Klara Lou

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Serial hobbyist, analytical storyteller, and creative problem-solver.”

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I can recite the alphabet backwards as easily as forwards.

Undergraduate School and Major: Vanderbilt University, French Studies and Medicine, Health, & Society

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Research Data Analyst at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Systems and Policy Modeling

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? New York City sits at the heart of almost everything, serving as this vibrant nexus of people, ideas, and industries. I think there’s a type of learning beyond the classroom that you can only get from engaging with your immediate environment. For that, there might not be a better place than New York, a city that attracts interesting and ambitious people with something to prove. I’m excited to meet my classmates, professors, and future colleagues, but equally excited to get to know my neighbors and local businesses on my block.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was drawn to Stern’s small class size, as well as the genuine warmth and sincerity I felt in my conversations with current students while I was applying. What stood out most was that they were not trying to convince me to choose Stern necessarily, but instead focused on helping me make the best decision for me. These are the types of people I strive to surround myself with, and it doesn’t hurt that Stern has renowned faculty and unparalleled connections in New York City.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? I’m excited to take the Strategy classes with Professor Sonia Marciano! I’ve heard only wonderful things from current and former students about her teaching, sharing that her classes helped them understand the business environment in new, thoughtful, and practical ways. Many also said that her classes were among some of their favorites during their time at Stern.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? Some of the hardest parts of any job are often not technical, but relational. In academia, it was not uncommon for me to work with others who had opposing views on how to approach a research question. Developing EQ (emotional intelligence), or the ability to understand, navigate, and adapt to people and changing dynamics, was what helped me find common ground and turn conflict into better collaboration.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I played a key role in research evaluating site-neutral Medicare payment policy proposals, quantifying the potential impacts of these payment reductions across different types of hospitals and demographics of patients. The published work continues to be used in ongoing federal policy discussions with policymakers about how savings to the Medicare program could be achieved without compromising care quality or disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? I entered the world of health policy with primarily French Studies training. Coming into Stern’s MBA program, I think my background in academic research might also be different than most others. The diversity of my past experiences has taught me to approach problems with creativity and resilience. At Stern, I hope to bring a fresh perspective that challenges conventional thinking in other arenas like consulting or tech, bridges disciplines, and helps teams see solutions in unexpected places.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Think critically about your professional and personal goals, and take an honest look at how well Stern, or any other school, can help you achieve them. If there’s true alignment, it’s much easier to present yourself authentically and feel good about your decisions throughout a stressful application process.

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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