Tag: IQ+EQ

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Navigating the Waitlist

Author: Tania Arciniega was a full-time MBA student (Class of 2025) at NYU Stern, where she was VP of Knowledge Management for the Entertainment Media and Sports Association, VP of Blocks for Stern Student Government, a Fellow of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and a Leadership Accelerator Scholar. With five years at Microsoft as a Product Marketing Manager, Tania has led global AI thought leadership and digital marketing campaigns, developed impactful brand strategies, and streamlined processes across various teams. Post-graduation she is going into Fintech, driven by her passion for innovation.

Tania Arciniega headshot

There has been an update to the status of your application. I read those words for far longer than I’d care to admit before finally working up the courage to log in and see what the update was. But let me take you back a little further before I get back to that.

When I was evaluating MBA programs, a mentor of mine told me to apply to programs that would be a good fit for me, not just the ones that looked good on paper. It just so happened that that piece of advice had me doubling back to Stern. A year before I started applying I talked to current students, got their opinions of the program and their favorite parts. After three of those conversations, I knew Stern was going to be my MBA program. I just needed to get in. 

I loved the focus on experiential learning, the various international opportunities, and of course the rankings didn’t hurt. Once I decided that Stern was my top choice, I worked tirelessly for a year prepping for the GMAT, getting my transcripts in order, brushing up my resume, lining up my recommenders so when Round 1 applications opened, I had everything ready to submit immediately. 

Months went by and despite receiving acceptance into other great MBA programs, I was still waiting to hear from the program I was most excited about. Then I finally got the email: There has been an update to the status of your application. I took a deep breath, and clicked the link taking me to my application portal. As I opened the update, my heart stopped: “Waitlist”. I was expecting to either be crushed or elated…not in a state of limbo. Then my brain reengaged and I said to myself, “The waitlist is not a no.” 

This was the moment I decided to treat the waitlist as an opportunity. Stern may not have been sure about me just yet, but I was. Now it was my time to prove it. The first thing I did was accept my spot on the waitlist and then I read through the document the Admissions team provided with tips for waitlisted applicants and I completed every item that I could. Stern gave me an opportunity to show them that I wanted this, and I took it. I wrote another essay, I took yet another exam, I got another recommendation.

You might be wondering, weren’t you exhausted? How did you have the time/energy to go through these items? The answer is yes, I was exhausted. I was working full time, and studying for the GMAT. Again. I felt guilty for asking yet another colleague for a recommendation. I attended one Stern admissions event a month after receiving my waitlist decision. It would have been so easy for me to do nothing and just wait and hope the Admissions Committee would review my application again and decide I was deserving of admission. But instead I thought, ”how many people on this waitlist are willing to do everything on that list to get in?” If the admissions committee gave me a list of recommendations to help my application, well then that just became my to do list. 

I saw the waitlist as a mental game, much like tennis. I grew up playing tennis and my coaches told me time and time again your mindset on the court determines the game. I approached the waitlist the same. Each person on the waitlist decides how much energy they want to put in. This was a game I did not want to lose because Stern was my top choice for my MBA. I wanted to prove my resilience, my commitment and my passion to attend Stern. 

Now that I’m graduating in May, you could say that my persistence paid off. I got off the waitlist! I showed up at admitted students weekend bright eyed, and enthusiastic. I made lifelong friends that weekend, who are also graduating from Stern with me this year. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t simply sit back and wait. I’m grateful to the admissions committee for seeing the effort and energy I put into my application and giving me a chance. But I will say, if things hadn’t gone my way, at least I would have been able to tell myself that I did everything I could to get in. 

Since attending Stern, I’ve talked to a lot of students who have been on the waitlist about my experience. I give them all the same advice I gave myself back then: although it may not be the news you want to hear, remember, the waitlist is not a no. 

The waitlist is an opportunity for you to see what you truly want. I went above and beyond for this program and I’m glad I did.

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MBA Recruiting With a Non-Traditional Background: My Playbook

Author: Doreen Wang is a former journalist turned product manager, currently completing her Full-Time MBA at NYU Stern. After years covering crypto and emerging markets, she used business school to pivot into tech. At Stern, she served as Co-President of the Social Impact and Sustainability Association (SISA), VP of Admissions for the Stern Technology Association (STA), and Graduate Fellow in the Experiential Learning Office. Outside the classroom, Doreen recently began a content creation journey, sharing MBA insights and career advice with a broader audience.

Doreen Wang's Headshot

What I Wish I Knew Before MBA Recruiting

✉️ Dear past me,
The best thing you ever did for yourself was quitting that job.

In three years, you’ll leave that newsroom, move across the country and back, and land a PM job at a big tech company that you love. Don’t believe me? Let me spoil it for you.

2020 — The Seed of Doubt 

You’ve just inherited a secondhand GMAT book from your parents’ friend—a McKinsey consultant-turned-entrepreneur. You try to study, but you never get past the first page.

The world is on pause, and for the first time, you can hear yourself think. You’re not unhappy—just quietly wondering: Is this it? No finance background, no five-year plan. Just a feeling you could be doing more.

2021 — The Plateau 

Crypto booms, and so do you. You’re working 12-hour days, publishing constantly, and getting name-dropped by your company president at happy hour.

You’re thriving—but stuck. You’ve skill-stacked yourself into being too valuable to promote.

“It’ll take four people to replace you,” they say. “We can’t lose you.” And they won’t—because you don’t even have time to study for the GMAT.

Doreen hosting CoinDesk’s new TV program
Doreen hosting CoinDesk’s new TV program

2022 — The Knowing 

Crypto winter arrived, and while chaos reigned in the headlines—FTX, Celsius, Terra crumbling—you finally had space to think.

You realized: I’m not stuck. I’ve just stopped choosing.

This was the year you applied to Stern. Not because you knew exactly what you wanted—but because you were ready to find out what more you could do.

