Stern (NYU) 2006 MBA Application Toolbox

NYU Stern

Official website
http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/admissions/fulltime/applyingtostern.cfm?doc_id=296

Class Size:
Approximately 360

THE NEW YORK EDGE
"Stern’s location here in New York and the support of the Stern community have given me the chance to interact with numerous leading investment professionals, as well as appear as a guest on CNBC’s "Closing Bell" with two of my colleagues from the Michael Price Student Investment Fund (MPSIF). The fund, valued at nearly $2 million, is allotted to students in Professor Levich's Managing Investment Funds class annually to provide us with us hands-on investment experience.  The MPSIF has allowed me to work with a talented team of fellow student research analysts, and has become a point of focus in almost all of my professional interviews.  The Fund has definitely given me a leg up as I pursue a career in Investment Management."

Tarek Hamid
BA, Harvard University

Qualifications
Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is open to qualified persons who hold a four-year bachelor's degree from accredited colleges or universities in the United States, or an equivalent degree from foreign countries (see our list of recommended degrees). If you have already earned an MBA from another college or university within the U.S., you are not eligible for admission.

Selection Criteria
Our admissions process is holistic and highly selective; therefore, the Admissions Committee carefully reviews each component of the application. This information allows us to evaluate each candidate for Academic Potential, Career History and Goals and Personal and Professional Characteristics. For more information about applicants who have been admitted to Stern, see our class profile.

1. Academic Potential
We value students who will both excel and contribute in the classroom. We seek students who are confident in their ability to master the required material and have the courage to ask challenging questions. Academic potential primarily is assessed by:

Transcripts from all educational institutions attended.
Quality of educational program and performance in program.
General aptitude as measured by the Graduate Management Admission Test.
Note:
Stern has no minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) requirement, and accounts for variances in grading systems around the world.
Stern students have a variety of academic backgrounds, including liberal arts, science, engineering, mathematics and business - less than one-third of students have an undergraduate degree in business.
Stern has no minimum GMAT score requirement, and we only consider your highest overall GMAT score. Therefore, feel free to re-take the GMAT if you feel you can improve your performance.  

Admissions Tip:
Every school has a different policy regarding the impact of re-taking the GMAT. Be certain to research these policies prior to taking the test again, because although it will not adversely affect the Stern application, it might do so at another school.

2. Career History and Goals
We value students with a proven track record who will share their experiences with classmates and perform as future business leaders. We seek applicants who have clear professional goals, both short-term and long-term, and can explain how the Stern experience and an MBA will play an essential role in achieving those goals. Career history and goals primarily are assessed by:

Essay #1  
Résumé   
Employment history  
Professional recommendations  
Interview (by invitation only)
Note:

Most applicants have between one and 10 years of work experience and come from a variety of professional backgrounds, such as consulting, financial services, entertainment, consumer products, not-for-profit and technology. Because we value each applicant's diverse professional background, no industry is favored over another.

The Admissions Committee evaluates work experience not only in terms of years, but also in regard to depth and breadth of an individual's experience, responsibilities and progression.

Although academic work and internships do not count toward professional work experience, Stern reviews all work experience as part of the admission decision.

Admissions Tips:
To help clarify your goals, take the time to conduct informational interviews in your desired field. Your undergraduate alumni network can be helpful in arranging these useful exchanges.

It is also helpful to do Internet research on your target industry and companies. You can find names of key companies listed with the Office of Career Development.

Another good way to feel confident in your career aspirations is to use the resources provided by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). You can investigate its Career Leader self-assessment program at MBA.com.

3. Personal and Professional Characteristics
We value participants and leaders who will contribute to the Stern community. We are looking for students with proven leadership ability, maturity, character, and strong communication skills. We are seeking students who will be active participants at Stern and have a great passion for, pride in, and commitment to Stern. These personal and professional characteristics are often evidenced in:

Essays #1, #2 and #3
Professional recommendations  
Activities and Achievements  
Interview (by invitation only)

Other Admission Requirements
Mastery of English
If you are an international student whose first language is not English (or you have not received a degree from an English-speaking institution), mastery of written and spoken English is in part measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Stern has no minimum TOEFL score requirement.

