09年 NYU MBA Interview 申请+面试精华汇总

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NYU Stern：

Q：做了summer internship之后是否都能够拿到offer？
A：我们一年级的学习生活真的会非常地intensive，这都是为了要prepare internship，
一般只要secure了internship就可以secure full-time job了，不同的公司给offer的
时间是不同的，一般像consulting，financial service等公司是最早给offer的，一般
会在first semester就给offer，而另外的一些公司，如media，marketing等corporate
则会晚一些，大概会在second semester的时候给，不过in terms of how many people
come back with offer，一般而言，first semester的finance方面的offer的比例大约
是100%，而second semester的offer的比例大概是80%。但今年是一个特例，还
不知道怎样。

 
Q：Stern的media和entrepreneurship program怎么样？
A：我们的media项目是很强的，而且学校会为学生提供很多很好的机会，比如学
校每年都会组织学生去参加嘎纳电影节，学生会在期间做一些很有意思的项目，
这个活动是专门为我们学校的media major的学生设置的，这样的机会是非常难得
的；另外Stern也非常重视entrepreneurship program，学习每年都会拿出20-50万
奖金给学生做business plan competition，如果你做的business plan赢了，那你就可
以拿到相应的奖金，另外学校也会请VC们来点评business plan competition，如果
你的business plan打动他们，你还会有机会可以拿到风险投资，这样你是真的可
以get it going，it’s not just mock，you can get real money。

Q：听说NYU没有自己的campus，是这样的吗？另外你们跟alumni交流的机会
怎么样？
A：NYU现在不在Wall Street了，现在的campus在Washington Square，不过我们
Business School,只有一栋楼。我们跟alumni见面的机会是非常多的，一年级时会
有很多的on-campus interview，很多来学校的面试的人都是我们alumni，另外二年
级的时候有很多比较focus的event，在这些活动中你会有很多的跟alumni network
的机会。很多学校的club组织的活动也会请alumni们来参加，很多alumni就在
wall street工作，因此来参加学校的活动很方便，而他们也会很乐意来参加各种活
动，但是至于能不能给他们留下good impression则要看个人的魅力了。总之，我
们跟alumni的touch point是很多的，这跟我们location的advantage也是分不开的，
唯一的问题可能是你会发现时间不够用，因为可以做的事情实在太多了。

Q：你们跟alumni的关系怎样？
A：学校有很多的network event，你会有很多的机会可以去跟人做networking。比
如九月份的时候会有很多的酒会，很多alumni就在学校附近上班，因此他们都很
乐意来这些酒会跟你做networking，学校方面也会给你做一些training，教你一些
how to network的tips，但最终是否能够build up relationship还是要看你的个人。
通常第一步是要拿到他们的business card，然后再想办法把他们约出来私人会谈，
如果你能够成功地给他们留下good impression，那么他们就有可能会把你refer给
他们公司的老板，这就是非常好的机会了。另外，Stern的一个很大的advantage
就是我们的part-time项目，共有2000多人，他们中间有99%以上的人都是在wall
street工作的，他们是我们非常好的network的机会，另外，我们的professional faculty
很多人也在wall street承担很high level的职位，他们都是我们职业发展的很大的
资源。

Q：我的背景是做sales的，我想以后做investment banking，那么我怎么去跟那
些在读MBA之前就有investment banking工作经验的人竞争investment banking
的工作呢？
A：首先我认为investment banking is more a sales job，因此你的background不仅不
是劣势反而是一种优势，公司看重的是soft skill，因为hard skill是可以学习的，
是可以补起来的，公司看重的是你的personality，你的诚意是最为关键的。当然，
如果你想去做investment banking你不可能一点都不了解或者什么都不会，如果那
个是你真的有passion的领域的话，你一定是有做相当的research和self study，而
且学校会给你提供很多相关的课程训练，学校的很多professional club也是你的一
个很大的资源，这些就是你诚意的体现。这点对于其他的工作和领域也都是一样
的，学校可以提供的资源很多，就个人而言，真正关键的是要弄清楚自己的passion
到底在哪里。

