nyu change essay examples

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs - Admissions | Essays

Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals, and thought processes.

Your essays must be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be rescinded if you did not write your essays.  

• Short Answer: Professional Aspirations
• Essay 1: Change: _____ it
• Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. "Pick Six")
• Essay 3: Additional Information (optional)

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• What are your short-term career goals?

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.

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.

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

Admissions Blog Insights

Conquering the Pick 6

Nedjee Corriolan, Assistant Director at NYU Stern, shares her tips for the Pick 6 essay on our full-time MBA blog.

2024-2025 NYU Stern MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Jun 15, 2024

• Who is Stern Looking for?
• How should I answer the essay question?
• Get into NYU Stern

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on August 14, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

Located at the center of a major business hub and offering specialized 1-year programs in tech and fashion, NYU Stern is at the top of the list for a growing number of both US-based and international MBA applicants. 

However, with impressive recruiting statistics and its new Change: Studio program, the competition to join Stern’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Stern essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to NYU Stern MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Haas application your best shot. 

1. Who is Stern Looking for?

(Photo courtesy of @nyustern on Instagram)

“We look for people who share our values, and understand who we are and what we are about. EQ is something we have always looked for. We want people who want to be part of the NYC landscape, our urban advantage. We look for those with an understanding of what good business can do for society, not just looking at the bottom line.” Rabia Ahmed , Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business

Every year, NYU Stern reviews thousands of applicants from outstanding professionals in order to determine who to admit to its class of around 320 full-time MBA students. With a strong emphasis on international and gender diversity, there is no “typical” NYU Stern student, yet the average student admitted to the Class of 2025 did have a 732 average GMAT score, 163V/163Q GRE score, and 5.2 years of full-time work experience .

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Stern is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through test scores and university grades), Stern seeks candidates who possess the following qualities:

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Stern’s challenging admissions essay questions. 

2. How should I answer the essay question?

2.1. short answer tips.

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations

(150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

What are your short-term career goals?

Like many other schools, NYU Stern has taken clear steps each year to make their application increasingly streamlined. 

This is important to keep in mind because Stern has deliberately been very clear about what they want here: short-term goals only . 

TOP TIP: If you’re not sure what your goals are, check out this post designed to help you think through this critical component of your application!

When discussing your goals , clarity is king, so make sure you include a job title and industry in your description of your post-MBA aspiration. 

However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For example, a recent client initially started his essay by saying: 

“ I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company. ”

While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:

“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that for the world to change, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. I now seek to take the next step to become a “glocal” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”

After clearly stating your goal ( and your motivations for having this goal ), we suggest you briefly touch on how Stern can help you achieve these goals, if you have space. This should not be a “laundry list” of 10 classes you found on the NYU site, nor a section in which you repeat clichés about the school. 

Instead, you should thoughtfully consider how you must grow personally and professionally to reach your stated short-term goal and what elements of NYU Stern (classes, faculty, clubs, etc.) will help you reach them. 

Ending your essay with a killer conclusion sentence to leave your reader with a strong image of your profile is the perfect wrap-up. 

Need more guidance? 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of NYU Stern MBA essays that worked to get our clients admitted to help you plan out a winning NYU Stern essay. Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join ! 

2.2. Essay 1 Tips

Essay 1: Change: _________ it

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? (350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) Examples:

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

One of the biggest mistakes we see for these more creative essays is that applicants tend to think of the catch-phrase or motto as being more important than the rest of the content of the essay. Here, though it is instrumental that you fully answer the prompt, you want to make sure to be highly strategic in how you tackle this question.

In that sense, we recommend that you first consider the rest of your application. In the other two (very short!) essays, your CV, and your Letters of Recommendation, what will the Stern Admissions Committee learn about you? Thinking about your personal brand , have you covered everything about your profile that makes you truly unique?

We then recommend that you compile a list of stories that you weren’t able to share elsewhere and filter these stories for those that have an element of change and that are truly meaningful to you. 

For example, last year, we worked with a client who advocated tirelessly for transgender rights, even leading a movement to change a biased law that provided healthcare to this population. Not only does an example like this show an important achievement that was deeply meaningful to the applicant, but it also featured a strong element of change. 

NYU Stern highly values emotional intelligence , and this essay prompt can be a great way to demonstrate that you possess this trait. 

On the other hand, the second part of the question means that you also need to choose a story that you can tie your engagement with the NYU Stern Community . So, while getting into a great college might have been an important moment for you that changed your trajectory, it might not be the best story to connect with Stern. Of course, there are always exceptions, but make sure you can convincingly tie the story you choose to Stern. 

After choosing your example, start to brainstorm the word you’ll use to complete the prompt (if you don’t use one of the phrases the admissions committee gives). Here, don’t aim to find a word that the AdCom has never heard of, just to try to stand out. Instead, choose an example that goes to the core of the change that drove the example you’re presenting (and why this type of change was important to you). For example, if we use the story about transgender rights above, the candidate might choose to write something like “Change: Demand it” or “Change: Fight for it” or even “Change: Ensure it benefits all.” There are no right or wrong answers here, but the best phrases will show a thoughtful, direct connection to your story. 

Of course, this essay is not complete without sharing how you expect to embrace your tagline while at Stern. In this part of the essay, you want to brainstorm ways that you can participate in and contribute to the Stern community. 

This question requires you to complete extensive research on the school , so make sure you give yourself ample time to explore the website, talk to current students and alumni, attend a few webinars, check out Stern’s YouTube and Instagram accounts, and, if possible, visit campus. I would then suggest you think of 3-4 ways you can put your slogan into action. These can range from clubs to specific initiatives to how you plan to connect with others on campus through study groups and other activities. 

Of course, end your essay with a killer conclusion statement that ties it all together and that aligns with your tagline! 

2.3. Essay 2 Tips

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.

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

For many years, MBA applications have focused on your CV and your goals to get a very concrete picture of what you bring to the table as an applicant. In recent years, however, we’ve seen a greater move towards questions that get to know the person behind the accomplishments . This is exactly the mission of this essay, which NYU Stern has retained as part of its application for the past several years. 

However, given the extremely open format of this essay, applicants often find themselves panicking when starting to craft their NYU Stern essays. We’re here to tell you that this essay can actually be a very enjoyable experience that highlights your creativity and unique life story! 

When starting out, we recommend that you first think back to your personal brand and the list of achievements and life experiences you compiled during this process. Now, thinking about the fact that you have already had the chance to highlight aspects of your career in the goals essay, what do you believe is still important to include in your application in order to convey the full picture of what you could contribute to the Stern community?

Though you might be tempted to target funny or quirky elements of your profile, we suggest you think more strategically about what NYU Stern is looking for in a candidate and how each image and caption you choose will work to demonstrate your fit with their program. 

For example, perhaps you have a long track record of giving back to the community and want to share a photo from one of your volunteer projects. Or, perhaps you conducted a project in a foreign country and want to share an image of a meeting or cultural event you attended while there and how this encounter shaped your mindset. 

You can also choose to include one or two “lighter” photos that demonstrate interests and hobbies you have actively pursued but make sure these add value. Showing off a meal you ate at a fancy restaurant (unless perhaps you’re like our client Martha and have a thriving food blog with 100k+ subscribers), won’t do much to prove you’re an interesting, dynamic, well-rounded addition to the NYU Stern class. 

After selecting the stories/images you want to use, it’s time to craft your captions. Though you may be tempted to quickly write a description of the photo, remember that the caption is where you are able to demonstrate what you want the admissions committee to learn about you . Since you are limited to a single sentence for each image, concision is key, but make sure that the sentence clearly articulates the experience/value/achievement you want to convey. 

For example, last year, our client Kelsey used a photograph of newspaper article on her handball team’s championship win. Her caption brought in what this meant to her in terms of developing her leadership style, stating: “My first ever leadership position has a huge space in my heart: being captain of my handball team taught me not only the power of commitment, discipline, and teamwork but also of having the sharp emotional intelligence to face my most challenging opponent – myself.”

This is an excellent caption, in our opinion, as it demonstrates a connection with NYU’s focus on emotional intelligence, demonstrates a relevant leadership insight, and includes the right measure of creativity by using a sports metaphor directly linked to her photo.

Top tip: though you can choose to use photographs for all 6 images, things like charts, PowerPoint slides, paintings, drawings, etc. are all fair game. 

2.4. Optional Essay Tips

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.

If you are a reapplicant, please utilize this optional essay to highlight any changes since your last application. 

(500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

This is not a place for you to retell your life story or sum up your interest in Stern or need for an MBA. It is also not a place to copy and paste a strong essay you wrote for another school. Make sure you focus only on weak spots and also discuss what steps you have taken or took to rectify the weaknesses. 

Find additional tips and tricks to help you master the optional essay here . 

If you’re a reapplicant, check out these tips . 

3. Get into NYU Stern

Landing a spot at NYU Stern is no easy task. You’ve spent years building a track record of professional success, dedicated yourself to getting a good GMAT score, and carefully developed your application strategy . 

Now is the time to make sure your accomplishments truly shine, and the only way to do so is to write a clear, compelling admissions essay. 

Ellin Lolis Consulting began with one mission: provide the best possible service to our clients and get them the best possible results . Serving our customers is at the core of our company, and we know that applying for an MBA can be a difficult, long process, but our goal is to take away as much of the stress as possible by acting as your ally in the process. 

So if you need much more than just a few comments on your essay but instead want focused help shaping how you present your life’s greatest hits to one of the world’s toughest critics , you can count on us. 

Our editing service focuses on helping you determine how to present yourself in your NYU Stern essay while using appropriate, impact-driven language and adequate storytelling techniques. 

That’s why 98.9% of our clients secure admissions to at least one of their target schools .

Get in touch and let our award-winning team of writers and storytellers help you make an unforgettable first impression. 

4. Deadlines

The deadlines for the 2024-2025 season are below. You can access the NYU Stern application here . 

NYU Stern Round 1 Deadlines (Full-time MBA)

Application Deadline : September 16, 2024

Initial Notification by* : December 1, 2024

*You will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admission 

NYU Stern Round 2 Deadlines (Full-time MBA)

Application Deadline : October 16, 2024

Initial Notification by* : January 1, 2025

NYU Stern Round 3 Deadlines (Full-time MBA)

Application Deadline : January 16, 2025

Initial Notification by* : April 1, 2025

*You will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admission

NYU Stern Round 4 Deadlines (Full-time MBA)

Application Deadline : April 16, 2025

Initial Notification by* : Ongoing

NYU Stern Round 1 Deadlines (Fashion and Luxury MBA – Summer 2024)

Application Deadline : September 6, 2024

NYU Stern Round 2 Deadlines (Fashion and Luxury MBA – Summer 2024)

Application Deadline : November 6, 2024

Initial Notification by* : February 1, 2025

NYU Stern Round 3 Deadlines (Fashion and Luxury MBA – Summer 2024)

Application Deadline : January 6, 2025

Initial Notification by* : March 1, 2025

NYU Stern Round 4 Deadlines (Fashion and Luxury MBA – Summer 2024)**

Application Deadline : February 6, 2025

*You will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admission **US Citizens and Permanent Residents only

NYU Stern Round 1 Deadlines (Tech MBA – Summer 2025)

Nyu stern round 2 deadlines (tech mba – summer 2025), nyu stern round 3 deadlines (tech mba – summer 2025), nyu stern round 4 deadlines (tech mba – summer 2025)**.

**US Citizens and Permanent Residents only

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the deadline date. Any applications received after this date will be considered for the next round or will not be considered (if you’re applying for the last deadline). 

