NYU Stern MBA Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025–2026

The "Change" essay is Stern's opportunity to see how you think and what you value beyond credentials on a resume. Stern seeks students who embody IQ plus EQ and who understand that business can create positive impact on society, not just profit. Your word choice matters enormously here. Rather than picking an obvious verb like "drive," think about a word that connects to a specific philosophy or personality trait that defines how you actually approach challenges. For instance, if you pick "architect," you signal that you thoughtfully design systems and build sustainable solutions. If you choose "spark," you convey catalytic energy that ignites change in others. The best responses reflect genuine self-awareness and show an honest version of who you are, not who you think Stern wants you to be.

When you explain why your word resonates, ground it in a real example from your life or career. Show us a moment when you embodied this approach to change. Did you "accelerate" a project by eliminating bureaucratic roadblocks? Did you "amplify" underrepresented voices in a meeting where tough decisions were being made? The admissions committee wants to see the thinking process behind your choice, not just the declaration. Connect your word to a value you hold; for example, if your word is "empower," explain how you believe change succeeds only when people at all levels feel agency in the process. This reveals emotional intelligence and forward-thinking leadership, both central to Stern's identity.

In your final part, address how you will embrace this tagline at Stern specifically. Don't just repeat that you'll "drive" or "dare" in the classroom or on projects. Instead, describe how your philosophy will shape how you engage with the Stern community and the programs available to you. Stern is known for its urban advantage in New York City and its focus on collaborative problem-solving. Will you use your approach to change to lead a case competition, contribute to student clubs, or engage with Stern's Change Studio initiative? Show that you've thought about the ecosystem you're joining and that your word isn't just about individual ambition but about the impact you'll have on your peers and the broader Stern mission to create value for business and society.

At 150 words, you don't have room for storytelling or hedging. The admissions committee wants surgical precision: a clear statement of your post-MBA role, industry, target firms or organization types, and a few key skills you plan to develop. For example, instead of saying "I want to work in tech," say "I aim to join a Series B fintech company as a product manager, focusing on customer acquisition and growth strategy." Specificity signals you've done your homework and are ready to recruit immediately after graduation.

What makes this essay stand out is showing how your background logically leads to this goal, and then how Stern specifically enables it. If you're transitioning from finance to consulting, briefly touch on what draws you to the new field. Then mention one or two Stern resources that matter for your path, whether that's alumni networks in your target industry, specific courses, or recruiting relationships. Stern wants students with intentional goals who will land jobs and become ambassadors for the program.

Balance ambition with realism. Your goal should be achievable given your current experience and what an MBA can reasonably accelerate, not a fantasy leap. Admissions officers recognize whether candidates are grounded in their self-assessment and ready to execute on day one of recruiting. End by letting your passion come through, but keep the tone direct and professional; this is a mission statement, not a personal narrative.

The Pick Six is fundamentally different from traditional MBA essays because it invites you to reveal who you are as a whole person, not just what you have accomplished. Stern's core philosophy of IQ plus EQ means they are evaluating not only your intellectual capabilities but also your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal strengths. This essay is your chance to show the human behind the resume. Rather than focusing on professional credentials, which appear elsewhere in your application, think of this as an opportunity to help admissions officers and your future classmates understand what motivates you, what experiences have shaped you, and what makes you genuinely unique. The balance matters; if all six images are purely professional, you miss the chance to show your humanity. If they are all personal, the committee may question your readiness for a rigorous MBA program. You want to demonstrate multidimensionality; each image should represent a distinct facet of your identity, whether that is your role as a leader, your cultural background, your personal passions, your values, or moments that have tested and transformed you.

