Working with Harold [Simansky] was nothing short of humbling. His institutional knowledge guided me through the NYU Stern MBA application with a successful result.
He had a plan of action from the start and met with me to ensure we were aligned on execution. We worked through multiple iterations of my resume and essay where Harold provided guidance on how to improve my application. The best part of working with Harold is that he understood what the result should look like but would not give away the answers. He spent time coaching me to ensure I learned as the process progressed. Harold was prompt with his responses to my emails and always made sure I was clear on the task at hand.
Harold would be my top choice if you are planning to apply to any top-tier MBA programs.
NYU Stern MBA Program: Everything You Need to Know
New York University’s Stern School of Business, more commonly referred to as NYU Stern, is one of New York City’s two preeminent MBA programs along with Columbia Business School. Located in the business capital of the world, Stern provides a number of learning opportunities and career options for Stern students and graduates (known as “Sternies”). After all, NYU’s campus sits just a handful of subway stops away from not only every major finance, consulting, technology, and media company imaginable but also New York’s vaunted “Silicon Alley” start-up community. As any NYU graduate or student will tell you, Stern leverages this location to the advantage of its alumni in countless ways.
Unsurprisingly, NYU Stern is known primarily for its prowess in finance and sent just under one-third of its 2023 graduates into the notoriously competitive industry. With such professors as student-favorite Aswath Damodaran doling out lessons in corporate finance and valuation, practically every student graduates from Stern equipped to handle finance in whatever role they choose. But NYU Stern is much more than just a finance school, offering 27 specializations, nearly 40 clubs, and more than 200 each of full-time professors and electives. Stern MBA students are able to chart almost any path they choose once inside Kaufman, pursuing specializations such as entertainment and media, health care, sustainable business and innovation, and fintech. In fact, in recent years, Stern has introduced two specialized one-year programs, the Stern Tech MBA and the Stern Fashion and Luxury MBA. Last but not least, NYU Stern’s expansive entrepreneurship resources give its students the power to launch their own ventures in almost any field.
In addition to its reputation as a thought leader in New York’s business community, the NYU Stern MBA Program has established a global presence through its ever-popular “Doing Business in…” (DBi) winter treks overseas. Plus, Stern’s MBA Class of 2026 includes students from 50 different countries. In many ways, the school brings the world to campus, while giving Sternies multiple opportunities to venture far beyond New York—thus earning NYU its place among the world’s elite MBA programs.
NYU Stern School of Business Insider’s Guide
After consulting with NYU Stern MBA students, admissions committee members, and alumni about their Stern experiences, we have prepared our Insider’s Guide to the NYU Stern School of Business. Taking an in-depth look at life as a Stern MBA student, we highlight how the program’s location, class size, curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, alumni involvement, and rankings all affect its culture and MBA experience. We then discuss Stern’s faculty and professional student clubs, explaining how they advance the careers of NYU’s MBA students. Through our guide, you will learn more about Stern’s commitment to innovation, including its Change: Studio and its “IQ + EQ” development programs, which emphasize emotional intelligence. You will also learn about the countless career paths Stern facilitates through its 27 specializations and more than 200 electives. Ultimately, our guide should serve as a road map for how to navigate all the rich opportunities within the NYU Stern School of Business.
NYU Stern Interview Guide
NYU Stern MBA interviews—almost always conducted by MBA admissions committee members—are generally relaxed and conversational, but applicants must demonstrate not only why NYU Stern is the right choice to help them achieve their professional goals but also what they will contribute to the Stern community. From candidates’ past experiences to their professional motivations for seeking an MBA, NYU Stern interviews aim to uncover as much as possible about applicants to determine whether they are the right fit for Stern. For sample interview question sequences and feedback from past applicants on their experiences, download our NYU Stern School of Business Interview Guide.
NYU Stern Application Essay Analysis, 2023–2024
One of the prompts for the New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business is strictly traditional, but the other two task candidates with tapping into their personalities and attitudes more profoundly and offer opportunities to convey their creative side. First, the school poses a straightforward question about applicants’ short-term professional aspirations and limits the response to a succinct 150 words. The first full essay prompt then requires candidates to develop a personal tagline In the style of NYU Stern’s (“Change: Embrace it.”), discuss its significance, and explain how they would act on it as an NYU Stern student. For the second required essay, applicants must tackle the school’s challenging but very revelatory “Pick Six” submission, which might be less intimidating for today’s applicants than it was when it was first introduced in 2017, given the ubiquitousness of social media. Together, Stern’s essay questions should allow you to present a good balance of your professional and personal sides for the admissions committee, though the optional essay is also on the table if you feel strongly that a vital part of your candidacy has not been covered by one or the other.
In our essay analysis, we provide guidance on each of NYU Stern’s 2023–2024 essay questions:
- Short Answer: Professional Aspirations
What are your short-term career goals? (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) - Essay 1: Change: _________ it
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.]
- Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”)
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. 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 who you are.
- A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
NYU Stern MBA Class Profile (Class of 2026)
| Total Applications | 4,550 |
| Class Size | 352 |
| Average GPA | 3.64 |
| Average GMAT | 733 |
| GMAT Full Range | 650–780 |
| Average GRE (Verbal) | 164 |
| Average GRE (Quant) | 164 |
| GRE Verbal Range | 150–170 |
| GRE Quant Range | 152–170 |
| Average Years of Work Experience | 5.0 |
| Range of Years of Work Experience | 0–16 |
| Women | 47% |
| Students with International Citizenship | 40% |
| Countries Represented (including the United States) | 50 |
| U.S. Minorities (percentage of U.S. citizen/permanent resident matriculants who identify as African American/Black, Asian, Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Native American/Alaska Native) |
46% |
NYU Stern MBA Rankings
The NYU Stern School of Business has historically ranked in the top 15 or top 20 in the most popular business school rankings. Stern ranked number seven in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report survey, while Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the program number 12 in its 2023 survey. In the 2024 Financial Times ranking, Stern stood in 21st place internationally and 14th domestically. Finally, the 2023 Poets&Quants ranking placed Stern tenth within the country.
NYU Stern MBA 2024 Acceptance Rate
NYU Stern School of Business boasts an acceptance rate of approximately 27%, reflecting its competitive admissions process and the high caliber of applicants it attracts. As a prospective MBA student, understanding this acceptance rate is crucial in gauging the level of preparation and distinction needed to secure a spot in this prestigious program.
Achieving admission to NYU Stern is a testament to an applicant’s academic prowess, leadership potential, and unique contributions to the dynamic business landscape. With a focus on fostering innovative thinkers and global leaders, Stern seeks candidates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate a commitment to driving change and making a meaningful impact in their respective fields. As you prepare your application, consider how your experiences, aspirations, and values align with Stern’s mission, and how you can stand out in a pool of exceptionally talented individuals.
NYU Stern Deadlines (2024–2025 MBA Application Season)
Round 1 Application Deadline
September 16, 2024
Round 1 Decision Notification
December 1, 2024
Round 2 Application Deadline
October 16, 2024
Round 2 Decision Notification
January 1, 2025
Round 3 Application Deadline
January 16, 2025
Round 3 Decision Notification
April 1, 2025
Round 4 Application Deadline
April 16, 2025
Round 4 Decision Notification
Ongoing