Doreen in Plattsburgh, NY, reporting a story on bitcoin mining
Doreen in Plattsburgh, NY, reporting a story on bitcoin mining—in negative 20 degrees

2023 — The Leap 

You got in! You quit. You start over.

Doreen Wang at LAUNCH 2023
LAUNCH 2023

MBA LAUNCH came and went. Recruiting followed fast. The people you clicked with early on vanished into consulting and banking. You remembered your application essay—“I want to gain expertise in the industry I cover.” And that broad industry was tech.

But here’s the catch: you didn’t have an engineering background. Everyone else recruiting for PM roles did. You? You wrote stories. Made videos. Hosted interviews with crypto bros. What did you know about tech?

Doreen interviewing crypto founders, investors, and programmers
Doreen interviewing crypto founders, investors, and programmers—just another day on the beat

2024 — The Confirmation 

Somehow, you landed interviews at Adobe—four, actually. Cue the spiral: What do I say for ‘Tell me about yourself’? Do I admit I’m ‘just a journalist’?

By then, you’d already learned the power of framing through a core marketing class. 

No, you didn’t have a CS degree but you’d edited video content for a living, so you knew their products inside and out.

No, you didn’t code but you’d interviewed hundreds of people. You could talk to users.

No, you hadn’t built products but you knew how to get buy-in and communicate clearly.

No, you hadn’t written a PRD but you’d synthesized chaotic stories into 200-word hits for live TV.

You passed the interview. Then the harder part: the internship.

They flew you to the West Coast. Gave you real projects. Pushed you out of your comfort zone. Twelve weeks later, you realized something:

You loved the role. You were finally doing something that used every part of you and still stretched you.

Doreen representing her team at Adobe’s summer case competition
Doreen representing her team at Adobe’s summer case competition — they won first place, no big deal

2025 — The Proof 

You’re graduating now. But the real arrival happened long before the ceremony—when you stopped trying to become someone else, and started learning how to explain who you already were.

Doreen representing the Experiential Learning Team and Board Fellows Program at a multi-school symposium hosted by Kellogg
Doreen representing the Experiential Learning Team and Board Fellows Program at a multi-school symposium hosted by Kellogg

The Career Pivot: How to Survive MBA Recruiting With Non-Traditional Backgrounds

If you’re coming from a non-technical, non-consulting, non-pipeline background—welcome. I was you. I didn’t have a CS degree. I wasn’t a banker. I was a journalist who covered crypto, edited videos, and ran on caffeine and chaos. Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I tried to recruit for tech.

  1. You need to know yourself to sell yourself.

Before you even touch your resume, you need to figure out what you actually want. Not what sounds good on paper—not what everyone else is doing. You.

When I started my MBA, I thought I had to become someone else to land a PM role. Everyone around me had technical experience. I had interviews. Deadlines. Google Docs of half-written stories. But once I got honest about what I brought to the table—communication, clarity, intuition for users—it changed everything. Clarity is magnetic. If you’re unsure of your story, a recruiter will be too.

  1. Learn to translate your skills.

You don’t need to tick every box on a job description. (Spoiler: even the hiring manager doesn’t expect you to.) The secret? Translation.

Recruiters won’t do that work for you. Connect the dots: your “nontraditional” experience probably taught you how to manage stakeholders, talk to users, or communicate across teams. That’s product management.

Your non-traditional background isn’t baggage. It’s context. Use it to your advantage.

Key stakeholders in Doreen’s Experiential Learning project: her client, faculty advisor, and program administrator
Key stakeholders in Doreen’s Experiential Learning project: her client, faculty advisor, and program administrator
  1. Learn to filter advice.

In business school, everyone has opinions. Most of it comes from a good place but it’s shaped by their path, not yours. 

I had to learn to tune some of it out. Just because someone else’s recruiting strategy worked for a consulting internship doesn’t mean it’ll work for someone pivoting from media into tech. What helped me the most? Talking to alumni and mentors who actually understood my transition and ignoring the rest. Listen to advice. But trust your pattern recognition more.

  1. Recruiters don’t need perfect candidates—they need clear ones.

I used to think I had to convince recruiters I could do everything. Instead, I learned to show them I could do a few things well and I could learn the rest.

At Adobe, I didn’t pretend to be technical. I focused on what I did know: the product, the user pain points, the creative workflow. That got me in the door and once I was there, I proved I could learn fast.

Doreen on-site at Adobe’s Seattle office during her Summer 2024 internship
Doreen on-site at Adobe’s Seattle office during her Summer 2024 internship
  1. Practice your pitch—but mean it.

Yes, you should practice your “Tell me about yourself.” But it shouldn’t sound like a monologue. Recruiters know when you’re performing. You’re better off sounding human.

I practiced mine like a conversation. I kept the big arc (journalist → covering tech → want to build it) and made sure every line could flex depending on the audience. Your pitch should sound like you on your best day not like someone else entirely.

  1. Rejection isn’t the end. It’s rehearsal.

I got rejected plenty. Ghosted, too. That doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It means you’re on a path.

Every time I refined my framing, reworded a response, or adjusted how I positioned my story—it wasn’t a failure. It was reps. You don’t need every door to open. Just one. The right one.

Final words to the Doreen of early 2020: 

Your difference is your edge. You don’t need to code. You don’t need to “catch up.” You just needed to own your story. 

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My Re-applicant journey

Author: I am from Gujarat, India. I am part of the full-time MBA class of 2025, majoring in Strategy and Corporate Finance. I interned at Novartis during the summer in Corporate Finance and will return there upon graduation. Before coming to Stern, I was working as Senior Manager at ICICI Bank in a General Management role. I also worked in sales and wealth management before entering the general management role during my six-year professional journey. I hold a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and a Masters degree in Marketing.

