The NYU Stern MBA application includes a question about your career goals, and  two required essays – one exploring what kind of change agent you are, and the “Pick Six” question, asking for visuals that tell your story.

These essays are designed to go beyond your resume. Stern isn’t just assessing what you’ve achieved – they want to understand how you think, what drives you, and how you’ll contribute to the energy and ethos of their community. 

Stern values bold thinkers who embrace change, lead with purpose, and bring a human-centered mindset to business. As you approach each component of the application, reflect on the core story you want to tell and how you’ll shape the Stern community as much as you’ll grow from it.

How To Answer Stern’s Short Answer Question on Career Goals?

Prompt: What are your short-term career goals? (150 words max)

With just 150 words, this is not the place for storytelling – it’s a space for precision and clarity. The Stern admissions committee wants to see that you have a well-researched, realistic plan that builds on your past experience and aligns with what Stern can help you achieve. In other words, your short-term goal should be specific, feasible, and MBA-recruiting-ready.

Aim to clearly articulate the industry, function, and geography you’re targeting, and, if possible, name a few firms or types of organizations where you aspire to work post-MBA. You might also include a skill or two that you intend to hone in this next role. While ambition is important, feasibility is key: Stern wants to admit candidates who are prepared to hit the ground running when recruiting begins, and who have a good shot at securing interviews with their target firms.

To strengthen your response, review Stern’s MBA employment reports and talk to current students or alumni. Understanding typical outcomes for Stern grads will help you craft a goal that feels both authentic and informed.

Key Takeaways:

• Be Specific & Feasible: Clearly state the function, industry, and geography you’re targeting – ideally with a few target companies – and ensure your goals build logically on your past experience.
• Show MBA Readiness: Demonstrate that you’re prepared for the intense MBA recruiting process, with a goal that is realistic and aligned with post-Stern outcomes.
• Do Your Research: Ground your answer in real-world knowledge by reviewing Stern’s employment data and speaking with current students or alumni to understand what’s possible.

How To Answer Sterns’ Essay 1 About Change? 

Prompt: Change: _________ it. (350 word max)

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.  Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern?

Stern change essay examples include words like these:

Change: Dare it.

Change: Dream it.

Change: Drive it.

Change: Empower it.

Change: Manifest it.

Change: [Any word of your choice.]

This NYU Stern essay is where your savvy understanding of context counts. Stern’s brand is built on the theme of change, showcasing the school’s curriculum and its ethos around adaptability, transformation, and changing the world. The school’s bold call to action – “Change: Are you ready to embrace it?” – reflects a deep commitment to developing forward-thinking leaders who thrive in times of uncertainty and opportunity.

This unique prompt asks you to distill your relationship with change into a single word – then bring that word to life through a personal lens. It’s part reflection, part branding exercise, and part call to action. Your chosen word should not only capture how you think about change, but also reflect your values, leadership style, and vision for your time at Stern.

Start by reflecting on moments in your life when you’ve responded meaningfully to change. Did you lead a turnaround project at work? Launch a new initiative in response to a shifting market? Pivot your path after a setback? Choose an example that showcases your mindset, not just your actions – and one where you played a central role in driving or embracing transformation.

Once you’ve identified your story, look for the underlying theme. Are you someone who thrives in ambiguity and takes bold initiative? Do you empower others to grow through change? Do you build systems or solutions that create positive disruption? Let your insight guide the word you choose.

The second part of the essay asks how you’ll live this mindset at Stern. Here’s your chance to connect your personal brand to the Stern MBA experience. Whether through leadership in clubs, academic focus areas, experiential learning projects, or community engagement, show how you plan to keep embodying your “change” word in business school – and beyond.

Above all, your answer should be personal, distinctive, and action-oriented. This is your moment to show Stern who you are and how you lead in a world of constant transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the Context: Stern’s brand centers on transformation — show you understand and align with this ethos by choosing a word that reflects your authentic approach to change.
• Make It Personal and Specific: Your chosen word should be backed by a compelling story that illustrates your values, mindset, and leadership style in the face of change.
• Bridge to Stern: Demonstrate how you’ll live out your personal “tagline” at Stern through academics, clubs, or community engagement – and how it prepares you to lead change in the future.

