The Cornell Johnson MBA Interview – What to Expect + Sample Questions

UPDATE: This article was originally posted on January 22, 2020. It has been updated with 2024/25 information and tips below. 

With its focus on performance-based learning and the option to complete part (or all) of the program in New York City, Cornell Johnson is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek experienced-based careers or want to break into tech. 

However, with impressive recruiting statistics and two formats (Johnson offers both 1-year and 2-year programs), competition to join Johnson’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Cornell Johnson Interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Cornell application your best shot. 

 

How the Cornell MBA Interview Works 

Making sure you shine during your Cornell interview is no easy task. 

Cornell interviews, since they are conducted by the admissions committee, tend to be highly personalized and based on your whole application. During the interview, the interviewer is also trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are and how interested you seem in the Cornell Johnson program.

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test your leadership and communication skills. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with Cornell Jonnson in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything. 

Who will interview you?

You will interview with a member of Cornell Johnson’s admissions committee, a member of Johnson’s professional staff, or a trained 2nd-year student.

Will the interviewer have read my application?

Yes. The interviewer will have read your entire application. Past reports indicate that interviewers develop specific questions based on your application, so make sure to take the time to review what you presented. 

How long will the Cornell interview last?

30-60 minutes. 

 

Who is Cornell Looking For?

(Photo courtesy of @cornellmba on Instagram)

“Innovation is fundamental to Johnson and to Cornell. Our emphasis on performance learning ensures that Johnson MBAs can make an immediate impact in business and society. That’s what they’re practicing, and that’s what they’re prepared to do.” Mark W. Nelson, PhD, Dean Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Every year, Cornell recruits highly talented individuals from across the globe to fill its 1-year and 2-year MBA programs. With a strong emphasis on diversity and there is no “typical” Cornell student, yet the average admitted student to the Class of 2026 (2-year MBA) had a 710 GMAT and 5.3 years of work experience.

Beyond the statistics, though, Cornell is looking for candidates who want to positively disrupt the world of business through outstanding leadership. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the GMAT and university grades), Cornell also seeks candidates who demonstrate the following traits:

Trends in recent Cornell Johnson MBA interviews

Recent feedback from candidates interviewing at Cornell Johnson highlights several notable trends that you should consider when preparing for your interview:

Leadership in Uncertainty: Cornell is placing a stronger emphasis on how applicants navigate ambiguous situations, handle pressure, and make decisions without clear information. These questions assess adaptability, especially in high-stakes situations.

Diversity and Inclusion: With businesses becoming more aware of diversity, interviewers often ask candidates how they integrate inclusivity into their work and leadership. Questions surrounding identity, bias mitigation, and managing intercultural dialogue are common.

Collaborative Leadership: Cornell continues to focus on teamwork and leadership within collaborative environments. Candidates are often asked to demonstrate how they build consensus, motivate teams, and lead peers to achieve shared goals.

 

How can you prepare for your interview?

Though no interview is 100% predictable, Cornell interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Cornell interviews. 

What questions are asked in the Cornell Johnson Interview?

The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Cornell interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview. 

STARTING UP QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself. 
   1. Expect follow-up questions like: What do you do in your current job? What was your decision-making process/rationale for pursuing this career path? Why did you choose your university?
2. What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
3. What is your recruiting strategy in the first year? If that doesn’t work out as planned, what is your Plan B for your goals? 
4. Name three firms you would like to work at after your MBA.
5. Why did you quit your previous job?
6. Why do you want an MBA?
7. Why now?
8. Why Cornell?
9. What will you bring to Cornell?
10. What excites you the most about Cornell?
11. What other schools have you applied for? If you get into all of them, how will you choose where to go?
12. Have you visited campus? Spoken with alumni?

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK

1. Can you describe a time when you had to work closely with a team to achieve a challenging goal? What was your role, and how did you contribute to the team’s success?
2. Tell me about a time when you didn’t get along with your team. What did you do?
3. Tell me about one instance when you disagreed with your boss and how you handled the situation.
4. What is your leadership style?
5. Tell me a leader you admire. 
6. Tell me about a time when you had to lead without formal authority.
7. How do you incorporate diversity and inclusion into your leadership style?

MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL

1. Tell me an example of when things didn’t work out as you planned. 
2. Tell me about a time when you were pushed to your limits at work.
3. How would your friends describe you?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. Summarize yourself in a single sentence. 
6. If I asked your supervisor/peers about you, what three words would they use to describe you and why?
7. How do you handle ambiguity or uncertainty?

CLOSING

1. What are you bringing to Johnson that wasn’t mentioned on your application? 
2. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you? / Is there anything you wish I had asked you?
3. Questions for me?

We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.

We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview. 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Cornell, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”

The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop for interview success. Click to join!

If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Cornell Johnson interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile. 

 

What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for

Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared. 

First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!

Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation. 

If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation. 

Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently respond to show you can handle any question they throw at you. 

 

Effectively Tell your Story During your Cornell Johnson

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA interviews is that candidates fail to tell compelling, well-constructed stories about their profiles while also nailing the basics. 

Striking this balance between sharing STAR-format examples that show off your background while also presenting strong answers to questions like “Why do you want an MBA?” is a challenging task that requires significant thought and preparation. 

Because of this, it’s no surprise that, on average, 50% of interviewed applicants walk away without an offer. 

This is why our interview preparation process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is known as the best in the industry. We offer customized 1:1 support that ensures you’re able to turn your application’s strengths into compelling answers that show fit and sell your profile in any type of interview. That’s why 98.9% of our complete consulting clients get into at least one of their target schools. 

Not only can you take advantage of our development process through multiple sessions – you can also benefit from a single session! If your budget is tight, our interview experts can focus your session on a single aspect of the preparation process, from workshopping your answers to providing mock interviews. 

That’s the approach we used with our client Ricardo, who was admitted to Cornell Johnson. In his words:

 “I can not stress how much Ellin was important to my MBA journey. Not only did she help me with the application essays and interviews, but more importantly she made sure the schools I were applying were the best fit for me and my goals. Ellin was great at keeping track of everything I needed to do and being honest with my flaws, not pulling punches, making sure I could put my best face forward. I highly recommend Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting to anyone thinking about pursuing an MBA, not only as an application consultant but also as a career coach.

I couldn’t be happier at Cornell. I feel right at home here.”

Forget simulation platforms or long lists of tips – our 1:1 preparation focuses on playing to your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses to turn you into an interview expert. Our interview packages sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up today!