Reflecting the character of the university at large, NYU Stern has always sought applicants who bring not just requisite accomplishment, but also intellectual energy and engagement with the world – people who have a point of view and are willing to express it. Stern’s EMBA essay questions are consistent with these values. While they cover the standard concerns, they also draw out your ability to self-reflect and to understand yourself in relation to others and to the world. The key to acing these essays is to present a point of view, a message, a distinctive perspective that will enrich the EMBA community at NYU Stern.
NYU Stern Executive MBA application essays
Applicants are required to respond to essay prompts 1 and 2. The 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. There is an optional essay if you wish to provide additional information.
All essays have a 500 word limit, double spaced. Word limits apply to the total essay question. For example, your response to Essay 2 should answer all parts.
NYU Stern EMBA essay #1
Describe your short- and long-term career goals and how the NYU Stern Executive MBA program will help you accomplish them.
One simple, straightforward, and effective way to structure this essay is to start with a recent achievement that reflects where you are in your career now. This opening sets the context and conveys a bit about your current situation, emphasizing what is impressive and/or distinctive about it. Then discuss how the EMBA education will enable you to achieve your immediate goals in your current role and later your intermediate and longer-term goals, which should logically build on this present role.
In describing your goals, clarify why you want to take that step or assume that role. Add more detail for your short-term and intermediate goals. In discussing how the program will benefit you, describe the skills and knowledge you need to acquire and how the program provides them. Also refer to the structure, curriculum, and/or special features of the program, noting how you will benefit from them. Finally, resist the temptation to detail your career progress — limit yourself to points relevant to your goals.
NYU Stern EMBA essay #2
NYU Stern is committed to helping students develop a deeper set of professional skills, and a broader perspective of the role of business in the world.
a. What is a significant contemporary issue on which you, as a business leader, would like to have an impact?
b. Why is it important to you?
c. How could you leverage your skills and resources to address the issue?
The most important advice here: select an issue that you truly care about (and are knowledgeable about). You may research some fine points, but responses to this question that are entirely constructed of research on a topic will seem like an academic exercise rather than an expression of engagement.
A simple and effective strategy for this essay is to follow the a-b-c structure set out in the question. First talk about the issue in personal as well as objective terms, i.e., how you came to learn and/or care about it, perhaps what experience you’ve had with it if relevant – make it anecdotal if possible. Take a stand; avoid being bland or abstract. Then describe how as a business leader you can address this issue in concrete terms. This last part will vary greatly from person to person – for some your work will directly address this issue; for others work will be divorced from it, and you will indirectly use your business leadership role as a bully pulpit, as a prominent and influential community leader/volunteer, etc. However, don’t make the mistake of just talking about your ideas and plans. Take this opportunity to weave in some actual experiences here to make or substantiate your points.
NYU Stern EMBA essay #3 (optional)
Provide any additional information for the Admissions Committee. This may include additional details on your academic/quantitative preparation for MBA coursework through educational or professional experience, further explanation of academic history, current or past gaps in employment, or any other information relevant to your application.
This question’s wording indicates that you can use it not just to explain a problem but also to present new material that you think will enhance your application. However, if you are making the adcom read more than is required, there should be a darn good reason – not just a nice-to-know.
First, succinctly explain any points that need explaining. Then, if there is something you feel is important that you haven’t had a chance to discuss elsewhere, write about it, noting why it’s essential to a full understanding of your candidacy.
For expert guidance with your NYU Stern Executive MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to NYU Stern’s Executive MBA program and look forward to helping you too!
NYU Stern Executive MBA application deadlines for 2022 – 2023
| Class Start | First Deadline | Final Deadline |
| August | March 1 | June 1 |
| January | October 1 | November 1 |
Rolling admissions:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once they are complete. Candidates should ensure that the Admissions Committee has received all parts of their application by the earliest possible deadline.
Source: NYU Stern website
Related resources: