture and environment \u2013 speaking to people in the community, visiting if you can, participating in recruiting events (including virtual events).<\/p>\n

What makes fit challenging is that it is relative to your own priorities and decision criteria.<\/p>\n

The criteria for fit may vary from candidate to candidate \u2013 what it looks like in terms of geography, areas of focus, etc, will vary based on what you need in a program. You need to know what\u2019s important to you.<\/p>\n

What can those invited to interview expect?<\/strong> [30:30]<\/p>\n

A conversation with either a member of the admissions team of a trained student interviewer.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a conversation about your experiences, your interest in the program, how you see yourself fitting into the program and community.<\/p>\n

Do you have advice for applicants applying right now?<\/strong> [31:35]<\/p>\n

Make certain you\u2019re applying when you have your best application to put forward<\/a>. We have four rounds \u2013 January tends to be the highest volume. Make sure you\u2019re putting your best foot forward.<\/p>\n

Coming back to the essay prompts \u2013 there\u2019s a big focus on fit and impact. I encourage applicants to engage with our events \u2013 it\u2019ll help your understanding of the school. Get to know members of the community \u2013 know whether this is a community that aligns with what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n

And do you have advice for someone planning to apply next year or later?<\/strong> [35:15]<\/p>\n

With the advantage of time: if you haven\u2019t taken the GMAT or GRE yet, do that \u2013 that\u2019s one of the areas that often gives people anxiety, so address it early.<\/p>\n

I would encourage doing visits or recruiting events. Participating in partner or affinity groups (eg Forte, Consortium, etc) \u2013 these groups provide great support.<\/p>\n

Think about your short- and long-term goals, and what\u2019s important to you.<\/p>\n

The more applicants understand what\u2019s important to them, the more it\u2019ll reduce the stress.<\/p>\n

Recruiting is changing. There are more recruiters, and more opportunities, but the hiring path is more diverse and splintered than it was ten years ago. How is Johnson adapting to those changes?<\/strong> [37:55]<\/p>\n

Our team is working closely to maintain an understanding of what the opportunities are. We help facilitate opportunities for grads. We help train for new and emerging career paths \u2013 for example, we have a new focus on digital marketing. So our academic side is responding to shifts in the recruiting landscape.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s an example of something entrepreneurial and really cool that a Johnson student or alum is doing?<\/strong> [40:20]<\/p>\n

Two grads who finished this year created Pure Spinach \u2013 hydroponic spinach grown here on campus. They wanted to provide access to fresh organic spinach to people who didn\u2019t have as much access due to climate issues on the east coast. Their product is sold locally, and they\u2019re talking to national chains.<\/p>\n

Another cool experience, one of our students had experience working for the Tata Group, and he recently built Mumbai\u2019s largest animal hospital.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s coming up at Johnson?<\/strong> [43:23]<\/p>\n

The school\u2019s been through a fair amount of growth. We\u2019re looking ahead to more areas of academic focus capitalizing on the Roosevelt Island campus<\/a> and the integration with the College of Business.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cornell Johnson MBA Programs<\/a>
\n\u2022 Cornell Johnson College of Business MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines<\/a>
\n\u2022 Leadership Immersion at Cornell Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Shows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cornell Johnson Straight Out of College: A Young Entrepreneur\u2019s Story<\/a>
\n\u2022 The Consortium Can Help You Get Your MBA<\/a>
\n\u2022 UCLA Anderson MBA Admissions According to Dean Alex Lawrence<\/a>
\n\u2022 What\u2019s New at NYU Stern? A Lot!<\/a>
\n\u2022 Make a Difference at Michigan Ross: An Interview with Soojin Kwon<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>get accepted<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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