NYU MBA Application Guide

NYU Stern MBA programs are on the lookout for candidates who possess robust academic credentials, notable professional accomplishments, and clear ambitions to thrive. They value individuals who exhibit both intellectual prowess and emotional intelligence, aiming to attract those who can contribute positively to both business and society.

Below are NYU Stern’s values:

• Excellence, Unbound by Tradition: “People choose us because we are bold, nimble, fearless, hip, edgy, and innovative – a School rooted in rigor, yet on the cutting edge”
• IQ + EQ: “Our intelligent, street smart community reveres diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging of all people and ideas”
• Radically Responsible: “The unequivocal belief in the power of business to improve society is built directly into our culture and curriculum”
• Uncommonly Connected: “With our NYC location and access to NYU’s global network, we build deep connections with industry worldwide that yield both experiential learning projects and jobs”

NYU MBA requires the following:

Degree requirements: To be eligible for the Stern MBA program, students must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from a foreign university, which may include a three-year degree in certain instances.

• Applicants must include transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions they have attended showing a list of all courses taken, credits earned, grades received and the name of the degree earned (if any) – this can be done using a scanned copy of the official transcripts or a completed Self-Reported Transcript Form
• Students who have been admitted must submit an official copy of their academic transcripts along with verification of their degree completion before they can enrol

Standardised tests: In addition to the GMAT and GRE, NYU MBA also accepts the Executive Assessment Test (EA), MCAT, LSAT, and DAT

• There are no minimum standardized test score requirements; however, it’s notable that the Class of 2026 boasts an average GMAT score of 733, along with average GRE scores of 164 in both Quantitative and Verbal sections
• NYU MBA will consider the applicant’s highest overall scores

Mastery of English: The applicant’s level of proficiency in English must be demonstrated in at least one of the following three ways:

• Their native language is English
• Their undergraduate or graduate degree was taught in English
• Their test results from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test
  • NYU MBA will consider the applicant’s highest total score

NYU Stern MBA is looking for candidates who possess both intellectual and emotional intelligence, a solid history of achievements, strong potential for future leadership, and a clear strategy for reaching their career goals.

• Applicants hail from diverse professional fields, including consulting, finance, entertainment, consumer goods, nonprofit organizations, and technology, with no industry being prioritized over others.
• The Admissions Committee assesses work experience not just by the number of years but also by the depth and variety of an applicant’s roles, responsibilities, and career advancement
• While academic achievements and internships are not considered professional work experience, the Committee takes all forms of work experience into account during the admissions process
• There is no requirement for post-university work experience to submit an application

For this section, candidates are required to submit a resume that outlines their full-time work experience after university, along with their educational background. They may also include details about internships, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work.

To enhance their resume with important details about their professional journey, applicants will be asked to provide employment information for every position they have held using the “Add Position” feature within the application.

NYU Stern MBA requires one short answer, two essays, and provides optional space for additional information.

Short Answer on Professional Aspirations: What are your short-term career goals? (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Clearly outline your post-graduation plans from NYU, specifying the role and responsibilities you aim to pursue. Identify your target companies and the skills you wish to develop
• If space allows, briefly connect your short-term objectives to your long-term aspirations and the impact you hope to achieve
• Prioritise your immediate career goals, ensuring they are thoroughly addressed, while also demonstrating how NYU MBA serves as the perfect launchpad for your desired position
• With a limit of 150 words, be concise and direct, ensuring your application reflects how your goals align with your current skills and interests, enhanced by this MBA experience

Essay 1: Change: _________ it (350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _____ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:

• Change: Dare it.
• Change: Dream it.
• Change: Drive it.
• Change: Empower it.
• Change: Manifest it.
• Change: [Any word of your choice] it.

To tackle this task, Prep Zone recommends the following:

• Take time to reflect on what change means to you on both a personal and professional level. Think about how it has influenced your life and career up to this point, your typical reactions to change, and how you manage it. Do you enjoy being a catalyst for change in your own life or in others? Are you more likely to welcome or resist change, and what motivates that tendency?
• Delve into these questions to uncover a variety of perspectives, understanding that there isn’t a single “right” answer that the Admissions Committee is looking for. Choosing a word that genuinely resonates with you and encapsulates your view on change will strengthen your essay, rather than selecting a term that is overly complicated or vague
• To effectively convey your ideas, it’s crucial to have a solid grasp of the Stern program; if your proposals don’t align with its principles or seem impractical, it may hinder your application
• While researching, look for specific areas and opportunities that connect with your tagline, as well as your individual personality, strengths, and experiences. Explore student blogs, participate in discussion forums, read recent press releases, and check out Stern’s YouTube channel to gain a deeper understanding of the authentic experience at Stern, beyond just academics

Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”)

Introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. The Pick Six is a way to share more about the qualities you will bring to the Stern community, beyond your professional and academic achievements. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:

• A brief introduction or overview of your “Pick Six” (no more than 3 sentences).
• Six images that help illustrate your interests, values, motivations, perspective and/or personality.
• A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

This is an opportunity for candidates to authentically present themselves to the Admissions Committee, sharing their background and passions. Candidates should reflect on what they want their peers to know while ensuring a balanced approach across the required essays. Since the first essay focuses on career aspirations and work experience, it’s wise to dedicate most of their insights in this response to their life beyond work. Make sure to build a narrative through images.

Applicants should thoughtfully consider their values and individuality, highlighting what sets them apart from others. It’s also important to express their eagerness to connect with fellow students and mention any unique ways they plan to engage with their peers that aren’t addressed in their first essay. The aim is to effectively communicate the applicant’s interests, values, and personality through this creative format.

This prompt encourages the integration of visuals alongside text. A photo album showcasing significant achievements or a flowchart illustrating the candidate’s leisure time choices can demonstrate their creativity and commitment to their Stern application. Regardless of how the applicant balances images and text, maintaining a sincere, collaborative, and enthusiastic tone about joining the NYU community is essential.

Essay 3: Additional Information (optional) (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee and/or give context to your application. This may include important aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, including but not limited to: hardships you have encountered, current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

To align with the specific requirements of the essays and the clear instructions set forth by the admissions committee, applicants should focus solely on the topics specified in this prompt.

NYU MBA requires an EQ Endorsement instead of a letter of recommendation, and it must be provided by a current supervisor. If the applicant is unable to obtain this endorsement, they are required to explain the situation in their online application.

While a second EQ Endorsement is optional, it is encouraged and can be sourced from someone who knows the applicant in a professional or personal capacity, excluding immediate family members.

These endorsements should be written by individuals who can impartially evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in NYU Stern’s MBA program and their future career, and who can effectively advocate for the applicant’s emotional intelligence strengths.

The endorser will be requested to evaluate the applicant based on various skills and attributes, in addition to responding to the following five questions:

• Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization.
• How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles (if applicable)? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?)
• Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
• IQ+EQ is a core value of NYU Stern, and we seek exceptional individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. Emotional intelligence (EQ) skills such as self-awareness, empathy, communication and self-management are at the core of our community of leaders. Please provide one specific and compelling example to demonstrate the applicant’s emotional intelligence.
• (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?

Interviews for the NYU MBA programs are conducted solely by invitation and are facilitated by members of the Admissions Committee. The interviewers will thoroughly examine the candidate’s entire application prior to the interview, which allows them to ask personalised questions that reflect the applicant’s unique background and experiences.

While the interview process is personalized, it still adheres to the conventional structure of MBA interviews. Candidates can expect to discuss their short- and long-term career aspirations, articulate their professional goals, and explain their motivations for choosing NYU Stern and pursuing an MBA at this particular stage in their lives.