Q：找名人帮我写recommendation letter会有好处吗？
A：找一个名人或者一个很牛的人来帮你写recommendation letter会有帮助，这是
很多人的一个wrong impression，最关键的是你要确定这个推荐人真的是know you
well，光靠打几通电话和见几次面是没有办法让一个人真正了解你的，学校想看到
的是你的推荐人看你的角度，因此他对你的看法和了解程度就非常关键了，就整
个application来说essay跟recommendation letter都是两个非常关键的内容，essay
是你自己看自己，而recommendation letter则是别人如何看你，因此比较理想的状
况是这两者看到的东西是有所不同的，因为如果你的recommendation letter说讲到
的你的内容跟essay几乎完全一样，那么它的add value就非常少了，最好是能够
讲到你其他方面的achievement或者是potential，这才是更好的。

Q：在Stern有什么learning？
A：我在Stern最大的一个learning就是学会了time management，因为在Stern任
何时间都有太多的事情发生，因此在里面的每一个都会需要学会prioritize，尤其
是学校能够提供的资源实在是太多了，而且在某种程度上来说这两年你都可以去
寻求自己想做什么，即使很多人在入学前觉得自己对这个问题想得很清楚，但事
实是很多人都会变的，学校当然不会追问你进入MBA之后是否真的在做跟essay
中写到的一样，这个过程中是会变化的，你可以通过这两年的时间把这个问题想
得更加清楚，或者是转向别的领域也是来得及的，学校提供的资源都能够帮到你
很多。如此一来，你就会有很多的事情要做，举个简单的例子，如果你不确定是
要做咨询还是投行，对两者都感兴趣，那么单单在找工作这一件事情上就会需要
花很多的时间，你不光要去参加consulting firm的presentation，还要参加investment
banking的presentation，有的时候往往是从3点半下课一直到晚上11点都在赶去
参加不同公司的presentation，然后回去还要写作业。这个过程中你都要做很多的
trade off，因为你的时间有限，不可能得到所有的机会和资源，这也是为什么申请
的时候你真的应该花时间好好想想自己真的想做什么，如果完全没有方向的话，
在B school的生活真的很可能会suffer。

Q：Stern的financial aid是怎样的？
A：中国学生在Stern拿scholarship的是很多的，第一年大概10%到15%的人都有
拿到一定的scholarship，另外除了scholarship，学校还跟citi有一个agreement，一
个学生一年可以拿到四万，不过目前Citi close了跟所有学校的agreement，不过我
相信学校在跟其他的银行谈更好的agreement。

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贷款
NYU Stern对国际学生的贷款的一些信息
摘自最近admission的一段访谈内，可以在Stern的页面内找到transcript.
Gauri applicants? Is there financial aid available from Stern for international applicants?
Admissions2 Merit-based scholarships are awarded to domestic and international students by NYU Stern. Applicants who apply by the first deadline will be given priority consideration for merit-based scholarships. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident in order to receive Federal loans. International students are eligible for private domestic loans with a U.S. co-signer. If you have a US co-signer, you can apply for the full cost of attendance. If you do not have a co-signer, you are eligible to apply for up to $40,000.
还有关于R2的Interview
anonymous The deadline of Nov. 15 has passed. Does that mean that it will be more difficult for international applicants to have an offsite interview?
Admissions1 Priority consideration is given to those who apply by the 1st eadline. Typically there are still some slots left for the second deadline, but nfortunately by the March 15 deadline there are no more opportunities.

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NYU in BW' NEWS & INTERVIEWS

Stern Advice from the Big AppleThe assistant dean for MBA admissions at NYU gets a little help from one of her students as she explains the appeal of an education with that New York edge Last year was the toughest ever to get into a top business school -- and admissions directors don't expect this year to be any easier. So we sought some early insights on applications season from Julia Min, assistant dean for MBA admissions at New York University's Stern School of Business (No. 13 on BusinessWeek's Top 30 B-Schools list).

