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| Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management |
OVERALL 1998 RANK: 8 BW corporate rank: 11 BW graduate rank: 4 BW 1996 rank: 18 |
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1999 Profile Update School Profile School Statistics Graduates' Comments: One of the things that impresses me most about the Johnson School is the accessibility of the faculty and staff. On my very first day on campus, the registrar already knew me by name! I've had informal conversations with many of my professors in the hallways, and their doors are almost always open to students. You know the faculty is sincerely committed to teaching excellence when you see professors roaming the halls, library, and lounge on the weekends, answering questions and checking the progress of teams, especially right before major projects are due. This dedication made a real difference for me and my classmates. I am constantly impressed by the caliber of my classmates. They're a very enthusiastic, hard-working group, and I've learned just as much from them as from the faculty. --Marketing The Cornell Johnson School experience exceeded my expectations. I am now an alumnus of three different internationally respected universities; my MBA at the Johnson School was the most exciting and productive degree I have received. The faculty responded to every demand students had regarding elective courses by adding sections and new courses. This meant that some faculty more than doubled their workload! Nonetheless, the faculty were very accessible and helpful. --Accounting The quality of teaching at the Johnson School far exceeded my already high expectations. The faculty's concern for students is truly genuine. The professors are extremely approachable, whether it be to answer questions about coursework, provide career planning guidance, or just to chat. I am extremely satisfied with my MBA experience at Cornell. I landed my dream job in the city I wanted while more than doubling the salary I came in with two years ago. Along the way I managed to make a lot of close friends who will stay close friends for life. --Accounting Faculty like Charles Lee and Mark Nelson are young, yet leaders in the field of accounting and finance. Not to mention, they are incredible professors! Our small class size made it so easy to get to know everyone. I know that I have 250+ close contacts for the rest of my business and personal life. --Assistant Brand Manager The Johnson School has made huge improvements over the last two years. The new dean is really driving improvement. Faculty are always very accessible to students. Courses taught by Charles Lee, Swaminthan, Roni Nichaely, and Hal Bierman are a special treat. New immersion courses (such as Investment Banking) are an extra plus. --Consultant Without hesistation or equivocation I can say that my experience with Cornell has vastly exceeded all of my expectations. Over the last couple of years, we have added to our faculty some of the biggest names in finance and accounting, including Charles Lee and Sarah Tasker. (Schools that are higher ranked than Cornell are constantly, and to no avail, trying to poach the ranks of our faculty). These are professors who have standing offers to teach at all the top schools but chose Cornell. We have the best young B-school faculty in the country. --Unknown As good as the curriculum was, the new Dean has completely revamped our core. The students that come to Cornell are not only bright and talented, they are quality individuals. The egocentric and self-serving-types do not make it here. We work hard TOGETHER. It is almost expected that students are to contribute to the Johnson Community. As evidence, we raised over $200K for our class gift, the first ever student-funded trading fund. This accomplishment is even more impressive when you consider that we only have a class of approximately 280. In addition we had 92% student participation for the class gift. I came back to school looking to strengthen my skills in finance and accounting so that I could ""trade up"" to my dream job in finance, which I did. --Finance As a career-changer, the Johnson Graduate School of Management has exceeded my expectations in terms of the options available to me post-MBA. As a participant in the Semester in Manufacturing (SiM), I developed an insight into American manufacturing which will be invaluable for the position I have accepted, in corporate strategy at a large manufacturing firm. The finance electives are second to none, in particular the Financial Analysis classes given by Professors Charles Lee and Sarah Tasker. These classes have provided me with actual working models that are directly applicable to my job. The energy and focus of the students and faculty at the Johnson School has been inspirational, and I am immensely proud to be a part of this institution! --Finance The 12-month option program (TMO) was fantastic! My quantitative background dovetailed perfectly into the finance curriculum, and I am convinced that I have received an MBA education second to none. --Business Analyst Because I was in a later state of my career, the decision whether to pursue a MBA full time was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever confronted. Fortunately, this decision was significantly buffeted by a program at Cornell called the 12-month option, or TMO. This program allows a select group of candidates with advanced degrees in science or