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June 24, 2025 4,173 views

Tuesday Tips: NYU Stern Essays and Tips for 2025-2026

NYU Stern essays

Updated for the 2025–2026 Admissions Season

Are you getting ready to apply to the NYU Stern School of Business? We’re breaking down how to tackle the 2025–2026 NYU Stern essays so that you can leave a strong and lasting impression through your application materials.

Stern’s MBA admissions team says it seeks “students who best exemplify Stern’s core value: IQ+EQ. Our admissions committee takes care to select those who demonstrate strong intellectual ability, superior interpersonal skills, and a desire to create value for business and society.”

This is where your voice comes through—how you think, what you value, and what kind of impact you want to make. A well-crafted set of NYU Stern essays can elevate your candidacy and bring depth to the rest of your application.

Q&A with the NYU Director of Admissions

This year, NYU Stern requires one EQ Endorsement with your application. A second endorsement is optional.

• The endorsement must be from someone who knows you personally and/or professionally and can act as a persuasive advocate of your EQ strengths.
• More details can be found here and on the NYU admissions website.

Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. 

NYU Stern Essays

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

Instead of answering why an MBA is necessary for your goals, NYU simply asks what they are. However, even with a straightforward prompt, you’ll want to show that your goals are both focused and feasible—and that they make sense in the context of an MBA from Stern.

While many applicants pursue an MBA, Stern is seeking those who can use the degree with intention. Ensure that you articulate a goal that leverages your experience to date and logically connects to your plans after completing your MBA.

Short-term goals should be both ambitious and attainable. Use this short essay to demonstrate that you understand the path ahead and how Stern will help you walk it. If space allows, you can briefly name an industry, role, or even a target company to add specificity.

With only 150 words, stay concise. Provide just enough background to make your goal clear, and let the rest of your application support your broader ambitions.

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.]

Stern has brought back this distinctive prompt, which explores your relationship with change—how you face it, adapt to it, and lead through it. The challenge is twofold: this is both a question about your mindset and a branding exercise. If choosing a single word feels daunting, start by focusing on the substance of the essay. Think about a time you embraced change and made it work for you.

  • Did you pivot after a professional setback?

  • Take action in response to a social or global shift?

  • Learn something about yourself through disruption?

Once you have your story, reflect on your approach to change. Are you someone who leads boldly through uncertainty, or someone who fosters growth and adaptability in others? Use that insight to select your word.

Stern encourages you to choose one of their suggested phrases—Dare it, Dream it, Drive it, Empower it, or Manifest it. However, if none of these options feel authentic to your story, you may propose a word of your own. Your chosen word should not only align with the example you share but also reflect your leadership ethos and personality.

Make Your Word Count

Strong responses take a clear stance. Avoid generic choices or abstract terms unless you can back them up with a concrete, emotionally resonant example. For instance, “Change: Adapt it” works best if your story demonstrates intentional, proactive learning, rather than just survival. “Change: Build it” might fit if you’re someone who thrives on turning disruption into opportunity, such as launching a new initiative amid market uncertainty.

Next, explain why this word resonates with you and how you’ll live out that mindset at Stern. What will this look like in the classroom, through club leadership, or within team projects? Show that your word isn’t just a tagline—it’s how you operate.

This prompt is as much about clarity and communication as it is about creativity. Show Stern how you think and how you’ll lead.

NYU MBA picture essay example for the Pick Six personal expression prompt.

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

Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. 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 who you are.

  • A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.

One of the most unique elements of the Stern application is colloquially known as the NYU MBA “picture essay.” In this visual storytelling exercise, you’ll use six images and brief captions to introduce yourself to the Stern community.

Start by defining the story you want these images to tell. Are you showcasing a range of identities (professional, personal, cultural)? Building a visual narrative arc? Spotlighting moments that reflect your values? Your intro should help frame that decision for the reader.

While the medium can be anything, content is king. First, brainstorm what you want AdCom and future classmates to know about you.

  • What personal qualities set you apart?

  • What would your friends and mentors say is “very you”?

  • What passions, communities, or milestones have shaped your perspective?

Then, think about the vibe you’re curating. Your six images should feel cohesive but not redundant. If all six are professional, you’ll miss the chance to share something human. If they’re all personal, the committee may question your readiness for a rigorous MBA program.

So, be selective—and strategic—with your visuals. Poor choices can weaken an otherwise strong application. Avoid generic imagery, overly curated Instagram-style shots, or group photos where it’s unclear who you are.

Each image should clearly represent you and add a layer of meaning to your story. If a picture needs too much explaining, it’s probably not the right one. Likewise, resist the urge to showcase prestige for its own sake—images of awards, diplomas, or famous landmarks should only be included if they genuinely deepen our understanding of your values or motivations.

Strong entries often mix past, present, and future: a personal ritual, a meaningful challenge, a professional win, a creative pursuit, and a glimpse of what’s ahead. The key is intentionality—every image should add something unique to the picture you’re painting.

Use Captions Wisely for Your NYU MBA Picture Essay

Each one-sentence caption should clarify why the image matters—and why it’s authentically you. Captions are your chance to share context, emotion, or even a touch of humor. For example, if you include a photo of a bustling market, explain how it connects to your entrepreneurial spirit, cultural identity, or worldview.

Stern’s Associate Dean of MBA Admissions, Isser Gallogly, has said this question mimics the kind of post you’d share on social media to introduce yourself. But unlike social media, you’re curating for depth and self-awareness, not likes.

Ultimately, this essay is more about thoughtful self-expression than visual polish. Stern is looking for emotionally intelligent, multidimensional candidates. Use this prompt to show how you stand out—not just in a resume, but as a human.

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. This may include 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.

This optional essay gives you the opportunity to address anything in your application that might raise questions. For example, perhaps your transcript shows a C in a quantitative course, or your test scores fall below the school’s median. If so, this is the place to offer context, without making excuses.

The goal here is to demonstrate self-awareness, maturity, and a plan. If you struggled academically, briefly explain why and highlight evidence that you’re ready to succeed at Stern (e.g., strong performance in quantitative work projects, supplemental coursework, or a high EA/GMAT quant score).

Similarly, if you have a gap in your employment history, explain what you were doing during that time—whether caregiving, volunteering, job hunting, or reskilling. Don’t assume the AdCom will fill in the blanks for you. Transparency builds trust.

That said, don’t use this space to repeat accomplishments or squeeze in another leadership story. If your application is already strong and self-explanatory, you don’t need to submit an optional essay. Less is more when there’s nothing to clarify.

When in doubt, have a trusted friend or your admissions consultant review your NYU Stern essays to ensure your tone is clear, constructive, and focused on moving forward.

***

For more information on the application process, please visit the NYU Stern admissions website. If you’d like expert guidance on a strategy for the NYU Stern essays, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting to schedule a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. From essay strategy to resume feedback, we offer support tailored to every stage of your application.

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

(Image by Ajay Suresh CC BY 2.0)
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