How To Answer Stern’s “Pick Six” Essay? 

Prompt: 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.

Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.

The “Pick Six” is classic Stern – creative, personal, and completely unique among MBA applications. If Essay 1 gives the admissions committee insight into what you do, this prompt reveals who you are. It’s an invitation to show your personality, values, quirks, and motivations in a multidimensional way, beyond your resume and transcripts.

You’ll submit a single PDF with six images, each accompanied by a one-sentence caption, along with a short (max 3-sentence) intro. Photos, infographics, artwork, or even symbolic imagery are all fair game. The key isn’t visual polish – it’s intentionality. Every image should say something meaningful about what makes you you and how you’ll show up at Stern.

Start with the big picture. What’s the story you want these six images to tell? Are you highlighting a range of roles you play – team leader, traveler, sibling, salsa dancer, mentor? Or is there a unifying thread, like curiosity, resilience, or service? A cohesive narrative or tone will help your submission feel personal and purposeful, not random or performative.

When selecting images, balance is key. Include a mix that captures your personal passions, life experiences, and outlook. Be cautious about overly curated or generic visuals – group photos where you’re hard to spot, prestige-only shots (unless they reveal something deeper), or pictures that require too much explanation. If you’re not sure an image tells a story at a glance, it probably doesn’t belong.

Your captions matter just as much as the images. Use them to add context, humor, reflection, or emotional resonance. They don’t need to be poetic – just sincere. For example, instead of “My first marathon,” try “This race reminded me that I can do hard things – one mile (and one playlist) at a time.”

Stern is looking for emotionally intelligent candidates who will contribute to a vibrant, collaborative community. The Pick Six is your chance to make a memorable impression – not through flash, but through honesty, creativity, and heart. Think of it as your visual introduction to your future classmates. What do you most want them to know?

Key Takeaways:

• Be Thoughtful, Not Flashy: Content and self-awareness matter more than visual design. Choose images that are meaningful, not just polished.
• Show Range: Let your visuals capture different dimensions of who you are – personal passions, cultural identity, defining moments, future aspirations.
• Use Captions Wisely: Each one-sentence caption should give the reader insight into your motivations, personality, or values – and ideally spark connection or curiosity.

How To Answer Stern’s Optional Essay 3, “Additional Information”?

Prompt: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include 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. (500 words max)

This optional essay is your chance to provide context for any part of your application that might raise questions – such as a gap in employment, a low GPA, a below-average test score, or an unusual recommender choice. It’s not a space to restate your accomplishments or add another leadership anecdote.

If there’s something that needs explaining, it’s better to address it proactively than to leave the committee guessing. Offer straightforward explanations and not excuses. The key is to be honest, brief, and constructive.

For example:

• Academic performance: If your transcript includes a weak semester or a low grade in a key subject, briefly explain the circumstances and point to evidence that you’re academically prepared – such as strong quant scores, recent coursework, or analytically rigorous work experience.
• Employment gaps: Clarify what you were doing during the gap – whether pursuing a passion project, traveling, or job searching. The committee isn’t looking for perfection, but they are looking for accountability and self-awareness.
• Unconventional recommenders: If you didn’t ask a direct supervisor, explain why and describe how your recommender knows your work well.

That said, if you don’t have any concerns to explain, you do not need to complete this section. Adding content that doesn’t serve a clear purpose can dilute the overall strength of your application.

Final Thoughts

NYU Stern’s application isn’t just about evaluating your accomplishments – it’s about uncovering whether you have the qualities of a true “Sternie.” That means showing up with self-awareness, drive, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to embrace change. Whether you’re outlining your career goals, reflecting on how you’ve driven change, or curating your story for “Pick Six”, every piece of the application is a chance to express who you are and how you’ll contribute to the Stern community. Be thoughtful. Be bold. And most of all, be yourself.

Let’s Get You Into Stern

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA admissions decision-makers from top schools. We know what it takes to stand out because we’ve made the admit decisions ourselves. Whether you need help refining your story, strengthening your essays, or navigating interviews, we’ve got you covered.

Our free consultations are consistently rated the best in the industry – and they’re a great way to get personalized advice and honest feedback on your profile. Book your free session with us today.