technology to complete the full MBA curriculum in 12 months rather than the typical two years. Doing so requires matriculating in the summer for a harrowing 10-week session through the core curriculum. I was extraordinarily fortunate to have been accepted and subsequently completed this program. Reflecting on my 12 month experience, I am tremendously happy with my decision to pursue my MBA at Cornell's Johnson School. I can honestly say that I feel that my future opportunities are limitless and I have also acquired an enormous amount of confidence. --Consulting The Johnson School offers a great one-year MBA program for people with master's and doctorates in science or engineering. I consider myself blessed to be associated with my 26 cohorts in this program and the high-caliber traditional two-year students that abound at Johnson. The TMO program is just one example of how Johnson is seeking creative ways to lure top talent and meet individual and business market needs. --Finance I was part of the 12-month program for scientists and engineers at Cornell, I am completely satisfied with the education I received from Cornell and would definitely recommend the Johnson school to prospective students. Overall, I found Cornell to be a top-notch school with exceptional students and outstanding professors. Finally, the school has developed initiatives to improve itself even further. These include a new business school in renovated Sage Hall, a Parker Research Center, Immersion Learning programs, Parker Leadership Fellows, the addition of more professors, and the hiring of a new dean. All this work proves to me that the Johnson School is committed to becoming one of the best MBA schools in the country. --Marketing The Twelve Month Option Program that Cornell offers (for scientists and engineers who already have an advanced degree) was the answer to my prayers mainly because I would receive all the benefits of a top-tier business school MBA education, with only one year loss of salary. Being a single mother, this was extremely important to me. We had one very intense summer where we covered six of the seven core courses -- we had the same lectures, exams, cases and homeworks that the regular two-year students get. We just had them compressed into one entire summer. But because our class had only 27 students, we each received individualized attention that greatly enhanced the whole learning experience! --Finance The Johnson School has made tremendous improvements since I entered in August 1996. The school has a new dean, a new building, a new core curriculum, and a new emphasis on immersion learning. My immersion (15-credit integrated curriculum) in manufacturing was the most significant learning experience of my life. The faculty has really found a winning formula for integrating the disciplines while providing students with practical, real world experience -- it's a terrific balance of theory and application. --Unknown The administration is also the most responsive to students' needs and concerns. For two years students, faculty, staff, and alumni have really pulled together as a team to ensure the Johnson School provides a world class experience -- my hat goes off to these people for doing such a marvelous job. I can't imagine a more committed, caring group of people running a business school. Johnson has a strong sense of community that promotes teamwork and high standards. The Career Services Office is a model of a successful turn around effort. Our CSO is second to none and getting better every year. --Graduate Student The Johnson School is in the midst of a fantastic turnaround. Being part and parcel of the class which is witnessing as well as taking part in this change has been a tremendous experience. The restructuring of the syllabus, the "immersion" programs, the aggressive marketing of the school, the increase in the number of companies coming on campus, the influx of new and talented professors, the Park Fellow program, the new state-of-the-art building (Sage Hall), the new dean, the leadership program, etc. etc. The list is endless. --Product Manager Cornell responded enthusiastically after falling in the last Business Week survey. Aside from a new building, new professors, and new companies recruiting on campus, the school upgraded its course selection and enthused its students with a new sense of school pride. Cornell is on par with Columbia and NYU, but offers a less frenzied pace due to its rural setting. The school is close enough to New York City for recruiting purposes (four hours) so it's much better for students looking to Wall Street than Michigan, UNC, or even Kellogg. Overall it's an up and coming school with a friendly, relaxed student body. --Private Client Services The change that has swept through the Johnson School in the past two years is truly incredible. There wasn't a day where conversation in the lounge didn't revolve around improving the school. The students, faculty, and administration worked together in an unprecedented manner to make a good program great. You could feel the excitement in the air each time a new hurdle was overcome. This group has created a palpable energy for the school, a strong commitment to excellence. --Accounting The innovations at the Johnson School in the last two years are unprecedented - new core curiculum (designed by students and faculty, together); new immersion programs in finance and marketing, in addition to operations; young faculty who are premier researchers