Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management

Statistics

Programs & Curriculum

Rankings & Lists

Students Say - Academics
Students praise the "variety of MBA programs and areas of study" at Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management, where an Accelerated MBA and two Executive MBA programs complement the traditional 2-year MBA. They also praise the availability of "specialized courses during the first year." The first year consists of eight required courses (Microeconomics for Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, Statistics for Management, Managerial Finance, and Strategy, Managing Operations, and Managing and Leading in Organizations) and a choice of electives or participation in the Immersion Learning program. Eighty percent of students choose to participate in this "well-structured" practicum, which "provides great preparation" for internship-seekers. Second year students choose an all-elective program. The school offers concentrations in selected areas including leadership, global management, sustainable global enterprise, entrepreneurship, and consulting. This system, says one student, "allowed me to become a real expert in the field I have selected." Among other strong specializations is the Asset Management track, bolstered by a student-run trading floor with a "$14-million-dollar hedge fund," and an investment studio in the Parker Center for Investment Research. Students also reserve high praise for the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, which gives students "amazing access to [top] companies" and schools them in "the strategic advantages a focus on sustainability can offer to innovative private enterprise." Johnson also offers 23 international business courses and study abroad opportunities in numerous countries. Students say that Johnson's "world-class faculty" is "very accessible." ("I have gotten rides to school by my professors who see me waiting for the bus," says one student.) They also appreciate that the academics allow for more of a work-life balance than at some other schools ("There are no regular courses on Fridays...which makes it easier to take short vacations or just relax"). In addition, "The school encourages pursuits outside Johnson," "from cooking classes at the Hotel School to athletic classes (such as sailing on the lake)."

Students Say - Admissions
The Johnson application is online only and includes three 400-word essays (two mandatory, one optional). Mandatory topics cover professional achievement and career goals, and the optional essay may be used to detail extenuating circumstances or provide additional bolstering information. Johnson initially reviews applicants through a two-reader system; those who make the cut receive an interview, and only disputed files go to committee. As with other systems, this simply means that it pays to present an extremely strong case for admission. Last year's entering class reported an average GPA of 3.3, average GMAT score of 700, and 5 years of work experience.

Students Say - Campus Life
Students say Cornell deserves its reputation as "the ‘nice' business school," where "Students get ties out of their locker to help classmates make a great impression at I-banking and consulting corporate briefings." In other words, Cornell students will "gladly help a struggling classmate out anytime." "We hunt as a pack," says one MBA candidate of his "bright and collaborative" peers. As if to underscore the "collegial" climate, Johnson students don't hesitate to praise one other. "My classmates are bright, motivated, genuine people who are all about results," says one student. "People here don't talk about themselves all the time like a lot of business typesâ€"they just get the job done." Another adds that Johnson students are "some of the smartest students amongst all schools, but the difference is that Johnson students won't tell you how smart they are." "Students, especially those in the Sustainable Enterprise program, are extremely intelligent nontraditional thinkers and intent on exploring ways new ways of doing business." Hometown Ithaca is famous for its "beautiful scenery" and "outdoor activities such as cliff climbing, yachting, and hiking." It's also isolated and cold, qualities that foster intimacy among the small student body. "At the Johnson School, it is always 70 degrees and bright...in the atrium," jokes one student, a place where "We have frequent social hours." Students are extremely active in nearly 70 organized teams and clubs ("Spouses/partners are welcome and encouraged to join these organizations"), and spend their scanty free time winding down together. "On weekends, there is usually one big social event at night where the majority of the school will gather, and the rest of the weekend is typically spent with smaller groups of friends at a variety of locales." "Whether it's the indoor soccer club playing at 11:00 P.M. on a Sunday night, or the whole lot of us crowding the Palms (a local bar) on Thursday nights, you will always find a group of us out doing something enjoyable."

Students Say - Careers
Johnson alumni "pull us into the top firms," says one MBA candidate. Another affirms, "Cornellians can call any other Cornellian anywhere in the world and we help each other." Where "others care about the consequences of helping, we just do it." In addition, "Our career center is awesome. They really help students find relevant jobs." The top employers of Johnson graduates are American Express, Citigroup, General Electric Company, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, JP Morgan, Amgen, McKinsey & Company, Deutsche Bank, Johnson & Johnson. The average starting salary is $100,700, with international students reporting slightly lower salaries than domestic students. Ninety percent of the last graduating class received offers before commencement.

Other Schools To Consider Top Programs