Business School Admissions - NYU Stern School of Business Admissions Continued

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Does race, ethnicity, sex, and cultural background play much of a role in your admission decisions?

As I mentioned, the Stern admissions process is holistic, meaning we evaluate all aspects of a person's application. Ultimately, a diverse student body by all definitions provides a richer learning experience and network for the entire class. At Stern, we have a successful track record with respect to diversity--about a third of our full-time students are international, approximately 30 percent are minority, and we have 36 percent women, which is among the highest percentage among all top business schools. Additionally, we have strong alliances with the Forte Foundation, an organization that promotes women in business, as well as The Consortium for Graduate Study and Management Leadership for Tomorrow, whose aim is to increase representation of diversity in business.

What qualifies as a good letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are one of the few components of an application that are submitted by an objective third party. They provide important insight into an applicant's professional abilities and characteristics. We ask for two letters of recommendation, ideally from professionals as opposed to professors, and one is required from a current, direct supervisor. It's important to find people who can provide true insight into your professional accomplishments and potential to be a future leader.

What is the most common mistake that applicants make?

An MBA is a decision you make once in a lifetime, and you want to get the most value you can from your MBA. Too often I see people apply to MBA programs who haven't done the proper preparation with respect to career ambitions, and finding a program that best fits who they are as a person.

How can an applicant stand out among their peers?

Many applicants think the Admissions Committee wants to hear what we write on our website, which is not what we are looking for. Ultimately, what makes candidates stand out is when they are self-aware, know what they want and speak from their heart in their application. Each person's story is unique and compelling, and each applicant should tell his or her story. When you read over 6,000 essays in an admissions season, the personalized stories are the ones that make you sit up in your chair.

Why does your school stand out among other business schools?

NYU Stern delivers an exceptional educational experience and a lifelong return-on-investment. We integrate New York City into the MBA experience through academics and co-curricular initiatives, leveraging the City as a classroom, a laboratory for learning and a career development hub. As important, our students regularly cite our supportive, collaborative student community as a benefit that lasts well beyond their two years at Stern.


On behalf of NYU Stern, we look forward to reading your application to our MBA program. For more information, visit http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/admissions/fulltime/