and teachers in their fields and all turned down offers at other top business schools; a new dean (selected with student input); and finally a state-of-the-art facility to open in the summer of 1998. --Unknown The last two years here have been a time of great change for the Johnson School. There is a whole new level of energy and enthusiasm which permeates the school. There have been so many changes since the last survey that it is hard to list all of them in one place. We have a new dean, an incredible new building with state-of-the-art technological capabilities, the Parker Center (trading floor), three new "immersion" programs (Brand Management, Investment Banking, and Corporate Finance), a revamped core curriculum, The Week in Silicon Valley, Walk Down State Street, 30% increase in companies recruiting on campus, a highly responsive administration and faculty. Students have been involved in all of these changes and continue to be involved in all aspects of the school. This ensures that students' needs, wants, and desires are all heard and considered when changes occur. --Marketing Alumni support has been unbelievable -- a new student lounge; a research facility for equity analysis; monies for student scholarships, academic research and school marketing; and finally over $30 million in support for a new school facility. --Unknown I found that the administration has made a complete turnaround from my first year in terms of being responsive to the students' requests and needs. They have been extremely attentive and have worked with the students very closely. I also believe the faculty at Cornell is second to none and the accounting department is first-rate, which is helpful since accounting is the backbone of business. Professors always have an open-door policy and are extremely helpful. I have gone to professors' offices after 10pm to ask questions on several occasions for projects. I don't know if you'll find this kind of attention at other business schools. --Consulting The Johnson school has adopted many initiatives in the last 2 years that are sure to push the school forward. In particular, the school has been active in recruititng and retaining a number of excellent professors in the fields of accounting and finance. The school's progress is however impeded by the career office, which is a major liability to the school. Despite the hiring of a number of good professionals in the last 2 years, the overall attitude and direction is misguided. Most students (particularly in the areas of consulting and finance) do not see the CSO as an ally, but as a hinderance. The CSO has not been active or successful in bringing in any new finance or banking companies on campus -- any such companies have started recruiting due to students' persistance. In many cases, CSO staff behave in an unprofessional manner and are more interested in their own bureaucratic interests, rather than students' success. --Finance The Johnson School has gone through some transition in the past two years. It will begin the 1998-99 school year with its new dean and a new building. I expect this to change the academic experience at the school dramatically. The faculty and administration have been responsive to student needs above and beyond the call of duty. The administration was afraid that with so many other big projects going on, the students needs might suffer as a result. They worked diligently to keep this from happening. There were frequent round-table sessions during which students were asked comment on the positive and negative aspects of their Johnson experience, and suggestions for improvements were taken. --Unknown One of Cornell's best attributes, which does not fit into the scope of this survey is student's access to other schools at the University. Sage Hall is situated in the middle of Cornell's campus, but more than physical location, the Johnson School makes it easy to take classes in other graduate schools. The Hotel School, Industrial and Labor Relations, and Engineering schools are the most popular, however, because of Cornell's diversity, students find interesting course work to supplement their business studies from across the campus. One friend who was going into publishing took courses in the English department, another friend hoping to go into project finance took language classes in Chinese to give him a leg up, and I was able to take part in a cognitive science seminar to continue exploring an area of personal interest. For these reasons, I would recommend Cornell over other top business schools. --Entrepreneurship The alumni contacts both in and out of the B-school are always willing to help. Functions with the Cornell Club in NYC and other events across the U.S. are very helpful in making contacts. "Immersions" are the best, saturating students in areas of interest. Johnson has traditionally not been recognized in investment banking, but the investment banking immersion has the students meeting the top Wall Street professionals and establishing high-level contacts. --Associate There are three main reasons why I am so enthusiastic about my MBA education at Cornell. First, the faculty that taught my classes, both core and elective, was exceptional. Their lectures were well prepared and conveyed useful, practical, and thought provoking material. Further, the faculty took an interest in my life, both personally and academically. Their office doors were always open, and they were never too busy with their own research to assist me