Mit Desai Headshot

It was early morning of December 2, 2022 when my sleep was disturbed by movement in the house. I was visiting my parents’ home to attend my school friend’s wedding. I checked my phone to see the time – it was 5.30 AM (I was in India). As I was about to go back to sleep, something else caught my attention. It was a notification about an email from NYU Stern with the subject line – “Application Status Update.” I thought to myself, “I don’t need this update right now.” I didn’t open the email and instead, closed my eyes. As I tried to fall asleep again, I started getting flashbacks of the entire journey.

The journey had started over four years ago when I had made my first attempt at GMAT. After two more attempts, I had finally secured a score on the third attempt that gave me the confidence to move to the next phase of the process – crafting and submitting applications. However, before diving into the application process, I pushed myself at work for a year, striving to get a fast-track promotion to strengthen my application, which I received. Nevertheless, as an international student, the application process was completely foreign to me. With no one around who had completed an MBA from a U.S. business school, I relied on virtual information sessions and coffee chats that schools offered to learn about the process. After months of information gathering, I finally started working towards submitting applications to a handful of top business schools I had shortlisted. A few weeks later, I got the dreaded message – my application had been rejected. I was faced with a decision – should I move on with my life or should I try one more time?

The decision didn’t come easy. I decided to seek advice from my mentors. However, instead of asking them whether I should reapply, I chose to focus on understanding the potential gaps in my candidacy and the reasons for my unsuccessful application. I thought I might stand a chance as a reapplicant if I could realistically fill those gaps. If not, I thought it would be unwise of me to resubmit a similar application and expect a different result. Fortunately, I was able to recognize several areas of improvement in my application. There were no guarantees whether these improvements would be sufficient to get an offer, but since I had found tangible ways to improve my application, I decided to give it one more shot. This is how I thought about resubmitting my application –

As I continued to attend virtual information sessions from India at midnight (while the hours were odd, one good thing about being in a different timezone was that I never had to skip these sessions for work), I learned how the admissions team evaluates candidates. There were three key areas of focus – academic readiness, quality of professional experience and alignment with Stern’s core values. With over six months until the Round 1 deadlines of the next cycle, I had time to improve my application across the three areas.

First, academic readiness. While I felt confident about my GMAT score, I felt less confident about my undergrad grades. My overall GPA was strong but my grades during the first two years were not good. This mattered since the admissions team looks at individual semester grades in addition to the cumulative GPA. This is what had pushed me to take the GMAT three times to get a strong score in the first place. Still, I felt I could do more to prove my academic readiness. So, I enrolled in a pre-MBA course that covered the basics of accounting, statistics and economics. I did well on the tests and saved the results to submit with the application.

Second, professional experience. Since I had been promoted only a year ago and had stepped into a new role, another promotion was out of the question. However, I talked to my manager and got involved in two different stretch projects between getting denied admission and reapplying in the next cycle. This meant that although my title hadn’t changed at the time of reapplication, my responsibilities had increased, and so had my impact at work. I highlighted these points on my resume, and I also asked my manager to include them in my recommendation letter to shed more light on them. (Getting promoted because of these projects two months before I left for Stern was icing on the cake!)

Lastly, alignment with Stern’s core values. As I reviewed my applications from the previous cycle, I realized that I had been too focused on professional aspects of my life, sidelining the personal side of my story. I had enough time to reflect on my past and think of tangible things to share with the admissions team that would help them see me as a whole person. For Stern, this is especially important. I did not fully understand how deeply embedded the IQ+EQ philosophy was until I stepped foot here. However, the virtual information sessions and coffee chats helped me understand how this was the area where I needed to let my EQ shine. I put in just as much time and effort in ensuring I got this third piece of my application right as I did the first two.

I only took a two-week break between receiving my rejection and starting my new application for the next cycle. But I quickly realized that I needed to enjoy life along the way to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy, positive mindset. Striking the right balance hasn’t always been my strength, but looking back, this was one time when I did find that balance, and it provided me with the fuel I needed to keep going. It also meant that I was ready to submit my application within a week of Stern opening its next application cycle.

Waiting is possibly one of the hardest parts of business school applications. I started to get somewhat nervous as weeks rolled by. Then, one fine day at work, I received an email from Stern inviting me for an interview. I vividly remember pumping my fist in the air out of joy before quickly realizing I still had work to do. I focused on two aspects in my interview preparation. First, even though I knew my behavioural stories inside out, I put time to practice them. It’s one thing to know the stories, but a whole different thing to deliver them with calm, poise and confidence. Second, I wanted the admissions team to feel my genuine excitement about Stern. I doubled down on my research on the school, spoke to current students with a different focus, and asked thoughtful questions. I also dived deep into the resources that Stern has to offer – and Stern has a LOT of unique resources such as experiential learning, professors, structure of the program, etc. – and tied them to my goals. With all this preparation by my side, the interview itself went smoothly. The interview was very conversational, which helped calm my initial nerves. 

December is a cozy month in India, but with all these memories flashing back and forth, I couldn’t fall asleep. The email from Stern with the subject line “Application Status Update” still remained unread. I checked the time on my phone for the third time – it had only been 10 minutes since I had checked it the first time at 5.30 AM. I sat on my bed and decided to open the email. I could feel my heartbeat going up. I opened the email, half expecting the email to say “sorry,” but instead it asked me to login to the portal to read the update. The more buttons I clicked, the more certain I became that I’d been rejected again. “Why not just tell me that I’ve been rejected in the body of the email?” I thought to myself. When I logged into the portal, I saw the below screen –

Mit's acceptance letter to NYU Stern
Mit’s Acceptance Letter to Stern

I vividly remember gasping the air upon seeing this screen and realizing what it meant. My very next thought was, “there has to be a ‘but’ in there somewhere that says I’ve been put on a waitlist or something.” I read the entire two-page letter twice, at 5.45 in the morning; there was no ‘but’. In the following weeks, I would receive acceptances from four more schools but, I guess, the first one hits differently. With the clock closing in on 6, I tried falling asleep again but I couldn’t – this time for a different reason though. I knew the trajectory of my life had changed forever!