Min fielded questions with Will Rockett, a student in NYU's part-time MBA program and a BusinessWeek Online MBA Journal writer, from audience members and from BusinessWeek Online's Brian Hindo during a live chat on July 31, 2002. Here are edited excerpts:

Q: Do you foresee a big increase in applicants this year from last year? If so, what's a good strategy for standing out in the pool of thousands applications?
Min: It is too early to predict how big an increase we'll have for this year. We'll have a better idea as we go on the recruiting trips this fall. There are many ways to stand out. The main strategy, I would say, is to be yourself. In addition, be prepared -- do your research ahead of time.

We, the admissions committee, can identify students who have prepared their applications well in advance and are thoughtful about their goals. Be specific about: Why Stern? Let us know why you're a good fit for us and why we're a good fit for you.

Q: Would a good post-graduate grade point average be helpful in getting into a good B-school, if the undergraduate GPA isn't that great?
Min: Because our application evaluation process is holistic, we look at the entire academic profile, which will include all work -- undergraduate, postgraduate, and even noncredit courses. We look at standardized test scores, too -- the GMAT as well as the TOEFL, if applicable.

Q: Will, why did you choose Stern?
Rockett: I was interested in going to school part time in New York and in keeping my current job, so that narrows it down a bit. The reputation and resources of Stern put it ahead of other options. Also, there's a beer blast every Thursday.

Q: I understand that admissions officers look for variety in applicants' job experiences. How are those with one job since college viewed? Are they considered narrow, or loyal? How much does that play into the overall application?
Min: We look at job progression, and not necessarily whether you stayed in one place. We look at the level of responsibility, and how much you have contributed to the organization. Work experience is one part of the application, which also will include recommendation letters, essays, etc. There's no formula for how job experience plays into the overall application.

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Q: Julia, I've visited some B-schools this month in the USA, and many of them offer some kind of structure for students' family or spouses. What does Stern offer for a foreign-student family?
Min: We offer support for international students in various ways. NYU has a fantastic Office of International Students and Scholars. At Stern, we have International Student Groups, which offer student-to-student support in all areas -- academic, social, and cultural. We have consistently had more than 30% international-student representation, so we are well-equipped to assist with many issues.

Q: Is the part-time program good for career changers?
Min: Stern considers the Langone part-time MBA program to be for career enhancement. Because the curriculum doesn't include the summer internship, which is critical for most career changes, we recommend the full-time program if you're considering a career change.

Rockett: I'd agree that the summer internship is important for career changes, really seeing what it is this new industry is all about. I will say that you learn a lot from your classmates both in the full time and part-time programs. From a part-time perspective, business school is what you put into it. There's not a lot of [extra] time, as you constantly balance everything. That could interfere with your commitment to a new field. But if you have the energy you can still do it.

Q: Any advice for older applicants? What was the average age of the class of 2004?
Min: The average age for the class that came in last fall was around 27 or 28. Our advice to applicants would be to highlight how an MBA will help them get to that next position. We are looking for a certain level of work experience, and room for continued growth.

Q: Will, how diverse is the student body in the part-time program and what are the most common traits you have been able to identify in the student pool?
Rockett: Well, New York is a pretty diverse place. There are lots of people in a variety of fields. I was impressed with the diversity, and also with how many different types of jobs people had or have. I thought the class would be a lot more financial-based, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

Min: Stern also attracts people outside of the tristate area, as you can complete your MBA by going to classes on Saturdays and majoring in finance. So we see people coming from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston. In addition, we see people coming from all industries, including nontraditional fields like entertainment, nonprofit, and government, which enhances your classroom experience.