Applying Prior to Completing Undergraduate Degree
If you submit your application prior to your attainment of/receiving a bachelor's degree or equivalent, we will accept and evaluate your application prior to your degree conferral. The fact that you are still attending your undergraduate institution will not delay the evaluation of your application. If an offer of admission is made, it will be contingent upon receiving your degree conferral prior to enrollment. An undergraduate degree is required to enroll in the MBA program.

Application Process
E-mail Contact
We require each applicant to provide an e-mail address because it will be your primary form of communication with MBA Admissions. Throughout the admissions process, please be sure to notify us of any change to your e-mail address. To protect your privacy, admissions notifications are available only through our password-protected Application Status Check website.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to update NYU Stern immediately of any changes to his or her contact information. Updates must be made through the Application Status Check website.

Admissions Tip:
We recommend using written communication (e-mail or letters) to the Admissions Committee (if needed) throughout the admissions process, as key correspondence is typically included in your application. This enables the Admissions Committee to have your full information during the review process.

Application Review and Timing
Stern uses a rolling admissions process: we evaluate applications in order of their receipt and completion, and provide notifications on an ongoing basis. In addition, completed applications received prior to the deadline may be read before the deadline. Therefore, it is beneficial to submit your application early.

To ensure the smooth processing of your application, please:

• Submit your application prior to or on the deadline.


• Take the GMAT and TOEFL (if needed) prior to the deadline.


• Make certain your application is complete (see our checklist) upon submission.   


• Mail all paper application materials (whether supplemental information or an entire paper application) in one package and ensure it is postmarked by the deadline.

Admissions Tip:
If you feel your application is complete (see our checklist) and competitive prior to the deadline, apply early.

Check the Status of Your Application
Within 10 working days of Stern receiving your application, you will get an e-mail confirmation. This e-mail will contain your password to access the Application Status Check Website. The website is available 24 hours a day and indicates the current status of your application. Any additional information submitted may take up to 10 working days to be reflected on this site once received by Stern.

When we receive your application, your status will become “Applicant.”

Once your supplemental materials have been received and processed, your status will change to “With Committee.” At this time, your application will be presented to the Admissions Committee for review. It may take a few weeks for this status change to happen. Please check the Application Status Check Website to review your current status. If your application is complete by the deadline, you will receive a notification no later than our notification date.

Notification
If your application was completed by the deadline, you will receive notification no later than the notification date. You will be e-mailed when your status has been updated on the Application Status Check Website. Initial notification possibilities are as follows:

Interview invitation
Offer of a place on the waitlist  
Denial of admission
The admissions interview plays an important role in ensuring that the Stern community continues to comprise exceptional individuals. Therefore, an offer of admission is rarely made prior to the “interview invitation.”

To protect your privacy, we do not release initial notifications via e-mail, telephone, fax or mail.

Incomplete Applications
If your application is not complete (for example, missing GMAT scores, essays or other items) you will be informed via e-mail. If your application is not complete by the deadline, notification will be made up to 12 weeks after the application is complete. If you do not complete the application by the deadline, we cannot guarantee notification by the notification date.

Admissions Tip:
To make sure your application is complete, carefully review the application checklist and the Top Ten Causes of Delayed Notification.

Interviews
After reviewing your application, the Admissions Committee may request an interview. If the Admissions Committee invites you to interview, you will receive the invitation and scheduling information via e-mail.

Interviews are available by invitation only.

The interview is evaluative and provides the Admissions Committee with more information on areas such as your qualifications, career goals and personal characteristics. Interviews are typically conducted by our trained admissions professionals, who will have thoroughly read your entire application and will be intimately familiar with your background and goals.