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A Memorable Sternie Experience in New Zealand

Author: Sarah Sprole is an MBA Candidate at the Stern School of Business in NYU, specializing in Strategy, Technology Product Management and Leadership & Change Management. Prior to Stern, Sarah worked in finance for five years in New York. Sarah interned at and will be returning to Adobe as a Strategy & Operations Manager after graduating in May 2024. Sarah is proud to have been a career mentor, the VP of Mentorship for Stern Technology Association, a SVP for Stern Student Government, and a VP with Stern Management & Strategy.

When deciding on MBA programs, Stern’s DBi (Doing Business in) program was a key differentiator in my choice to attend Stern. I didn’t have the opportunity to study abroad in my undergrad, so having the ability to explore and learn in a new country was an important factor in my decision. Stern’s DBi programs give MBA students the ability to take a class for credit in another country and I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to New Zealand for a DBi in January. It’s not a secret that I’m a bit of a homebody – I generally love my routine, but going on this DBi pushed me to try new things and leave my comfort zone for a few weeks and I’m so glad I had this opportunity! Over the course of the two week program, I learned a lot about the business challenges and opportunities in NZ, got to experience new things, deepened my friendships with my classmates and met Sternies in other programs. 

Learning about Business Challenges in NZ

We spent the first few days immersed in a classroom setting, learning about the unique opportunities and challenges of conducting business in New Zealand. My favorite lecture was on the Maori culture and customs and how they have permeated throughout the norms of the businesses in New Zealand. One of our lectures focused on the challenges in the housing market in Auckland and New Zealand. We also spent a lot of class time discussing and debating the pros and cons of the risk aversion culture generally observed by kiwis. After some time in the classroom, the program took us to three different companies to learn about their operations on-site. We had the opportunity to go to the Port of Auckland, a pharmaceutical company and a business incubator with deep Pacific-Islander cultural connections. I never thought I’d learn so much about shipping containers and the logistics of operating a Port, but it was fascinating.  After getting decked out with protective equipment, we also got to learn about the production processes at pharmaceutical companies.

The view from our wine tour and tasting on the Island of Waiheke.

Once-in-a-lifetime Experiences in NZ

In New Zealand, Stern and the partner university planned some incredible experiences for us. My favorite was our day on the island of Waiheke. We started the day by taking the ferry over to Waiheke Island. Once we arrived, we went wine tasting at two incredible vineyards and ended the day by watching the sunset over dinner on top of a mountain on the island. New Zealand is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but we got to taste several other types of wine too. Outside of the scheduled program, I experienced some of what the north island has to offer with a few of my classmates. We went to Hobbiton, which was an incredibly beautiful and unique experience, got to see some glowworms in a cave, and saw the geysers at Rotorua. Although I never read or watched Lord of the Rings, my time in the countryside in New Zealand, seeing sheep, and witnessing the passion of the fans, was a very cool experience. Beyond that, seeing TWO kiwi birds was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me!

Sarah Sprole, Sarah Qin and Danit Fleishman at the Pohutu Geyser in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Deeping my Friendships Outside the Classroom

Throughout my time at Stern, I have built life-long friendships with people in my class. Seeing my peers every day, going to Stern Social together, grabbing coffee between classes and catching up in the grad lounge had already strengthened my friendships with my MBA peers. However, through this DBi, my connection with my friends grew even stronger. We explored new places, bonded over our love of skincare and supported each other through the good and sometimes hard times in the program. Two of my classmates (you know who you are) saw my disheveled self after flying for 20 hours from NYC to Auckland and fortunately, they still wanted to be my friends. Nothing bonds you more than some lovely time in the airport. My roommate in Auckland and I also deepened our friendship over some after-class sauvignon blanc and heart-to-hearts before shutting off the lights. We supported each other throughout recruiting and challenging coursework back in New York, but our relationship is forever stronger because of our time in New Zealand together. Stern is known for its community and my community has only grown as a result of my time in NZ.

A group photo of many of the students on the DBi in New Zealand overlooking the Auckland harbor.

Meeting with Sternies in Other Programs

One of my favorite parts of my experience in NZ was meeting Sternies in the Langone Part-time program. While we all go to the same school, Langone MBAs often take courses at night or on the weekends and I hadn’t met many of them throughout my coursework at Stern. On the DBi, I worked closely with several Part-time MBAs on our project, but more importantly, built friendships with them outside of the classroom. While grabbing some yummy pizza after class, chatting at the bar on the weekend and exploring the harbor together in Auckland, I built genuine and deep friendships with a few Part-time MBAs who I never would have met without this program. We’ve even maintained our relationships back in NYC!

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The Fertitta Veterans Program

Benjamin Davies is a current Full-time MBA student, specializing in Investment Banking and Strategy. Prior to Stern, Ben was a Captain in the US Army. Post-MBA, he hopes to pivot into an Investment Banking role. At Stern, he is a Consortium Fellow, Fertitta Scholarship recipient, and is active within the Military Veterans Club.

The Decision to Pivot

When I graduated from West Point in 2016, I had one objective I wanted to accomplish during my time in the military. I wanted to deploy to a combat zone as a junior leader to gain experience leading Soldiers in a challenging environment. I was fortunate enough to accomplish this goal twice over and faced the option of getting out of the Army in 2021. When presented with this decision, I realized that I was ready for a new challenge and needed new goals to align with my passions.

I took several months to self-reflect and understand what I wanted from the next chapter in my life. I wanted to continue solving complex problems based on comprehensive research and learning new skills in a short period of time. I decided that investment banking would allow me to continue working in this fast-paced environment that required teamwork to succeed. In order to make this pivot, I realized I needed to grow my business acumen and professional network to be able to secure a job at a leading financial institution. In order to pivot from the Army to corporate America and investment banking, business school was the obvious answer.

