The Application Process

To Admissions Counselors: I am currently waitlisted at NYU Stern, my top choice. I would love to get off the waitlist and get in. NYU fits in the category of "show me you love me" type of school. What can I do to strengthen my application? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My profile is as follows:
- Top 3 UGrad in technical field with 3.0 GPA
- Masters in engineering field, 4.0 GPA
- 700+ GMAT
- 2 years of analytics at Top Tier Investment Bank
- 1/2 year at an international non-profit
- 1 year at a rising Financial Services firm
- Extensive volunteer work as a Mentor and co-founder of two new chapters in two different cities
- Two letters of recommendations from former boss and mentor at Investment Bank.
- A peer letter from current Stern MBA student and former coworker.

My below average UGrad GPA was addressed in an optional essay, which explained that I worked multiple jobs while studying so that I could pay tuition. This experience proved invaluable as I was able to manage multiple workloads and improve my time management skills.

I sent an update letter informing them of my recent promotion, CFA studying efforts, and new community service activities. I also plan to visit campus as well.

NYU also accepts additional professional letters of recommendations. I have two possible sources:
1) a peer with whom I volunteered in many volunteer activities
2) A current MBA student with whom I worked pro-bono at my 1/2 year in the international non-profit

Would you recommend sending a letter? What else can I do to strengthen my application? Thanks in advance.

your profile sounds incredible! i know that's not the question you asked but I just had to comment... stern is definitely a competitive school... my friend was waitlisted too.. he had a 680 GMAT..his ugrad gpa was lower than yours due to a death in the family.

Thanks money9111. It's a very competitive climate this year! I think last year or even next year might be easier to apply, but who knows?

I'm doing my best to show my interest in Stern without bombarding them. It's a delicate balance for sure. I'm not sure what else to do?

Also, I wonder what the stats are for people who get off the NYU waitlist (% getting off waitlist, when they get notifications, etc.)? Those stats are very sparse online, probably because they are withheld by schools who try to actively manage their yields via the waitlist.

I am really surprised that you have been waitlisted. You have possibly done everything in you hands to show your love. But anyways, here are a few pointers:

1. Letter of support - from a student you've worked with or an alumni.
2. An email highlighting all the major updates at your work or community service. Do resist the temptation to send email every other day One in 2 weeks is a good show of love!
3. A Visit to the school is probably the best move is possible. Talk to adcoms, let them know you are visiting and if possible take an appointment with an adcom and a student. Try to sit in a class and after you come back home write an email to the adcom, stating how much you enjoyed, what you loved, how your expectations about the school were met and what you can offer the school. If you strike up an interesting conversation with somebody, mention it and offer your thoughts.
4. You could also send them an email re-iterating your fit with the school and why Stern is the school for you!

You might also want to check out this blogspot which might give you some idea!https://sgargiulo.wordpress.com/2010/03/ ... flections/

Never ever sound irritated or rude in any conversation with any body even remotely connected to Stern. Sound you emails as friendly and passionate.

All the best. Let us know how things turned out!

I agree with the other responder that you should absolutely have an additional letter of recommendation sent to Stern. Either of your two potential recommenders would work (although they are only border-line "professional"), chose the one that you think can write a more compelling letter stressing your interest in Stern and how you would add value to the Stern community both inside and outside of the classroom, etc.

You mention that you will go visit Stern again. Let the admissions committee know you are coming and set up a time to introduce yourself. Putting a name and face together again will help. Make sure that you have attended some classes and spoken with plenty of students so that you can support your desire to attend with specific stories. And, of course be very clear that you WILL enroll if admitted.

Lastly, remember, waitlisted students are perfectly qualified for acceptance - this is where it is a numbers game and not a statement on your profile. In your case, I'm guessing that your "demographic" (male in investment banking) was just overrepresented in the applicant pool and it doesn't make for a good learning enviroment if the whole class comes from an analyst program at goldman.

Good luck to you!

