MPS in Management Application Guide

The MPS in Management requires as foundational preparation the Cornell Undergraduate Business Minor (or equivalent). If you are in the progress of completing this requirement, you may indicate this on your application.

Applicants from outside Cornell should have completed, at a minimum, introductory courses in: Economics, Statistics, Business or Management, Financial Accounting, Finance and Marketing.

• Academic transcripts: Successful applicants will have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Please submit transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Be sure to redact, cross out, or cover your Social Security Number if it is displayed on your transcript. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; however, should you be admitted into the MPS Management program, we will request an official copy for verification.
  • Transcripts should indicate:
    • All courses you have taken
    • Grades received in each course
    • Degree and the date it was conferred
• For students with non-U.S. credentials: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree is required. Candidates who have earned or are on track to earn a degree that does not match the information found on the equivalency list in title or duration should strongly consider providing a credential evaluation with their application. World Education Services (WES) a third-party verification agency, can provide this service.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. If your transcript is not in English, please submit an official and certified English translation in addition to an original copy. World Education Services (WES), can provide this service. Transcripts should indicate all courses you have taken, grades received in each course, degree name, and date the degree was conferred. Candidates who are admitted and enrolled are required to provide the corresponding official transcripts before matriculation.

A GMAT or GRE test score is a required component of the MPS-Management program application.  The GMAT or GRE is one way to demonstrate quantitative competency and English language proficiency to the admissions committee in our holistic review process.

There is no minimum score requirement to apply to the MPS-Management program. If you completed the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will use the exam with the highest total score.

The MPS-Management program will accept the GRE General Test, the GMAT Online Exam, and the GMAT Focus for the fall 2024 cycle.

GMAT or GRE scores are valid for five years.  The MPS-Management program requires that scores be valid on the deadline of the application round in which you apply.

Submitting a Score

GMAT scores should be sent electronically using www.mba.com. Use code 5811 when filling out the GMAT registration.

GRE scores should be delivered by ETS (www.ets.org). All official test scores should be reported directly to Cornell University’s institution code 2098. Department codes are not needed for matching scores to applications. If ETS requires you to select a department code, you may choose “0000 undecided.”

You may submit an unofficial score report for your application review; however, if you are accepted and intend to enroll, your official score report must be received by your enrollment deposit deadline.  It is an applicant’s responsibility to contact the testing service directly and authorize the release of the official score report.  Offers of admission are not binding until we verify your official academic records and test scores.

Waiver Request

Candidates who demonstrate analytical and quantitative abilities through academics or work experience may request a waiver from the GMAT or GRE test requirement. The waiver request option is in the application.

• An academic waiver request must refer to specific completed courses on the submitted college transcript (e.g. microeconomics, finance, accounting, calculus, and statistics with regression).
• Work experience waiver requests must include a description of the nature of work, and one of the two required letters of recommendation must come from a current supervisor who specifically addresses the quantitative/analytical nature of your work.
• Waiver requests based on other personal circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to request a waiver, we encourage you to submit your application in advance of the application deadline.  You can expect a response to your waiver request within 7 business days via email. If your test waiver is not approved, your application will remain incomplete until a test score is submitted.

Applicants granted a waiver will not be disadvantaged in the application review process.

We require two letters of recommendation. One recommendation should be from a former or current instructor able to speak to your academic promise, while the other should be from an advisor, mentor, coach or supervisor able to speak to your professional promise. Official recommendations are a vital part of the final evaluation process.

All applicants will be required to submit a Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and a Video Interview. This essay provides an opportunity to discuss your background, aspirations, character, personal goals, and anything significant that you would like the Admissions Committee to know. Formatting suggestions: 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, single spacing.

Statement of Purpose (required):

This statement states your reasons for undertaking graduate work and explains your academic interests, including their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals. Include your full name and your proposed field of study at the top of every page.

In addition to a Statement of Purpose, and Personal Statement, candidates to the MPS in Management program are asked to complete two required supplemental essays (a third essay is optional). Each supplemental essay has a 100-word limit. Please follow the same formatting suggestions.

Supplemental Question 1 (required):

• “In graduate business school, much of the learning takes place in teams. Tell us specifically what qualities you will bring to the program that will enhance the learning of your classmates.”

Supplemental Question 2 (required):

• “Please describe a recent goal you have accomplished or challenge you have overcome outside the realm of academics, and describe what lessons you have learned from that experience.”

Supplemental Question 3 (optional):

• Although not required, you are invited to submit a short statement with additional details regarding your candidacy to the MPS in Management.

Personal Statement (required):

• Please describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insights into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.

Video Interview (required):

• After you submit your application, you will be sent an email invitation to complete a video interview, where you will be asked to give short verbal responses to pre-recorded questions. Note, an invitation to the video interview will be sent automatically after submitting your application. Please monitor your inbox carefully as your application will not be considered complete until the video interview is submitted. The video interview is designed to assess your fit for the program and your communication skills. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video interview.

• We require a non-refundable application fee of $105. The application fee will be waived for all current or former United States military members and for all Cornell students and recent alumni (graduates within two years of application date). In either of these cases, please contact gradadmissions@business.cornell.edu for a fee waiver code prior to submitting your application. Please indicate in your message if you are a current or former United States military member or a current or former Cornell student.
• Payment must be made through the online application using either an e-check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card.
• Further information on Application Fees can be found on the Cornell University Graduate School website.

We require all candidates to upload their resume or CV. If you have updates to your resume after submitting your application, you are welcome to email an updated resume at any time during the admissions process.

All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL or IELTS scores. The MPS in Management program does not accept My Best Score reports for the TOEFL examination and requires applicants to meet the minimum sub-scores in speaking, reading, listening and writing set by the Cornell Graduate School.

In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on score minimums, how to submit test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website.

We are offering Duolingo English Test as a provisional option for applicants in the current cycle who, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, are unable to schedule an IELTS Academic or TOEFL exam. The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online at any time or place with internet access. We require an overall score of 130 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.

IELTS and TOEFL Arrangements for COVID-19

If a safe in-person option is not available for you, you may submit results from one of the following at-home options.

• IELTS Online
• IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL iBT® Home Edition

After you submit your application, you will be sent an email invitation to complete a video interview, where you will be asked to give short verbal responses to pre-recorded questions. Note, an invitation to the video interview will be sent automatically after submitting your application. Please monitor your inbox carefully as your application will not be considered complete until the video interview is submitted. The video interview is designed to assess your fit for the program and your communication skills. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video interview.