Q: I've been unemployed for few a months. There aren't many jobs in my field. Will this have a negative impact on my application?
Min: We would like to see that you have kept yourself busy doing meaningful things. We have seen some applicants do project consulting or other part-time projects. And if you have any updates -- for example, a new job -- keep the admissions committee informed. Also, make a good self-assessment as to whether business school is the right choice for you at this time.

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Q: Is the class of 2004 filled? If not, is there going to be any movement on the waitlist any time soon? If any?
Min: We are still in the process of filling both the full- and the part-time class. We will continue to review waitlisted candidates throughout August.

Q: Can you tell us about Stern's strategy to remain tops in the business school arena?
Min: We pride ourselves on being a leader in innovation, and we look to always improve our process and our curriculum to meet the needs and demands of the business world -- not only with faculty research, but also in how we interact with alumni, students, and business leaders. For instance, we've continued to establish partnerships with New York City.

For example, our first-year MBA students will analyze a case on the Metropolitan Opera, and take a backstage tour and see how the Met really works. This is just one example of our real-world approach to teaching.


Q: Will, how hard has it been managing a heavy course load with a full-time career? How do you find time for your social life?
Rockett: It has been ... tiring. The first couple of semesters were tough, but then you just get used to it -- no sleep becomes normal. Social life? Well, I have some great friends who take me out for beers all the time to help me keep a level head.

Q: What would your advice be for someone with a less than average GMAT score -- re-take the test or focus on other application materials, like essays?
Min: Again, our evaluation is holistic, and the GMAT is just one component of your application. However, the GMAT is an area where you can improve -- unlike your undergraduate GPA. We have seen many applicants retake their GMATs and improve their scores. While it's important to put your best foot forward, my suggestion is to not overemphasize one area, but to create a strong profile in all areas, including essays.

Q: How does admissions look at dual GMAT scores? I've heard that some schools use the better verbal and quantitative scores from each attempt.
Min: Stern will consider the highest GMAT score.

Q: What is the minimum number of years of work experience recommended for applying to NYU? I just graduated this May and am employed by a consulting firm. I would love to jump into B-school ASAP.
MIN: Stern's range is 2 to 10 years with the average being about 4.7. Because teamwork is so important in the classroom, we find that students who have had some work experience are able to contribute more effectively and are able to take away more as well. It's in your interest to establish more of a [work] record.

Q: Is it easier to get in to the part time program?
Min: The admissions committee for the full-time and the part-time programs is the same. Thus, we use the same criteria to evaluate candidates. We publish profiles of admitted students on our Web site, so that candidates can see the ranges of successful candidates.

Q: Can part-time students transfer into the full-time program? Min: Because the programs are so different, students aren't able to transfer from one program into another. So we recommend that candidates really research which program they would like to pursue before they apply, taking into account such issues as career enhancement vs. career changing.

Q: I have heard that Stern is only a finance school. What can you offer to a candidate with a nonfinance background?
Min: Stern is very strong in finance. However, we excel in all other areas, including management, operations, and marketing, to name a few. We also offer a diversified portfolio, so that you can contribute in any business. In addition to our core majors, we offer a variety of other initiatives. Students can take courses at the NYU law school, and at the entertainment, media, and technology cooperative, where we collaborate with the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Q: Will, do you find that part-time students interact with each other as much as full timers do, in terms of networking, etc?
Rockett: As a part-time student, you get out of the program what you put in. It's a lot easier as a full timer to be a part of student groups. All of these resources are available to part timers, but you don't usually have a lot of time outside of class. I have met some cool people, both full time and part time, but I credit that to my efforts -- not to circumstance.

Q: What advantages does NYU offer its students over Columbia? Min: Both programs offer a top-notch MBA education. I will speak to the strengths of the Stern MBA, as I'm more familiar with it. As I mentioned, NYU is located in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village -- thus, we are a subway ride to Wall Street, as well as to Midtown and the hub of business. We are establishing closer ties to New York City and its business leaders. We have, for our first-year students, lunch with a business leader. This year we have Harvey Golub, the former CEO and chairman of American Express.