**You will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admission

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Tuesday Tips: NYU Stern Essays and Tips for 2024-2025

Are you getting ready to apply to The New York University Stern School of Business ? Today, we’re sharing our tips for the NYU Stern essays. The goal is to help you create a positive 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.”

The parameters of IQ and EQ that are important to Stern MBA are academic, professional, and personal. The admissions team will evaluate your academic ability mainly through your GMAT and GPA. However, the NYU Stern essays play a crucial part in your application strategy. In particular, they give insight into your career goals and personality.

See this 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, while many people seek an MBA degree, NYU wants to invest in those who can use it most effectively. Therefore, make sure you have a reason for an MBA from Stern to achieve your goals.

Post-MBA short-term goals ideally are both achievable and aspirational. An MBA from NYU Stern will open professional doors for you. As a result, you should use the NYU Stern essays to show you are ready for the opportunities.

First, think about your past work experience, your MBA education, and a logical short-term goal. Ideally, your goal pulls from your recent work experience and the skills you will gain in the NYU MBA program. Also, use specific examples if space allows.

Finally, with only 150 words to use, you should focus on your career goal and basic background information. Then, ideally, the rest of the application will fill out your holistic 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.].

In a repeat from previous seasons, Stern asks a question about your attitude toward change. Given the events of the past few years, it seems appropriate to focus on how you embrace change. First, this is a question about feelings. Second, it asks you to use branding techniques to communicate. As a result, there is both substance and style to this question.

If you feel daunted by choosing one word to explain your feelings about change, start with the substance of the essay. That means considering how you have embraced change and made it work for you. Did you need to pivot careers due to a layoff? Have you learned more about yourself as a result of social changes? What did the past several years teach you about the world?

Finally, this essay is an opportunity to communicate. Because Stern describes the school’s brand call to action, you should think about your brand. For example, if you are the kind of person who leads a team through a vision, you might choose Change: Inspire It. Or, if you are more practical, you might use the branding: Change: Build It. In conclusion, your goal is to choose the one word that speaks to your style and approach as a leader.

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..

A favorite American idiom says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In this essay, you have six pictures to use. To get started, think about how you will choose the images to communicate with your future classmates and Stern MBA admissions . Think about the story you want to tell. Is it a collage of your life or a progression? How do the pictures work together to tell the story?

While the medium can be anything, your content is the vital part of this essay. First, brainstorm the information you want to convey. Then, think about your unique personal qualities and what your friends and family value most in you.  Next, ask yourself how you would want your classmates to see you. Finally, what information would you share with a new friend?

Building a narrative through images.

Your six images may be all personal or all professional (not recommended!), demonstrate deeper meaning for you, or be aspirational and future-oriented. You might also want to show a journey you have taken or a person who is important to you. Or you could show a vision of your future desires and plans.

Isser Gallogly, associate dean of MBA admissions, has said that this question is similar to the kind of post you might share on social media to tell your friends about your life. As a result, images are more and more important in digital communication. Therefore, this essay asks you to use images as the primary form (drawings, photos, infographics, or any other images you choose).

The one-sentence caption for each image will also be an opportunity to contextualize. For example, if you show an image of a happy family, what does that say about your past or future? Who are the people to you? Finally, if you use a picture of a place or time, words can explain its importance to you.

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 allows you to explain anything that is not clear in your application. For example, maybe your academic record shows any grades of C or below in a quantitative course, or your GMAT is low. If so, you will want to explain that you are academically prepared. And, any explanation should include the reasons you will perform strongly in your academic courses at NYU.

Additionally, if you have a gap in work experience, this is the place to provide context. Therefore, describe what you were doing during the interval. And, take the time to explain but not excuse. Finally, remember that you never need to use the optional essay if the information in your application is straightforward on its own.

For more information on applying, visit the NYU Stern admissions website . To talk to Stacy Blackman Consulting about your MBA plans, don’t hesitate to contact us!   We offer multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our  All-In Partnership  to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume.  Contact SBC today for a  free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

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

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) NYU Admissions

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.  Ashley  holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years,  Ashley  was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and  ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.  Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.  For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).  In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.  Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.  In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.  Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.  In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.  Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications.  She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.   Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.   Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team.  During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students.  She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).  During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director.  Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

(Image by Ajay Suresh CC BY 2.0)

With deadlines around the corner, you may be interested in the world-famous SBC Flight Test . Once a full set of application materials for your initial school have been drafted, but not finalized, the application will be sent to a former admissions committee member for a one-time review, adcomm style. You’ll have the benefit of a true admissions committee review while still having the ability to tinker and change.  You will receive written feedback within two business days after submitting.

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June 26, 2024

NYU Stern MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024-2025], Class Profile

In addition to its traditional two-year, full-time MBA, NYU Stern offers a menu of options in graduate management education, including a one-year Tech MBA and a one-year Fashion and Luxury MBA.

Stern MBA students can select up to three specializations or choose not to specialize at all.

Ready to get to work on your NYU Stern application? Here is some expert advice to help you get accepted:

NYU Stern application essay tips

Nyu stern application deadlines.

• NYU Stern class profile

NYU Stern 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.

As you approach this question, obviously you have to think about what change means to you. But what is more important than the specific verb you choose to fill in the blank is the rest of the adcom’s question. Why are you choosing it? Do you have one or two examples that show how you have effected change in your work or personal life? Finally, given your reasons and your verb choice, how will you embody this motto while at Stern?

To answer the last part of the question, you must do your research. What are the curricular and extracurricular opportunities at NYU Stern that will allow you to live your tagline while you are a student there? Check out Admissions Straight Talk Episode 525, “ How to Get Accepted to NYU Stern ,” in which Executive Director for MBA Admissions Lindsay Loyd discusses Stern’s Change Studio (see 8:40). 

NYU Stern 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. 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.

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.

Nedjee Corriolan, the assistant director of MBA admissions at Stern , shares her advice on tackling this essay: “From your first image to the very last image, you’re creating a visually dynamic story. It’s important to understand what the message behind each photo is so you can capture the narrative in your brief caption.” She states that the “why” means more than the “what.”

As you are selecting your images, ask yourself these questions: Why is this important to me? And what does this show about who I am? Corriolan suggests that you show the images to a friend and ask them what the images convey about you. Does what they say match your idea for a caption? Maybe they have other ideas. Brainstorm and see what you can come up with. This is a fun essay, so you should have fun putting it together! It doesn’t have to be about your professional achievements – that is covered elsewhere in your application and resume. You are not your job. Think about who you are in your life outside of work and what is important to you. Although you have the option of including something professional or related to your goals, make sure that your images complement those goals. Let your individuality shine in this essay to differentiate you from other candidates. This can be a great place to reveal personal interests, hobbies, or community service commitments.

Remember, each caption is only one sentence, so don’t pick an image that will require a complicated explanation. It might relate back to one of your essays, but really, it should showcase a new facet of your personality. 

NYU Stern Associate Dean of MBA Admissions and Program Innovation Isser Gallogly, explained to us at Accepted that today, images are used as much as words are for communications. He strongly feels that combining images with a few sentences and captions might be more comfortable for applicants accustomed to communicating on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms. So let your visual talents shine. You can go deep into one special interest or let your six picks show different facets of you and your experience.

You can use word clouds, graphs, infographics, charts, and of course pictures. Basically anything two-dimensional that will go into a PDF for uploading can work for Stern’s Pick Six essay.

NYU Stern 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 if 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, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

Stern provides several suggestions regarding what to include in this essay. However, if you have something significant you would like the admissions committee to know and that topic isn’t mentioned in the school’s prompt, don’t worry. This prompt is open enough that you can still write this optional essay to explain it. Just don’t duplicate information that’s found elsewhere in your application.

For expert guidance with your NYU Stern MBA application, schedule a free 30 minute consultation with an Accepted expert. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to NYU Stern’s MBA program and look forward to helping you, too!

Source: NYU Stern website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with NYU Stern directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

NYU Stern Class Profile 

Here is a look at NYU Stern’s full-time, two-year MBA Class of 2025 (data taken from the NYU Stern website ). Note that NYU Stern has adopted the Graduate Management Education Admissions Reporting Standards.

Applicants: 3,075

Admits: 966

Admission rate: 31%

Number enrolled: 327

U.S. military veterans/active duty: 13%

LGBTQ+: 13%

Students with international citizenship: 48%

Countries represented: 46

Average age: 28

Age range (100%): 21-37

Minorities: 47%

Underrepresented minorities: 17%

Race and ethnicity ( multidimensional guidelines )

• White, Non-Hispanic: 57%
• Asian American: 33%
• African American, Black: 9%
• Hispanic, Latino: 8%
• Did not specify: 6%
• American Indian, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander: 1%
• Multi-race: -%

Average GPA: 3.61

GPA range (80%): 3.34-3.87

GPA range (100%): 2.96-4.00

GMAT average: 732

GMAT range (80%): 700-760

GMAT range (100%): 650-780

GRE Quant average: 163

GRE Quant range (80%): 157-170

GRE Quant range (100%): 155-170

GRE Verbal average: 163

GRE Verbal range (80%): 158-168

GRE Verbal range (100%): 155-169

Standardized test type:

• Test waiver: 9%
• NYU test waiver: 6%
• MCAT/LSAT/DAT: 4%

Students with work experience: 99%

Average years of work experience: 5.2

Range of years of work experience (100%): 0-14

Prior industries:

• Financial Services: 26%
• Consulting: 12%
• Technology: 10%
• Military, Government: 8%
• Entertainment, Media: 6% 
• Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals: 6%
• Nonprofit, Arts, Education: 6%
• Consumer Products, Retail: 5%
• Real Estate: 5%
• Advertising, Public Relations: 3%
• Engineering 2%
• Manufacturing, Import/Export, Trade: 2%

Dr. Christie St-John has more than 25 years of higher ed and admissions experience, including ten years in admissions at Dartmouth Tuck. She was formerly the director of MBA recruiting and admissions, director of international relations, and an adjunct faculty member at Vanderbilt University. Having also served on the board of directors of the MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance and the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management, Christie has a deep knowledge of MBA and other graduate admissions. Want Christie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 202 4
• The MBA Admissions Calculator
• How to Get Accepted to NYU Stern , podcast Episode 525

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Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, nyu stern essays: strategy & tips for success.

• By Trisha Nussbaum

NYU Stern stands out from the crowd with unique essay prompts that require reflection and creativity.

Stern now asks candidates to define themselves in the context of the school’s brand tagline —a clever way of asking about alignment with the Stern culture and values. Then they ask you to define yourself in meaningful pictures. Together, these pose a formidable exercise in self-awareness. So let’s talk strategy.

As at other MBA programs, however, the NYU Stern application essays are a primary vehicle for distinguishing your uniqueness in a sea of excellence (especially if you’re from an overrepresented pool like finance, engineering or consulting.) As a Fortuna MBA Admissions Coach, tech consultant and NYU Stern MBA alumna, I’ve helped countless candidates develop a narrative that’s persuasive, coherent, concise and authentic, and I’ve summarized some strategic advice below.

Tips for Tackling the NYU Stern MBA Essays

Who are you, what do you want to do, and who do you want to be? These are the questions you need to answer in your NYU Stern application essays and responses. Stern relies less on extended essays probing your career goals, but together, your required essays should convey a clear and inspiring direction for your professional life, guided by your motivations, ambitions, ideals, and values. Your responses, both written and visual, help the admissions team understand what it is that drives you forward — not only in your career but in your life.

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations 

What are your short-term career goals? (150 words max)

This short-answer question marks a significant change from previous years, when candidates had 500 words to address both short- and long-term career goals in the context of seeking a Stern MBA.

