What You Need To Know Before You Take An Online GMAT

NYU Stern students

Essay Tips for NYU Stern

New York University’s Stern School of Business consistently ranks as one of the top b-schools in the nation.

In our annual ranking of Top Business Schools, Stern secured the number 16 spot. The class of 2021 averaged a 3.52 GPA with 80% of students scoring in the 680-750 GMAT score range, according to Stern.

One of the central components of the Stern application is the essay section. The experts at Stratus Admissions recently went over Stern’s 2020-21 essay prompts offering insight into how applicants should approach each essay.

ESSAY 1

The first essay asks applicants to answer the following in under 500 words:

What are your short and long-term career goals?

How will the MBA help you achieve them?

Experts say the key to answering essay one, is to be specific and goal-oriented.

“You should start your essay by stating your goals and then give reasons for them as well as how an MBA will help you achieve them,” according to Stratus. “Some brief context behind these goals would be appropriate.”

The next step is to tie in how a Stern MBA would help you to achieve the goals you mentioned.

“What business skills do you lack? How will a Stern MBA help you close these gaps? It is important that you allow adequate time to research all that Stern has to offer,” according to Stratus. “Be VERY specific in detailing the opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus. Think about classes you are interested in. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your gaps.”

ESSAY 2

The second essay asks applicants to describe themselves to the admissions committee and future classmates using six images, titled “Pick Six,” and corresponding captions.

There is an important difference between essays one and two: essay one focuses primarily on professional goals, while essay two is an opportunity to convey who you are as a person.

“While you have the option of including something professional or related to your goals, make sure that this essay complements the first essay, which is professionally focused,” according to Stratus. “Let your individuality shine in this essay. This can be a great place to reveal personal interests, hobbies, or community service commitments.”

ESSAY 3

Essay three asks applicants to provide any additional information that they would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee, including current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.

“Stern provides several suggestions regarding what to include in this essay,” according to Stratus. “However, if you have something significant you would like the admissions committee to know and that topic isn’t mentioned above, this question is open enough so that you still answer the question. This is a great place to address low GMAT scores or GPAs.”

Sources: Stratus Admissions, P&Q, NYU Stern

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