Why NYU and Why Fertitta?

NYU Stern immediately stood out amongst other business schools due to its location in the heart of the banking capital of the world and its veteran initiative – the Fertitta program. After speaking to veterans who were current Stern students, I quickly realized that they lived the values of IQ + EQ. Every student and faculty member I interacted with spoke about the incredible people they were surrounded by. It was inspiring to find a school where I could grow my network and learn from some of the best professors in the world.

From the outside looking in, I thought the Fertitta program was too good to be true. NYU Stern truly stood out in the way that it supported its veterans in such meaningful ways. The program deliberately bridged the gaps that most veterans inherently have when transitioning to corporate America. The Fertitta program allows veterans to take Financial Accounting and Statistics – requisite 3.0-credit core classes— over the summer, which reduces the course load during the fall, and ultimately enables us to focus more on recruiting and securing a summer internship. During the summer semester, the veteran cohort also had the opportunity to participate in company treks to tour offices and meet Stern veteran graduates who were working in top-level companies. The final piece of the Fertitta program is the financial aspect which greatly assists the change in lifestyle that all full-time students undertake. Looking back on the experience, I was also able to build incredible bonds with my veteran cohort from an early stage and give me a close circle of friends that I can always rely on.

Education Benefits

At 29 years old, I had not been in an academic classroom in over seven years. I was nervous and apprehensive about contributing to a classroom filled with brilliant classmates who had recently graduated from top-tier institutions. Being able to attend the summer semester surrounded by other veterans made the transition from the military to the classroom much more manageable. Both of my summer professors presented challenging material in ways we could digest and establish academic proficiency. Because of my summer classroom experience, I now have a much stronger foundational knowledge of accounting principles, which will pay dividends during fall recruiting.

Company Treks

The most beneficial part of the summer semester was the opportunity to participate in company treks to firms like McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, Mastercard, and Pfizer. Our cohort was able to network with other veterans at these companies and gain a firsthand look at their day-to-day operations. We were able to ask candid questions to veterans—many of whom were Stern alumni—and had been in our shoes several years ago. I found the experience incredibly beneficial, and I now have a roadmap for success for the upcoming semester and a much deeper understanding of what type of job I will be recruiting for.

Looking Back on the Experience

As I look back upon my summer semester, the moments that stand out occurred because I was surrounded by fellow veterans whom I am now lucky enough to call friends. When I left the military, I was saddened by the realization that I might never find the same closeness and trust with the people around me. When I nervously arrived for my first day of class at Stern, that thought was immediately erased. Through the Fertitta program, I found 29 remarkable veterans who will be some of my closest friends during my time here and beyond.

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Mastering the Art of the Coffee Chat

Isabelle is a recent MBA graduate, specializing in Global Business, Strategy and Product Management. Prior to Stern, Isabelle was a consultant at Accenture specializing in the life science industry. Post-MBA, she is about to start working for Samsung Electronics as a Global Consultant . At Stern, she was involved in the leadership of Asian Business Society, Student government, Stern Technology association, European Business association and as a member of the Latin American Business Association, Stern Women in business  and the admissions office as a Graduate assistant. 

I came into Stern knowing I wanted to work directly with a product in an innovative field, but like many people who join as first years, I was also looking to learn and explore. While I was secretly hoping someone would be able to tell me my dream job, real life is not that simple – it never really is! But Stern gave me every opportunity to explore. 

Even before you start school, you begin hearing about the importance of recruiting. You receive the Ignite prep and begin chugging away. A lot of information is thrown your way but you keep hearing the same two words: Coffee chats. 

As someone allergic to caffeine, I was less than enthused by the idea of chatting with someone over coffee. My nerves continued to grow as I pictured a potentially  awkward conversation with an industry leader, while I sat there with a cup full of coffee, easing my nerves by pretending to sip every so often to have something to do with my hands. Beyond the awkwardness, coffee chats or informational interviews invoked an image of small talk and desperation. To say the least, these “chats” were not something I was looking forward to.

Now however, I now easily have a coffee chat a day, even after the end of formal recruiting. This change is completely thanks to Stern and the students I recruited with. Almost every alum, student, professor, or professional I reached out to has replied eagerly to share advice, experiences and sometimes (when I was really lucky), even an interview or job opportunity. In an effort to ease your nerves, I thought I would share my learnings about coffee chats!

Rarely any coffee 

This may be silly to say or obvious to some, but coffee chats often don’t involve any coffee. Today,  many coffee chats today are virtual, and if they aren’t, you are always welcome to get another beverage!

Networking is not a dirty word

Often people feel like networking is superfluous because it conveys that you want something (in this case, a job), but that’s not all networking is. Yes, when you set up a coffee chat, you should be the best version of yourself so that the person on the other side will help you, but the aim of the conversation should be to learn about the person you are talking to- whether that is about the company they work for, their interests, or what they did before. In the end, you should aim for the conversation to be as fruitful for them as it was for you. It is a give and take. My best coffee chats were those in which I was able to share my experience with the industry professionals to help them with their own questions or problems. 

As an example, when I was networking with a large bank, I met someone who had the exact position I was interested in. We spoke about the job and the company, but even more so we spoke about what we liked to do, I talked about my community and non profit interests, and they asked me to help them find a way to give back. This person became more than just someone who helped me get an interview, they became someone who I still connect with for advice. 

Coffee chats are not always just a one time thing

The goal of a coffee chat should not just be a one-time conversation to learn about the company, it should be about you growing your network. If you are able to form a more lasting relationship with that person, it makes a big difference – not only in recruiting, but in many areas of your life. 

