UPDATE- THE TIPS FOR THE NYU STERN 2009 MBA APPLICATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE- PLEASE POST QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO THE NEW POST.
NYU Stern 2008 MBA Deadlines
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
Deadline Nov. 15, 2007 Jan. 15, 2007 Mar. 15, 2007
Notification Date Feb. 15, 2008 Apr. 1, 2008 June 1, 2008
NYU Stern 2008 MBA Essay Questions
My comments are in red. Stern itself provides tips on the page linked to above. You should read them before you draft your responses to these questions.
The following 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 should be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be withdrawn if it is discovered that you did not write your essays. Please note the following:
- Essays 1, 2 and 4 must be typed and submitted using the standard U.S. 8 1/2” x 11” format, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
- Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.
- Word limits apply to the total question. For example, your response to Essay 1 should answer part (a), part (b) and part (c) with a maximum of 750 words.
- Label the top of each essay with the following: Name, Date of Birth (month, day, year), Essay Number and Page Number (e.g.: Joe Applicant, January 1, 2001, Essay #1, Page 1)
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
(750 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
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?
Stern wants to know about your career decisions in the past, your reasons for an MBA now, and your plans for the future. This is a classic goals question. Show the logic behind your career development and how an MBA at this point in time will help you achieve your short and long-term goals.
The part of the question asking about your “career goal upon graduation” is a critical one. Are you realistic about where your past experience plus a Stern MBA can take you? Stern doesn’t want people in la-la-land, who will be impossible to place.
Finally make sure you answer all elements of the question within the word limits (not guidelines). No adcom member sits there and counts words, but the readers can tell when you are significantly over. “Significantly” in my book is more than 10%. Write succinctly.
Essay 2. Fit with Stern:
(500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
The NYU Stern community is one of our strongest assets. Please answer the following questions about our community:
(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? What actions have you taken to learn more about us?
(b) How would you contribute to our community as a student?
(c) How will you benefit personally and professionally from the Stern community?
Have you attended MBA fairs? Stern receptions? Have you visited campus, corresponded or talked to students and recent alumni? Reviewed Stern’s web site and printed material. Talked to possible employers? Read blogs of current NYU students? If you take any of those steps, let Stern know what you have done and how that research clarified for you both how you would contribute and how you would benefit by being part of the Stern community. Notice that C asks how you would benefit personally and professionally.
Essay 3. Personal Expression:
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.
All submissions become part of NYU Stern’s permanent records and cannot be returned for any reason. Please do not submit anything that must be viewed or played electronically (e.g. CDs, DVDs, MP3s, online links), that is perishable (e.g. food) or that has been worn (e.g. used clothing). If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
If you are not submitting Essay 3 online, you must provide a brief description of your submission with your online application. To mail in Essay 3, please follow the mail and labeling instructions. Also, note that supplemental Essay 3 packages are subject to size restrictions. Essays that exceed the stated size restrictions will not be accepted for review by the Admissions Committee. Please see the table [on the website] for the required package guidelines:
Bribes don’t work either. Candidates can get very creative with this essay and use different media (other than culinary and electronic), but for the majority of you who will convey your ideas in words, think of how you describe yourself in a social setting, meeting people for the first time. If it’s the first day of class or a mixer early in the pre-term, how would you break the ice? Would you try to set up a tennis game or golf match? Would you find someone to explore NYC’s museums? Or do you hate museums and prefer the outdoors? What would you say if you were in the campus coffee shop and sat down with some new classmates? Could you create a dialog? A short skit?
Essay 4. Additional Information: (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, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT 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 this essay.
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.
Obviously if you fit into one of the categories described in the 3 points above, you need to write this essay. If you don’t fit into the above categories and have something you want the admissions committee to know that isn’t part of the required essays, then you still should write this optional essay.
If you would like help with your NYU Stern MBA application, please consider Accepted.com’s MBA essay editing and admissions consulting or a NYU Stern Comprehensive Package, which includes essay editing, interview coaching, consultation, and a resume edit for the NYU Stern MBA application.
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