in my job search or my studies. Second, the students at Cornell are extremely bright, down-to-earth people. Students came well-prepared to class and had a lot of insight to share with their peers. While students were competitive, the environment helped me to focus and push myself even harder. Overall I believe that Cornell students are intelligent MBAs without attitudes. Lastly, the job opportunities available to me at Cornell exceeded all of my expectations. The Career Services Office did an excellent job in bringing recruiters to campus and preparing me for their interviews. While searching for both my summer internship and my full time job, I received offers and accepted positions with some of the finest companies in this country. The real proof was my full-time job search. I received 8 offers and canceled an additional 10 final round interviews. Most of these were all found through my school's Career Services Office. --Unknown I believe that Cornell's Johnson School has turned a bright, energetic young man with potential into a marketable business leader. I am very happy that I choose Cornell. --Consulting The quality of the Johnson School education rivals that of any of the best MBA programs. The difference is that the Johnson School gives its students the ultimate power to form their own educational experiences. A perfect example: students were on the dean search comittee, and played a pivotal role in recruiting an excellent candidate. This is a place for people who want to leave their mark on society -- people who want to make a difference. --Unknown My MBA experience at the Johnson School at Cornell was well worth every sacrifice made! In addition to the academic aspect of the program that prepared me for a change in careers, the social experience was just as rewarding. The small class size was conducive to forming great friendships and experiences that will forever bind me to my classmates and provide a great network of collegues in the future. I was also impressed by the administration and faculty's efforts and willingness to change in order to have our school recognized and perceived as a top business school, where it righly should be. --Consulting I came to school thinking I wanted to pursue a career in portfolio management. However, The Johnson School's enormous breadth in curriculum and alumni contacts exposed me to an entirely different career path in the high-tech industry. I am excited about this new direction, and don't believe that any other program would have opened my eyes to such a range of possibilities. The students, administration, and faculty all worked together to turn an adverse situation into something positive. I am glad to have been a part of the school's transformation. --Consulting My MBA experience at the Johnson School was one of the best times in my life. Most of the professors were excellent and the classes were challenging but the best part of it was my classmates. On the whole they are the most motivated and accomplished people I have met and, although the environment is competitive, the cooperation which existed between groups and among individuals was amazing. I learned as much from my colleagues as I did from class. Like most people, I made big sacrifices to be there. On top of the expense and the opportunity cost of not working, my husband lived five hours away. It was one of the most stressful times of life but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't hesitate. I feel more loyalty to the Johnson School for the effect it has had on my life than I ever did to my undergraduate school. --Finance I was extremely satisfied with the MBA experience at Cornell. The learning environment was amazing, with a strong caliber of people around me. This includes my fellow students as well as the faculty. The faculty does not have the depth of a Harvard or Chicago, but individual faculty members can hold their own in terms of both teaching and research with the very best minds in the world. The upstate New York location was more of an asset than impediment as it fostered a cohesive atmosphere with great teamwork experiences and lasting relationships. The job networking was a little more strenuous than at any big city location, but this was offset by a surprisingly strong quantity and quality of companies that visit the school to recruit. The school also has great momentum going forward as the drive to consistently excel is strong amongst faculty, administration, students, and alumni. A new dean is in place and the expectation level is high. So far he appears to be on track. --Finance I am leaving the Johnson School with the exact job I set out to get two years ago at double my previous salary. I have enjoyed the small class size (230 in the Class of 1998) and the sense of community here at Cornell (all of us are full-time students). I have had the opportunity to take advantage of the Johnson School's flexible curriculum and have taken graduate level classes in other departments at Cornell. These courses have helped me enhance my MBA courses and study special interest topics. Coming to business school from a background in marketing, I have been most impressed by the quality of the accounting and finance faculty and course electives. The level of student/faculty interaction and the availability of faculty for help outside of class hours are remarkable. --Marketing Back to Top 1999 Profile Update School Profile School Statistics |
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