Remember, industry professionals are just people 

We all often walk into coffee chats nervous and lost. “What do I tell this stranger about myself?” But often, the other person is feeling exactly the same way. They may have just come out of a long meeting or were just concentrating on a task at work. In the end, they have given up their time because they want to be of help, so make sure you come in with questions that will help you most.  

I have been and still am on both sides of the coffee chat, and what always goes through my mind is the airport test. Throughout this conversation with this person, have they given me a sense that I would like to spend 5-10 hours with them in an airport if we were to get caught in delays? So remember that the person is human, have empathy, and build a human connection.

Coffee chats are not always conducted one on one 

Sometimes, coffee chats during recruiting include multiple people with one industry professional. When this happens, make sure that you stand out in some way. Have a list of questions you want to ask and do your research on the person. Always ask for their contact information and follow up to see if you can get a solo chat. 

Lastly, Stern is always there to support us 

Every office at Stern comes together to make sure that you are prepared for recruiting. Stern Career services constantly provides you the opportunity for you to make connections, bringing in hundreds of companies to speak with students. The professional clubs like Stern Tech Association and Management Consulting Association lead knowledge transfer sessions and study groups to prepare you. Other students and professors give up their time to practice with you and give you advice. So take advantage of it!

Key Takeaways

Keeping these things in mind really helped me reform how I looked at coffee chats. Now, everyone is going to have different advice for coffee chats – a former Sternie wrote her advice in 2021 –  but mastering the coffee chat is really about understanding yourself and how to present that to the person standing in front of you. These are some tips that helped me feel comfortable  while growing my network. 

1.  Always ask for the coffee chat host’s contact information 

Make sure to get their information before the end of the coffee chat and send a thank you note afterward. Often, it is good to ask near the beginning or middle of a group coffee chat, but if you are alone, leave it for the last question. 

2. Be genuinely curious

People like to talk about what they are doing – so ask them about it! Make sure to do your research and prepare questions ahead of time. While the conversation can go in any direction, preparation will help you stand out and make the most of the conversation.

3. Look at each coffee chat as a first step

You will rarely only speak to one person at a company. So use each coffee chat as a chance to research for your next one. Ask questions like “what is the biggest challenge your team is facing” or “where do you see the company going in the next year” or “what is the most exciting thing your company is doing?” This way, you hear real-world problems companies face today and will be ready for your next chat and, eventually, interview! 

4. Not all coffee chats are evaluative, but you should prepare as if they are 

Always research before a coffee chat and show your commitment. You never know how the conversation will impact your future career.

5. Be direct 

When you ask for time, be direct in what you hope to speak about so that the person knows exactly why they are meeting with you. You don’t want to use their time asking questions you could have learned on the website!

6. If you have the choice, choose a place in which you are comfortable 

Many coffee chats are done virtually now, so make sure you pick a place that you feel most comfortable. If the person gives you the option of an in person chat, take that option because it often leads to better connections. Choose to meet in a place you like that is quiet and also not too expensive, often they will pay out of their own pocket for you. 

7. Never leave a conversation without having at least one other person to reach out to

You can not build your network unless you ask for more contacts. I like to ask every person I talk to for 2 other people who I should contact based on the interests I have expressed during our conversation. 

8. Be you

As someone who has been on both sides of the coffee chat, it is so easy to see when someone is not being genuine. Remember the airport test-  I want to be able to tell if I would like to spend time with you. The more I want to spend time with you, the more helpful I can be. 

Just be yourself. I promise you, the other person will appreciate it.

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DBi Italy

Sarah Story is a full-time MBA student, specializing in Marketing, Strategy, and Operations. Prior to Stern, Sarah was a home furnishings designer. Post-MBA, she plans to work in marketing or supply chain management within the retail industry. At Stern, she is co-president of the Luxury and Retail Club, and a board member of the Graduate Marketing Association and Stern Adventures. Outside of school, Sarah enjoys swimming with a local masters swim team and attending concerts.

One of the primary reasons I chose to attend Stern was because of the extensive DBi, “Doing Business in…”, opportunities. I was not able to study abroad during undergrad, so I was excited to take advantage of the many 1-2 week intensive courses that are part of this program. I was thrilled that my course lottery results allowed me to have this incredible opportunity to study for a week in Milan, Italy with a focus in luxury retail. I am so grateful to have had this experience; there were many laughs, amazing food, and new friendships.

We were given a warm welcome at the hotel with an “aperitif” hosted by Stern. About a dozen of us went to a group dinner afterwards, which was a great way to introduce ourselves in a smaller group and have some time to get to know each other before the class officially started. It was quite magical to walk up to a restaurant requesting to seat 12 people, and be seated in a private dining room that also functioned as the wine cellar.

The first day was class packed with great lectures, an impressive coffee break, and was capped off with speakers from Ferrari and the CMO of Gucci, who also happens to be a Stern alum. (The aforementioned comment was, thankfully, NOT said while he was there.) After class, we began our in-class project: visiting a short list of luxury retailers to examine how they treated their shoppers, whether purchases were made or not, and the overall experience of shopping in these stores. It also became a regular occurrence to find classmates at Camparino, the Campari Bar, after class, located near our hotel.

On our second day, we headed off early to visit the Mantero Silk Factory, located just outside of Como. Seeing the printing process in action, both with traditional silk screens and digital printers, was enlightening for many. We learned how so many luxury companies from around the world, not just those in Italy, seek out the talent and expertise of the Mantero factory. Of course we all panic-shopped (there was limited time) at the sample store and came away with some great finds for ourselves and gifts for others. Upon returning to campus, we were greeted by a room full of the most beautiful, soft wool textiles and raw fibers, for a talk from a Loro Piana representative about what makes their textiles and apparel so highly coveted. After the talk we continued our “shopping safari,” visiting the last stores on our lists. Each team chose to divide and conquer differently – some shopped as a group, some split the list in half between team members, and some shopped at all the stores independently. 