We recommend that applicants invited to interview do so at Stern or at one of our off-site interview locations. Please use the visit to learn more about Stern by attending a tour and information session, visiting a class, and meeting current students, as well as seeing New York City and Greenwich Village.

Admissions Tips:
Ideally, your interview will not have been the first time you have visited or met us. We recommend visiting us here in New York during your research phase or meeting us at one of many recruiting sessions across the U.S. and around the world.

Because your Stern interviewer will be intimately familiar with your application, you may want to review your application in detail to help prepare for the interview.

Off-Site Interviews
Stern conducts off-site interviews at selected locations around the world. For priority consideration for off-site interviews, apply by December 1. If you are invited to interview but are not able to come to Stern, you may ask to be considered for an off-site interview. Candidates participating in off-site interviews are not at a disadvantage to those interviewing at Stern. However, if timing is an important consideration, please note that you may be able to interview sooner in New York than at our off-site interview days (which typically occur in March).

Post-Interview Decision
It is important to note that "interview invitation" is an initial notification. Therefore, in many cases, the actual interview and final admissions decision can occur after the notification date. (For example: An applicant applies on the December 1 deadline and receives notification of "invitation to interview" on February 15, the notification deadline. The applicant then interviews on March 1. On March 22, three weeks after the interview, the applicant receives an admission decision. In this case, the final admission decision occurred on March 22, well past the notification date of February 15.)

After the interview, it typically will take up to three weeks to receive a decision. You will receive an e-mail indicating your status has changed, and you can review your new status on the Application Status Check Website. There are three possible post-interview decisions:

Offer of Admission
Offer of a place on the waitlist
Denial of admission
All decisions of the Admissions Committee are final.

Admission
If offered admission, your status will be changed to "Admit" on our Application Status Check Website, and you will be mailed a formal letter of admittance and other important information. If you have been awarded any scholarships, that information will be part of your letter. In addition, you will receive our admitted student information pack in the mail and be given access to our admitted student website (both of these typically are available by late January).

Application Checklists

Online Application Materials
If you are using the online application, you will submit the same materials as applicants who use the paper application, but should refer to the online application instructions for details on how information should be submitted (online or by regular mail). Also, print the special online application checklist and include it with your supplemental package of materials, which should be submitted all at once in a single, large envelope. Mailed materials must be postmarked by the deadline date.

Paper Application Materials
All materials should be submitted in the order listed on the paper application checklist, all at once in a single, large envelope. Mailed materials must be postmarked by the deadline date.

Top 10 Causes of Delayed Notification
The following can delay the processing of your application:

1. Submitting an incomplete application.
2. Not submitting transcripts and/or recommendations with your supplemental package.
3. Submitting only photocopied transcripts.
4. Omitting your name (and Social Security Number if applicable) on each page of your essays and other supporting documentation.
5. Using forms of your name other than your legal name (your legal name appears on your passport, birth certificate or other official documentation).
6. Applying under a name different than the one you used for taking the GMAT and/or TOEFL.
7. Not including copies of all transcripts (study abroad, continuing education, Master's).
8. Forgetting to include the official English translation of your international transcripts, if necessary.
9. Omitting a photocopy of your degree conferral (international applicants only).
10. Not reviewing all of your data online or on the data forms to make sure that it is accurate.

Admissions Tip:
Prior to submitting your application, consider having a trusted friend, colleague or family member carefully review the application instructions and your materials to ensure that they are complete.

Application Components
In order to ensure a full review by the Admissions Committee the following requirements MUST be met.

• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)


• Employment History


• Résumé


• Essays


• Activities and Achievements


• Professional Recommendations


• Transcripts


• Social Security Number


• Citizenship


• Telephone/Fax/Mobile Numbers


• College Code

***Additional information is required from International Applicants ***

GMAT
Before submitting an application to Stern, you must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Include a photocopy of your test score report (unofficial score) in your application packet. Stern will not make an application decision until official scores are received from ETS. Stern's ETS reporting code is 2582.
The GMAT may be taken as late as the application deadline, as long as Stern has received a photocopy of your score.

