Below is the Sample Admission Essay for Cornell University
IMPACT ESSAY
The SC Johnson College of Business takes pride in providing students with the resources and guidance to help them gain expertise in a field that they are passionate about. Housing a community that consists of individuals from varied cultural and educational backgrounds, this illustrious institution offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience. I want to be a part of the community to not just gain prowess in my area of interest but to also contribute meaningfully to the tide.
Being a private equity professional with more than eight years of experience under my belt, I now want to push myself out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. It is not the academic credential that I seek to acquire; it is the experiential learning that I crave. As I advance my business skills by the way of this tailored, STEM-designated program, I am equally eager to contribute to the cohort in several ways.
Throughout my professional trajectory, I have not just handled equity assets but have also nurtured relationships with investors along the way. I am certain that I can leverage my networking skills and industry experience in a way that benefits my classmates. Also, having worked for top asset management firms for a while, I have garnered a sound understanding of asset and investment management. To further enrich the understanding of my peers, I can invite prominent industry leaders whom I have worked with to speak at college events. Moreover, working at top international firms such as Catalyst, SCN, Matrix Mavens, and Accord Consulting, I believe that I can leverage my network by sourcing case studies, while also facilitating career development opportunities at Johnson.
I also intend to be a part of the Johnson Women in Business and Women Management Council communities and contribute to initiatives that promote and support women in business. In addition to integrating my past academic and professional experience, I also look forward to channeling my 12 years of theatre experience toward spearheading the annual production ‘Follies’. Given the chance, I will prove my mettle and be a valuable asset to the Cornell community.
OPTIONAL ESSAY
I would like to reflect upon my reasons for applying to the chosen MBA program at Cornell, despite having an MBA degree from an Indian university. After completing my major in Commerce from St. Johns University in 2011, I wanted to grow into bigger shoes and gain managerial knowledge. Owing to this burgeoning desire, I opted for a General MBA program with a major in Consulting. While pursuing this program, I also appeared for examinations for my UG program to improve my existing score. This is why my BA transcript shows 2014 as the year of completion instead of 2013. I also completed Level 1 of the CFA examination during my MBA program. My other credentials include certifications in Real Estate Finance and Investments from CFI and DS and Business Analytics from Xavier School of Management. My academic credentials paved the way for me to enter the professional world. My 10 years of experience had me working in Business Strategy, Business Communication, and Supply Chain Management sectors in the private equity segment. As I worked for the top firms in this sector, I gained experience in rigorous quantitative analyses of companies, formulating exit strategies for dispositions, and ensuring greater profitability of our portfolio companies.
I then moved to the USA in 2023 and secured the position of Associate Management Consultant at Alix Partners and have been working there for the past three months. Though I moved in March, my application for ‘employment authorization’ took six months for approval. Working in the USA has exposed me to the global business environment and has made me realize that my existing knowledge and skills need an elevation. I need to have an edge in this competitive and ever-evolving business arena, for which, an MBA program from Cornell is an ideal stride. With a special emphasis on technology, data analysis, and finance; I will have the chance to take a plunge into the intricacies of the contemporary business world. I am certain that this program will further enhance my chances of landing more rewarding career opportunities in the times ahead.