Our third day was focused on brand extensions, particularly in the furniture category. We explored the history of design and manufacturing excellence of Italian furniture companies and the differences of how they are structured in design, manufacturing, and distribution compared to American furniture companies. In the afternoon we visited the Cassina, Versace Casa, and Dolce and Gabbana Home showrooms and heard from the CEO of Cassina, the design director of Versace Casa, and the Vice President of Luxury Living Group, which is the parent company of Versace Casa and Dolce and Gabbana Home. After a long day, we had a class dinner in the canal district, and mostly avoided a very rainy evening!

The final day, we heard from Paolo Pedersoli of Jakala, a consulting firm that includes a focused division in luxury and design enterprises. Before lunch, we finalized our findings for our group presentations, and presented our findings with the class in the afternoon. Gucci was one of the stores that several of the groups were assigned to visit, and the general take away was that the shopping experience was not as expected. It was quite entertaining and interesting to hear how each group’s experiences differed, and how some brands were presented in a positive light from our guest speakers, yet the shopping experiences were not reflective of that or very welcoming to customers.

The course wrapped up with a stellar group dinner, a close walk from the hotel. One of our classmates had a birthday on that Friday, so several of us toasted him at midnight in the hotel bar with some champagne: the perfect way to celebrate the end of the course.

I could not be more grateful to have had this experience. In addition to the course, I added on about a week of personal travel throughout northern Italy. I absolutely fell in love with Italy,  and I cannot wait to go back to explore more of Milan and the rest of the country.

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Sweet Dreams Are Made at Stern

Sheron is a recent Stern grad from the two-year full-time program in the class of 2023. She was previously an engineer in the oil and gas industry and will be transitioning to consulting post-MBA. On campus she was involved in many clubs including ESA (Entrepreneurship and Start-up Association), AHBBS (Association of Hispanic and Black Business Students), MCA (Management Consulting Association), STA (Stern Tech Association), SWIB (Stern Women in Business), PEVC (Private Equity and Venture Capital Club), and Cellar.

If you are looking to live out your Eurythmics dreams to “travel the world and the seven seas,” you’ve found the right place. Stern offers so many different international opportunities to travel through school-sponsored programs or just casually with classmates.

DBi programs—which stand for Doing Business in—are 1.5 or 3 credit courses that take you to places such as Morocco, Australia, Argentina, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, and others over a week or two. There you’ll learn about business in the local economy through classes at a partner university, company treks, and cultural excursions. Stern Signature Projects feature international consulting engagements that can take you to Israel, Guyana, and other countries to support business development for different organizations.

There are also longer-term study abroad programs at partner schools all across the world. I studied at London Business School for an equivalent semester, and I would not have traded that experience for the world.

Stern’s student body is incredibly diverse, and so is London Business School’s. The European location of LBS attracts a different type of diversity, which made the classroom discussions vibrant with multiple perspectives. It was very interesting to compare the viewpoints of Stern and LBS students to grow in my thinking about different business approaches and issues. Similar to Stern, the professors at LBS all had office hours and were more than happy to chat about topics on my mind from class. Whether you choose to study abroad or spend the full two years at Stern, be sure to connect with the professors. They are all super cool. Many have written best-selling books, host podcasts or TV shows, and are celebs in the business world.

The student clubs at Stern are all very accessible, and I had the same experience at LBS. Like at Stern, most of the club events were open to all members of the MBA student community and are free or only require a nominal fee to join. Stern clubs host visits to museums, company offices, theater shows, outdoor hiking trails, and favorite foodie spots. I got to experience these types of cultural and professional adventures with new LBS friends as well. From seeing Wicked in London’s West End to learning the art of Japanese Shibori to experiencing a traditional Sunday roast, LBS’s clubs provided a similar opportunity to build community and friendship while abroad. 

Through networking events hosted by the student clubs at LBS, I also met many students from Oxford and Cambridge’s MBA programs. I went to see my new friends at their campuses for a tour and class visit. I even attended the Oxford vs. Cambridge polo match, which was my first polo experience and one of the highlights of my exchange semester.

Business school is an incredibly transformative experience academically, professionally, socially, and personally. Spending extended time abroad was definitely a time of growth in every way. If you have any thoughts about a full exchange semester, then go for it! You’ll be amazed at what you learn, who you’ll meet, and what you’ll experience.

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A Day in the Life of a Sternie

Brittany Fidalgo is a recent MBA graduate, specializing in Strategy and Global Business. Prior to Stern, Brittany led HR at small and mid-size businesses. Post-MBA, she is going into Consulting at PWC. At Stern, she was involved in AHBBS, SWIB, and Adventures club.

A day in the life of an MBA student can vary depending on what time in the program you find them. In my last semester of school, I had most early mornings free, which allowed me to start my day with breakfast- typically granola, kiefer and berries. I would often go for a quick run along the East River before getting ready to head to school.

 At school, I would stop in to the cafe, Matto, to pick up my favorite chai latte and catch up with friends. Matto is amazing because every drink is under 3 dollars- an absolute deal in New York City! I would then head to the 4th floor reading room to do focused work for my classes.

Club meetings and events often happen during lunch time. Some days I may have a board meeting for AHBBS, or attend another club event. SWIB, for example, hosted a great Stern Speaks event where fellow Sternies volunteered to present personal stories with us over lunch.

After this, it is time to meet with one of my group project teams and attend my classes. A course I took this semester, Marketing Planning and Strategy, focused on group work with a final deliverable of a business strategy proposal. After meeting with my project team, I head to my weekly seminar class, Developing Managerial Skills with Professor Dolly Chugh. This was one of my favorite classes at Stern, and I highly recommend everyone taking the course!

After class, I meet up with a classmate for dinner at a nearby restaurant in the West Village before heading to our 6pm weekly seminar class, Digital Innovation and Crowdsourcing with Professor Natalia Levina. She always had the best Ukrainian snacks for us! After a full day at Stern, I jump on the subway and head home to Brooklyn. 

