NYU Stern Essay Advice And Application Deadlines: 2021-2022
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 #10 Full-time MBA program and #4 Part-time MBA program.
This past application cycle, NYU Stern admitted applicants with an average GMAT score of 723 and an average undergrad GPA of 3.60. The class of 2022 has an average of 5.2 years of pre-MBA work experience. Records also note that 43% of students are female and 32% of students have international citizenship.
Unlike many other top programs, the NYU Stern Full-time MBA has a Round 2 application deadline in November. This option is great if you missed the Round 1 deadline but prefer not to wait until January to submit everything.
The NYU Stern MBA application deadlines are:
Round 1: September 15, 2021
Round 2: October 15, 2021
Round 3: January 15, 2022
Round 4: March 15, 2022
Please see below for Personal MBA Coach’s tips on how to answer the NYU MBA 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.”
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.]
Last year, NYU Stern took a more direct approach to the essay, asking candidates about their goals and how a Stern MBA would help. This year’s question is a bit more challenging. Not only is there more to cover here, but you also have a shorter word limit to do it in.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For tips on handling the third (optional) NYU MBA essay, review this blog from Personal MBA Coach.
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.
About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.
We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes former M7 admissions directors and former M7 admissions interviewers.
Last year, our clients earned more than $6.5M in scholarships!