CEMS MIM: Application Guide

Applicants must submit all application materials by the deadline in order to have their application considered. We strongly encourage all applicants to submit their online application and supporting materials at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. Once you submit your application and pay the application fee, you will receive a confirmation email. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants will be applying to the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Applied Economics and Management (AEM) and the application form will reflect that, where the CEMS MIM is an additional option within the MPS in AEM degree program.

*Applications are reviewed after January 15th and up until April 15th. If you are considering applying after the deadline please contact Admissions.

• Students interested in the program should have at least an undergraduate minor in business, or its equivalent. Satisfactory completion of coursework in all of the following areas is considered a business minor equivalent: Economics, Statistics, Business or Management, Financial Accounting, Finance, and Marketing. If you have not completed all of the business prerequisites, please indicate on the application how you plan to fulfill them before you are to enter the program.
• Meet the requirements for entry into the MPS in AEM.

If you are unsure whether you meet the CEMS application requirements, simply contact the admissions team before you start your application at mps-dyson-admissions@cornell.edu.

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.

The application will be available September 15 via the Cornell Graduate School’s online application system.

Select “Applied Economics & Management” as the field. On the Educational History page select “Yes” in the CEMS consideration section, 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.

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit all of the following items to be considered for admission and financial support the subsequent fall term.

• Statement of Purpose explaining your academic interests and professional goals.
• Personal Statement: 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.
• 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. 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.
• Video Interview: 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.
• Two letters of recommendation: 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.
• Application Fee: 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.

• Results of the GRE/GMAT examination: 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.
  • There is no minimum 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

Candidates who demonstrate analytical and quantitative abilities through academics or work experience may request a waiver from the GMAT or GRE test requirement. The waiver request option is in the application.

• 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.

If you plan to request a waiver, we encourage you to submit your application in advance of the application deadline.  You can expect a response to your waiver request within 7 business days via email. If your test waiver is not approved, your application will remain incomplete until a test score is submitted.

Applicants granted a waiver will not be disadvantaged in the application review process.

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.

Tuition for the MPS in Applied Economics and Management with the CEMS MIM is posted on the Cornell Graduate School website as a Tier 1 professional degree. The MPS AEM with the CEMS MIM is a three-semester program. Students pay Cornell tuition for all semesters in the program, including the term abroad. Note that tuition fees will be assessed based on the academic year in which courses are taken. As a general guideline, Cornell has experienced a 3-5% average annual tuition increase in recent years.

For other estimated program costs including fees, health insurance, living expenses, and supplies, please see the Cornell Graduate School’s Cost of Attendance page. Please note that your three-semester program includes one mandatory semester abroad during which you will continue to be registered at Cornell.

Private, off-campus housing in Ithaca and the surrounding area is available for students in the CEMS program. Information on university and non-university housing is automatically mailed to all applicants when they are accepted for admission to the Graduate School. CEMS students are encouraged to connect with other students in the program when making housing arrangements to share leases or sublet apartments during their term away from campus.

Most students rely on a combination of federal and private loans to finance their educational and living expenses. For more information on these options, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.

CEMS Scholarship for Global Citizenship

CEMS Scholarships for Global Citizenship are granted each year to support students in the Dyson School’s Applied Economics and Management with CEMS Master in International Management program. These $33,000 awards are designated for U.S. Citizens who have an interest in international business. No additional application is required for consideration.