The admissions committee at Stern is looking for a clear plan that coherently aligns with your past experiences. Demonstrating clarity (and concision) with your career goal is evidence that you possess the ability to develop a savvy job search strategy and understand the MBA recruiting process that starts on day one — even if your ambitions evolve during your MBA program.

There is little room for storytelling here. Your short-term goal should be as specific as possible, reflecting considerable research and thought into the function, industry, and geography — even down to possible companies you hope to be working for. Your short-term goal is a stepping stone on your way to your greater career ambitions, meaning they are your immediate plans (for your internship) to two to three years post-MBA. It should be achievable and realistic, as well as focused on building capacities, expertise, and experience.

Spend time in advance of applying to do your research and speak to current business school students and alumni to learn more about what kind of career opportunities are available to Stern business school graduates. Stern has great success rates for placing graduates at reputable companies, so take a look at Stern’s MBA career section online to be knowledgeable about the most common industries and companies for recent graduates. For a deeper dive and some great examples of short-term goals, view this article by Fortuna’s Heidi Hillis on How To Create MBA Goals: Long-Term Vs. Short-Term Career Vision .

Essay 1: Change

Change: _________ it. (350 word max)

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.  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.]

This NYU Stern essay is where your savvy understanding of context counts. Stern’s brand is built on the theme of change:  Dare it. Dream it. Drive it, showcasing the school’s curriculum and its ethos around adaptability, transformation and changing the world.

For inspiration, you can view the personal slogans and supporting insights of six top Stern administrators. No matter your background, Stern wants to see that you are agile, flexible and progressively thinking beyond your industry’s traditional definitions.

But when you sit down to write, take the opportunity to reflect on your life and values and what is really important for you. Allow yourself to play with possibilities and to get creative. What words, values, or themes feel symbolic of your relationship to change, your thought process, and what makes you tick?

IESE is another top business school that asks you to script your life motto (without the benefit of Stern’s useful framing!) and explain your motivations behind it. As my colleague Lisa Bevill advises in her article on IESE Essay Strategy , “This is an invitation to showcase your authenticity and what you believe in. This essay challenges you to consider what you value and how that is represented in a slogan for your life, supported by an emblematic example to back it up.”

Essay 2: Personal Expression 

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

Your response, informally known as “Pick Six,” should be formatted as a PDF document with these 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.

If the first NYU Stern essay delivers an understanding of your professional goals — what you do — essays two and three speak to who you are. Stern places a strong emphasis on personal characteristics and is looking for students who will be involved in the school and community. The Pick Six is a classic Stern prompt and a place to let your personality shine. You can utilize a diverse set of images, as long as they have significance in your life and, if possible, tie into the characteristics that Stern is looking for.

What is the story you wish to tell? Are you a climber, toastmaster or volunteer firefighter? Do you have strong ties with your family, a cause, or friends from different walks of life? These are all great themes to communicate visually in your pick six.

For example, one accepted student who is passionate about cooking used a picture of a dish she was particularly proud of, highlighting that she is constantly searching for new recipes and feels great satisfaction when bringing joy to others. Another candidate shared an image of scuba diving with sharks, explaining how she overcame a great fear, with the encouragement of her friends, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While these examples showcase the students’ explorative and community-oriented natures, they likewise pique an interest for the reader to meet the applicants in person.

The Pick Six also helps the Admissions Committee gauge your ‘fit’ with the program and community and ensures that you have the qualities of a “Sternie.” This NYU Stern essay is a prime opportunity to showcase your emotional quotient by representing the key inspirations that drive you to have a positive impact on those around you. Know that Stern values individuality, so think about presenting a range of images that can offer more insight into the various aspects of who you are.

Finally, while the openness of the instructions may suggest the committee is looking for an artistic presentation, there is no need to overthink it. The Pick Six can include photographs, posters, symbolic images, artwork, or almost any other visual format. What’s most important are the images you select and the captions, so long as the final PDF is organized and refined.

Essay 3: Additional Information 

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. (optional, 250 word max)

If you feel that there may be a weakness or gap in your application, such as those in the description, it may be helpful to utilize this NYU Stern supplemental essay. This optional esssay is also an opportunity to provide more context if you did not provide a recommendation from your direct supervisor. It is a personal decision whether or not to make use of this essay, but it can be useful to express to the admissions committee that you recognize that there may be a gap, but you have taken steps to address it.

Don’t want to wait until the last minute to get all of the pieces of your application ready. If possible, start early and take the time to do your research before writing your essays. Research and reflection can help you pin down what you want to write about. Don’t worry if you can’t get your application ready in time for the first application deadline. It’s more important that you do what it takes to make your application as strong as possible.

Want More Advice?

Check out our team’s latest articles, videos, and analysis related to how to get into NYU Stern:

• 3 Things You Have to Do to Get Into NYU Stern
• Business School Profile on NYU Stern

View our MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass on NYU Stern, Duke Fuqua, and Johnson Cornell.

Visit Fortuna’s YouTube channel to check out all sessions in our MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass series. You can also view our team’s MBA Essay Tips for every school on your target list.

Let’s Get You In

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors and Officers from top business schools, including NYU Stern. With our unparalleled collective expertise, we can coach you to develop a clear vision of your goals for business school and beyond. We work closely with you throughout the application process and provide expert guidance at every stage to maximize your chances of admission to a top school.

Our free consultations are consistently rated as the best in the industry. To learn more about Fortuna and assess your chances of admission to top programs, book your free session now.

Fortuna’s   Trisha Nussbaum   is an MBA Admissions   coach and an NYU Stern alumna with experience working at top tech giants Google and IBM.   For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a   free consultation .

• Posted on August 6, 2024

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MBA Resources

MBA Essays: NYU STERN Sample Essays & Writing Tips

MBA & Beyond Team

22/12/2023 | 9:09 pm

Welcome to our guide on NYU Stern MBA Essays! Applying for an MBA at NYU Stern is a significant step towards advancing your career, and your essays are key to making a compelling case for admission. In this concise yet informative guide, we’ll provide you with sample essays and essential tips to help you craft standout essays tailored specifically for NYU Stern’s application process. Let’s dive in and explore how you can effectively showcase your unique qualities and aspirations to secure your spot in this prestigious program.

Table of Contents

Professional Aspiration

Embarking on an MBA is a significant step in your career, and NYU Stern wants to hear all about your plans. So, what are your short-term career goals? This question may seem straightforward, but it’s your golden ticket to show the admissions committee why NYU Stern is the ideal launchpad for your dreams.

Key Elements to Include for NYU Stern MBA Essays

• Specificity is Key: Be clear about your desired role and the industry you aim to enter post-MBA. Numbers and facts play a big role here. For instance, if you’re eyeing a role in management consulting, mention the kind of projects or sectors you want to delve into.
• Link to Stern: Why NYU? Maybe it’s their top-ranked Finance program or their impressive network in the tech industry. Whatever it is, make it clear how Stern aligns with your goals.
• Short and Sweet: With a 150-word limit, precision is your friend. Every word should drive home why you’re a perfect fit for Stern and why Stern is perfect for you.

Expert Tip:

Did you know that NYU Stern’s MBA program has a robust offering in areas like Fintech and Luxury & Retail? Tailoring your goals to these unique strengths can showcase your fit and research.

Personal Expression (Pick Six)

This one’s my personal favorite – the “Pick Six” essay. Think of it as a blank canvas to paint a vivid picture of who you are beyond your resume. You get to choose six images that represent your passions, life experiences, and dreams. But remember, it’s not just about the pictures; the captions are where you bring your story to life.

Crafting Your Pick Six:

• Diverse Imagery: Mix it up! Your images could range from a snapshot of a volunteering experience to a prized personal achievement. This is your chance to showcase the breadth of your personality.
• Meaningful Captions: Each caption is a chance to give context to the image. What’s the story behind that picture of you crossing the marathon finish line? Use these snippets to give depth to your narrative.
• Reflect Your Values: Are you passionate about sustainability or women’s leadership? Let your images reflect these values. Remember, authenticity is key.

What Makes a Great Pick Six

Let’s look at an example. Imagine you choose a photo of a bustling street market in Bangkok. A simple caption like, “Exploring global markets, understanding diverse consumer behaviors – a step towards my dream of a career in international marketing,” ties your personal experience to your professional aspirations.

Behavioral Essay – Embracing Change

“Change: _____ it.” This intriguing prompt from NYU Stern’s MBA application is not just about your take on change; it’s a window into how you adapt, innovate, and lead in a dynamic world. Let’s decode it together!

Unpacking the Prompt:

• Personalizing ‘Change’: This is where you fill in the blank with a word that embodies your approach to change. Are you someone who ‘drives’ change or ’embraces’ it? Your choice of word is a powerful indicator of your mindset.
• Illustrating with Examples: Use real-life instances to show how you’ve lived this mantra. Did you lead a project that required swift adaptation? Or perhaps you initiated a change that had a significant impact?
• Word Limit Wisdom: With a 350-word limit, your narrative needs to be crisp and engaging. Focus on one or two compelling examples rather than trying to cover too much ground.

Why This Matters:

NYU Stern values candidates who can thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. This essay is your chance to prove that you’re not just prepared for change – you’re ready to be a catalyst for it.

Optional Essay: Providing Additional Information

This section of the application might seem optional, but it’s a hidden gem for those who use it wisely. Here’s where you can address any part of your profile that needs more context – maybe a gap in your resume, a unique life circumstance, or additional insight into your academic record.

When to Use the Optional Essay:

• Clarifying Gaps: If there’s a gap in your employment or education, explain it. But remember, this isn’t about making excuses; it’s about providing clarity.
• Academic Anomalies: Had a rough semester? Use this space to give context but also to show how you’ve grown from the experience.
• Extra Achievements: Got something impressive that didn’t fit into other essays? This is your place to shine.

Crafting Your Response:

• Be Direct: Get to the point quickly. The admissions committee appreciates brevity and directness.
• Stay Positive: Focus on the lessons learned or skills gained, even from challenging experiences.
• Word Limit: With a maximum of 250 words, every sentence must add value to your overall narrative.

Writing Tips and Best Practices

Crafting an essay for an MBA application, especially for a prestigious institution like NYU Stern, isn’t just about answering questions. It’s about telling a story – your unique story. Here are some essential tips to make your essays stand out:

Structure and Clarity:

• Opening Strong: Your first sentence sets the tone. Make it engaging and indicative of what’s to come.
• Clear Structure: Organize your thoughts. Use headings or bullet points if necessary to enhance readability.
• Conciseness is Key: Be succinct. Respect word limits and don’t wander off-topic.

Showcasing Personality:

• Authentic Voice: Write like you speak (within the bounds of formal language). Let your personality shine through.
• Unique Insights: What makes you, you? Maybe it’s your multicultural background or an unconventional career path.

Backing with Data:

• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to give weight to your accomplishments. Increased sales by 30%? Say it!
• Facts from Trusted Sources: Cite NYU Stern’s official website or reputable publications for any external data.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Repetition: Don’t rehash your resume. The essay is an opportunity to show more than what’s on paper.
• Overcomplicating: Simplicity is powerful. Avoid jargon or overly complex language.
• Negativity: Even when discussing challenges, focus on growth and learning, not on blame or regret.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Crafting standout NYU Stern MBA essays is a journey of self-discovery and articulation. By staying true to yourself “NYU Stern MBA Essays,” you can effectively convey your unique qualities and aspirations to the admissions committee. With dedication and the insights shared in this guide, you’re well-equipped to make a compelling case for your admission to NYU Stern’s prestigious MBA program. Now, go forth and let your words pave the way to your future success!