Thanks for the awesome replies guys, especially hk and Jessica! Apologies for the delayed reply as I just came back from visiting the NYU Stern campus. I loved it! I got the chance to interact with NYU students, sit in multiple classes through my Stern friend, and take the campus tour. I will definitely follow your very helpful advice when writing NYU Stern about my recent updates and campus visit.

I have some additional questions and comments below.

1) After informing my Stern friends and colleagues about my waitlist status, they have volunteered to write letters of support:
a) former graduate professor and Stern FT alumni
b) former coworker at investment bank and current Stern PT student
c) friend/mentor who goes to a top tier investment bank and once taught at Stern
d) friend who is a current Stern PT student

Should they send letters before April 26th, the decision date for those accepted in R2, or at staggered dates at two week intervals (e.g., 4/7, 4/21, etc.)?

2) Between my peer with whom I volunteered in many community service activities and my former colleague with whom I worked pro-bono at my 1/2 year in the international non-profit, I believe my colleague will provide a stronger recommendation because it will relate professionally and directly to my work experience at a nonprofit firm unlike my peer's letter.

The problem is that my colleague attends Sloan and not Stern. Is it overkill to have my colleague send the letter of recommendation in conjunction with the above-mentioned letters of support?

3) I also plan to send an update email with photos on 4/19, one week before the R2 decision date, to reiterate my compatibility with Stern's philosophy and fit. I have several ideas on how I can contribute to the NYU community after speaking with students and faculty.

4) I scored 710 on the GMAT with an even 87% percentile split between Q and V for an overall 92% percentile. The average GMAT at NYU is 717 and I'm in a very competitive bracket (Indian - but US Citizen, Male, Investment Banking - Analytics/Engineering/IT/Finance - not purely IT). I have seen mixed reviews only saying that 700+ is enough but for Indian male IT people (which I am not purely), they need 750+.

Do I need to retake the GMAT? Although with a month or two of hard work to improve my verbal, this endeavor might be tricky for me since I have been very busy at work due to my recent promotion.


Your feedback is always welcome and awesome. I'm currently trying to maintain a fine balance between showing my interest and not badgering NYU. I greatly appreciate it guys!

I do NOT think that you need to retake your GMAT. The GMAT is really a reference point so that they know you are able to handle the work. A 710 shows that. A 730 or 740 won't make a huge difference in showing your capabilities.

Personally, I think that 3 letters of recommendation would be plenty and I wouldn't worry about the timing. Just let your recommenders do whatever works for them - you may not want to bombard the adcom with 3 letters at once, but, I don't think you need to play with the timing.

The rest of your plan sounds great. I'd check in periodically with the Adcom. Make sure to ask them if there is any additional information that you could provide which could help improve your candidacy!

As for your friend at Sloan, I don't think it matters if someone is at a different business school. That person could even write that, while he tried to convince you to come to Sloan, you have always had your heart set on Stern, etc.

Good luck. Keep us posted!

Any advice for actually getting through to an admissions counselor? If I call, they always reply to just send info to the impersonal email address.

Thanks,

Matt

Oh and would you really recommend sending an email every few weeks, just checking in?

I have already sent an additional essay explaining updates in my career and reiterating my commitment, and additionally had a principal in my firm write a rec.

I already visited the school before the deadline, and don't live too close.

Just for reference I had 730 GMAT, 3.7 GPA computer science, 4 years work experience in software dev. in business consulting firm. I feel my application just lacked a good story why I wanted to do this.

Thanks for any feedback,

Matt

Hi Matt -

I think that your self assessment is a good one. Often applicants are not as successful as they need to be with the "why I want an MBA" portion of the application. Personally, I do not think that you need to check in via email too often. You have sent in additional materials and reiterated your interest. To check in without reason (or with a fabricated reason) isn't very helpful.

As for finding a live person in admissions, my best suggestion would be to call and ask for a person you spoke with during the process. If you didn't have a contact, I'd ask one of your friend who is a current student to recommend someone. Or, if you live in New York, call and see if you can set up a 10 minute meeting with someone face-to-face.

so original poster, did you get in to Stern? Just curious to hear how effective your wait list strategy was