Tips for The Cornell Johnson Essays

The SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell ranked in the top 20 b-schools for P&Q’s annual rankings.

Getting into the MBA program is no easy feat as the admissions team seeks out top-notch applicants.

One of the most crucial aspects of the Johnson application is the essay component. This requires applicants to complete a Goals Statement as well as two essays: the Impact Essay and the Back of Your Resume Essay.

The experts at Stratus Admissions recently offered a few tips on how to best write the Cornell Johnson essays and what the admissions team is looking for.

REQUIRED ESSAY COMPONENTS

The Goals Statement is a short-answer section in which applicants share their short- and long-term goals.

If applicants secure an interview, they are expected to elaborate on their Goals Statement further and connect their past experiences with their future aspirations.

The Impact Essay essentially asks applicants to explain how they intend to make an impact during their time at Johnson. This essay, according to Johnson’s website, is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture.

The Back of Your Resume Essay is an opportunity for applicants to present themselves as an individual. Essentially, the name is exactly what it is: space for applicants to convey their personality and individualism outside of their resume’s accomplishments and numbers.

CONVEY YOUR IMPACT

Johnson admissions team is interested in understanding what kind of impact an applicant will leave on the Johnson community.

Experts say utilizing the Impact Essay to convey how you’ll do this is key.

“To write a successful ‘Impact Essay,’ you have to do your research; reach out to a few club officers of professional or shared interest groups at Cornell that are relevant to your background or goals,” according to Stratus. “Identify ways you can get involved and feel free to name drop your contacts in the essay. Touch base with alumni. Determine the volunteering or mentorship opportunities of which you will take advantage. Participate in virtual or in-person information sessions.”

HAVE BALANCE

Another important note is to convey how you stay balanced in your accomplishments as well as who you are outside the classroom.

Having balance, experts say, can help illustrate your interests and personality beyond your accolades and goals.

“Cornell is known as a culture that works, learns, and plays hard,” according to Stratus. “Does this represent your life? If it does, share the details with Johnson. Investment banker and whiskey connoisseur, that’s what we are talking about. Being the social catalyst for your group counts at Cornell. After all, Ithaca winters are cold and dark.”

Sources: Stratus Admissions Counseling, Poets & Quants, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business