NYU STERN MBA Essays 2025-2026
Deadlines for NYU STERN
R1: 15 September, 2025
R2: 15 October, 2025
R3: 15 January, 2026
R4: 15 April, 2026
MANDATORY ESSAY QUESTIONS:
Professional Aspirations (150 words maximum):
• What are your short term career goals?
Essay 1: Change: it
(350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:
Change: Dare it.
Change: Dream it.
Change: Drive it.
Change: Empower it.
Change: Manifest it.
Change: [Any word of your choice] it.
Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”):
Introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. The Pick Six is a way to share more about the qualities you will bring to the Stern community, beyond your professional and academic achievements. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:
A brief introduction or overview of your “Pick Six” (no more than 3 sentences).
Six images that help illustrate your interests, values, motivations, perspective and/or personality.
A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
- A brief introduction or overview of your “Pick Six” (no more than 3 sentences).
- Six images that help illustrate your interests, values, motivations, perspective and/or personality.
- A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
Optional Essay:
Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee and/or give context to your application. This may include important aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, including but not limited to: hardships you have encountered, current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information. (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
OTHER APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
Standardized tests:
NYU Stern accepts a range of tests including GMAT, GRE, EA (executive Assessment), LSAT, MCAT and DAT. Stern also gives tests waivers to applicants who may not have a test score but can prove their academic preparedness through other methods, such as an analytical or quantitative undergraduate or graduate degree, relevant professional experience, or certifications. If you want to go the waiver route, you will need to first fill the test waiver form and seek prior approval before applying.
Resume:
A ONE page resume which should include both full-time, post-university work experience and educational information. Internships, other part-time employment, extracurricular activities, or volunteer activities may be included.
Recommendations:
Stern requires one EQ endorsement, which must come from your current supervisor. If you choose someone else, you must provide an explanation for your choice in the application form.
You may also submit an optional second recommendation from someone who knows you personally or professionally. While not required, this additional endorsement can be included if you believe it will strengthen your application. The recommendation questions are:
- Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization.
- How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles (if applicable)? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?)
- Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
- IQ+EQ is a core value of NYU Stern, and we seek exceptional individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. Emotional intelligence (EQ) skills such as self-awareness, empathy, communication and self-management are at the core of our community of leaders. Please provide one specific and compelling example to demonstrate the applicant’s emotional intelligence.
- (Optional) Is there anything else we should know?
Reapplications:
Reapplicants may submit a new application to Full-time MBA or Focused MBAs if they have applied to any of these three programs in a prior cycle. You will not be required to submit an application fee again.