Applying to a top business school is more than just a numbers game; it is about finding the right environment to grow personally and professionally. Located in the heart of New York City, NYU Stern School of Business offers a dynamic MBA experience built on academic rigor, global perspective, and a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence. Whether you are a career switcher, a future founder, or someone looking to level up in your industry, Stern’s collaborative culture and location-driven opportunities make it a standout choice.

NYU Stern MBA Application Deadlines 2025-2026

Round 1:

  • Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
  • Notification of Board’s Decision: December 01, 2025

Round 2:

  • Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
  • Notification of Board’s Decision: January 01, 2026

Round 3:

  • Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
  • Notification of Board’s Decision: April 01, 2026

Round 4:

  • Application Deadline: April 15, 2026
  • Notification of Board’s Decision: Ongoing

 

NYU Stern MBA Application Essays 2025-2026

Stern essay questions give applicants the opportunity to fully present themselves to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into their experiences, goals, and thought processes.

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations (150 words)-“What are your short-term career goals?”

  • Focus on the first job you aim for post-MBA, role, industry, and function.
  • Avoid long-winded vision statements. Keep it practical: “After completing my MBA, I hope to join a growth-stage fintech firm in a strategy role.”
  • Briefly mention why this role makes sense for your background or goals.
  • It’s okay to touch on your long-term vision, but don’t dwell on it.

Essay 1: Change: _________ it (350 words)
“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. Choose a word that feels personal, not something that just “sounds good.”

  • Example: If you write “Change: Question it,” show how curiosity or critical thinking is a consistent part of your life.
  • Use one or two real-life examples, personal, professional, or both, that show how you’ve lived this mindset.
  • Briefly connect your chosen word to how you’ll approach your MBA journey at Stern.
  • Avoid vague or overly abstract terms like “Change: Love it” unless you can ground them in specific meaning.

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.

 

Use photos that show range, not all travel or all work. Include one or two personal quirks or hobbies.

  • Your introduction (3 sentences max) should give a glimpse of who you are beyond the resume—values, energy, humor, or passions.
  • Captions should be short but thoughtful. Use them to add meaning, not just to describe the image.
    • Instead of: “Me hiking Mt. Fuji.”
    • Try: “Climbing Mt. Fuji reminded me that the best views often follow the steepest climbs, a mindset I bring to every challenge.”
  • Avoid cliché or stock photos. Originality matters.

 

Essay 3: Additional Information (optional) (500 words)

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.

 

Use it to strengthen your application; don’t write just to fill the space.

  • Good uses include:
    • Low GPA or weak quant score (with honest, accountable reasoning).
    • Employment gaps (brief context + what you did during the time).
    • Major personal hardships that shaped your journey or outlook.
  • Keep the tone objective and forward-looking. Don’t make excuses, just offer clarity.

At ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting, we specialize in helping applicants tell authentic, well-rounded stories that stand out in highly competitive pools like NYU Stern. Here’s how we can support your journey:

  1. Strategic Application Positioning: We work with you to align your personal and professional narrative with Stern’s core values.
  2. Essay & Pick Six Development: From brainstorming creative angles for “Change: ___ it” to curating the perfect “Pick Six,” we help you craft engaging, personal responses that showcase your full personality beyond the resume.
  3. Resume Enhancement: We help you present your experiences in a way that highlights leadership, growth, and relevance to Stern’s dynamic environment.
  4. Interview Coaching: Our mock interviews are tailored to Stern’s style, helping you confidently communicate your goals, experiences, and unique value to the community.

Reach out for a free consultation—let’s work together to build an application that captures who you are and why you belong at NYU Stern.