GMAT scores cannot be more than five years old at the time of enrollment.
Stern has no minimum GMAT score. For applicants who took the test more than once, the Admissions Committee will consider the test with the highest total score. If you plan to retake the GMAT after applying, please inform the Admissions Committee of the date you intend to take the test in Essay #4 .
Admissions Tips:

It is helpful to properly study and prepare for the GMAT. In addition to the countless test-prep courses, books and materials available, the Graduate Admission Management Council (GMAC) offers free practice exams at MBA.com.

If you feel your first GMAT score may not reflect your true potential, you may want to consider allowing enough time in your application process to re-take the test.

Employment History
Provide your Employment History separately from your résumé. The Employment History should follow the format provided (see below) and should list all positions you have held, including employer, title, starting and ending dates, promotions, salary/bonus, and reason for leaving, with most recent employment at the top of the page. Please provide information regarding any gaps in employment and clearly state if you are still working at your most recent employer.

Admissions Tip:
You can use the optional essay -- Essay #4 -- to proactively address in detail any gaps in your employment history.

Résumé
Please provide us your most up-to-date résumé, which should include educational and professional information. If your résumé changes after you have applied, send us an updated résumé.

Essays
The Admissions Committee requires three personal essays. These essays give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee, and provide insight into your experiences, goals and thought processes. Your essays should be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be withdrawn if it is discovered that you did not write your essays. Please note the following:

Essays #1, #2 and #4 must be typed and submitted on standard 8 ½” x 11” paper, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
Please adhere to the page limit for each question.
Label the top of each essay page with the following: name, Social Security Number (if applicable), essay number and page number. For example, "Joe Applicant, 123-45-6789, Essay #1, Page #1."

Admissions Tips:
Carefully proofread your essays for any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make sure you have fully answered the essay questions.
Be genuine in your essays -- tell us about the real you.
Follow the essay instructions, including page limits and font size, to the best of your ability.
Have someone who knows you very well, plus someone who is much less familiar with you, read the essay questions and your answers. Then have them provide you with candid feedback.

Essay #1
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following:
(2 pages maximum, double-spaced)

PAST: What choices have you made that led you to your current position?

PRESENT: Why is an MBA necessary at this point in your life? Why is Stern the perfect fit for your MBA?

FUTURE: What is your career goal upon graduation from the Stern School? How does this fit into your long-term career goal?

Essay #2
Please respond to the following question, giving relevant reasons and/or examples from your personal and professional experiences to support your answer.
(2 page maximum, double-spaced)

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: What was the most difficult constructive feedback you have received, and what did you do as a result of it?

Essay #3
PERSONAL EXPRESSION: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use any method to convey your message: words, illustrations, etc. (feel free to be creative). All submissions become part of the permanent records at the NYU Stern School of Business, and cannot be returned for any reason.

Please do not submit anything that must be played or viewed electronically or that is perishable (e.g., food). If you submit a written essay, it should be two pages maximum, double-spaced.

Essay #4 (optional)
Please provide any additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. These may include gaps in employment, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information.

An explanation must be provided in Essay #4 if:
You do not have a recommendation from your current supervisor.
You have been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, or required to withdraw from any college or university.
You have ever been convicted of a crime.

Activities and Achievements
List any awards, scholarships or other recognition you have received (academic, military, extracurricular, professional or community). List college extracurricular, professional or community activities in their order of importance to you (include activity, dates of involvement and any office held).

Professional Recommendations
Two recommendations are required with your application.

For specific instructions, please refer to the recommendation form.

Recommendations should come from individuals who can comment on your professional performance and qualifications for successfully participating in Stern's MBA program, as well as in your future career. Therefore, professional recommendations are strongly preferred over academic recommendations.

