I am pleased to offer this interview
with Eddie Asbie, the Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Samuel
Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.
Your Introduction
1. How did you get involved in this line of work? What do
you like about MBA admissions?
During
my undergraduate years, I noticed how supportive the community was as they
helped guide students personally and professional towards their career goals.
This is when I knew this line of work was what I wanted to do. I truly
enjoy working in admissions because you have the opportunity to meet
interesting candidates from all around the world. In the business world,
our candidates are coming from very impressive backgrounds and it is
encouraging to see what our future may look like.
Admissions
2. Should an applicant bother applying if their TOEFL is only 98
or 99?
I would encourage candidates to still apply to Johnson if
they have a 98 or 99 on their TOEFL. Our application process has a
holistic approach but it is important to show your English is strong.
3. Do you have sub-score requirements for the TOEFL R, L, S
and W sections? How about the GMAT verbal and quantitative sections?
We would like to see a candidate with a 100 TOEFL score and
25 in each subsection. As for the GMAT and GRE, we like to see candidates
in the 70% or higher in both sections.
4. How important is the interview to the overall process?
What are you looking for?
The
interview is another important part in the application process. The
majority of your application is out of your control but the interview gives you
the opportunity to highlight your strengthens. Ultimately, we are looking
for a candidate who is genuine and honest. Someone who knows how to
articulate their goals and understands our program. I find it
disappointing when a candidate sounds very rehearsed and knows nothing about
our program. Please come prepared!
5. How important is it for a student to visit campus?
Visiting
campus is important. If you are considering spending a year or two in
another city/country and investing your money into the program you want to make
sure it’s worth it. Especially if you are bring a family with you.
We want you to be excited about being here and feel connected to our
community. We would highly recommend visiting, no matter what school you
are apply to.
The MBA Experience
6. How do MBA students benefit from other schools within the
greater Cornell institution? Can you give an example of an extra-curricular
event or club that involves students from many different programs, including
the MBA?
One
of the beneficial things about getting an MBA from Johnson is that you have the
opportunity to interact with other programs in the Cornell community. We
have students who are completing a dual degree, whether a JD, MD, etc. If
you are interested in the dual degree, please check out this website, http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Dual-Degree-Programs.aspx.
Also, we have many different clubs and organizations to choice from. Here
are a list clubs that we offer at Johnson, http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/About/Life-At-Johnson/Student-Clubs-Organizations.aspx.
Life outside the Program
7. Many applicants have to consider the small town vs big
city question when choosing potential destination schools. What's your take on
this question, specifically related to Ithaca?
I
believe this is a very important factor to consider when applying to business
school. We talk about “fit” all the time and that’s important. You
have to think, “Am I going to be happy in a small town vs. a big city?”
Here in Ithaca you will get a very diverse and international experience.
Being a smaller town, you will foster close relationships and experience a
close knit community.
Last Question
8. Is there anything you wish I'd asked?
No, I think these a great questions for candidates as they
prepare for the applications process. As mentioned before, it is very
important to come prepared during this entire process. We want applicants
to feel connected to Johnson but truly understand why they need an MBA and how
Johnson can help them in their future career goals.
