NYU Part-Time MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 - 2021]

NYU’s Stern Langone part-time MBA requires just one short essay: a straightforward goals essay. That means the other application elements – resume, recommendations, and application form will be especially important in terms of rounding out your profile and conveying relevant information. So, approach all the application elements thoughtfully and strategically. There is not even usually an interview for this program. The applicants who can most effectively manage this rather abbreviated application are confident, thoughtful, and resourceful – short doesn’t necessarily mean easier!

NYU Stern part-time MBA 2021 application

NYU part-time MBA essay question #1 (Professional aspirations and fit with Stern)

(350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

- What are your short- and long-term career goals?
- How will the part-time MBA help you achieve them?

You may start by succinctly mentioning your current career situation to set the context. (Warning: Don’t repeat your resume, but rather make this opening highlight some relevant or interesting aspect of your industry and/or function, as it is an important part of what you’ll bring to the table in a part-time program). Then move on to discuss your short-term goals. Give solid details: position, company, scope of accountability, what you want to accomplish, and how you hope to grow. If you have a formal development program that these goals are based on, it’s good to mention it. To make your goals meaningful and engaging, briefly explain WHY you want to take these steps, what excites and engages you about this anticipated path. Your longer-term goal needs less detail and should of course reflect some reasonable trajectory from the earlier role.

In discussing how the MBA will enable you to achieve your stated goals, describe what new skills and knowledge you need in order to pursue your goals, and how the part-time MBA meets those needs. Be specific and add a little about the particular benefits of Stern’s program.

NYU part-time MBA essay question #2 (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, EA, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

If you are planning to attend the Langone Part-time MBA program and do not currently live in the NYC metro area, please indicate your plans to pursue the program. If you are planning to relocate to the NYC area, please indicate your plans for employment.

We recognize that in some cases this information may be able to be provided in just a few short sentences. Therefore, you should not feel compelled to write a long essay on something that can be conveyed succinctly.

These instructions don’t explicitly limit the essay to extenuating circumstances or application-specific issues, but the topics Stern suggests are just such issues. Moreover, the phrase “bring to the attention of” doesn’t really invite you to continue marketing yourself. I therefore recommend addressing the types of issues the question presents if needed, and/or present other information only that has a direct bearing on the adcom’s ability to understand your candidacy.

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