Stern Stories

NYU Stern Introduces New Essay Question to the Full-time MBA Program Application

Stern’s new Essay 2 encourages full-time MBA applicants to embrace disruptive thinking.

NYU Stern is introducing a new Essay 2 to its full-time MBA application for Fall 2013 applicants, the first major change in the essays in six years. The question will assess an applicant’s fit with the Stern mission and mindset about creating value in an environment of increased ambiguity. The School believes these qualities are essential to lead in today’s global business environment.

“The central issues of our time—from fiscal and environmental sustainability to the rise of emerging markets and the coming wave of urbanization—cry out for disruptive leaders who can think across traditional intellectual boundaries and work collaboratively to harness the power of markets for the good of the world,” said Peter Henry, Dean of NYU Stern. “We want students of the highest caliber who are eager to broaden their minds, develop their own unique professional identity, and use the assets of our School and University to figure out how to create value in whatever career they choose to pursue.”

The new Essay 2, titled “Your Two Paths,” asks the following:

The mission of the Stern School of Business is to develop people and ideas that transform the challenges of the 21st century into opportunities to create value for business and society. Given today’s ever-changing global landscape, Stern seeks and develops leaders who thrive in ambiguity, embrace a broad perspective and think creatively about the range of ways they can have impact.

(a) Describe two different and distinct paths you could see your career taking long term. How do you see your two paths unfolding?
(b) How do your paths tie to the mission of NYU Stern?
(c) What factors will most determine which path you will take?

“This isn't the typical long-term career question. We want applicants who think deeply and broadly about their long-term goals and how they can make an impact,” said Isser Gallogly, Assistant Dean, MBA Admissions. “Ultimately, we want to select students who consider multiple approaches and are comfortable with non-linear thinking. We promote this type of thinking in our MBA experience because we believe it is the mindset the business leaders of tomorrow need to succeed."

Stern will keep its well-known “Personal Expression” Essay 3 that invites applicants to describe themselves to their future classmates, using almost any creative medium, including video.

Visit NYU Stern’s website for more information on admissions and the full-time MBA program.

About NYU Stern

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York University Stern School of Business is one of the world’s premier research and teaching institutions. NYU Stern offers a broad portfolio of graduate and undergraduate programs, all of them informed and enriched by the dynamism, energy, and resources of one of the world’s business capitals. Follow NYU Stern on Twitter at @NYUStern and find additional information at www.stern.nyu.edu.