Plan to apply early. International applicants are encouraged to apply during one of the first three rounds.
Please note: The application deadline has been extended to May 15for individuals impacted by recent federal employment layoffs and qualified Cornell undergraduates. GMAT and GRE waivers are also available for eligible applicants. To request a waiver for the application fee, please contact us at gradadmissions@business.cornell.edubefore submitting your application.
Round 1December 1
Round 2January 15
Round 3March 1
Round 4April 15
What we Value
Members of the admissions committee conduct a holistic review of each application. Strong applications to our program will showcase their ability to:
flourish in a quantitative and rigorous curriculum,
communicate effectively in written and verbal contexts,
present a well-considered career plan,
approach challenges with creativity and ingenuity,
work effectively in groups and
make positive contributes to our community and society.
Application Checklist
The MPS in Management – Accounting Specialization program requires that you have completed either the Dyson Applied Economics and Management major, the Nolan School Hotel Administration major, or the Cornell Undergraduate Business Minors plus Business Law and Intermediate Accounting I (or equivalent). If you are in the progress of completing one of these programs, you may indicate this on our application.
Applicants from outside Cornell should have completed, at a minimum, introductory courses in: Economics, Statistics, Business or Management, Financial Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Business Law and Intermediate Accounting I. Intermediate Accounting I may also be referred to as Financial Accounting III or Corporate Financial Reporting.
Academic transcripts: 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 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
For students with non-U.S. credentials: 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.
A GMAT or GRE test score is a required component of the MPS Management-Accounting program application. The GMAT or GRE is one way to demonstrate quantitative competency and English language proficiency to the admissions committee in our holistic review process.
There is no minimum score requirement to apply to the MPS Management-Accounting program. If you completed the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will use the exam with the highest total score.
The MPS Management-Accounting program will accept the GRE General Test at Home, the GMAT Online Exam, and the GMAT Focus for the fall 2024 cycle.
GMAT or GRE scores are valid for five years. The MPS Management-Accounting program requires that scores be valid on the deadline of the application round in which you apply.
Submitting a Score
GMAT scores should be sent electronically using www.mba.com. Use code 5811 when filling out the GMAT registration.
GRE scores should be delivered by ETS (www.ets.org). All official test scores should be reported directly to Cornell University’s institution code 2098. Department codes are not needed for matching scores to applications. If ETS requires you to select a department code, you may choose “0000 undecided.”
You may submit an unofficial score report for your application review; however, if you are accepted and intend to enroll, your official score report must be received by your enrollment deposit deadline. It is an applicant’s responsibility to contact the testing service directly and authorize the release of the official score report. Offers of admission are not binding until we verify your official academic records and test scores.
Waiver Request
Candidates who demonstrate analytical and quantitative abilities through academics or work experience have the option to select a GMAT or GRE test requirement waiver when completing the grad school application. We are unable to offer pre-assessments. If you plan to request a waiver, please complete the waiver request section that is built into the grad school application in advance of the application deadline. You can expect a response to your waiver request within 7 business days via email. Applicants granted a waiver will not be disadvantaged in the application review process. If your test waiver is not approved, your application will remain incomplete until a test score is submitted.
An academic waiver request must refer to specific completed courses on the submitted college transcript (e.g. microeconomics, finance, accounting, calculus, and statistics with regression).
Work experience waiver requests must include a description of the nature of work, and one of the two required letters of recommendation must come from a current supervisor who specifically addresses the quantitative/analytical nature of your work.
Waiver requests based on other personal circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants granted a waiver will not be disadvantaged in the application review process.
We require two letters of recommendation. One recommendation should be from a former or current instructor able to speak to your academic promise, while the other should be from an advisor, mentor, coach or supervisor able to speak to your professional promise. Official recommendations are a vital part of the final evaluation process.
All applicants will be required to submit a Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and a Video Interview.
Statement of Purpose (required):
This statement states your reasons for undertaking graduate work and explains your academic interests, including their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals. Include your full name and your proposed field of study at the top of every page.
In addition to a Statement of Purpose, candidates to the MPS in Management – Accounting Specialization program are asked to complete one required essay, and are given the option to submit one additional essay. Each supplemental essay has a 100-word limit. Please follow the same formatting suggestions.
Supplemental Question 1 (required):
In graduate business school, much of the learning takes place in teams. Tell us specifically what qualities you will bring to the program that will enhance the learning of your classmates.
Supplemental Question 2 (optional):
Although not required, you are invited to submit a short statement with additional details regarding your application to the Accounting specialization.
Personal Statement (required):
Please 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.
Video Interview (required):
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. Note, an 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.
We require a non-refundable application fee of $105. The application fee will be waived for all current or former United States military members and for all Cornell students and recent alumni (graduates within two years of 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.
Payment must be made through the online application using either an e-check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card.
Further information on Application Fees can be found on the Cornell University Graduate School website.
We require all candidates to upload their resume or CV.
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. Note, an 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 international 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. International students may also be required to pass a writing benchmark. All MPS Management 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 both spoken and written English.
The MPS Management – Accounting Specialization 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 should be sent to the 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.
Select “Management, M.P.S.” as the field. On the Educational History, concentration page, select “Accounting Specialization”, then follow the instructions for applying to the program.
All required materials must be received in order for your application to be reviewed and considered for admission. You may track the status of your application materials through your account.
