CEMS MIM: Application Guide

All CEMS students spend a semester abroad at one of the top-tier business schools in the CEMS network. We ask applicants to provide a thoughtful ranking of all the CEMS schools to help us in determining their placement during their term abroad, if the application is successful. Cornell is limited in the number of students sent to each school and we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to one of your top ranked schools. You can find information about the CEMS program at each school at the CEMS list of academic member schools. You will be surrounded at your host school by CEMS students from all over the world. All CEMS schools teach in English, making it unnecessary to know the local language of the country where your exchange takes place.

Most CEMS students rely on a combination of federal and private loans to finance their three semesters’ educational and living expenses. For information on tuition and the costs of attendance for the MPS in AEM with CEMS, please see the Office of Financial Aid’s website here: https://finaid.cornell.edu/apply-for-aid/graduate-students.

While on exchange, CEMS students are enrolled both at their exchange school and at Cornell. You will only be responsible for Cornell tuition; no tuition is required for the exchange school.

Most CEMS students find private off-campus housing for the two semesters they are at Cornell. Information on university and non-university housing is automatically mailed to all applicants when they are accepted for admission to the Graduate School.

When you’re on exchange, your exchange school will provide you with information about housing options, which could include university or non-university options, depending on the location.

• Statement of Purpose explaining your academic interests and professional goals.

Please describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. For additional suggestions on how to write a personal statement, please see the Graduate School’s website at the following link: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/application-steps/personal-statements/

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. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; however, should you be admitted into the CEMS-MIM 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

You will be required to upload transcripts as part of your application. Be sure to redact, cross out, or cover your Social Security Number if it is displayed on your transcript.

For applicants with international 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.

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 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.

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.

• A GMAT or GRE test score is a required component of the CEMS MIM 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.
  • The minimum GMAT score is 600. There is no minimum GRE score requirement to apply for the CEMS MIM. If you completed the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will use the exam with the highest total score.
  • The CEMS MIM 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 CEMS MIM program requires that scores be valid on the deadline of the application round in which you apply.
  • 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. Use institutional code 2098 and Department & Major Field Code (insert)

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 Information

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.

• Academic waiver requests-your college transcript must show evidence of your quantitative ability (examples include coursework in microeconomics, finance, accounting, calculus, and statistics with regression).

• Work experience waiver requests-must include a description of the nature of work. Additionally, 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.

All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores. Test scores must be sent directly by the testing center. International students may also be required to pass a writing benchmark. All CEMS MIM 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 CEMS MIM 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 or IELTS tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline.

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.

• IELTS Online
• IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL iBT Test at home