Q and A with Isser Gallogly, Executive Director of MBA Admissions at NYU SternIsser Gallogly, the Executive Director of MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business, recently took time to graciously answer several questions regarding the NYU Stern admissions process. If you are getting ready to apply to Stern or any other business school, you do not want to miss out on his excellent advice!
Can you provide a general overview of your admissions process?
At NYU Stern School of Business, our MBA admissions process is holistic and individualistic. Our Admissions Committee is focused on three key areas: 1) academic ability 2) professional potential and 3) personal characteristics, as well as "fit" with NYU Stern. Throughout the process we provide our applicants with continual communication and personalized attention. Ultimately, we want to ensure that each student who enrolls believes that Stern is the right fit for his or her personal and professional aspirations.
Is it better to apply early in the process?
At NYU Stern, we have rolling admissions (review applications as they are received), and provide three deadlines for the applicant's convenience: December 1, January 15 and March 15. We advise applicants to apply as early as they feel that they're ready. It's more important to take the time to prepare a competitive application than to rush for a deadline. We encourage applicants to apply by the December 1 deadline for priority consideration for merit-based scholarships and offsite interviews. Also, we encourage international applicants to apply by December 1 (although they are eligible for all three deadlines), allowing the maximum amount of time to manage the visa process and relocation to New York.
Who conducts your admissions interviews?
NYU Stern admissions interviews are by invitation only; about 30 percent of all applicants are invited to interview. Stern's interview process is unique: almost all of the interviews are conducted by trained Admissions Officers who are experts in assessing MBA talent. The interviews are not blind--our Officers thoroughly read each application prior to the interview, creating a more personalized exchange. Nearly all interviews take place on campus in Greenwich Village so applicants have the opportunity to visit a class and have lunch with a current student. Because fit is extremely important to us, we want applicants to have the opportunity to assess Stern firsthand as we consider them for our MBA program.
Do you have any interview tips for applicants?
Our Admissions Officers review each application in-depth prior to conducting an interview, and applicants are encouraged to review their submission to be prepared for a personalized dialogue about their goals. During the interview, we are looking for applicants to articulate a focused career plan, show their enthusiasm about Stern and demonstrate why Stern is the right fit for them.
How important is an applicant's GMAT score?
NYU Stern's admissions process is holistic, so we are evaluating every aspect of an applicant to assess potential for success. We look for three major criteria: 1) academic ability 2) professional potential and 3) personal characteristics, as well as "fit" with our program. The GMAT is just one component that we evaluate to assess academic potential.
In regards to undergraduate study, do you consider other factors besides performance? For example, does it matter where an applicant completed his/her undergraduate schooling?
We review an applicant's prior academic experience in its entirety. We look at the undergraduate or graduate institution, continuing education and certifications, and we assess the quality of the institutions, major, course selection and GPA, among other areas. We also keep in mind external factors that may have impacted academic performance, such as involvement in extra curricular activities, part-time work commitments or family circumstances, to cite a few.
What is your position on people who apply to your MBA program directly out of college?
Candidates are eligible to apply in their senior year of college, with enrollment to our MBA program contingent upon their graduating. On average, our MBA students have about 4.9 years of work experience upon matriculation to Stern. However, for example, our JD/MBA students often do not have work experience. Typically they start in the law school, and when they enter the MBA program, they have two years of graduate experience. For students pursuing careers in law, prior work experience is not as critical to employers as it is for other career tracks.
Does race, ethnicity, sex, and cultural background play much of a role in your admission decisions?
As I mentioned, the Stern admissions process is holistic, meaning we evaluate all aspects of a person's application. Ultimately, a diverse student body by all definitions provides a richer learning experience and network for the entire class. At Stern, we have a successful track record with respect to diversity--about a third of our full-time students are international, approximately 30 percent are minority, and we have 36 percent women, which is among the highest percentage among all top business schools. Additionally, we have strong alliances with the Forte Foundation, an organization that promotes women in business, as well as The Consortium for Graduate Study and Management Leadership for Tomorrow, whose aim is to increase representation of diversity in business.
What qualifies as a good letter of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation are one of the few components of an application that are submitted by an objective third party. They provide important insight into an applicant's professional abilities and characteristics. We ask for two letters of recommendation, ideally from professionals as opposed to professors, and one is required from a current, direct supervisor. It's important to find people who can provide true insight into your professional accomplishments and potential to be a future leader.
What is the most common mistake that applicants make?
An MBA is a decision you make once in a lifetime, and you want to get the most value you can from your MBA. Too often I see people apply to MBA programs who haven't done the proper preparation with respect to career ambitions, and finding a program that best fits who they are as a person.
How can an applicant stand out among their peers?
Many applicants think the Admissions Committee wants to hear what we write on our website, which is not what we are looking for. Ultimately, what makes candidates stand out is when they are self-aware, know what they want and speak from their heart in their application. Each person's story is unique and compelling, and each applicant should tell his or her story. When you read over 6,000 essays in an admissions season, the personalized stories are the ones that make you sit up in your chair.
Why does your school stand out among other business schools?
NYU Stern delivers an exceptional educational experience and a lifelong return-on-investment. We integrate New York City into the MBA experience through academics and co-curricular initiatives, leveraging the City as a classroom, a laboratory for learning and a career development hub. As important, our students regularly cite our supportive, collaborative student community as a benefit that lasts well beyond their two years at Stern.
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