In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Eddie Asbie, Executive Director of Admissions and Scholarship at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.
Eddie is responsible for overseeing admissions and recruitment for the residential Two-Year MBA program. He has spent 20 years in higher education, primarily within admissions, and has been at Cornell for 12 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University at Buffalo and a master’s in student personnel administration from SUNY Buffalo State College.
Check out our conversation below for Eddie’s favorite aspects of the S.C. Johnson MBA program, his tips on crafting your best, most authentic essay, and his explanation of how the interview process works and more.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Eddie Asbie: I wish applicants knew more about Ithaca, New York, and what a wonderful place it is to complete a Two-Year MBA. Ithaca is a hidden gem and once an applicant comes to visit, we find that they often fall in love with it. I believe the type of applicant interested in our program is very intentional about applying to the program due to our location, smaller class size, and ability to truly connect with the community. With such a close-knit community in a campus town, there is a great partnership between our students, faculty, staff, and alumni — not only within the SC Johnson College of Business and the Johnson School, but with other schools and units in Cornell. One of the biggest misconceptions applicants have about our program is the location. I like to remind applicants that we are a globally recognized institution, part of the Ivy League, and a program with top-tier faculty and curriculum. Recruiters know the quality of a Cornellian, as do our alumni coming back to campus to recruit some of the best and brightest. If you haven’t visited campus yet, we welcome you and would love to show you what makes us special.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
EA: We know applicants spend so much time getting to know us and preparing to submit their application. Each applicant is assigned to an application coordinator, who is available to answer questions during the process. If any components of the application are missing or if we need clarification, our team will follow up. Candidates requesting a test waiver receive an answer within five to seven business days. Once a candidate’s application is complete, it receives a comprehensive assessment of academic readiness and professional preparedness. Then a member of the admissions committee recommends one of the following actions: interview; waitlist without an interview; or deny.
After an interview, the interviewer provides a write-up of the individual’s candidacy and preparedness, and the admissions committee makes the final decisions.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
EA: The essay portion is one of the most interesting components in the application process as it allows us to learn more about the candidate in their own words and gives us a better understanding of why our program is a good fit for them.
Our goals statement essay allows applicants to outline their short- and long-term goals and explain how Johnson will help them meet these goals. We want to know if candidates have thoroughly thought through their next steps, considering the time and financial investment associated with the cost of an MBA. As we are reviewing the essay, we want to make sure our community has the resources necessary to get each student to their goals and beyond.
One new change to our application process is the option to choose one of two essays. The first essay is the “Impact” essay, which allows candidates to address how they intend to make a meaningful impact in the Johnson community. The other option is “The Unique Trait That Defines Me” essay. It’s a great way for a candidate to share what makes them stand out and what others will remember them by.
As for common mistakes, we see applicants who mention another school’s name in our essay. We understand they may be applying to multiple schools, but each school’s essay is unique and should be answered with a thoughtful response. They should also avoid grammatical errors in the application and resume. Finally, we have seen an increase in the use of ChatGPT and other AI platforms in essays. If you are going to use AI, use it as a starting point but not as the final product. We want to hear your authentic voice, and this is one part of the application that you have full control over.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview (students, admissions officers, alumni) and what is the nature of the interview (resume-based, application-based, behavioral)? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2024-2025 admissions season?
EA: The interview is my favorite part of the application process. At this point, we have done a thorough assessment of the application and have decided we want to learn more about a person through an interview. There are many times I’ve noticed someone may not be a strong writer, but they are a wonderful storyteller. The interview allows us to hear in their own words why the MBA, why our program, and why this is the right time to get an MBA. These are three standard questions all candidates should be able to answer. Also, we want to know that you have done your research on our program since we are looking for future leaders who will make an impact in our community.
Interviews are conducted by a member of the admissions team or a second-year student who has gone through a rigorous training process. Applicants can schedule an in-person or virtual interview. Please note that you are not at an advantage or disadvantage if you come to campus or not. Interviews typically last around 30 minutes, and we make them conversational. This is your opportunity to shine, so know your story and have fun with this process.
CA: What is your testing policy? Do you offer exam waivers? Why or why not?
EA: Yes, we do offer a test waiver option. Those requesting it will need to answer a brief statement regarding how they see themselves flourishing in the program and provide documentation and evidence showing they can handle the rigor of the quantitative core in business school. Some things to take into consideration are academic and professional performance such as transcripts, certifications, and work experience. A test waiver is not suitable for all candidates. Our analysis has consistently shown that those who make the effort to take the GMAT, regardless of their scores, tend to perform better in the MBA program and have greater recruitment success. Hence, we tend to grant few waivers and encourage applicants to take the GMAT or GRE.
CA: In the application data form, many schools ask for information about work experience, activities, hobbies, and much more. What advice would you give to applicants as they approach this component of the application process?
EA: In the work experience section, the information should match what is outlined on the resume. The activities and hobbies section helps us understand more about who our applicants are and what they’re passionate about. We want to see involvement during undergrad studies and/or after, and we hope this involvement will continue throughout the MBA journey. The activities and hobbies section can also be a great conversation starter in the interview, as many applicants are doing amazing and unique things in life.
CA: Tell us briefly about two popular courses at your institution.
EA: Johnson offers many amazing courses taught by world-leading faculty. One such course is NBA 6540, Power and Politics in Organizations. Taught by Professor Angus Hildreth, this course teaches the art and science of influence in organizations. Students learn how to convert their knowledge base and authenticity into political capital and become astute managers. They also become more aware of their own natural influence styles. A unique aspect of this course is that each student works with a Johnson alumnus for their course project. These connections with Johnson’s alumni network empower our students to learn and grow.
In NBA 5430, Financial Markets and Institutions, students learn about the structure and function of financial markets; the role of central banks; and market mechanisms such as securitization and digital currencies. I encourage applicants to read the bio of Professor Maureen O’Hara, who teaches this course and is one of the foremost academic leaders in finance. She invites star guest speakers to class from her network of industry leaders and alumni, including SEC commissioners and CEOs of finance firms, and was voted this year by Portfolio Management Research as the Quant Researcher of the Year.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
EA: Yes. First, our program is a great option for those looking for flexibility and customization. Many of our students take advantage of courses from other top-ranked programs at Cornell. Whether it’s a dual degree or elective courses in law, sustainability or human capital or taking advantage of our Cornell Tech campus in New York City, the options are endless within your time at Cornell.
Second, having a tech campus in New York City has been a great option for our students who are looking to bridge the gap between business and technology. The 1+1 program allows our students to spend their first year in Ithaca completing core courses in the fall semester and the immersion learning program in the spring semester. In their second year, they spend their time at Cornell Tech networking and completing the Studio curriculum. We also offer two seven-week intensives in fintech or culture and media technology by taking elective courses, networking with business professionals and getting hands-on experience.
Finally, we will be launching a deferred admissions program for the Two-Year MBA program. This is targeted at college seniors or those in their final year of a graduate program with no work experience. Those accepted and enrolled in this program begin their studies after amassing at least two years of work experience.