Our students also have opportunities to interact with other business leaders, whether it's through our CEO series or through our student group-sponsored events. But in my opinion, our best asset is the people at Stern -- and by that I mean students, alumni, faculty, and administrators who give back so much to Stern and create a community that fosters collaboration and cooperation. I am amazed every day at the support I receive from these folks, who are so genuinely excited and enthused about Stern.

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Rockett: I attended a CEO series with Jack Welch and it was a great experience... . Also, the 1/9 train to 116th Street (i.e., to Columbia) will kill you at 6 p.m.

Q: What stands out as a really good admissions essay?
Min: One that speaks to who you really are. We are interested in getting to know the person who is writing that essay. We have a creative essay where we ask our candidates to describe themselves to their fellow classmates.

Q: Julia, what advice do you have for applicants who were waitlisted this year and asked to apply next year? Is your admissions team available to these students for feedback on how to make their applications stronger?
Min: We encourage people to reapply. However, we would like to see in your application some updates or improvements. One piece of advice: Don't use the same essays!

Because the application evaluation is holistic, we aren't able to give specific feedback. In addition, it's a comparative evaluation, so the criteria may change year to year. However, we do have daily information sessions Monday through Thursday at 4:30, where you will be able to interact with someone from our office.

Q: Do you anticipate admissions being tougher for the 2005 class because of the present economy?
Min: It's difficult to see what the economy will be like in December, when our first deadline approaches.

Q: Could Will or Julia expound on what distinguishes Stern's culture from that of other B-schools?
Min: At Stern, our full-time students are placed in blocks of around 60 to 65 students, which fosters teamwork and collaboration. Students really get to know each other in the blocks as they take their first-year core together. Many students describe it as their "immediate family," and many of our alums have kept in touch with their blockmates for years. Our students take an active part in helping us be innovative and to build our community on campus and beyond. They like each other and enjoy learning from each other. Will can speak about the part-time students' culture.

Rockett: We have something similar -- core groups -- in the part-time program. You wind up taking the same core classes together and it makes a difference having lots more familiar faces in your classes. It's easier to work with people you know and have had success with in past group projects. It's tough to have a community in a place that you go to six to eight hours a week. So the core program helps.

Q: Do either Will or Julia have anything to add before we go? Min: Yes. To close, I would like to thank everyone for taking part. This is a perfect time to start thinking about your application for next fall. I invite you to come and see for yourself what differentiates Stern. Starting in October, we will offer class visits, where you can attend classes taught by our top faculty and see for yourself how dynamic the curriculum and the students are. We will also be hosting admission presentations around the U.S. and the world, and we look forward to meeting many of you. Good luck!

Rockett: If anyone has any questions on full time vs. part time or Stern part-time waitlist tips, email me at condebeau@hotmail.com. Have a fun summer!

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NYU Off-site Interview @ Shanghai
地点在以前实习的地方，本以为很好找，结果去了发现通知上的meeting room名字写的不准确，一通好找...
-start with my interest in Music
-describe what you do at your current job
-what's your supervisor's/client's most impressive comments on you?
-why career switch?
-why specific direction in your career switch?
-job hunting strategy? alternatives?
-how friends describe
-a difficult situation in your job?
-school selection criteria?
风格是adcom面试里比较意识流的，很随性，同时n多细节让你感觉到学校对申请人的重视和关照。总体来说和预期的差不多，看过accepted的interview database里所有的问题基本上就不会有什么意外。
剩下就是等待了，命运会指向何方呢？...

