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Admissions

Please consult our admissions FAQs for more information, including COVID-related questions. Below is an overview.

Because research is the primary focus of the doctoral program, PhD candidates are freed from any requirement to teach as part of their graduate support. PhD candidates are required to complete 3 full course equivalents as a course assistant and make adequate progress toward graduation and work with faculty members on research projects.

  • Stipend amount effective July 1, 2023: $44,885
  • Full tuition waiver
  • Inclusion in the university’s health plan at no charge
  • Degree conferred is a Doctor of Philosophy in the field of management, granted by Cornell University

If you would like to apply, you will need to use our online application. This method offers the convenience of tracking your status, submitting academic records online, and having your application received by the committee for review.

Applicants interested in the Johnson PhD program in economics should complete their application for admission to the graduate field of economics at gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/apply-now. They should indicate in their statement of purpose that they are interested in working with Johnson faculty members in the economics group, and how their research plans are related to those of one or more of the group’s faculty members.

Application and supplemental material deadline is December 15.

Application Process

To submit a complete application, you need to:

  • Complete the online application form
  • Prepare a statement of purpose
  • Prepare a personal statement
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • Submit a copy of your transcripts from each institution attended
  • Please have an official score report on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) sent to the Cornell Graduate School (optional).
    GRE – use school code 2098
    GMAT – use school code 5JW-BM-26

TOEFL and IELTS

Students whose native language is not English are also required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), unless they have studied in full-time status for at least two academic years within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or with English language instruction in Canada or South Africa. You must submit a transcript that shows you have attended college in one of these approved locations. Minimum scores for the IBT version of TOEFL are:

  • Writing: 20
  • Listening: 15
  • Reading: 20
  • Speaking: 22

The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS. When you register for the exam, you may select up to five intuitions to which you would like to have your Test Report Form (TRF) mailed. You may also submit a request to your test center to have additional TRFs sent to institutions not originally listed on your registration form.

Have your TRF mailed to Cornell University — Graduate Admissions. Please do not email a scanned copy, or mail a photocopy of your TRF. Cornell does not currently accept PTE scores as an alternative to the TOEFL or IELTS. For more information about the TOEFL or IELTS test, visit the Graduate School Admissions site.

Please have TOEFL scores sent to the Cornell Graduate School using school code 2098.

Financial Aid

You apply for financial aid automatically when you send in your application form. We do not require a separate application for financial aid.

Contacts and Further Information

For general information about the Cornell University Graduate School:

Cornell University Graduate School
Caldwell Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-2602
www.gradschool.cornell.edu

For specific information about the Management doctoral program, contact:

Doctoral Program
253-D Sage Hall
Johnson Graduate School of Management
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-6201

Phone: 607.255.5340
Fax: 607.254.4590
E-mail: jcb-phd@cornell.edu