NYU Stern Debuts Major Changes to Fall 2018 MBA Application, Essays

The MBA application for NYU Stern School of Business has undergone significant changes for the 2017-18 admissions cycle to enhance how the school will assess candidates on “fit” with its culture as well as program choice, given the range of degree options now available. Now, applicants can use one application to apply to up to four MBA programs (Full-time, Fashion & Luxury, Tech, Part-time).

Stern says it’s providing this flexibility in recognition that more than one program may suit applicants’s educational goals.

Per the Stern admissions website:

NYU Stern MBA applicants must select a primary program of interest. Applicants also have the opportunity to list any other alternative programs they would be open to attending. (An alternative program does not need to be selected if you are only interested in one program.)

Your preferences are very important, as you will be admitted to only one program.

2017-18 MBA Essays

Essay 1: Professional Aspirations
(500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• What are your short and long-term career goals?
• How will the MBA help you achieve them?

Essay 2: Program Preferences
NYU Stern offers a portfolio of MBA programs designed to meet the needs of our applicants. Your program preferences are very important as you will be admitted to only one program. You cannot switch your program option after receiving your admissions decision.

A. Primary Program Preference (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Please indicate the primary MBA program for which you would like to be considered, as indicated in the Primary Program Selection section of the application.
• Explain why the program you have selected is the best program for you.

B. Alternative Program Preference(s) (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Please indicate any alternative program(s) for which you would also like to be considered, as indicated in the Alternative Program Selection section of the application and why you would also like to be considered for this/these program(s).
• An alternate program does not need to be selected. If you have no alternate programs you do not need to complete this essay, just indicate “N/A”.

Essay 3: 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.

Essay 4: Additional Information (optional)
(250 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, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

Another Big Change: The EQ Endorsement

NYU Stern calls IQ+EQ a core value of the school, and it seeks 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.

• You are required to submit one EQ Endorsement with your application. 
• The endorsement must be from someone who knows you personally and/or professionally and can act as a persuasive advocate of your EQ strengths.
• Immediate family members should not write your EQ Endorsement.

EQ Endorsement Question
Your EQ endorser will be provided with a definition of IQ + EQ and why it is important at NYU Stern, and will be asked to respond to the following prompt:

Please provide one specific and compelling example to demonstrate the applicant’s emotional intelligence. (250 word maximum)

According to Associate Dean of MBA Admissions Isser Gallogly, “We believe these changes will help applicants more effectively communicate to the committee who they are as a person, which programs best suit their goals and how they demonstrate EQ.  Additionally, these changes are much more in keeping with the ‘social media’ style of communication of today’s applicant.”

Adds Gallogly, “Applicants communicate with much more than words these days and visual elements now play a dominant role.”

For more information on the new NYU Stern MBA application, please visit the admissions website.