Your Chances at Cornell Johnson 2024: Acceptance Rate & More

2023-2024 Application Cycle: Special Note for Round 2 and Round 3 Applicants Invited for an MBA Interview

Wondering about your chances now that you’ve been invited to an interview?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to answer to this question with certainty, as business schools do not publish figures on interview invites.

It is safe to guess that MBA programs interview approximately double the number of people they intend to admit. In crude terms, this means that your chances of acceptance are good—around 50%.

But remember that there are other factors at play which are not reflected in this generalized statement:

  • The post-interview decision will still depend on the strength of your application: outstanding applicants will have a better chance both pre- and post-interview.
  • Less competitive applicants—with lower GMAT scores, sub-optimal employers, and a less prestigious undergraduate degree—will be under more pressure to impress than a highly competitive applicant.
  • Anyone can have a surprising interview—for better or for worse.

Regardless of your initial application, your next step should be to prepare as effectively as possible for your MBA interview—with someone who has interview experience and an understanding of the program you’re applying to.

Menlo Coaching offers personalized, professional MBA interview preparation, tailored to your specific target programs.

See Your Interview Prep Options

Are you striving to attend business school at one of the world’s top universities, but you’re unsure of where you will most likely get accepted? With the competitiveness at top schools, you might be trying to understand which MBA programs are even worth applying to. That’s why, we’ve put together some fast facts covering key admission factors to help you determine your odds of getting accepted into the Cornell Johnson MBA Program.

If you’re wondering how difficult it is to get into Cornell University’s MBA program, then you’ve come to the right place. On this page, we’ll give you a quick overview of what it takes to get into SC Johnson College of Business and help you understand whether your profile is a good fit for the Cornell MBA program.

(Note: This page highlights Johnson’s full-time MBA program. The other program option at Johnson is the Executive MBA program – America and Metro NY.)

Fast Facts: Johnson MBA

Acceptance Rate31%
GMAT Median710
GPA Median3
Avg. Years Work Experience5.4

Source: Cornell Johnson, Class of 2025 data

Sage Hall, Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management

Undergraduate Majors Represented in Johnson’s MBA Program 

The top undergraduate majors represented in Johnson’s MBA program are Engineering/Math/Physical Sciences (24%), Business/Commerce (33%), and Economics (14%).

Top Undergraduate Universities from Johnson’s MBA Class

The undergraduate universities most represented in Johnson’s MBA class profile are: 

  • Cornell University
  • New York University
  • University of Virginia
  • Penn State University
  • Boston University
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Lehigh University
  • University of Waterloo
  • Boston College
  • Middlebury College

If your undergraduate college is listed above, that means that Johnson has accepted many applicants with your education background in the past. It also shows that candidates who have gone to these schools have considered applying to Johnson, and it is one indication that the business school has found students who have completed their undergraduate education at these universities to be successful.  

Johnson’s Top Pre-MBA Industries

Johnson’s top pre-MBA industries are financial services (30%), consulting (11%), technology (11%), and government/non-profits (8%).

Do You Have Enough Time to Apply in Round 2?

Take our quiz and find out whether you should submit in Round 2—
or whether you should wait to apply next year.

Looking at the pre-MBA industries shows you whether your profile is well-represented at Johnson. Don’t worry if you don’t see your industry on the list—there might not be many students enrolled from your industry simply because many candidates didn’t apply to the program in the first place. The same goes for the pre-MBA employers data we’ve provided below.

Top Pre-MBA Employers Represented at Johnson

The pre-MBA companies that are most represented in the Johnson MBA class are: 

What does Johnson value?

Johnson looks for MBA applicants with – outstanding academic credentials and a commitment to academic excellence. A resume that outlines notable professional accomplishments. Thoughtful application essays that communicate your fit and potential contributions as a community member.

Interested in finding out more about Johnson? Visit our Cornell Johnson overview page.

Considering the Cornell Johnson MBA? Let our team of MBA admissions consultants help you navigate the application process and maximize your chances of acceptance.

The Ultimate
MBA Admissions Checklist

Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

Compare pricing across 35+ MBA admissions consulting firms

Learn why “success rates” are not to be trusted

Find the right service model for your needs

Prep for your consultation calls

Compare pricing across 35+ MBA admissions consulting firms

Learn why “success rates”
are not to be trusted

Find the right service model
for your needs

Prep for your consultation calls