The days are long and busy in business school, but the years fly by quick! By being thoughtful and intentional about your time, you will be able to make the most of the academics, extracurriculars, social life, and the incredible opportunities in NYC!

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Updates to the 2024 Application from our Executive Director

Lindsay Loyd is the Executive Director for MBA Admissions at NYU Stern. She joined NYU Stern in January 2023 after a 20-year career in financial services.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Hi, I’m Lindsay Loyd, and I’m excited to announce some key information for the upcoming admissions cycle, and also take this opportunity to introduce myself.

I joined Stern in January 2023 as the Executive Director of MBA Admissions after a 20+ year career in financial services. I’m thrilled to be a champion for the Stern Full Time MBA programs and lead the admissions team as we meet future Sternies each year. I was energized to become part of this community after working with several Stern alumni during my tenure at American Express. This will be my first full admissions cycle, and I’m delighted to share some updates as we gear up for the application launch.

Important Things to Know for the 2023-2024 Cycle

While our applications for the next cycle are not yet open, we’ve announced some key information you should know as you are preparing your candidacy. This spring, we took a comprehensive look at our application process and worked to find ways to make applying easier for prospective students.

New Deadlines

For the upcoming cycle, we’ve expanded our deadlines to give you greater flexibility so that you can apply when it makes sense for you. It’s important to note that our process is a bit different than the more structured “rounds” used by other programs. Our admissions committee reviews applications on an ongoing basis. We don’t wait for a deadline to pass to begin reviewing applications, and most applicants will receive an initial decision notification (e.g., invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admission) within 8 weeks of applying.

More Standardized Test Optionality

We continue to be test agnostic and accept a wide range of tests. There are no minimum score requirements to apply and we do not have a preference for which test you take. I want to highlight four key points to keep in mind on tests:

  • A standardized test score is required for the Full-Time program and the Fashion & Luxury Focused 1-Year program. 
  • The Andre Koo Tech Focused 1-Year program will be test optional this cycle.
  • We offer a separate test waiver application for anyone who is unable to prepare for or take a standardized test, but can demonstrate academic readiness through prior academic and/or work experience. 
  • Your test options include the GMAT (both current and Focus Edition), GRE (both current and new), EA, MCAT, LSAT, and DAT.  

One EQ Endorsement

To further streamline the application process, we’ve also reduced the number of EQ endorsements required from 2 to 1. This EQ endorsement should come from your current supervisor. You have the option of submitting additional EQ endorsements, but I encourage you to be judicious and consider whether additional endorsement(s) add significant value and/or a different perspective to your candidacy. A tip on EQ endorsements – start thinking about who you want to write in support of your application and set up a meeting with this person. Do this early so your endorser has time to prepare. 

Continued Commitment to a Holistic Review Process

What hasn’t changed for this cycle is our interest in getting to know you through the application. We have a chance to learn about you academically, professionally, and personally during this holistic review process. Our essay questions remain largely unchanged from last year, so you can start thinking through those now. We find that your answers to these essay questions provide incredible depth and insight into your experiences, goals, and motivations. We look forward to meeting the whole ‘you.’

Why Now is a Great Time to Get an MBA

It’s been almost 20 years (!) since I was in your shoes: studying for the GMAT, researching MBA programs, lining up endorsements from current and former supervisors, and starting to write application essays. It feels like not nearly that long ago, yet I appreciate the big picture view that time span affords. No matter when you decide to apply, the Stern MBA will have value long after graduation.

Investment in Yourself 

Pursuing an MBA full-time is a big investment of time and money, and I firmly believe it’s one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in yourself. I’ve seen first-hand how it can significantly change the trajectory of your career, help you weather economic storms, and create career optionality, not just in the short-term, but throughout the course of your life. This is still true today. Take a look at our employment report to see the ROI of the Stern MBA. 

Versatility for Your Entire Career Journey 

My MBA experience allowed me to try an industry and functional career switch with my summer internship. It then helped facilitate a move back to the financial services industry, but at a higher level, in a new geography, at my dream company, and in my preferred functional area. It set me on a course to grow laterally and rise up the ranks at that company.  And when it was time to make a midlife pivot for a “second act” career, my MBA experience and network helped me navigate my way to Stern to lead the Full-Time MBA Admissions team.

At Stern, you’ll take core business classes that will help you build foundational skills that are broadly applicable across various industries and functions. You’ll also be able to customize your MBA experience with over 200 electives and seemingly endless opportunities for experiential learning. You’ll be part of the vibrant NYU community in the heart of NYC. You’ll be just a short subway ride from many prospective employers, a wide array of industry resources, and a vast network of Stern alumni ready to pay it forward. As a Stern alumnus, you’ll continue to have access to the support of the Careers team and have the ability to audit classes, so you can stay at the top of your game as your interests and the job market evolve.

Meet Your Future Forevers

I also made some great friends during my MBA, and in fact, met my best-friend-now-husband while setting up a fantasy football league for our b-school classmates. During your MBA experience at Stern, you will create friendships and a professional network that will be with you long after you graduate. I cannot promise that you will find your life-partner, but your MBA experience will last a lifetime. 

My husband and I during business school!

If this all sounds good to you, I hope you’ll consider applying to Stern. If you feel you are ready, don’t wait. If you aren’t sure, know that we’ll be here to help you along the way.

Be the First to Know When the Application Goes Live

Sign up here to receive more information about Stern direct to your email inbox, including notification of when our applications for the 2023-2024 cycle are live.

We also offer many virtual and in person opportunities to learn more about Stern. Join us in person on campus for a information session and tour, or at one of our many stops around the world this summer. We also offer virtual “Ask A Sternie” coffee chats with current students, virtual information sessions.

Best wishes as you begin the first steps of your MBA journey!