One recommendation should come from your current supervisor. If a recommendation from your current supervisor cannot be included, please provide an explanation in Essay #4.

Additional recommendations are not necessary, but if you wish to submit more than two, please use the online recommendation system (or download additional forms).

The Admissions Committee will review applications when two recommendations are received.

Admissions Tip:
Ask your recommenders to begin your recommendations months before they are needed -- you want to give them ample time to write compelling recommendations on your behalf. You may want to provide them with materials on Stern and yourself (e.g., résumé and Essay #1) as background information.

Transcripts
Official transcripts from all academic institutions are required.

• Transcripts should be in signed and sealed envelopes.


• Each institution attended must be represented with an official transcript, including those in which as few as one course was taken.


• Stern does not accept notarized or personal copies of transcripts.


• To submit more than one transcript form, download additional forms.


• Transcripts submitted as part of an MBA application are considered property of MBA Admissions and will not be transferred or forwarded to other institutions or other programs or schools at NYU.

If you attended an institution outside of the U.S., please see our International Applicants section for additional transcript information.

Admissions Tip:
Some academic institutions can take weeks to provide transcripts; therefore, you may want to request your transcripts as soon as you begin to consider applying for an MBA. Again, you should request transcripts from all programs you attended - undergraduate, study abroad, Master's, continuing education, etc.

Social Security Number
Social Security Numbers should be submitted by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. If you are an international student who has been assigned a Social Security Number while studying in the U.S., you should also provide us with this information. Otherwise, you should leave this blank.

Citizenship
Please indicate your citizenship status: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, citizen of another country or dual citizenship. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, please indicate your country of citizenship.

Telephone/Fax/Mobile Numbers
We may need to contact you via telephone, fax, or mobile. Please provide these numbers only if we can contact you via these methods. If your contact information changes at any time, you must provide the new information to MBA Admissions immediately via the Application Status Check website.

College Code
College Code information is provided in the GMAT bulletin, which is sent to you upon requesting a test registration form from the  Educational Testing Service. It also can be downloaded via the  GMAC Website.

Optional Information:
Intended Specialization(s)
Your selection of an intended specialization is not binding and will not influence your application review in any way. Your indication of a specialization is encouraged, but not required.

Racial/Ethnic Background
Federal and state law require New York University to report on the gender, race and ethnic composition of its student enrollment. To assist us in meeting this requirement, please indicate your background. Self-identification is entirely voluntary.

If you are an underrepresented minority applicant you may be eligible to apply to Stern through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM). By applying through the Consortium, you will be considered for a Consortium Fellowship (a two-year full-tuition scholarship). We strongly encourage all eligible candidates to apply to Stern via the Consortium. You are at no disadvantage if you apply to Stern through the Consortium instead of our Stern application.

Application Policies
Using Previous Versions of Stern Full-time MBA Applications
You may use a prior year's version of the Stern Full-time MBA application. You must fulfill all requirements for that application and cannot substitute parts from other applications (for example, essays from a different application cannot be used). In other words, you may not mix and match from different applications.

MBA Degrees Earned From Other Institutions
If you earned an MBA from another college or university within the U.S., you are not eligible for admission to Stern.

Transferring Credits
Stern does not accept credits earned in courses taken in other MBA programs.

Deferred Admission
Because we evaluate applications relative to the applicant pool each year, Stern does not offer deferral of admission to future semesters. You should apply for admission to the semester in which you want to enroll or re-apply using our abbreviated application.

Applying to Other Stern MBA Programs
You may apply to only one MBA program per semester (Full-time, Part-time, Executive or TRIUM Executive). If not admitted, you can apply to any Stern MBA program for any subsequent semester.

