NYU Stern School of Business, nestled in the vibrant heart of New York City, is renowned for its rigorous academic environment, innovative curriculum and global perspective. Stern defines itself as a driver of change and transformation, so the program is looking for candidates who envision, embrace, orchestrate and drive change in business and in the world.

Earning a place in Stern’s full-time MBA program among such go-getters is a significant achievement The interview process is a crucial step in this journey. Stern Admissions values the combination of IQ plus EQ — the emotional quotient of interpersonal skills that are key to success. Your challenge is to demonstrate your EQ in the interview. 

As a Senior Admissions Coach at Fortuna Admissions for the past 12 years, as well as a former Assistant Director at INSEAD, I have helped many applicants land a coveted spot in NYU Stern’s MBA class. Here I share a few essentials about the NYU Stern MBA interview, culled from my experience and that of my Fortuna Admissions colleagues.

What to Expect

Now that you understand the importance of the NYU Stern MBA interview, let’s explore what you can expect during the process itself.

Interview Format

The NYU Stern interview is by invitation only and is conducted by Stern’s trained admissions professionals (this could be an admissions committee member or an alum). They will have read your entire application.

Typically lasting 30–45 minutes, the interview is known to be a friendly and conversational experience designed to assess both your fit for the program and your interpersonal skills. NYU Stern MBA interview questions are based on your application; be prepared to further develop points you’ve made in your materials. Interviews can be conducted either in-person or virtually. 

Interview Setting

If your interview is conducted in person, it might be held at Stern’s campus in Greenwich Village, offering a glimpse into the vibrant atmosphere you could be part of. Virtual interviews, while more convenient, require you to ensure a professional and distraction-free environment on your end and to make sure you’ve mastered glitch-free technical connections.

NYU Stern Interview Questions

Expect a mix of traditional and behavioral questions. Traditional questions will explore your career goals, reasons for pursuing an MBA and why you chose Stern. Behavioral questions will delve into your past experiences to gauge your leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Be ready for questions like:

• “Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership.”
• “Why do you think Stern is the right place for you?”
• “How will you contribute to the Stern community?”

As noted above, Stern stands out for explicitly evaluating candidates’ emotional intelligence when assessing leadership potential. 

Demonstrating Your EQ

Stern is proud of its reputation for developing students who are not only smart but also have outstanding interpersonal strengths and teamwork skills. They look beyond grades and test scores to assess your emotional quotient. Interviewers will be looking for evidence of your self-awareness, empathy, and openness to other ideas, people and cultures.

To showcase these traits, make sure that your response to behavioral questions focuses on how you managed relationships. When asked how you responded to challenges or showed leadership, discuss how you sought feedback, incorporated multiple viewpoints, collaborated across units or supported others on the project.  Because Stern is interested in impact, come prepared with examples that show how you’ve combined your IQ and EQ to make a positive difference.

It goes without saying that you need to display your EQ in your interactions with the interviewer as well. Be sure to listen and reflect on what the interviewer says and asks — don’t just rush to respond. The best interviews are two-way conversations with a genuine exchange of information and views.

Stern NYU interview questions tend to fall under these 7 categories:

• Background
• Why an MBA and why Stern?
• Personal goals
• Personal strengths and weaknesses
• Leadership and teamwork abilities
• Anything else you wish to add
• Questions for the interviewer

Expect the interview questions to touch on each of these areas. Interviewers will probe how you align with Stern’s values and how you plan to leverage your MBA to achieve your goals.

7 Tips on How to Prepare for the NYU Stern Interview

Now that you have a sense of what to expect, let’s dive into seven essential interview tips that will help you excel in your NYU Stern MBA interview:

1. Know Your Story: Start with introspection. Reflect on your career path, significant achievements and pivotal moments that have shaped your professional and personal life. Develop a coherent narrative that ties your past experiences with your future aspirations and how an MBA from Stern fits into this journey.
2. Research Stern: By this point, you have already done a deep dive into Stern’s MBA program, but take time to refresh that knowledge. Understand the curriculum, specializations, clubs and extracurricular opportunities. Review the conversations you’ve had (or plan to have) with students to learn more about the program. Identify specific aspects of the program that resonate with your goals. Be prepared to discuss why Stern stands out to you compared to other top business schools.
3. Practice Behavioral Questions: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioral questions. Practice with a friend or mentor, focusing on clarity, brevity and impact. Highlight examples that demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
4. Prepare Questions: An interview is a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions demonstrating genuine interest in the program and eagerness to engage with the Stern community. Ask about specific initiatives, faculty members or recent developments at the school. If your interview is with an alum, be sure to ask them about their experience and career impact.
5. Mock Interviews: There is no better way to prepare than to practice — out loud. Conduct mock interviews with friends, mentors or admissions coaches. Simulate both in-person and virtual settings to get comfortable with the format and receive constructive feedback on your performance.
6. Professionalism and Etiquette: Dress professionally, even for virtual interviews. Ensure your environment is quiet and free from interruptions. Test your technology beforehand to avoid technical glitches, and make sure the space behind your camera is clear and uncluttered. Pay attention to your posture and other nonverbal cues, such as maintaining eye contact, hand gestures and energy. I know we all do it but avoid watching the thumbnail of yourself onscreen (you can turn it off) and keep your eyes on your interviewer!
7. Reflect and Relax: On the day before the interview, take time to relax and reflect on your preparation. Get a good night’s sleep and approach the interview with confidence and composure.

The NYU Stern MBA interview is your opportunity to showcase your unique strengths and how they align with Stern’s values and culture. With thorough preparation, a deep understanding of your personal narrative and a genuine enthusiasm for Stern, you can navigate this critical step with confidence and poise. Remember, the interview is not just an evaluation of your candidacy but also a chance for you to assess if Stern is the perfect fit for your aspirations. Good luck!

Want More Advice?

Practice is critical, and professional feedback makes your practice pay off. Fortuna coaches have insider insights on what interviewers ask and what business schools are looking for, so we excel at interview prep.

You can book MBA interview prep with us and we’ll walk you through a mock interview tailored to your target school or schools. Or book a broader package and we’ll help you make sure your interview aligns with every element of your application. Book a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about how we can tailor services to your needs.!

Melissa Jones is an expert coach at Fortuna Admissions and former assistant director of the INSEAD MBA program. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.