Leaving a Lasting Impression:

• Reflective Tone: Conclude with a reflective note on what attending NYU Stern means to you and your future.
• Future Orientation: Talk about how you envision contributing to the Stern community and beyond.

Encouragement and Motivation:

• You’ve Got This! Writing essays can be daunting, but view it as an opportunity to introspect and articulate your journey and dreams.
• Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from mentors or peers. Fresh perspectives can be invaluable.
• Schedule a call with us for better consultant and queries.

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NYU Stern Essay Tips and Application Deadlines: 2024-2025

For candidates who have their hearts set on relocating to (or remaining in) New York City, NYU Stern  is a great option. This year, US News & World Report ranked NYU Stern the #7 full-time MBA program and #4 part-time MBA program .

Unlike many other top programs, the  NYU Stern full-time MBA  has a round 2 application deadline in October. This option is great if you cannot make the round 1 deadline but prefer not to wait until January to submit everything.

The NYU Stern Application Deadlines Are:

Round 1:  September 16, 2024

Round 2: October 16, 2024

Round 3:  January 16, 2025

Round 4: April 16, 2025

Please see below for Personal MBA Coach’s tips on how to answer the NYU Stern essays.

Personal MBA Coach’s NYU Stern Essay Tips:

“Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals, and thought processes.”

NYU Stern 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.]

With a short word limit and a lot to cover, this NYU Stern essay question is a challenging one.

As you answer this question, pay careful attention to the opening: Stern lets you know it is looking to learn about your “experiences, goals, and thought processes.”

This means both the  what  and the  why  are important here.

As you pick a tagline, be sure to consider why this approach to change is meaningful to you. Naturally, you should be able to connect it to a part of your experience. Show the reader how you have lived this tagline.

It is also crucial that you cover what you will do moving forward, both at NYU Stern and beyond! Tell the reader HOW you will drive change.

There is a lot to cover here so use your words carefully and avoid cliches.

NYU Stern 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, collages, 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.

If you are seeking NYU Stern Pick Six examples, know that there are no wrong answers here as this is your chance to let the reader into your world. You do want to include a well-rounded mix of photos that tell the reader more about you. Treat this as a personal story essay, just narrated in a different medium.

While a mix of personal and professional photos can work well, some candidates will include only personal details. Think about what makes you unique and what values drive you as you select these images. Finally, follow the directions. One sentence is ONE sentence. Have fun with this and feel free to be creative.

NYU Stern Essay 3:  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, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

Along with the NYU Stern full-time MBA, those interested in NYU Stern also can pursue a  Fashion & Luxury MBA ,  Tech MBA ,  Executive MBA , or  Part-time MBA . Personal MBA Coach has been helping clients get into NYU Stern, alongside other top business schools, for 16 years.

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Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA essay questions give students the opportunity to more fully present themselves to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into their experiences, motivations, and goals.

Essays must be written entirely by the applicant. An offer of admission will be rescinded if an applicant did not write their essays.

Essay 1: Change: _________ it

(350 word maximum)

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 in the Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA program?

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

Essay 2: Why the Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA Program?

(500 word maximum)

What fuels your interest in pursuing the Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA Program? How does it support your short and long-term career goals?

Essay 3: Additional Information (optional)

(250 word maximum)

Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include important aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

How to Answer the NYU Stern Change Essay

Nyu stern mba 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.] ************** Before you get into any random tangent about change, let me give you some background information on when Stern began the “Change” call to action. It began in fall 2019 as a way to navigate the rapid change in business, finance, technology, and marketing ecosystem. The covid-19 shutdown just made the call to action extremely relevant.

Overnight, Businesses, communities, and people had to change business models, behavior, and technology stacks.

It doesn’t matter whether it would be a pandemic or climate-change-driven change that will force businesses and governments to pivot aggressively. MBAs must develop the skills to be agile and swiftly recommend and adopt solutions that help them and their customers thrive.

The Change slogan is Stern’s way of rebranding the existing experiential learning into three broad buckets

1) Dare it = Leadership Experiential learning 2) Dream it = Consulting Solutions 3) Drive it = Entrepreneurial Solutions

Now the question is indirectly asking you – which path represents your career or would give you the most value post-MBA.  

Read Sample Change Essays - Preview of Sample Essays (Included in F1GMAT's NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide)

• Sample Stern MBA Manifest It Change Essay - Teenage Homelessness
• Sample Stern MBA Change Essay - Manifest It (Junior Bankers' Health)
• Sample NYU Stern MBA Change Essay - Empower It (Healthy Eating)

Dare It = Leadership

As we have articulated in the leadership lessons series in the book, not all leadership qualities are explicit. However, a pattern of taking the initiative and communicating with all stakeholders without any nudging is a classic leadership trait.

Another trait of a leader is a deep awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. They work actively to improve skills in framing a problem & motivating a team.

In addition to verbal communication, the leaders work hard on their non-verbal cues. This can lead to strange posing in front of the mirror moment before a presentation and acting out a few pivotal ‘key’ moments in a pitch.

Other traits that you should incorporate in the narrative if the word limit permits are fast decision/action and inclusiveness.

A few questions that will help you shortlist relevant achievements and events are:

1. When was the last time you had the opportunity to work on the strengths and weaknesses of your leadership? 2. Which experience has demonstrated your leadership skills? 3. Which experience has tested your leadership skills?

Read the Complete Analysis of the Experiential Learning that is offered under the Dare it change slogan (F1GMAT's NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide)

Read Sample Essays with Dare It Theme

• Sample NYU Stern Change Essay: Dare It (Finance Candidate)
• NYU Stern MBA Sample Change Essay - Dare It (Investment Banker)

Dream it = Consulting Solutions

Regardless of your industry or function, rarely is any service offered without a consultative framework. It involves defining the client’s problem, understanding the market and competitor dynamics, setting expectations on the opportunities and limitations of the solutions, and finally offering a solution driven by a strong data framework.

The biggest learning curve while offering a consultative solution is interviewing stakeholders. In large consulting companies, there is a framework for interviewing and capturing relevant information. If you are not in the industry, share a process you mastered that helped you reach all stakeholders.

1. What were the challenges of interviewing stakeholders? 2. Did you had a chance to correct the biases in the data (sample) or the flaws in framing the question? 3. How did you accurately interpret the competitor and market dynamics? 4. How did your solution help the organization (non-profit) or company?

Read the Complete Analysis of the Experiential Learning that is offered under the Dream it change slogan (F1GMAT's NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide)

Read Sample Essays with Dream It Theme

• Sample NYU Stern Change Essay: Dream It (Consultant Candidate)
• Sample NYU Stern MBA Change Essay - Dream It (Education Non-Profit)

In your essay, you have to mention how experiential learning will broaden your perspective. If you had traveled previously but have missed a few countries in the DBi list, express your eagerness to be part of the program and offer the reasons for your interest in the country.  

How will that experience help your post-MBA goal?

If you were to work in Finance, how will experiential learning programs help you introduce a new financial product to the market?

What can the culture teach you about facing challenges? This question is an important one. Don’t just make it all about post-MBA goals. Bring personal development into the mix.

Drive it = Entrepreneurial Solutions

Ideally, an entrepreneurial solution should be related to starting or scaling a venture, either through funding, operations consulting, technology development, or strategy. If you don’t have such experience, introducing novel solutions, processes, thinking, or approach to the problem within the company is a good example.

Experiential Learning that is offered under the Drive it change slogan:

Endless Frontier Labs Students venturing into deep tech, life science, and digital tech would get support from Google Ventures, New Enterprise Associates intra-cellular therapies, Rendered AI, Material IMPACT, Sigma Ventures, Hearst Ventures, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, and New Enterprise Associate through a goal-based 9-month mentorship program.

Through the program, students will learn to scale and finance their ventures.

Business Startup Practicum A primer for starting a new venture, the startup practicum teaches how to create a business plan and incorporate the strategies that help turn ideas into feasible businesses. Students will perform a thorough risk-reward analysis at all levels – strategic, market, operational and financial before finalizing the business plan.

Venture Building for Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs

By incorporating design thinking principles, students will learn to manage the uncertainty of validating an idea, segmenting customers, and creating services and products that the market love. Both through the prism of a startup ecosystem and within large organizations, the course will help candidates incorporate quantitative and qualitative research, stakeholder interviewing techniques, and on-field observation to create a sustainable venture.

Entrepreneurs Challenge

The Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship hosted more than 21 schools through a rigorous nine-month competition that included New Venture Competition, Social Venture Competition, and Technology Venture Competition, grouped together as the Entrepreneurs Challenge. More than $350,000 was awarded to 5 teams after filtering out 117 teams with 305+ students competing in the sustainability, AI and data science, technology, healthcare, cleantech, and automation industries.

Sample NYU Stern Change Essay: Drive It (Entrepreneurial Thinking)

• Sample NYU Stern Change Essay - Sports Injury to Media Startup

Get F1GMAT’s NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide (Sample Essays + 300 Pages of Essay Writing & Editing Tips)

About the Author 

I am Atul Jose - the Founding Consultant at F1GMAT.

Over the past 15 years, I have helped MBA applicants gain admissions to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Chicago Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, Haas, Yale, NYU Stern, Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, IE, IESE, HEC Paris, McCombs, Tepper, and schools in the top 30 global MBA ranking. 

I offer end-to-end Admissions Consulting and editing services – Career Planning, Application Essay Editing & Review, Recommendation Letter Editing, Interview Prep, assistance in finding funds and Scholarship Essay & Cover letter editing. See my Full Bio .

Contact me for support in school selection, career planning, essay strategy, narrative advice, essay editing, interview preparation, scholarship essay editing and guiding supervisors with recommendation letter guideline documents . 

I am also the Author of the Winning MBA Essay Guide, covering 16+ top MBA programs with 240+ Sample Essays that I have updated every year since 2013 (11+ years. Phew!!)

I am an Admissions consultant who writes and edits Essays every year . And it is not easy to write good essays. 

I understand your pain. Let us strategize.

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2024-2025 NYU Stern MBA Essay Analysis and Tips

Admit expert.

• July 29, 2024

The admissions committee for Stern’s MBA program states that it looks for “students who best reflect Stern’s fundamental value: IQ+EQ.” The admissions committee is very selective, and they look for candidates who can show that they have a high level of intellectual capacity, excellent interpersonal skills, and a willingness to create value for both business and society.

The academic, professional, and personal spheres of one’s life are the focal points of the Stern MBA’s evaluation of IQ and EQ. The admissions committee will primarily analyze your academic prowess based on your GMAT score as well as your overall grade point average. Nevertheless, the essays that are required for admission to NYU Stern are an essential component of your application process. In particular, they shed light on the aspirations you have for your professional life as well as your personality.

What NYU Stern MBA essays are all about?

What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? All of the required essays for Stern should give you a clear and inspiring direction for your professional life, based on your motivations, goals, ideals, and values. Your written and visual answers help the admissions team figure out what motivates you in your career and in life as a whole.

NYU Stern MBA essay for 2025 intake

Short answer: professional aspirations.

(150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

What are your short-term career goals?

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.

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.

Essay 3: 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, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

Instructions

• 150 words maximum
• double-spaced
• 12-point font

NYU doesn’t ask you why you need an MBA to reach your goals, they just ask you what they are. But while many people want an MBA, NYU wants to put its money into those who can use it best. So, make sure that getting an MBA from Stern will help you reach your goals.

Short-term goals after an MBA should be both realistic and ambitious. Getting an MBA from NYU Stern will help you get better jobs. So, you should use the NYU Stern essays to show that you’re ready to take advantage of the chances.

