Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management
3 required essays, 3 optional for the 2026-27 cycle.
Deadlines
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 17, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 5, 2027 |
| Round 3 | April 6, 2027 |
Essays
Goals essay · not stated on page · required
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: Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ___[Role]___ at ___[Company]___ within ___[Industry]___. In 5-10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ___[Role]___ at ___[Company]___ within ___[Industry]___. Please share how you plan to leverage your unique qualities and utilize the resources available to you at Johnson to transition to your immediate post-MBA career goal.
Program supplement · 350 words maximum · required
Impact Essay: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community?
Program supplement · 350 words or under 3 minutes multimedia · required
Table of Contents Essay: You are the author of your Life Story. Please create the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube, etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions. Maximum file size is 25 MB. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 350 words. Multimedia submissions should be under 3 minutes.
Program supplement · 350 words maximum · optional
Optional Essay: 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.
Program supplement · 350 words maximum · optional
Reapplicant: 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.
Program supplement · 500 word limit · optional
Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay: Describe a past formal or informal leadership experience and how it informs your goals for growth as a leader. How would the Park Leadership Fellowship assist with these goals?
johnson.cornell.edu now 301-redirects to business.cornell.edu; page labels itself 2026-2027. Applicants write the Goals Statement plus ONE of the two required essays (Impact or Table of Contents). Goals statement word limit not shown on the page. Deadlines from business.cornell.edu/admissions/graduate/mba/application-guide/important-dates/ (Two-Year Ithaca MBA). Table of Contents essay replaces the prior-cycle Unique Trait essay.
Checked against business.cornell.edu/admissions/graduate/mba/application-guide/mba-application-requirements-faqs on September 9, 2026. Programs change their prompts between cycles; confirm on the program’s own page before you submit.
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Common questions
- How many essays does Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management require for 2026-27?
- 3 required and 3 optional, 6 in total. Every prompt is listed on this page word for word, with the length each one states.
- How long should the Johnson essays be?
- Not stated on page. That is the length the program states on its own page, which this record was read from on September 9, 2026.
- When is the Johnson 2026-27 deadline?
- Round 1: September 17, 2026. 2 other rounds are listed on this page.