Cornell University - Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management (housed within the larger SC Johnson School of Business) draws upon its parent institution’s research resources to give its student maximum opportunities. The school offers Oneand Two-Year, Tech, and Executive MBAs, as well as numerous degree programs and locations for study. The One-Year MBA is a full-time, residential degree located at the flagship campus in Ithaca, while the Two-Year program features the school’s unique immersion learning approach, partnering with Cornell Tech in New York City. Following a semester of core curriculum and team-based learning, this second Strategic Semester in Operations drops students into site visits, live cases, and electives in an area of the student’s choosing (One-Year students also get this option, though with reduced area offerings). Overall, the school “dedicates resources to help students succeed” in “consulting, banking, tech, marketing, general management, or a host of other career paths.” Students cite this “breadth and depth of programming” as one of Johnson’s greatest assets: “Johnson taps into the strength of programs at other Cornell schools and colleges to offer unique programs,” shares a student.

The school’s location contributes to “the intimate environment that makes the student body and faculty so close.” Faculty are available outside of regular office hours, which creates “an incredible support system from TAs to tutors from the second-year class.” Small core teams each “have a designated Johnson Leadership Fellow who coaches the teams, advising on best practices, and creates the space for team members to offer constructive feedback.” Everyone at Johnson “is motivated to diligently pursuing their best career path, while also introducing peers to new industries and possibilities.”

The goal of the school’s highly regarded Career Management Center is for students to not only get internships and job offers, but to be fully equipped with the skills necessary to take whatever diverging paths come their way. To that end, functionally aligned career workgroups, prep programs, and advising are all accessible on campus. Additionally, the “incredible alumni network” of more than 10,000 Johnson graduates are active practitioners of the school’s “pay it forward mentality,” giving back to the community when able. While still in attendance, Johnson students “take on informal leadership roles in recruiting activities by coaching peers/first-year students, offering case interview prep, [and technical] banking interview prep.” They all “have a lot of distinct prior work experiences and are willing to share,” which helps “everyone rise to the occasion for the betterment of the community.” Being located somewhat away from major cities, “recruiting can require more traveling at times, but the time spent … is more concentrated.” Plus, the administration and alumni “help to place [students] in internships, and the immersions help to convert those internships to full-time offers.”

Life at Johnson “is very social,” and “students participate in every activity and often create their own clubs if something [doesn’t] already exist.” Students at Johnson “are always together, whether that's for an academic group class, a club board meeting, or for a social event.” Because of this, “there are plenty of opportunities to engage in clubs and develop leadership skills.” The school offers “a very inclusive environment” where “everyone hangs out together.” One student shares, “Without being in a big city with a lot of distractions, the focus is on hanging out and spending time getting to know each other.” Here, students can “embark on a wine tour, take a water-skiing class on a lake, and still enjoy cosmopolitan charms and access to big city life.” Plus, Ithaca “is fantastic for hiking and swimming in gorges.” Another enrollee says, “It's nice to escape away from a loud city and live somewhere quiet for two years.” And it’s even great for those with families: The Johnson community “offers a place for students’ partners and spouses and welcomes all.”