First, think about your past jobs, your MBA, and a short-term goal that makes sense. Your goal should be based on the work you have done recently and the skills you will learn in the NYU MBA program. Also, if there’s room, give specific examples.

Lastly, since you only have 150 words, you should focus on your career goal and some basic information about yourself. The rest of your application should then fill out your overall goals.

Change: _________ it

• 350 words maximum

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?

You have to think about what change means to you when you answer this question. 

But the rest of the question is more important than the verb you choose to fill in the blank. Why did you decide on it? Can you give a short example that shows how important it is?

Take some time to reflect on what you stand to gain and lose if you embrace change. What impact has it had on your personal and professional life thus far? How do you feel about change in your life? How do you deal with it on a daily basis? What are your thoughts on making changes? Do you welcome them or do you dread them? 

Why? The admissions committee is not expecting you to guess the “correct” response to these kinds of questions, so don’t be afraid to go outside the box. 

As an applicant, you want to make your essay memorable by using a word that is meaningful to you and represents your attitude toward change, not a phrase you hope no one else would use or that requires a reader to reach for the dictionary. 

It is important to remember that change does not necessarily have to be pursued indiscriminately for the sake of change. For example, if the candidate has strong personal reasons for this mindset and can clearly describe how it could be valuable at Stern, “regulate change” could be a valid and persuasive choice.

Lastly, based on your reasons and the verb, how will you live up to this motto at Stern?

It is imperative that you know the school thoroughly in order to come up with the strongest possible ideas on this topic because if what you describe or propose is just not possible at Stern or does not connect with its values and culture, this will not be a point in your favor.

Find specific opportunities and niches that fit your personality, abilities, expertise, and/or knowledge while conducting your research. This will help you find the best fit for your proposed slogan as well.

If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to be a student at the school, you can start by reading student blogs, perusing discussion boards, catching up on the previous year or more news releases from the school, and spending some time on Stern’s YouTube channel.

Essay 1 explains your career objectives – what you do – whereas essay 2 reveals your personal characteristics. Admissions at Stern also take into account a candidate’s academic and professional experience, but they also search for students who will get involved in the school and their community. This is a classic Stern question, and it’s a great opportunity to show off your unique personality. A variety of photographs are acceptable as long as they are meaningful to you and, if feasible, relate to the qualities that Stern is seeking.

Consider how you will select photographs to interact with your prospective peers and the admissions committee at Stern MBA. Consider the story you wish to tell. Is it a collage or a progression of your life? What role do the images have in telling the story?

While the medium might be anything, the most important aspect of this essay is the content. First, generate ideas for the information you wish to communicate. Then, consider your unique personal attributes and the ones that your friends and family value most. Next, consider how you would like your students to perceive you. What facts would you share with a new acquaintance?

Creating a story through visuals

Your six photographs can be all personal, all professional (not advised! ), have a deeper meaning for you, or be aspirational and forward-looking. You may also like to display a trip you have taken or an important person in your life. Alternatively, you may reveal your future aspirations and intentions.

Isser Gallogly, associate dean of MBA admissions, has stated that this question resembles a social media post about your life that you may share with your friends. As a result, photos are more and more significant in digital communication. Therefore, this essay requires the predominant usage of visuals (drawings, photos, infographics, or any other images you choose).

Each image’s one-sentence caption will also provide an opportunity to contextualize. What does it say about your history or future, for instance, if you exhibit a picture of a happy family? Who are the individuals to you? Finally, if you use an image of a location or period, you might use words to describe its significance to you.

• 250 words maximum

If you believe that there may be a weakness or gap in your application, such as those outlined in the description, it may be beneficial to use the third, optional essay. 

This is also a chance to provide more information if you did not submit a recommendation from your immediate supervisor. 

It is a personal decision whether or not to utilize this essay, but it can be helpful to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are aware of a potential weakness and have taken action to remedy it.

In conclusion, you should not wait until the last minute to submit your complete application. Start as early as feasible and devote sufficient time to research before composing your articles. This can assist you with the content of your writing. Don’t worry if you are unable to submit your application before the initial deadline. It is more crucial that you do everything necessary to strengthen your application.

Let us help you get into NYU Stern

We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.

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NYU Stern's Change: It essay

Updated: Mar 3

Change. That’s the word behind NYU Stern’s brand expression, debuted in 2019 to reflect the rapid pace of innovation at the school. Stern defines itself as a change from the traditional business school concept itself, standing out for its bold, edgy, and innovation-driven values. The school strongly believes that today’s world demands leaders that can not only keep up with the evolving global and tech-driven nature of modern business, but be agents for change.

In fact, they even incorporated ‘Change’ in a co-curricular program called Change: Studio for their full-time MBA cohort, where students can take on leadership training, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship modules to enrich their MBA experience. 

So it comes as no surprise that they’ve included this brand call to action in their MBA application essays. 

Who is NYU Stern Looking For?

NYU Stern has three core features that support their MBA program:

The New York City location  that provides Sternies with a diverse playing field to test their skills in the real world. 

Students who harness their Intellectual and Emotional Quotient  to spark transformation. 

The Change Studio  that enables MBA students to understand, impact, and drive change. 

In line with these features of the Stern MBA, the school looks for candidates who can thrive in a diverse, global business environment, display IQ+EQ in their personal and professional lives, and show leadership initiative. 

In 2023, 3 of our clients received admits with full-ride scholarships to the Stern MBA’ Class of 2025.

Here’s how we helped them build their NYU Stern ‘Change: _____ It” essays. 

The Question

Change: _________ it

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.]

(350 word maximum)

The NYU Stern brand tagline of “Change: ____ It” is uniquely customizable. That means it encourages students to play with their definition of change and what it means to them personally. Given that NYU Stern has an “unequivocal belief in the power of business to improve society” , your idea of change should showcase how you intend to create a positive impact. 

Don’t skim over the second part of this question: how will you embrace this tagline at Stern? This prompt also asks you to consider how you’ll bring this idea of change to the Stern community. This is a brief version of the “How will you contribute” essay; for ideas on ways to contribute, read our blog .

How to write the Change: It Essay

The tagline.

The Change: It tagline should be personal to you. Consider your professional purpose or passion, and think about what difference you want to make in the world. 

Let’s look at the examples Stern gives in more detail: 

“Dare it” - If you’re an entrepreneur breaking into a new market

“Design it” - If you’re an architect planning to get into sustainable design, this would be nice

But you shouldn’t use an example in the prompt. Other creative taglines that we’ve seen in the past include:

“Communicate It”

Each time, these applicants’ tagline directly connected their personal story to their mission and leadership approach.

The Structure

Typically, applicants start with their personal motivation story in the “SCAR” format. They also ensure that their career goals essay is consistent with their Change tagline and conclude with a brief statement on how they will contribute to Stern.

Your personal story should connect with your professional mission. For example, you took a calculated risk that paid off in the past, so your mission is to use this strength to grow as a venture capitalist investing in early stage startups. This leads to a tagline of “Change: Seed It”. 

Contributing to the school is often the most overlooked part of most essays. Candidates tend to undermine the value that it brings to our essay by discussing the most obvious features of the program that are easily available on the front page of the school website. Get your essay to stand out by digging deeper into the school’s resources and find opportunities that resonate with your background and goals. Reach out to alumni, current students, and school staff to learn more about the program. With their insights, pick out specific courses, student clubs, forums, experiential learning, international exposure, and other opportunities you can benefit from and contribute your strengths to. Remember, your Change: It tagline doesn’t just apply to your goals; you also need to make a difference in the Stern community.

Here’s a handy structure to use: 

Change (insert) it

Part 1: Story (Situation) : Describe the context or circumstances of your story

Part 2: Story (Challenge) : What was the problem or opportunity you came across?

Part 3: Story (Action) : Describe your actions in response to this challenge

Part 4: Story (Result) : What was the outcome of your actions? What did you learn from this experience? Explain how this story helped you come up with your “Change: It tagline”

Part 5: How this tagline resonates : How your career goals will use your tagline

Part 6: Contribution at Stern : How you will contribute to Stern using your tagline

Bonus : Check out our advice on how to write NYU Stern’s Pick Six essay .

Need a real sample “Change: It” essay? The NYU Stern course   on MBAConsultant.com has real essay examples for the “Change: It” essay, based on successful applicants. 

Want personalized support for your Stern MBA Applications? Book a chat   with us today!

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Hi, I'm Sam.  I'm the founder of Sam Weeks Consulting. Our clients get admitted to top MBA and EMBA programs.

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4 Great “Why NYU?” Essay Examples

New York University is a selective university in the heart of NYC. Its top academic programs and location make it a highly-desirable college, and only a select few of over 85,000 applicants were accepted last year.

It’s clear that writing a strong essay is vital to standing out and demonstrating your interest in NYU. In this post, we’ll go over NYU’s main supplemental essay prompt from previous years, and what admissions officers are looking for. Then, we’ll share essays from real applicants, analyzing what they did well, and what they could’ve improved. Note that the supplemental prompt has changed for the 2022-2023 cycle.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our NYU essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts. 

“Why NYU?” Supplemental Essay Prompt

We would like to know more about your interest in nyu. what motivated you to apply to nyu why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study if you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. we want to understand – why nyu (400 words).

This prompt is a classic example of the “ Why this College? ” supplemental essay. This essay aims to better gauge your interest in the school, and how you might fit with the campus community. You’ll need to research NYU’s opportunities and point out how they support your goals and interests.

A common mistake students make is to cite general aspects of the college that apply to many other schools. You may want to go to NYU because of NYC, but why do you want to be in NYC? Is it because of the fashion industry opportunities? Is there a special internship that NYU offers with companies in Manhattan?

You should aim to get granular and cite resources unique to NYU. This shows that you’ve reflected on your potential role in the NYU community, and are certain that it’s a fitting place to pursue your education.

Essay Example #1

My mother never takes off her Cartier necklace that my father gave her 10 years ago on their anniversary. As a child, I didn’t fully understand this attachment. However, on my 15th birthday, my aunt gifted me a ring, which was uniquely designed and made up of three rings linked together. Wearing it every day and making sure I would never lose it, I didn’t treat it like my easily replaceable childhood necklaces; it was my piece of luxury. This sparked my deep curiosity for the luxury world. The niche strives to provide the finest and most memorable experiences, as equally as my Japanese attention to detail and my French appreciation towards aesthetic beauty. In a constantly shifting environment, I learned that luxury chases timeless excellence.

NYU Stern’s BS in business and a co-concentration in management and marketing will fully immerse me in the business side of luxury fashion that I aim to pursue a future career in. The luxury marketing track, offered only by NYU, will enable me to assemble the most suited classes to reflect my interests. Specifically, NYU Stern’s exciting electives such as The Dynamics of the Fashion Industry seminar and Brand Strategy & Planning will encourage me to develop the skills that I was introduced to and grew keen on when running a virtual sustainable fashion auction.

As someone who has moved around from Paris to Tokyo, to Chicago and now Athens, I thrive in meeting and collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds. The school’s strong global outlook, demonstrated through Stern’s International Business Exchange Program, further sets NYU apart for me, as it is crucial to building essential soft skills. This opportunity allows me to experience new cultural approaches to luxury business which I can bring back with me to New York, and therefore push me to become a well-rounded business student. Similarly, I am excited to take part in the array of student clubs offered, such as the Luxury and Retail Association (LARA), which I learned about after connecting with and talking to current students. Seeing past talks from employers of companies like Conde Nast, I am eager to learn outside of the classroom from future speakers. 

