Do all applicants have to take the AAO's eligibility check?

If you fall under either of these conditions, it is mandatory to take the AAO's eligibility check before registering for the online application system.
- You have graduated (expected to graduate) from a university (bachelor’s degree) outside of Japan
- You are applying under the requirement (9) or (10) of 4. Application Eligibility Requirement described in the admission guidelines.

What is the preliminary eligibility screening?

If your application eligibility needs further verification after AAO, the Graduate School of Management will conduct a Preliminary Eligibility Screening. Target applicants will be notified by the Graduate School of Management Administrative Office. The deadline for the Preliminary Eligibility Screening is far earlier than the admission application deadline. For details, see the admission guidelines.

Where can I find the online application system for the admission？

The URL is indicated in the admission guidelines.

I cannot access the online application system.

You can access the system during the online application period.

Do I need to submit GMAT or GRE?

It's not a must for an application but strongly recommended to submit the score.

What happens if I don't submit a score of GMAT or GRE?

Your score for GMAT or GRE will be recorded as zero and will be passed on to the admission selection committee members for screening.

Do I have to submit both an academic transcript and a certificate of graduation?

If the date of graduation and degree earned can be confirmed on the academic transcript, (Expected) Certificate of Graduation is not required.
If you go through AAO, the certificates uploaded to the AAO system will be automatically transferred to the online application system for the admission.

How should I submit the required documents?

You should upload all the required documents in the online application system.

Can I upload the required documents before the application period starts?

No. The online application system opens only during the designated application period.

What is the average GMAT/GRE score of past applicants?

The average/minimum/maximum scores are closed.

Does every applicant need to submit an English proficiency test score?

The English Proficiency test scores will be exempted under the following three conditions.
・Citizens or permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec).
・Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a university in a country where English is the native language (the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec)).
・If you have taken all courses in English and graduated from the university (a bachelor's degree) in a country where English is not the native language.
You can provide proof of this with a Medium of Instruction Certificate from the University President or the Dean.
*Not applicable if you have completed all courses in the master's degree in English.

What is the average IELTS/TOEFL score of past applicants?

The average/minimum/maximum scores are closed.

How are the successful applicants selected?

The board will evaluate the applicant’s motivation to study and fundamental abilities to study various areas of management based on the submitted application documents and a video essay.

How can the applicants know the result?

Successful applicants are notified on the online application system. Please note that the result will not be announced before the announcement day. Telephone and email inquiries will not be answered.

I would like to enroll in Doctoral program. How can I apply for that?

There is no doctoral program offered in English.
If you would like to enroll in the Japanese doctoral course, you are required to have JLPT N1. The information about our Doctor program is HERE (in Japanese).

Does Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University recruit any ADB-JSP scholars this year?

Application guidelines will be published in this page if there is a recruitment. It is announced in the admission guidelines too.

Do I need to submit ADB-JSP scholarship required documents apart from the online application system?

No. You must submit the required documents in the online application system when you apply for the admission.
We will not accept it if you send us only ADB-JSP scholarship documents in advance / later by post or email.

How many students can obtain ADB-JSP scholarship?

The recent number of ADB-JSP scholars from Graduate School of Management students are as follows.

I am applying for MEXT Scholarship. What procedures are required?

The MEXT scholarship's selection and our admission process are totally separate. GSM is not concerned with the MEXT screening process. Regarding the MEXT scholarship's selection process, ask Japanese Embassy in your country. You may contact us after you pass the initial screening by MEXT.

Do I need to contact professors before applying for MEXT Scholarship?

Applicants are not allowed to contact the faculty in advance regarding scholarships or applications.

I have passed the first screenig of MEXT scholarship. What should I do now?

See this page.
When you request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from that faculty, make an application through AAO.

How long is the KC-CDO program?

The KC-CDO is a two-year program; one year at Kyoto University and one year at Cornell University.
It offers two degrees: Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kyoto University and Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) from Cornell University.

How does the MBA differ from the MMH?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional degree awarded to students who have acquired the skills and advanced, coherent knowledge required for careers in business and management.
The Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) is a professional degree conferred to those who have completed a program in the services and hospitality industry. Accordingly, by obtaining both degrees, you will have credentials as a professional equipped with the strong knowledge and skills needed to apply service and hospitality expertise to business and management.

When is the KC-CDO’s enrollment?

On April 1.

What is the KC-CDO program schedule like?

KC-CDO students will study at the Graduate School of Management (GSM) at Kyoto University for two semesters (semesters 1 and 4), and at the School of Hotel Administration (SHA) at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business for the other two semesters (semesters 2 and 3), starting in late August.

Can KC-CDO students take classes offered in Japanese at Kyoto University?

Yes. They may take classes in Japanese as long as the subjects are required for the MBA degree at Kyoto University. To take the classes, Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 level or higher is required.
Required basic subjects of the 1st semester are provided only in English.

Are there any internship opportunities?

Since an internship is not included in the MBA degree requirement, we do not offer any internship opportunities. If you seek for an internship opportunity in Japan, KC-CDO faculty may help you to find one. Internship opportunities in the US for non-US students may be limited, but Cornell’s Career Management team can help you to find externships in the U.S. during the winter break between the semester 2 and 3. You would not qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after MMH degree completion.

Can MEXT (Japanese government) Scholarship students participate in the KC-CDO?

No. MEXT students are not eligible for the program.

Do I need to apply to both Kyoto University and Cornell University to be admitted to KC-CDO?

Yes, you need to apply to both. Both universities select candidates independently, and only those who are selected by both universities can enroll as KC-CDO students.

After being admitted to both universities, can I decline one of them and enroll either in Cornell SHA or in one of the other programs offered by Kyoto University?

Everyone admitted to both universities as a KC-CDO student is expected to enroll in both of them.

Do applicants need to send their TOEFL or GMAT score to both universities?

Yes. The selection processes are run independently, so please follow each university’s application guidelines.

Can I submit a new TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/GRE score to replace an earlier one that I provided in my application?

Yes, as long as it arrives before the application deadline. Please send it with a note explaining that is a replacement score for TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/GRE.

Do I have to submit a letter of recommendation?

Yes. You need to submit two or more letters of recommendation in the format you downloaded.

Will Kyoto University and Cornell University separately announce the successful applicants?

Yes. Since we select the candidates independently, we make the announcement separately. However, both announcements will be made at the same time.

What happens if I am accepted by only one of the universities?

Unfortunately, those who are accepted by only one of the universities cannot enroll in the KC-CDO program. However, you will be able to enroll in program of the university to which you were accepted—
(MMH program of Cornell University or MBA International program of Kyoto University); after successful completion of that program, you will be awarded the degree it offers (MMH or MBA).

When I took the TOEFL test, I did not register Cornell University as a score recipient. How can I send my TOEFL score to Cornell University?

For a fee, you can request the testing service (ETS) to send your score to institutions that you didn’t designate before the test, for up to 2 years after the test.

Is there an interview?

Only if deemed necessary.

Is work experience necessary?

Work experience is preferred, but not required.