2022-2023 Cornell Johnson Essay Breakdown

In this blogpost we will discuss the Cornell Johnson MBA admissions essays questions for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle.

Short Answer

Use this short answer question to succinctly share your short and long term goals. If invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate further and should be prepared to connect your prior experience with your future aspirations.

A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):

Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Role]____ at ___[Company]___within___[Industry]___.
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:

In 5 – 10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Role]____ at ___[Company]___within___[Industry]___.
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

The initial part of the prompt's first section should be easy for you to fill in the blanks. Previous brief answer examples have included the following:

Short Term Objective:

My immediate professional aspiration is to work at PwC as a Consultant in the Media and Technology sector.

Long Term Objective:

My objective is to work as a Founder and President within a Nonprofit in five to ten years after receiving an MBA.

Your explanation of how your past has influenced your intended future is expected, just like last year's question. Cornell is asking you to talk about your professional background and how things like exposure to the industry and client projects influenced your choice. This is a chance for you to demonstrate your abilities and justify the need for an MBA. You need not discuss every position you have held since graduating; instead, focus on the ones that have had the greatest impact on preparing you for the future. If you have switched careers, you might want to discuss transferable skills or go further into the factors that initially sparked your interest and passion in your new field. Making links to your goal and motivation clearly and succinctly is the key to effective short answers.

Essay 1: Impact Essay

This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students, alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance.

At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum)

You are being urged by the admissions committee to interact with the student body. You must describe your interactions with Johnson Allumni, its instructors, staff, or current students. And in turn, how this affects your potential to have a positive influence on the Johnson community. You might want to start by considering one or two aspects of the Johnson community that resonate the most with you based on these conversations. Take into account the things that are already clear from your past actions and successes. Your essay should include one or two instances that demonstrate your abilities and aptitude to have a positive impact. Remember that success in the future is supported by past behavior.

This response should be primarily focused on your intended activities and impact as a Johnson MBA student. It would be a good idea to talk about your behavior outside of class and name particular student organizations in which you could assume leadership roles. It's important to keep in mind that if you want to make a compelling case for how you can influence others, you'll probably need to be aware of the opportunities and needs on campus. The best essay you can write will be the result of discussions with students and alumni. The Johnson experience fosters a sense of community that lasts long after graduation, and the admissions committee is interested in knowing how a candidate plans to use their experience in the future. It's always ideal to end on a note about how you hope to make a difference in the community after earning your MBA.

Optional Essay (Required for Reapplicants)

You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson (350 words maximum). 

If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying (350 words maximum).

This essay question is optional for first-time applicants and ought to be saved for discussing potential weaknesses in your application. If you do choose to talk about something, do it in a straightforward manner, pointing out any mitigating circumstances while avoiding any defensiveness or excuses.

If you are reapplying, you should discuss how you spent the previous year, emphasizing better quantitative records, new professional skills and responsibilities, progress made toward your long-term career goals, and increased involvement in the community.

AS YOU WORK ON YOUR MBA ESSAYS FOR CORNELLL JOHNSON AND YOU NEED HELP, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AMERASIA HAS TO OFFER HERE. WE HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS GET ADMITTED TO THEIR DREAM SCHOOLS AND WE’RE NOT STOPPING NOW.