Finding myself in new situations constantly, I always seek new challenges and explorations – to me, it is clear that NYU Stern will push me to create the finest and most unique learning experiences of timeless excellence.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay has an amazing introduction paragraph. It doesn’t mention anything about NYU or what this student is planning on studying, which is what makes it so intriguing. The reader doesn’t know where this student is headed after making such a seemingly unrelated statement about jewelry, but we want to find out. 

Not only does this essay immediately capture the reader’s attention, it maintains a succinct and direct tone that helps the reader effortlessly flow from one paragraph to the next. The student chose to include three opportunities at NYU that excite them and fully elaborate on them. This serves as an excellent example of more is less. 

We aren’t bombarded with a laundry list of classes, professors, and clubs the student wants to take. Instead, the student took a focused approach and described why they were excited by each offering they highlighted. Going deeper into a smaller number of opportunities at the college still shows this student did their research, but it allows for their backstory and goals to be discussed in far greater detail.

What Could Be Improved

While this student does a good job of elaborating, they also mention a few key aspects of their personality as throw-away lines, when it would have been great to elaborate further on them. For example, they mention running a virtual sustainable fashion auction (cool!), but don’t provide us with any details on what that actually entails, how they got involved with it, what they enjoyed about it, etc. They also mention moving around a lot in the context of developing a diverse perspective, but they don’t include any emotional insight into what that was like.

Although there are only 400 words available, and you don’t want to spend too much time discussing the past, it would be nice to see just a sentence or two that delves into the details of this student’s background. The fashion auction and moving around clearly had an impact on the student, so we want to know what that was. If they are choosing to include these details, they must be important in the student’s decision to pursue business at NYU, so they shouldn’t be afraid to divulge the emotional significance to the reader.

Essay Example #2

“A futuristic way of looking at academics,” the student panelist said during a New York University virtual information session. I reflected on a conversation I had with my grandma; she couldn’t understand how her vegetarian granddaughter could build a career in the food industry. However much I tried convincing her that vegetarianism was the future, as it offers substantial benefits to the environment and can offer health benefits to a growing population with the same environmental resources, she insisted that tofu would never provide the same satiation as meat. She was raised in a community where meat consumption was embedded in the culture, and its production is a large part of the country’s economy. In contrast, I had the privilege of living a few steps from San Francisco, with many restaurants and grocery stores dedicated to plant-based meat alternatives. Trying innovative recipes and products eventually allowed me to develop my own recipes. Upon my move to Nicaragua, where my grandmother is from, I found my food options to be limited, expensive and hard to find. So I developed my own small-scale solutions that did not break the bank and satiated grandma.

An institution that implements forward-thinking is what I need to reach my goals of changing the future of plant-based diets and people’s views on vegetarianism. NYU’s Nutrition and Food Studies program offers multiple disciplines of food studies that I will apply to my aspirations as a vegetarian. I plan to study under Adjunct Faculty Kayleen St. John, whose success in the plant-based industry and her teaching of the ‘Foundations of Plant-Based Nutrition’ in The Vegetarian Times excites me. The variety of classes like Introduction to Food History, Food Photography, and Food Systems: Food & Agriculture will give me an overview of what is available in the food industry to be prepared for all fields. Not to be cliche, but NYU’s proximity to the city is essential for the rapidly changing vegetarian industry. The multiculturalism available in NYC and NYU will allow me to understand the food system and diets of various cultures, religions, and areas. I can explore the extremes of the food industry, from fancy restaurants to public school cafeterias. These juxtapositions, much like the one I experienced after my move to Nicaragua, will allow me to broaden my reach and demonstrate that the vegetarian diet is not something reserved for select groups but a diet attainable to all. 

A core strength of this essay is the fact it takes its time to provide the reader with ample background on why this student is interested in nutrition and food studies and how they have grappled with difficult questions and surrounding this topic in the past. It’s okay to not mention anything about NYU for a whole paragraph if you are using that space to bring depth to your interests and tell the reader the crucial backstory behind pursuing your intended degree.

Another positive aspect is the inclusion of New York City for a purposeful reason. NYU admissions officers read thousands of essays that just talk about living in NYC for the sake of NYC—this is not what they want to hear. In contrast, this essay focuses on the vast and lively food scene in New York that the student considers to be an invaluable asset to her NYU education. This is a time where including New York actually plays to the appeal of NYU, rather than making it seem like the student is simply applying for the city.

Finally, this student clearly demonstrates that they are someone who wants to change the world for the better, but through their personal niche. NYU is looking for people who express this desire to be a changemaker, but oftentimes sweeping statements like “I want to change the world” come across as vague and disingenuous. The essay does mention changing diets and looking to the future, but it is focused within the student’s specific area of interest, making the claim to change the world more determined and authentic. 

This essay could be made stronger if there was a bit more personal reflection included. The first paragraph provides a lot of details on the student’s vegetarianism and how it conflicts with her grandmother and her heritage. What it doesn’t include very much of is how the student thinks and feels about her diet being at odds with that of her family. 

Does this student feel they are betraying their heritage by being vegetarian? What emotions do they feel when people criticize vegetarianism? Why did they go vegetarian in the first place? Probing questions like these that get to the emotional core behind the story in the first paragraph would really help to build out this student’s backstory. We want to understand what their emotional responses and reasoning processes look like, so finding ways to include those into an already expositive paragraph would further bolster this essay.

Essay Example #3

Hacking represents my ideal college experience.

Hackathons give me a special way of expressing myself and exploring my intellectual curiosity. Conceptualizing a potent societal problem, investigating a technically complex solution, building an application, and presenting to industry experts all within a day gives me the thrill of exploring a new form of education I thrive in. 

I’d apply this approach to a larger scale with research at NYU CS, taking advantage of their strong research partnerships with cutting-edge technology firms in New York. At NYU’s CS Colloqium, I’d learn from internationally renowned researchers around the world and apply these groundbreaking machine learning discoveries to the CILVR Lab and the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, both of whom focus on computationally predicting the causation of deadly diseases. Expensive healthcare has led to a history of undetected chronic illnesses for my extended family, so, at NYU, I want to tackle AI-Based preventive care to stop these problems at their roots. 

NYU’s undergraduate thesis will let me carry out my novel visions, with support from faculty, through the scientific process and eventually publish my findings. I’m a “doer”, so I define success my own way and want my college research to produce findings that contribute to tangible, positive changes in the world. This time I’ll have 4 years at NYU with endless opportunities to do so, instead of the 24 hours I get at hackathons.

I’d also want to take my talents overseas to study abroad with NYU while exploring foreign cultures. Whether it be the food, language, traditions, or values in a country, I always love to immerse myself in new environments. Doing so while benefitting from small class sizes, hands-on learning, and local major-specific academic events, such as the NYUAD International Hackathon for Social Good, is a dream.

Equally important as satisfying my academic curiosity is finding my community. At hackathons, I compete with my friends and other participants, who have helped form a bond of inclusivity seldom found at other competitive events. My teammates became a second family with whom I play park basketball, watch movies, and Bollywood dance. 

At NYU, I’d replicate this with an extremely diverse population with different backgrounds and interests who come together to venture through New York with the discounted student passes, plan school-wide events with the Program Board, and form a sense of camaraderie with Residential Colleges. 

This essay has a nice flow that comes from multiple short paragraphs. So often in college essays, students fall into the trap of including long chunks of text on the page, but those essays are always harder for admissions officers to read through. Breaking up the essay into focused sections makes it much more manageable for the reader.

In terms of the content, the student’s ability to tie everything back to the central theme of a hackathon is a clever way to demonstrate their passion for hacking and bring together a bunch of unrelated aspects of NYU. We get insight into how this student handles challenges and thinks through problems based on the way they fawn over the structure of a hackathon. Using one of their primary passions in high school as a metaphor for college life creates this natural progression and makes it very easy for the admissions committee to imagine how this student would fit in and engage with the NYU community.

One of the largest drawbacks of this essay was how it heavily relied on telling the reader what occurred and what this student enjoys, rather than showing us. 

The essay tells us their family has a history of chronic illness, but it doesn’t describe how they cried all night about saying goodbye to a loved one after hearing of another diagnosis. The essay tells us they are a “doer”, but it doesn’t explain the project they took upon themselves because of their motivation to change the world. The essay tells us their teammates were a second family, but it doesn’t include the laughs and inside jokes they share during a game of basketball to show the comfort the student feels with their friends.

Simply telling the reader what has happened without elaborating, or what type of person you consider yourself to be without showing your character in practice makes for both a bland essay and a less convincing one. Not showing what happens through descriptions and colorful imagery, makes it harder for the reader to envision what the student is trying to share. 

If this essay showed what occurred and how the student reacts and thinks, we would truly get to see the importance hackathons have on their life and feel far more connected to this student.

Essay Example #4

The United States is a “tossed salad” of cultural diversity in which New York City is the epicenter of innovational food exploration. An opportunity to major in food studies at New York University would allow me to work with a global community to explore different experiences and opinions with the hopes of developing a sustainable food source in the future that can adapt to population growth. Steinhardt School’s emphasis on developmental social change in particular, is an atmosphere that will encourage me to pursue new ideas both in and out of the classroom.

I am looking forward to taking the next step toward my future with entering university while continuing to cultivate my own identity in NYU’s academically diverse campus. Through the NYU food lab, I would be able to discuss current nutrition and sustainability issues through a hands-on approach in a commercial setting—access to the kitchen would also allow me to continue my love for baking and cooking with the opportunity to share my creations with peers. Not only will I satisfy my hunger for our food systems with classes like Essentials of Cuisine: International and Food Production Management, I will be able to participate in discussions that challenge my understanding of our food system in a creative setting.

Whether sampling smoked fish in Makola Market or hosting cooking demos with Club EAT, NYU’s educational possibilities are endless. With study-abroad programs ranging from a few weeks to a semester in locations far and wide, I am able to learn about cultural food systems through hands-on experience; with the world as my classroom, there is no limit to the knowledge that I can achieve. When I am not examining America’s organic agricultural policies in Washington D.C, I would participate in the diverse extracurriculars that NYU has to offer. From the Baedeker blog and Peer Health Exchange to the NYU Art Diversity Festival—appealing to my adventurous and artistic nature—regardless of the extracurricular I choose to pursue, I am confident that I will find success in any direction I take. 

A NYU student, I would be proud to extend the social mission of advancing innovation through culture as I cannot imagine a campus that would better nurture my development as both a scholar and an individual. As an aspiring foodie, I look forward to walking into the Urban Farm Lab in the Greenwich Village, as if I have returned home. 

A large positive of this essay is how it remains true to the student. This student’s passion for food shines through in every paragraph. They do a good job of weaving their interest into academics, extracurriculars, and the surrounding community, which helps the reader get a feel for the type of person this student would be on campus.

Another aspect of this essay to note is the author’s voice ㅡ they retain an academic and professional tone without being overly serious. Their inclusion of more colloquial terms like “foodie” helps counter more advanced vocabulary, crafting their unique voice without being overly formal or casual. When writing your essay, it is important to focus on your word choice to strike this balance. 

One thing lacking from this essay is elaboration on why this student cares about food and sustainability. While the essay mentions a plateful (excuse the pun) of food-related opportunities at NYU, the reader doesn’t understand what drives this student’s passion. 

They tell us they want to develop a sustainable food source to address the growing population in the introduction, but this essay would be much stronger with more elaboration. Did this student have a jarring and eye-opening experience surrounding food insecurity? Did they grow up cooking with their family? Was there a particular moment or news story that sparked their interest in sustainability? Although this prompt wants you to look to the future, it’s just as important to delve into your past to help the reader understand your motivations.