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NYU 面经
今天上午去威斯汀大酒店面的，号称meeting room 2，问了大堂的服务员，1说不太清楚，让俺上二楼看看，但其实要三楼一个商务中心，门口两个服务生mm，面官mm在右边的一个小房间里。面试时间貌似比较短，俺才面了20分钟就结束了。一进去，面官mm就送了一件tshirt，然后开始寒暄面试。
问题也超typical的。
先挑了俺resume的一个细节问。
career progress；why mba；why school。
说一个你职业中最difficult的事情。
your leadership style in a team.
又问了一次why school
毕业后如何实现你的short term goal。
就这些了，俺觉得面官mm很pp，而且人也很nice啊。

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NYU Stern Part-time面经
以为part-time是不用面试的，因此申请完了一直高枕无忧的东游西荡，差点还打算回国呢。
接到面试邀请以后才开始着慌，狂背，感谢yaoyao99回我的贴。Stern的online reservation只有一个是大约五天后，还有两个spot都是感恩节之后。我想好好过个节，就冲动的挑了最近的。
那天有点冷，我知道附近有个Starbuck's，就提早去了想在那里准备。哪知道里面狂多的人。就过两条街，去了一家中/日/墨混合的餐厅。想耗两个小时，结果午餐吃完就被人家清出来了，只好又晃到Starbuck's。 坐在那里数排队的MM脚上的UGG。
面试我的是一个PPMM，她说刚从中国面试回来，是admission的assistant director。她人美心也好，问的问题大都不难。
第一个问题：Tell me something about yourself。
从落草开始，一直回顾到现在的工作。
第二个问题：Tell me something about your current work。
可能刚才不够详细，具体讲了自己的工作，也顺势提到了为什么MBA，why Stern的原因。后来才意识讲的太多了，把之后要讲的话都讲完了。
第三个问题：可能是因为我提到了被Stern吸引的原因之一是他们的campus recruiting，她开始向我介绍part time的career resource，并指出和full time学生是不一样的。其实我早就知道了，但还是非常专著的听。
第四个问题：besides academic，what do you want to get from Stern?
从这里开始，我开始得咽喉炎。因为之前大讲了一通我为什么这么倾心Stern，我不想重复，但又想不出其他什么好话，最后还是结结巴巴地又把先前讲过的重复了一遍。
第五个问题：because you want to make a career change， what skills do you think you can bring to your new career?
这个问题真不难。可是我彻底昏了，喃喃自语了半天，MM也给我搞得迷惑不解。其实什么analytic skills， time management， team work， 这些着三不着四的不都是可以transfer的么?
第六个问题：你的理想职业是什么?
我如释重负，居然脱口而出，这个问题我准备过乐!
第七个问题：你还有什么问题?
我问了一个无关痛痒的小问题，是关于学校的一个新闻，学校的网站上绝对找不到答案的。
又因为MM自己也在上part time， 我问了问她的experience。 随便聊了聊。
送我出去的时候，MM问我接下来准备干吗。我说，去看变形金刚！MM说，听起来不错。
经验：我准备的时候太剑走偏锋，看了一堆莫名其妙的问题，什么你最喜欢的leader，你的role model，你最近看的书。如果时间紧，还是应该着重准备那些基本的问题。如果你是career change，一定要好好准备这方面的问题。其实我看到前人的面经的，就是没怎么在意。

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NYU, Stern interview (late report)
General suggestions for future interviewees:
1. really know your story (by reviewing essays, all lists of activities)
2. do your homework;3.show your enthusiasm and fit.
Questions being asked (w / an admission officer, nice and smile all the time, the whole process about 30 min, pretty conversational):
1. why do you want to be XXX?
2. how would you present yourself to the future recruiters?
3. Tell me more about XXX (in my essays)?
4. What clubs do u want to join while in Stern?
5. What you want to get out the most from our school?
6. Where do you want work after graduation?
7. (Hardest) Since you attended so many activities, what surprised you the most? (I attended some on-campus events and met some admission staff. I did not meet the one who interviewed me, but apparently they kept a record.)
8. Picture yourself in 20 years as an alumnus/alumna of Stern. If you were at a reunion function, what would you say to your Stern students?