nyu stern essays, nyu stern essay tips apphelp

NYU Stern Essay Questions and Tips

NYU Stern Essay 1: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Answer the following:(a) What choices have you made that led you to your current position?

(b) Why pursue an MBA at this point in your life?

(c) What is your career goal upon graduation from NYU Stern? What is your long-term career goal?

Although this one looks like a typical career goal essay, yet with a word limit of 500 words and three distinct sub-divisions in the question, the committee clearly conveys its intention to have a logical overview of your career. The first part of the question wants you to discuss about your career growth till date and talk about the choices you considered as a next career option. Having said that, you then have to shift to the ‘why MBA’ part smoothly. After highlighting on the negative aspects that led you to deny all the other options in the part (a) of the question, you now have to focus on the positive features of a MBA course that you think will be useful for your present career in the part (b). The logic and thinking process that you imply while taking career decisions are something that will be evaluated here. The part (c) of the question which seeks for your short-term and long-term goal after MBA from NYU Stern should also conclude the whole essay. There should be a link between the three parts of the essay and the goals that you describe should sound realistic, logical and in tune with your past academic records and career plans.

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NYU Stern Essay 2: We take great care to shape the Stern community with individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. We seek individuals who are highly intelligent, collaborative and committed to flourishing as Stern leaders. Please answer the following questions:

(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? Tell us what actions you have taken to learn about us.

(b) Describe what most excites you about Stern from both an academic and extracurricular perspective.

(c) How do you anticipate making your mark on the Stern community? Be specific about the roles you will take on and the impact you hope to achieve.

After getting your logic behind application for an MBA in the previous essay, the adcom now likes to know your logic for choosing NYU Stern in. The best way to approach for the part (a) of the essay is to describe your real-life experiences like visit to the campus, interacting with the present and ex-students, other online or offline researches, and etc. to show that your choice for the Stern is not a arbitrary one.

The part (b) of the question is your scope to explain that you are aware of the benefits of joining the stern community. What is so special about the academic and extracurricular activities of the Stern that influenced your decision to go for it is something to be discussed in this part.

To answer part (c) you have to first think about yourself and then about the stern community. Then you need to figure out the common factors, anticipate the areas where you can contribute the most, and then explain why you think so. That’s the way to answer part (c) and also to conclude the essay.


NYU Stern Essay 3: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative.

This essay is your chance to familiarize yourself as a person to the admission committee. If you select ‘written words’ as a medium of expression, then choose the best 500 words that can justify your persona. Imagine a situation where you need to introduce yourself. It may be your first day in MBA School, a fresher’s welcome party, or any other situation where you are surrounded by a whole lot of new friends. Now think of a speech that best describes you in that context. Write it down. This should not necessarily be a formal one. You have the independence to experiment with the form; it can be dialogues, parody, or whatever. Just make sure that it reveals your inner ‘you’ to the reader.

However, if you like to be a bit more creative and want to covey your message through other mediums like drawings, photographs, collage, or others, then you also have the freedom to do that.



NYU Stern Essay 4: (optional) 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 and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4. If you are a re-applicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application. If you are applying to a dual degree program, please explain your decision to pursue a dual degree.

The admission committee has clearly stated when they will love to get an explanation from you and when they will not. So, try to follow those above guidelines and if you find yourself under any of those obligations, then explain yourself. Don’t try to give excuses for any of your setbacks or underperformances; rather try to provide realistic reasons for your failure. If you have gaps in your career, provide fact-based reasons to clarify those. If you have low scores in GMAT, GRE or TOEFL, try to prove that those low scores are not the only way to judge you. Similarly, your explanation for not submitting a recommendation from current supervisor should also sound realistic.



This essay is great chance for the re-applicants to show that they have improved a lot from the previous year. They have to stress on what they have learnt from past failure, and how they have worked on their weaker areas. Needless to say that they should also cite some facts like an improved score in this year’s GMAT or others in support of their claims.

Another reason for attempting this optional essay can be the inability to input any of your unique characteristics within the three mandatory essays. Take this one as a scope to unfold any notable aspect of your persona.


Related Useful Links


NYU Stern Class Profile and Admission Tipshttp://www.apphelp.co.in/NYU-Stern-Class-Profile-Admission-Tips.htm

NYU Stern interview questions: http://www.apphelp.co.in/NYU-Stern-Interview-Questions-Tips.htm

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