This essay could also benefit from a more organized structure. There is an attempt to discuss academics in the second paragraph and extracurriculars in the third, but when they should be discussing academics they started talking about baking with peers for fun, and when they should have addressed extracurriculars they were discussing studying off-campus. This back and forth makes it harder for the reader to take away clear summaries of each paragraph. It would have been simpler to follow if the student dedicated each paragraph solely to one aspect of NYU, whether that be academics, extracurriculars, the community, or study abroad.

Where to Get Your NYU Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your NYU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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NYU Stern MBA Sample Essays

Free samples from past clients, nyu stern mba application essays: 2023-2024.

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

What are your short-term career goals?

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.

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.

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

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.

NYU Stern MBA Winning Sample Essay – 1

Nyu stern mba essay 1: what are your short and long-term career goals how will the mba help you achieve them (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font).

I am the founder and CEO of ‘#Mensch’. It is a digital media communications agency that works exclusively with socially conscious organizations. We like to develop ‘deep partnerships’ with our clients by working on performance-based contract structures. We currently reach 100,000 people every month on behalf of the six brands we work with. Going forward, our partner brands are increasingly looking to target an international audience. We are keen to follow the success of our client partners and pursue international markets over the short-term. Hence, over the next five years, my co-founder and I have decided to establish an international presence in addition to building our base here in India. Over the long term, we want to build #Mensch as THE agency for any socially conscious brand that’s looking to reach out to the conscious consumers worldwide.

My entrepreneurial adventure started at IIT Delhi, where I led the entrepreneurship cell. After graduation, I started an operations consulting business that I was able to build into a six-figure business over three years and made a successful exit before starting #Mensch. Now, to grow #Mensch into a successful nine-figure business or more, I feel the need to develop more competencies and strengthen my network. It is here that I see the value of a full-time MBA program. An MBA from Stern will be a perfect fit because of the specializations that the school offers in Digital Marketing and Entertainment Media and Technology.

Communicating efficiently with a digitally-native audience requires me to stay abreast of the latest developments where courses like Digital Media Innovation can help me. Moreover, communications with socially conscious consumers often veer into the domain of moral psychology and business ethics. I’m intrigued by the works of Bruce Buchanan and Jonathan Haidt in this space and will like to use my time at Stern to learn from and collaborate with them. 

Outside of academics, I really like the specialized immersion programs at Stern, especially the one for entertainment & media. The program could offer me the opportunity to develop first-hand insights into the operations of big media agencies which will be practically helpful for my business. As I work with my clients to build their brands globally, I can use the branding frameworks and concepts I will learn in ‘The Consulting Lab: Branding + Innovation’.

Immediately after graduation, I intend to establish the US office for #Mensch and hence it is important for me to continue to build my venture at school. This is where I can particularly leverage the resources available to the Ignite Fellows and the Stern Venture Fellows.

All these factors combined with the school’s location in the media capital of the world, that is New York City, make Stern a perfect fit for me to build the skills and confidence I can use to lead and grow my company effectively. 

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NYU Stern MBA Winning Sample Essay – 2

N yu stern mba essay 1 – what are your short and long-term career goals how will the mba help you achieve them (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font).

I was born and raised in Sri Lanka, a tropical island part of bustling trade routes for centuries. My family is of Moroccan ancestry, they established businesses in gems and spices, which still today are some of the oldest firms in the country. Sadly, during my teenage years, my father passed away. I witnessed first-hand the trials that came with the loss of a family member and business partner. As I put my life back together, I worked hard and won a scholarship to a prestigious international high school graduating top of my class. Post high school, I applied to NYU Abu Dhabi as a first-generation college student and attended with a full scholarship. There I sharpened my quantitative and analytical skills, worked with peers from over 100 counties, and studied across the NYU global network.

I currently work at Tamkeen, the government partner of NYU Abu Dhabi as a Business Development and Finance Analyst, a highly competitive management consultancy role for ex-pats such as myself. I work directly with the HOD & CFO and am responsible for the commercialization of over 30 assets – an initiative I have been responsible for from scratch. This role not only ensured that my collective past experiences working with the UAE space agency and Microsoft were harnessed but also positioned me on an ideal platform to apply my analytical skills to business scenarios. 

As part of my mandate, I work very closely with colleagues at NYU to ensure effective commercial operations and that revenue targets are met, having achieved a 150% increase from 2018-2019. Here I have gained invaluable skills such as client management, financial modeling,  business operations, financial and management controls, extensive understanding of ERP products across business functions, all while managing teams from across the globe.

 After my MBA at Stern, I plan on transitioning into the field of management consulting in a tech function at a global firm such as McKinsey, Accenture, or PWC. In the long term, I plan on leveraging my acquired experience to start my own consultancy firm providing advisory services in developing countries.

Having been part of NYU for over 6 years, both as a student and as a colleague, I am well aware of the incredible alumni network. At Stern, I am excited to be able to have multiple specialties including Strategy, which will train me in advanced strategic thinking and inform me on essential areas such as corporate governance and hands-on problem solving – especially through courses such as Creative Destruction Lab. Having reached out to Stern alumni  (Armaghan Ahmed ‘16), I am eager to immerse myself in the Experiential Learning courses at Stern, to truly leverage the gains of putting knowledge into practice in a global metropolis.  This coupled with the Summer Fellowship Program that would enable me to pursue an opportunity that aligns with my career goals. Drawing from the analytical background and business experience, I plan on leveraging these opportunities at Stern to not only build my own legacy but contribute back to the community.

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Published August 01, 2024

Announcing the 2024-2025 Common Application for NYU

Billy Sichel

Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions

It’s August 1st and that means the application at NYU has officially opened. This year, we’ve made some pretty big changes to NYU’s Common Application to simplify the process for our applicants, and to help us learn a little more about you!

When you start NYU’s member questions on the Common App, you’ll see 6 sections that you’ll need to complete. We give you a little bit of a head start by checking off the “Writing” section. This section is optional – but also new and exciting! More on that later.

The General Information Section

In the “General” section, you’ll be asked a few questions about how you want us to handle your application – Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision? – and which campus you want to apply to. As you (hopefully!) already know, NYU has three degree-granting campuses: in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. Our Common App will let you apply to any combination of our campuses.

Once you make your campus selections, an additional set of questions will show up that are specific to your campus(es) of interest. Nothing too tricky here! You’ll be able to tell us about your academic area of interest for each campus, and a few other quick-and-easy questions about program eligibility, housing preferences, etc. so that we’re ready for you if you are ultimately admitted.

The Academics Section

Once you have those sections squared away, you’ll move on to the Academics section. This section will walk you through the information we’ll need you to submit outside of the Common App itself. Nothing to do here, except confirm that you’re clear on the next steps and additional requirements.

The Optional Supplemental Question

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: The optional, pre-checked-off Writing section. Last year, we made the decision to update our supplemental question. However, what we heard from our applicants was that people really wanted to tell us more! But the thing is…we already know why NYU is a great place to spend your 4 years, so we thought: if you want to tell us more about your passion for NYU, let’s make the question about you .

The new writing question says:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions  in your  essay :

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

So, if it feels right for you to tell us a little more about yourself in the application, we want to know where you will turn to for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you and resonate with you. Four years at NYU will propel you into a future you might not even be able to imagine yet, but take a minute (if you want – it really is optional!) to tell us about the ideas that have gotten you to this point, and those that might shape you into the person you’re about to become.

These are just a few of the changes we have made this year, so make sure to carefully read each question carefully before you answer them. If you ever have any questions for us about our questions, we are always here to help . We wish you the best of luck this application season, and can’t wait to learn more about you!

More from Billy:

How to Approach the Common Application

There’s no wrong way to approach the Common Application, but here’s two different strategies you might want to choose from when you apply to NYU.

Submitting a Transfer Application to NYU

Everything you need and everything you need to know about the transfer process.

Why You Should Start Your Common Application Early

There are many benefits to getting an early start on your Common Application to NYU.

New York University (NYU) Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the “Why NYU” essay prompt? CollegeAdvisor.com’s “Why NYU” Essay Guide will show you exactly how to write an engaging “Why NYU” essay to maximize your chances of admission. This guide will also reference CollegeAdvisor’s “Why NYU” essay examples  article  from last year. The piece includes two “Why NYU” essay examples from students who were admitted to NYU. We also reference feedback from former admissions officers on why each “Why NYU” essay was successful.

If you need help crafting your answers to the NYU application essay, create your free  account  or  schedule a free consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

New York University ( NYU ) Essay Guide Quick Facts:

• For the class of 2025, NYU accepted  12.8% of applicants  to its New York Campus.  U.S. News  considers this school to be  most selective .
• We recommend answering the required NYU essay, and any additional prompts, comprehensively and thoughtfully.

What is NYU known for?

NYU prides itself on the fact that the city is its campus. In 1831, the university’s founders aimed to create an institution of learning that would be “in and of the city.” Thus, NYU’s main campus has no gates or walls separating it from the rest of Greenwich Village. This differs from other schools in the city, such as Columbia University that has a central quad and gates separating itself from the Morningside Heights area. Side note: Barnard College, Columbia University’s affiliated women’s college has its own quad and set of gates, albeit adjacent to Columbia’s campus.)

However, the breadth of NYU students’ learning extends far beyond the confines of Manhattan. NYU has more international students and students studying abroad than any other university in the United States. Students hail from 133 countries and nearly every state in the U.S.

What are three interesting facts about NYU?

• NYU’s main campus is located in Manhattan. However, the university also has campuses in  Shanghai ,  Abu Dhabi , and other  global academic centers .
• The origin of NYU’s color, violet, is  obscure . Many believe it’s a nod to the violets that grow in Washington Square and around the original university building. Others trace it back to Athens, Greece—a center of learning in the ancient world. The violet flower was strongly associated with the city.
• NYU has many world-renowned  alumni , including Lady Gaga, Adam Sandler, and Angelina Jolie.

How many essays do you have to write for NYU?

New York University has  one  required NYU essay prompt in the 2021-2022  Common App . Each applicant will produce a “Why NYU” essay in addition to their Common App personal statement. As you look at the  NYU admissions page , you’ll notice that there are additional requirements for Steinhardt (an  audition or portfolio  for all applicants to the Music Department with the exception of Educational Theatre, and a  portfolio  for those applying to Studio Art) and Tisch (an  audition or portfolio  for applicants to all programs). A pplying to one of these programs? Make sure you complete all of the requirements referenced on the pages linked above.  This NYU essay guide will only cover the required “Why NYU” essay. However, you can use the tips here to help craft the  Steinhardt portfolio ,  Tisch portfolio , and  Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program  essays as well.

How long is the NYU essay?

When writing your “Why NYU” essay, you have a maximum of 400 words to convey your interest in attending NYU. While 400 words may seem like a lot, you will want to strategize to use them wisely. You’ll also see below in the “Why NYU” essay prompt breakdown that there are several layers to the NYU application essay. Accordingly, you’ll need to answer each portion of the NYU essay prompt in order for it to be considered complete.

Due to NYU’s relatively low acceptance rate and competitive admissions process, a strong NYU application essay is key to maximizing your admissions odds. In fact, this is your chance to show NYU your demonstrated interest (DI). Demonstrated interest is what universities use to gauge just how interested a student is in attending their particular school. Want to read more about using supplemental essays to convey DI to each school that you’re applying to? Check out this article on DI by  Forbes .

Why does the NYU essay have a word limit?

The “Why NYU” essay has a word limit because admissions officers have a limit. Last year, over  100,000  first-year undergraduate hopefuls applied to NYU. In short, the “Why NYU” essay has a word limit to help admissions officers process the large number of applications.

