First-Year SC Johnson College Applicants

Applying to the SC Johnson College of Business

At the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, we do business a little differently. We bring real-world scenarios into the classroom, and our graduates make a meaningful impact on their chosen profession and beyond. Whether you’re interested in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, you’ll be able to take advantage of a rigorous, industry-focused curriculum to become an engaged, innovative business leader.
 

Choosing a School

At Cornell, you must choose to apply to either the Applied Economics and Management major in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Hotel Administration major in the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. We encourage you to apply to whichever school you believe is the right fit for you. If you have questions, please contact our admissions team at admissions@business.cornell.edu.

You might be a Dyson School student if you want to:

  • Solve economic and business challenges worldwide.
  • Connect business principles with unique industries, like food and agriculture. 
  • Help small businesses grow in developing countries.
  • Work in marketing, analytics, finance, or investment banking.
  • Launch your own business.
  • Explore the intersection of business and sustainability.
     
Learn more about the Dyson School

You might be a Nolan School student if you want to:

  • Lead in the global hospitality industry.
  • Learn the business of hospitality.
  • Dive into real estate.
  • Launch your own business.
  • Gain proficiency in financial services.
  • Harness data to guide strategic decisions and use technology.
     
Learn more about the Nolan School

High School Coursework

Dyson Applicants

 Applicants to the Dyson School must have at least 16 total units of high school coursework, including:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of mathematics
    • Calculus is required if offered at your school.
    • Advanced mathematics in grade 12 is preferred to AP Statistics.
  • 3 units of science 
    • 1 unit of Chemistry is required.
    • 1 unit of Biology is required.
    • An additional unit of science is recommended.

Nolan School

Applicants to the Nolan School must have at least 16 total units of high school coursework, including:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of mathematics
    • Pre-calculus is required.
    • Calculus is strongly recommended unless pre-calculus is completed in grade 12.
    • Calculus is preferred to AP Statistics.
  • 2 units of science 
    • 1 unit of Chemistry is required.
    • An additional unit of science is recommended.
  • 3 units of a foreign language (or successful completion of the third level of a foreign language)

Special Application Requirement

Dyson and Nolan Applicants

In addition to the required application materials, applicants to the SC Johnson College must submit a resume as part of their application.

Review Required Application Materials

SC Johnson College Application Writing Prompt

Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit):

What kind of business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you.

Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Dyson School or the Nolan School).

Preparing Your Application

Dyson School

What do we look for when reviewing your application? We like to see students who:

  • Excel academically within a rigorous high school curriculum.
  • Are intellectually curious and challenge themselves in the classroom, and who are honest, collaborative, open-minded, and passionate. 
  • Are community-minded and wants to make a positive impact in their community and/or within a global context. 
  • Demonstrate initiative or leadership.
  • Have work or volunteer experience that aligns with interests and goals.
  • Articulate a strong match with the school’s mission and opportunities.

To put your best foot forward on the application, we recommend you start your application early, review requirements carefully, and check all the details of your Common App before you hit submit. 

Nolan School

What do we look for when reviewing your application? We like to see students who: 

  • Excel academically within a rigorous high school curriculum.
  • Are intellectually curious and challenge themselves in the classroom, and who are honest, collaborative, open-minded, and passionate. 
  • Get involved with their community.
  • Demonstrate initiative, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
  • Have experience with work or service (about half of our first-year students have this).
  • Articulate a strong match with the school’s mission and opportunities.

To put your best foot forward on the application, we recommend you start your application early, review requirements carefully, and check all the details of your Common App before you hit submit.

Top Enrollment Resources

Still need help? Look at the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us.