S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management History

Cornell University, founded in 1868, is a private, coeducational institution. The 745-acre campus is located in a small town 250 miles northwest of New York City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 20,400.

The S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management was founded in 1946 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. Courses also are offered at Palisades, NY (Executive MBA program) and in New York State, Ohio, Washington State, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and across Canada. The basic educational approach is a reality-based, career-relevant curriculum that combines the traditional case method and theoretical approach with experiential models and integrated immersion learning courses.

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management Academics

The Johnson School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a doctoral program , and a joint degree in law (JD/MBA), Asian Studies (MBA/MA), MBA/Master of Engineering, MBA/Master of Industrial and Labor Relations, and MBA/MD with Weill Cornell Medical College. Other programs include work-study and immersion learning programs in brand management, strategic operations, investment banking, capital markets and asset management, managerial finance, entrepreneurship, and sustainable global enterprise. The Park Leadership Fellows program offers 2-year full-tuition stipends. An accelerated MBA option is available. The strongest areas of study are finance, consulting, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, and general management. The most popular courses are in financial markets and institutions, consulting projects, financial statement analysis, and entrepreneurship. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. There are several leadership lecture series, Executive-in-Residence, Consultant-in Residence, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs, are frequent guest lectures in many courses.

Sixty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 40 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• Statistics for Management
• Microeconomics for Management
• Marketing Management
• Management and Organizations
• Business Strategy
• Managerial Finance
• Managing Operations

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through exemption examinations for all core courses, but residency is not reduced.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 2 years.

There are 59 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% hold a doctorate; there are 21 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system.

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The business library is particularly strong in accounting, finance, and corporate information. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dow Jones, Lexis/Nexis, First Call, ProQuest Direct, Global Access, Compustat, CD, Bloomberg, and hundreds of others. Other opportunities for research consist of 18 other Cornell libraries as well as CISER (Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research) and the Cornell Library gateway to worldwide electronic resources.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of wireless network throughout the building, student computer lab available 24/7, and a student business center with phone and fax. Two major classrooms include more state-of-the-art presentation technology with two-way video and audio between them.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were finance, marketing, manufacturing, and consulting. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $94,370. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include bi-weekly job postings; an active career network of 700 alumni who will assist in job searches, access to ProNet, an electronic database; MBA Central, a career management service; access to searchable alumni directories; and informal counseling. Placement is available through Career Management Center. Depending on prior experience, Johnson School MBA students can also participate in recruiting activities at Cornell’s College of Engineering, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the School of Hotel Administration. Ninety-six percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization record, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based scholarships and loans. There are multiple admission rounds.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the day only and only full-time.

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, demonstrated leadership, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 1797; 655 were accepted; 300 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.33; average GMAT score was 680. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by special minority recruitment events, scholarship awards, and presentations to minority professional groups.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $180, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume and essays. There are multiple admission rounds. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is January. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management Financial Aid

About 70% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $42,530 annually; maximum $75,960. Stipends and programs are available for minority students in the form of full tuition scholarships as well as low-cost loans. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is June 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $38,800 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $4100; personal expenses, $4860; and other fees, $1560, for an estimated annual total of $49,320. Graduate student housing is available on or adjacent to campus for single students and those with families. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 98% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (29%). Twenty-five percent are women, 21% are minorities, and 29% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 26; ages range from 18 to 37. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 36%, engineering; 26%, business; 10%, economics; 7%, math and science; 5%, social sciences; and 2%, liberal arts. In 2006, 289 graduate business degrees were awarded.