There’s more to the picture, however. The NYU supplemental essay prompt also enforces a strict word limit to test your (the applicant’s) ability to respond to their prompt clearly and succinctly. The NYU supplemental essay prompt is intentionally broad. Thus, each writer has ample opportunity to discuss their research on the school, passion about their potential major(s), and general excitement about NYU.

Finally, the NYU admissions committee is looking for well-edited, dynamic writing in each “Why NYU” essay. Having a 400-word limit helps admissions officers identify both strong and weak writing quickly. Most importantly, they’re looking for students who they believe will bring diversity to their community and will excel in a rigorous academic environment.

“Why NYU” Essay Prompt (Required)

We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand – Why NYU? (400 words)

This NYU essay prompt is more than just a simple “Why NYU” essay question. In fact, there are several layers to the NYU essay. The admissions team is interested in your reasons for applying not only to NYU, but your interest in a particular campus, college, program, and area of study. Consequently, it’s best to approach this NYU supplemental essay as an NYU-specific personal statement. Similar to your Common App personal statement, you’ll want to treat this NYU essay as an introduction to the admissions committee.

How do you write the “Why NYU” essay?

Begin your “Why NYU” essay writing process with a brainstorm/free-write session. Start a list and write down every reason that contributed to your decision to apply to NYU. It can be as simple as “wanting to live in NYU;” as big as “majoring in education studies to make sweeping reforms in NYC’s school systems;” and as specific as “taking a music course with adjunct professor Questlove.”

Take no more than ten minutes to write this list. When you’ve finished, write two more lists, one titled “academic goals,” and the other titled “professional goals.” Spend ten minutes each completing these lists–these don’t have to be specifically related to NYU like the first list, but this is simply an opportunity to think about your area of study and goals for the future.

Make connections

Now that you have these three lists, take some time to draw connections between the three. For example, if your “why NYU” list includes the bonus of living in New York City while attending school, try to connect it with one of your reasons from the other lists. In other words, consider the fact that many students will list wanting to study in New York City as a reason for attending NYU.

To help your NYU essay stand out, you’ll need to create stronger connections between the school and your academic, personal, and professional goals. An example of this in a “Why NYU” essay could look like a student who is excited to study urban planning at NYU. In their NYU essay, they could link their interest in studying the history and future of New York City as the main reason for pursuing this particular program at NYU.

In fact, in the first of the “Why NYU” essay examples, the writer draws a clear connection between their interest in studying at the Stern School of Business and the opportunity to participate in the International Business Exchange Program:

Essay Example 1:

The Bachelor of Science in Business Program excites me, as it entails a well-rounded yet intensive study in core business disciplines. However, what draws me to Stern is the emphasis on gaining a global perspective, which is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world economy. Through the International Business Exchange Program, I will be able to gain a first-hand cultural experience that will mold me into a global citizen and business leader. Not only will I be taking courses in the most prestigious business schools across the globe, but I will also have new doors opened for me to network with alumni.

In just a few short sentences, the writer is able to state their school of interest (Stern), connect it to a program (the International Business Exchange Program), and talk about how NYU can help them accomplish their professional goals.

Identify the connections in your lists of personal, professional, and academic goals related to NYU. Then, it’s time to think about how you’d like to open your NYU essay. The second of our “Why NYU” essay examples perfectly demonstrate the power of a persuasive opening anecdote or story. The first few sentences are meant to draw the reader into your story. This is true of any essay, the “Why NYU” essay included. Consequently, you’ll want to use dynamic language that sets the tone for your NYU supplemental essay. Let’s look at our “Why NYU” essay examples for inspiration:

Essay Example 2:

Before I began interning for the International Rescue Committee’s refugee youth acclimation program—right in the heart of the Lower East Side—I underwent weeks of training in providing trauma-informed support, reminded repeatedly that these kids have gone through more than I could possibly imagine.

Similar to the language in the first of our “Why NYU” essay examples, this writer is able to say a lot in a few sentences. They’ve not only identified their extracurricular/internship work with IRC but also established their level of commitment to helping refugee youths.

As you can see, both of these “Why NYU” essay examples deal with the very different subject matter. One essay deals with a refugee volunteer looking to study racial policy. The other focuses on a finance student looking to network with future NYU alumni. Both candidates, however, are clear in what they want to study at NYU and why it is important for them to pursue that particular program there. They are also able to draw connections between their passions and interests to their proposed academic programs.

Do your research

Make a strong case for why you want to pursue a particular program at NYU. Use the “Why NYU” essay examples for reference; this is the most important part of your “Why NYU” essay. If you’re unsure of what you want to study, now is the time to research  NYU’s programs . The major referenced in your NYU essay may not be what you pursue if admitted, and that’s okay. If you can, however, identify potential majors of interest in your NYU essay prompt response and connect them to your overall candidate profile. This can help you write a stronger NYU essay.

For example, if your extracurriculars deal with creative writing and your high school courses are mainly in literature, picking a STEM major, simply to impress the admissions committee will likely raise red flags. In cases like this, you may want to talk about the ways that an NYU education will help you find your academic area of focus. Your “why” may not be as clear, but you can still write a successful “Why NYU” essay that focuses on what draws you to the unique community at NYU.

In other words, authenticity is key. Don’t submit a NYU essay that simply tells the admissions officers what you think they want to hear.

“Why NYU” Essay Draft Key Questions:

• Does your “Why NYU” essay talk about your motivations for attending NYU?
• In your NYU essay prompt response, do you demonstrate that you’ve done research on the schools, programs, courses, and organizations that NYU offers?
• When applicable in your NYU essay, do you mention specific NYU campus traditions, courses, regional attractions, professors, etc.?

What should I include in my “Why NYU” essay?

The NYU supplemental essay prompt asks two deeper questions: “What motivated you to apply to NYU?” and “Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study?”. Both of these questions should be answered when drafting your “Why NYU” essay.

Naturally, NYU’s desired location in New York City leads many of its applicants to apply to the school. You can speak about the unique opportunities that the big city presents. However, you want to ensure that your response is specific enough to NYU. What does NYU have to offer that Columbia and Fordham don’t? Remember in the second of the “Why NYU” essay examples, the writer was able to specifically name the major (public health policy) that they wanted to pursue at NYU, as well as where they wanted to carry out research ( CASSR ). As in the “Why NYU” essay examples, it’s best to be as specific as possible.

After all, the NYU essay prompt asks “What motivated you to apply to NYU?”, and not “What motivated you to apply to college in New York City?”. A solid strategy in approaching this NYU supplemental essay, then, is to center your essay around NYU. This might seem obvious. However, you’d be surprised how many students realize  after the fact  that their completed NYU essay revolves around the city of the school and not the school itself.

Tell a story

For this NYU supplemental essay, it’s important to reflect on the past experiences that have led you to be interested in a given area of study. Was it a specific moment in your life or a series of experiences? You have the option to choose either path in writing this NYU application essay. Take a look at both of the “Why NYU” essay examples on the CollegeAdvisor  blog . The first NYU essay example highlights multiple experiences that led the author to their interest in pursuing a finance major. The second of the “Why NYU” essay examples makes one volunteer experience the focus of their NYU essay prompt. Both are strong and a great reminder that your “Why NYU” essay should be as unique as you are!

To recap, the NYU application essay you submit should be thoroughly researched. After familiarizing yourself with NYU’s  campuses  and  programs , you should include specific details related to your program of interest in your “Why NYU” essay. If it’s relevant to your essay you may also want to write about specific NYU  clubs/organizations  and  events/traditions .

NYU Application Essay: Final Thoughts

Completing the NYU supplemental essay can seem daunting, but don’t let the NYU essay prompt discourage you from applying. At the end of the day, the NYU essay prompt is not intended to trip you up. Rather, view the NYU application essay as an opportunity to further introduce yourself to the admissions team.

Use this NYU supplemental essay guide to help you approach the NYU application essay with confidence. Before and during your NYU essay writing process, make sure to spend some time reading over our “Why NYU” essay examples. Use the feedback from former admissions officers included with each NYU essay as guiding criticism for your own draft. While your experiences are going to be different than what is outlined in the “Why NYU” essay examples, your reasons for wanting to attend NYU should be just as clear as you read in the sample essay.

After completing your NYU supplemental essay, make sure to revise your NYU application essay. You should ask a counselor, advisor, or other trusted adult to help you proofread for spelling, grammar, and clarity. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on NYU was written by  Juliana Furigay , Columbia ‘23. For more resources on the college admissions process, click  here . If you need help crafting your answer to the NYU essay prompt, create your free  account  or  schedule a no-cost advising consultation  by calling (844) 343-6272.

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How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

Other questions about citing ChatGPT

You may have noticed the confidence with which ChatGPT described the ideas of brain lateralization and how the brain operates, without citing any sources. I asked for a list of sources to support those claims and ChatGPT provided five references—four of which I was able to find online. The fifth does not seem to be a real article; the digital object identifier given for that reference belongs to a different article, and I was not able to find any article with the authors, date, title, and source details that ChatGPT provided. Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, as applicable, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.

We’ve also received a number of other questions about ChatGPT. Should students be allowed to use it? What guidelines should instructors create for students using AI? Does using AI-generated text constitute plagiarism? Should authors who use ChatGPT credit ChatGPT or OpenAI in their byline? What are the copyright implications ?

On these questions, researchers, editors, instructors, and others are actively debating and creating parameters and guidelines. Many of you have sent us feedback, and we encourage you to continue to do so in the comments below. We will also study the policies and procedures being established by instructors, publishers, and academic institutions, with a goal of creating guidelines that reflect the many real-world applications of AI-generated text.

For questions about manuscript byline credit, plagiarism, and related ChatGPT and AI topics, the APA Style team is seeking the recommendations of APA Journals editors. APA Style guidelines based on those recommendations will be posted on this blog and on the APA Style site later this year.

Update: APA Journals has published policies on the use of generative AI in scholarly materials .

We, the APA Style team humans, appreciate your patience as we navigate these unique challenges and new ways of thinking about how authors, researchers, and students learn, write, and work with new technologies.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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Trump and Allies Forge Plans to Increase Presidential Power in 2025

The former president and his backers aim to strengthen the power of the White House and limit the independence of federal agencies.

Donald J. Trump intends to bring independent regulatory agencies under direct presidential control. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

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By Jonathan Swan Charlie Savage and Maggie Haberman

• Published July 17, 2023 Updated July 18, 2023

Donald J. Trump and his allies are planning a sweeping expansion of presidential power over the machinery of government if voters return him to the White House in 2025, reshaping the structure of the executive branch to concentrate far greater authority directly in his hands.

Their plans to centralize more power in the Oval Office stretch far beyond the former president’s recent remarks that he would order a criminal investigation into his political rival, President Biden, signaling his intent to end the post-Watergate norm of Justice Department independence from White House political control.

Mr. Trump and his associates have a broader goal: to alter the balance of power by increasing the president’s authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House, according to a review of his campaign policy proposals and interviews with people close to him.

Mr. Trump intends to bring independent agencies — like the Federal Communications Commission, which makes and enforces rules for television and internet companies, and the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces various antitrust and other consumer protection rules against businesses — under direct presidential control.

He wants to revive the practice of “impounding” funds, refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated for programs a president doesn’t like — a tactic that lawmakers banned under President Richard Nixon.

He intends to strip employment protections from tens of thousands of career civil servants, making it easier to replace them if they are deemed obstacles to his agenda. And he plans to scour the intelligence agencies, the State Department and the defense bureaucracies to remove officials he has vilified as “the sick political class that hates our country.”

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