Be intentional about which images you select and avoid the common trap of generic or polished shots that could describe almost anyone. Admissions officers explicitly discourage including images of awards, diplomas, famous landmarks, or group photos where you are unclear, unless these genuinely reveal something meaningful about your character or values. Instead, think about moments, activities, and experiences that are authentically yours. If you love to cook, that image from your kitchen matters more than a stock photo of food. If travel has shaped your worldview and openness to diverse perspectives, select a photograph from a moment when you learned something important, not simply proof that you visited a place. The captions are where the real power lies; each one-sentence caption should explain why that specific image matters to you and what it reveals about your values or motivations. The admissions team will assess whether your caption helps them understand you better or whether it merely describes what is visible on the surface. Stern's associate dean of admissions has noted that this essay mimics how you might introduce yourself on social media, but with one critical difference: you are curating for depth and self-awareness, not external validation. This means your images should show authenticity rather than attempting to project an image of prestige or perfection. The admissions committee wants to see the real version of you, flaws, quirks, and all.

When you develop your overall narrative, consider whether your six images tell a connected story or whether they reveal six different dimensions of your character. Both approaches work, as long as there is intentionality behind each choice. Your introduction (no more than three sentences) should frame what viewers are about to see; for example, you might note that you are showcasing different identities you hold, or explaining a central theme that ties the images together. However, keep this introduction brief and let the images do most of the talking. After you have selected your six images, test them by sharing them with someone who knows you well and asking what the images communicate about you before you share your captions. If their read aligns with your intention, you are likely on the right track. If not, consider whether a caption adjustment will clarify, or whether you need to swap the image. Remember that quality of curation matters far more than visual polish; Stern is not evaluating your graphic design skills. Finally, ensure that each image adds something that your other application materials do not already convey. If you have written extensively about your community service work, perhaps one image touches on that but the other five reveal dimensions of yourself that remain unexplored in your essays, resume, or recommendations. This is how you maximize the Pick Six's unique power to bring your full self into focus.

NYU Stern's optional essay is truly optional, but only if there is genuinely nothing to explain or contextualize in your application. This is not the place to manufacture content just to fill space or to squeeze in an extra story about your leadership skills; if your transcript is strong, your test scores are solid, and your work experience speaks for itself, then stepping back and submitting a clean application without this essay is the right call. However, if there are gaps, inconsistencies, or areas of concern that admissions officers might naturally wonder about, you should absolutely use this 500-word space to address them head-on. The Stern admissions committee explicitly invites you to shed light on hardships faced, employment gaps, weak academic performance, standardized test concerns, or any other life circumstances that affected your candidacy. This honesty is expected and valued.

When you do choose to use this essay, maintain a tone that is direct, measured, and forward-looking rather than defensive or apologetic. For example, if you earned a C in calculus as an underclassman, briefly explain the context: Were you juggling an illness, family responsibilities, or an adjustment period as you found your footing in a rigorous program? Then pivot immediately to what you did to address the weakness. Did you retake a quantitative course and earn an A? Did you seek tutoring or build quant skills through your work? Stern's culture emphasizes emotional intelligence and self-awareness, so the admissions committee wants to see that you recognize the issue, took constructive action, and have grown as a result. Do not dwell on the problem; instead, demonstrate resilience, ownership, and concrete steps taken to strengthen your profile.

If you are a reapplicant, this essay becomes far more critical. Use it to show meaningful progress since your previous application. Highlight improvements in test scores, new leadership roles or promotions you have secured, clarity gained in your career direction, or deeper engagement with the Stern community (for example, attending alumni events or connecting with students). This essay signals to the admissions committee that you took their feedback seriously, evolved your candidacy, and are now a significantly stronger fit. Avoid simply tweaking old essays or making cosmetic changes; instead, present substantive, verifiable evidence of advancement. A reapplicant who demonstrates concrete improvement is viewed much more favorably than one who appears to submit the same package twice.

Finally, keep your language precise and avoid repetition of content that appears elsewhere in your application materials. If you have already addressed an issue in your recommender letters or resume narrative, there is no need to rehash it here. Use the 500 words strategically to fill true gaps in the admissions committee's understanding of your profile. Stern values conciseness and clarity; a tightly written, well-focused optional essay that removes doubt about a specific concern is far more powerful than a rambling one that tries to do too much. If you submit this essay, every word should earn its place.