MSBA Application Guide

• A nonrefundable application fee of $105 must be submitted with your online application. An application fee waiver may be requested if you meet the following criteria:
  • You are a current or former United States military member
  • You are a current Cornell student or a recent Cornell alum and have graduated within two years of your 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.

Note: Fee waivers must be requested BEFORE you apply. We are unable to retroactively refund the application fee.

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 MSBA 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

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.

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.

Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one should be from a current or recent supervisor who can attest to your work-related skills. The second may be from either an academic or professional source.

• You will be required to enter the email or street address of your recommenders as you complete this portion of your application. Select the “online” option for your recommenders to receive an emailed invitation to submit their letters. It is your responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline for the round in which you are applying.

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 500 words:

1. Your academic interests
2. Your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences
3. Your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program
4. Your professional goals.

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.

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. The 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.

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test scores. Test scores must be sent directly by the testing center.  All MSBA classes are delivered in English and require participation in class discussions, involvement in group projects, and intensive writing and reading. Successful candidates will have a full command of spoken and written English.

• The MSBA 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.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline. Duolingo English test scores, with a minimum requirement of 130, should be sent to Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
• In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on TOEFL and IELTS test score minimums, how to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website.
• 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