Changing Status: Full-time to Part-time
You should apply for the program (Full-time or Part-time) in which you want to enroll. However, if circumstances require you to request a change in status, please note the following guidelines:

• Prior to enrollment: Submit a written request to the  Admissions Committee Chairperson. The Admissions Committee will consider your request on a space-available basis. If you request a change in status, you relinquish all consideration under your original status (full-time).


• After enrollment: Once enrolled in the Full-time Program, you may request to change to the Part-time Program. To do this, submit your request in writing and meet with an academic advisor. (Note: If you change to the Part-time Program, you may no longer enroll in any Full-time block courses.)
  

Change of Contact Information
It is the applicant’s responsibility to update NYU Stern immediately with any new contact information. It is also the applicant’s responsibility to verify that any changes made to his or her contact information are properly reflected on the Application Status Check website.

Changes to your contact information will only be accepted through the Application Status Check website. Failure to update your contact information may result in your missing key information, which could jeopardize your admission and/or place in the class.

NYU Stern is not responsible for any technological issues (including email filters, etc.) that prevent applicants from receiving our communications.

Application Fee Waivers
You can request that the Application Fee be waived by submitting a written request to the Admissions Committee Chairperson. Fee waivers should only be requested in cases of extreme financial hardship.

Policy Statement
New York University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its faculty, students, and staff members, without regard to age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.

Notice of Right to Change Information at Any Time
The policies, requirements, course offerings, schedules, activities, tuition, fees, and calendar of the school and its departments and programs set forth in this publication do not form a contract of any kind and are subject to change without notice at any time at the sole discretion of the administration. Such changes may be of any nature, including, but not limited to, the content of any of the aforementioned; and the cancellation of scheduled classes or other academic activities.

Re-applicants
If you wish to re-apply to the Full-time MBA Program within one year of your last application you can do so under Stern's abbreviated application procedures. Re-applicants are encouraged to apply online. You cannot apply more than once in the same term.

The following items are not required for re-applicants:

• Essay #2 and Essay #3


• One Letter of Recommendation (only one of the two letters of recommendation is required)


• Transcript (unless you have taken additional coursework)


• Official GMAT and TOEFL (unless you have new scores to report, or your scores have expired).   
  

The remainder of the application should be filled out in its entirety.

If you are re-applying to the program using the online application, you will need to complete the application checklist prior to submitting. For the sections of the application that you omit as a re-applicant, you can simply select the option entitled "N/A - Re-applicant."

Interviews may be part of the admissions process for re-applicants, and are by invitation only.

Stern keeps transcripts and test scores on file for one year. Please refer to the deadlines to determine whether your GMAT and/or TOEFL scores are valid for the new application period.

If you are applying for a different program within Stern than the one to which you originally applied, you must submit an entirely new application. (For example, you originally applied to the Full-time Program and now want to apply to the Part-time Program).

Admissions Tip:
Approximately 10 percent of our applicants each year are re-applicants. You are at no disadvantage in applying if you are a re-applicant. Please take the opportunity during the re-application process to demonstrate how you have become a more competitive applicant since your last application.

Formerly Enrolled Students
Students who were previously enrolled in the Stern MBA program should contact:
MBA Academic Advising
E-mail: advising@stern.nyu.edu

International Applicants
Application Deadline
International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the December 1 deadline to facilitate visa arrangements and to have priority consideration for off-site interviews (if desired). When planning the time needed to complete the application, consider the time required to obtain official documents from your undergraduate institution (regardless of where you are living now) and the English translations. The Admissions Committee will not review your application without the official transcripts and English translations.  International applicants may also apply for the January 15th and March 15th deadline.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The TOEFL exam is a measure of English as a foreign language, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Please include in your application packet a photocopy of your test score report. The ETS reporting code for Stern is 2582. TOEFL scores cannot be more than two years old (see TOEFL deadlines).

All applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a university degree in an English-speaking country must take the TOEFL in addition to the GMAT.

For applicants from countries where English may not be the primary spoken language but is the primary language used in education, such as India and Singapore, the TOEFL is recommended but not required.

