Select Questions and Answers from Cornell live chat. Thank you all for participating.
Q: I applied in January (Round 3) and my application is still Under Review. At this point, are more interview invitations going out given that decisions are coming out mid-March?
A: We are still sending out invitations to interview - please don’t worry. I know I still have files left to read in my queue.
Q: Is it a ding if one is yet to receive any response for the January Round yet?
A: The Admissions Committee is still working through the January round applications. We guarantee initial notification by March 15, 2017.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about what happens after the candidate’s interview, in terms of evaluating within the admissions team? Does it go to a vote, second reading etc?
A: Great question! Once a candidate has been interviewed that completes their admissions application file. The application then moves on to final review by the Admissions Committee. Admissions decisions are released on a rolling basis. They try and provide admissions decisions as quickly as possible, however it can take up to 3 - 4 weeks.
Q: What is the average time from an interview until a candidate can expect to hear the decision?
A: Once an applicant has interviewed, their application is then complete. It then is sent on for final review by the Admissions Committee who release decisions on a rolling basis. It can take 3 - 4 weeks for a decision to be released , however they work hard to provide decisions as quickly as possible.
Q: What are some of the common trends that you see in candidates who receive an invitation to interview despite having a lower than average test score or GPA? Do you find that the applicant uses the Optional essay to prove their academic abilities or display their differences which can ultimately separate themselves from a large majority of candidates?
A: Generally speaking, candidates who are invited to interview with lower scores have other strengths in their application - outstanding work experience, a track record of success professionally or other attributes which will add value to their classmates.
Q: During the interview, if I encounter some questions to which I don’t have good answers at that moment, would it be okay to ask for another question?
A: Great question! Our interviews are really conversational - I think it’s fine to ask for a few seconds to think about an answer. of if it’s a question you don’t want to answer, say you’re uncomfortable answering that question.
Q: If I am applying before the March 15 deadline, does it provide any advantage to apply earlier than deadline? Will my application be evaluated earlier?
A: If you submit a complete application prior to the application deadline, it will be placed into the read queue. So the sooner you submit, it’s likely the sooner your application will be reviewed.
Q: Do applicants typically utilize the optional essay? If yes, for what specific purpose (e.g. weak area in application, etc.)?
A: The optional essay can be used to bring attention to parts of the application that might not otherwise have been addressed - an example would be gaps on a resume. Re-applicants also use this essay to highlight improvements made to their application.
Q: In the impact essay, do we have to write about how we are going to impact during our study or what opportunities we have identified at Johnson to create impact in the future based on our career goals and interests?
A: You can approach this question from either perspective. I like to see that candidates know how they will the resources available at Johnson and how they can help them achieve their goals.
Q: I have one question regarding the community activities essay...what are you looking at in this ...for example in my case I have not done much community work.
A: We are interested in how you spend your time and talents. Additionally, you can add personal and professional achievements and accomplishments.
Q: For international applicants, do their relative profile strength is compared to similar intl profiles or the whole applicant pool?
A: We are interested in building the diversity of our student body - diversity of person, place, thought and interest. Additionally, international students are evaluated based on their peer group and strength in the applicant pool. We are sensitive to GMAT differences by region, ect. Above all, admissions is holistic which means we are evaluated all factors including test scores, work experience, fit for Johnson, recommendations, goals, etc.
Q: Do you predict that students who opt for the Traditional 2 Year MBA Program in Ithaca will have the opportunity to spend a semester at Cornell’s Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island within the next couple of years?
A: Yes, two year students will have the option to spend a full semester or partial semester (7 weeks) at the Cornell Tech campus in the two-year program.
Q: Is there any upper limit on number of work experience for 2- Year MBA program?
A: No, however it is possible that candidates with extensive work experience would be a better fit for the EMBA program.
Q: How much of a liability is work experience that is strictly technical with little client facing?
A: Technical work experience is not a negative in the application process. It’s helpful if you can identify skills in your current job that may be transferable into the career you want to move into - so for instance, good team skills, or leading a multicultural team.
Q: How are candidates assessed for scholarships?
A: Merit Scholarship recipients are selected by an Admissions Scholarship Committee. The same criteria are used to determine merit as are used to evaluate applicants for admission: demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, prior academic performance, exam scores, the range and depth of work experience, writing skills, interpersonal skills, extracurricular and community involvement, recommendations, previous achievements, focus and goals.
Q: Do you have an idea of how many students pursue a Customized Immersion and any examples of them?
A: The number of students enrolled in a customized immersion varies from year to year, but it’s around 10% of the class.
Q: What are the MBA programs that Johnson has a heavy cross-over with (i.e. students routinely applying to those programs as well)?
A: Cornell is situated in a large research institution so MBAs are taking graduate courses all over! MBAs can take up to 25 credits within the SC Johnson College of Business which is includes the Hotel School and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Additionally, Johnson students take courses in real estate, law, engineering, labor relations, HR - options are limitless!
Q: In the application, what is considered an appropriate level of specificity with regards to future career goals? (for eg. contrast between a general desire to enter management consulting vs. a specific desire to be a VP in a specific domain at McKinsey in London)
A: You don’t need a laser focus on your career - you should be prepared to address why you think consulting is the right career for you and perhaps the types of consulting you are interested in (HR, Financial, Management). You should also be prepared to speak to your career goals and target employers if you are interviewed.
Q: What is something that people can’t find on website about Cornell? In the impression of adcom, what is the best kept secret at Cornell that is a real gem there but is not that well known?
A: I think the culture of an MBA program is difficult to capture on a website. We really encourage candidates to visit campus if at all possible. If you visit campus you can meet with students, attend a class, tour the school and Cornell campus. If you can’t visit, reach out to current students who share similar interests through club activities.
Q: If you could provide top 5 reasons why Johnson stands out as an MBA program and similarly, what distinguishes Johnson when it comes to internship/full employment opportunities?
A: I think the top reasons vary from candidate to candidate - I think fit is the most important factor in choosing the program thats right for you. Employment data is a historical snapshot and as they say with investments - past performance is not a guarantee of future return. If you choose the program that’s the right fit for you, you’ll get the most out of the program and will be prepared to pursue you’re goals.
24 Feb 2017, 09:04
