This interview is the latest in an Accepted blog series featuring interviews with MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. And now for a chat with a second year MBA student at NYU Stern, Danny Breslauer.
Accepted: We’d like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad?
Danny: I am from Highland Park, New Jersey. It is a 1.8-square-mile town in central NJ right across the bridge from New Brunswick. I made the journey over the bridge for my undergraduate degree at Rutgers University. I was a double major in Journalism/Media Studies & Psychology, and the General Manager and Sports Director of WRSU-FM, Rutgers’ student-run, on-campus radio station.
Accepted: What’s your favorite non-school book?
Danny: I think Moneyball is one of the best books of all-time. I’m a huge Michael Lewis fan and a sports junkie, so that book got my attention right after its release.
Accepted: Can you share a favorite quote that inspires you?
Danny: “Don’t give up… Don’t ever give up” – Jim Valvano (1993)
Accepted: Where are you currently attending business school? What year are you?
Danny: I am an MBA2 at NYU Stern School of Business in New York City.
Accepted: What is your favorite thing about the NYU Stern MBA program?
Danny: Stern is an incredible place. It may sound cliché, but my favorite thing about the program is my classmates. I have made friends and trusted colleagues for life in a little over a year’s time. That’s very difficult to do. I give a lot of credit to Stern’s admissions team for putting together an awesome and diverse class.
Accepted: What was the hardest part of the application process? Any challenges or successes you’d like to share?
Danny: Historically, I was an average standardized tester… and below average if you matched up the scores to my grades in school. So, the GMAT was easily the hardest part of the application process for me. I worked with a personal tutor for dozens of hours and improved my score by more than 100 points. I think I was successful in an important part of the application process, which is keeping your story consistent and viable across all elements (essays, interviews, recommendations, etc.). A family friend with an MBA told me very early on in the process that top business schools are not looking for fresh starts. They want to see direction and conviction. I brought that to the table and I’m thankful that Stern understood my story.
Accepted: You work in the media industry! You’re a successful sports broadcaster, and were previously named the No. 8 collegiate sportscaster in the nation! How has this work prepared you for completing your MBA?
Danny: Working in the sports industry is like working in any sector of business. You work in teams and groups, like in any job and every MBA program. It’s all about maintaining genuine relationships and surrounding yourself with professionals who play the game of life in the most honorable and successful fashion possible. I was blessed to chase my sportscasting dream in the early years of my career and reached a lot of my goals. I was the voice of a Division 1 college program at 26 years old and on multiple producers’ lists for play-by-play talent across 12 sports for radio, television and OTT. I had an amazing time every day, but I reached a point in my life when it was time for a change in function and lifestyle.
Accepted: Do you have any idea what field you’d like to work in after graduation?
Danny: Media is my passion. I’m pivoting from the on-air side of the industry to a strategic advisory and business development role, and so far have used MBA internships at Wasserman and NBCUniversal to prepare me for life after Stern. During my MBA2 full-time job recruitment process, I will be targeting companies that are at the intersection of the businesses of broadcast media, technology and sports.
Accepted: Lastly, any last tips or advice you’d like to share with other professionals contemplating an MBA?
Danny: A full-time MBA is a major lifestyle shift. You’ll never have a two-year period in your adult life that allows for so much learning, experimentation and development in multiple facets of life. If that interests you, and you’re at a time in your life that you can afford the investment, go for it. It’s a life-changing experience if approached with a flexible plan in mind.
You can follow Danny on Twitter (@DannyBreslauer) or by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Thank you Danny for sharing your story with us – we wish you continued success!
For one-on-one guidance on your b-school application, please see our MBA Application Packages.
Related Resources:
• Get Accepted to B-School with Low Stats, on-demand webinar
• NYU Stern 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines
• Exploring the Part-Time MBA Options and NYU Stern [Podcast]