In place of the TOEFL, you may take the English Language Proficiency Test from the American Language Institute at New York University.
   
Diplomas and Degree Conferrals
All transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by a photocopy of the diploma and/or degree conferral. A degree conferral shows the date, location, and institution from which you received an official degree.

Transcripts
International applicants, like domestic applicants, must submit valid transcripts from all institutions attended.

All academic transcripts must be original documents bearing the institutional seal and signature of the institution's registrar.

If an institution cannot issue a transcript to you, you must submit a letter (in a sealed envelope) from the institution stating its policy.

If you cannot obtain transcripts directly from the institution but you possess an original transcript, you may submit verified copies from the embassy or consulate of the institution's country.

Certifications by a Notary Public are not acceptable.

Please do not submit the original copy of an academic transcript that cannot be replaced (transcripts will not be returned).

Each transcript must contain a list of courses taken, grades or marks earned, name of degree earned (if any), and date of degree conferral.

Non-English Transcripts
If an original transcript is not in English, the applicant is required to submit both the official transcript and its English translation.

Both the official transcript and the translation should be submitted in one sealed envelope.

If the institution attended does not provide an English translation with the official transcript, a certified English translation through a translating service must be obtained and submitted in a sealed envelope, endorsed across the seal.

Stern has no preferred translating services.

Certifications by a Notary Public are not acceptable.
   
Funding
The cost of tuition is the same for both international and domestic students. International candidates must be prepared to pay the total cost of attending Stern, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

The sources of your educational funding must be provided in your application. Documentation of the sources of funding does not need to be provided until you have been admitted and are in the process of enrolling at Stern.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, please apply by the December 1 deadline. Please review Financing Your MBA for more information on financial aid.

Interviews
Interviews are an integral part of the admission process for both international and domestic students. We strongly encourage you to read our Interview and Off-site Interview sections in detail for more information.

For priority consideration for an off-site interview, please apply by December 1.

Permanent International Address
If the mailing address you provide on your Stern application is a U.S. address, you must also provide a permanent, foreign address in your country of citizenship on the International Student Supplement section. All universities in the U.S. must comply with these Federal Government SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database regulations.

Recommended Degrees
Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is open to qualified persons who hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, or an equivalent degree from a foreign country.

The following degrees/credentials from non-U.S. schools are recommended for admission. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English (see Transcripts).

People's Republic of China
A bachelor's degree representing four years of university study. Official academic records, including a graduation certificate in Chinese, must be submitted with a complete English translation listing all courses and grades. All records must be certified by the issuing institution or appropriate government official.

Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
All three-year Bachelor's degree are sufficient to apply. Transcripts must be accompanied by a photocopy of the diploma and/or degree conferral. A degree conferral shows the date, location, and institution from which you received an official degree.

Canada
Three-year bachelor's degree from Quebec and Ontario; four-year bachelor's degree from all other provinces.

France or French-patterned educational systems
A Maitrise or a diploma requiring four years of post-baccalaureate study from a university or a Grand Ecole.

Germany
A university Diploma, Magister Artium, or Staatsexamen. Graduates of Fachhochschulen and Berufsemies are eligible. The Vordiplom by itself is not sufficient.

Indonesia
Sarjana or Sarjana Legkap, awarded after five years of university study.

Italy
Diploma di laurea, requiring four to six years of study.

Mexico, Spain, Central and South America
Completion of all courses and thesis or professional exams required for the titulo or degree of Licenciado or Bacharel.

The Netherlands
Doctorandus, Ingenieur or Meester.

Switzerland
License or Diplome or Diploma following four to five years of university study.

United Kingdom and British-patterned educational systems including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
Honours Bachelor's degree, Bachelor's degree (ordinary), Higher National Diploma (HND).

Professional qualifications -- for example, associateships in the Institute of Chartered Accountants -- are also acceptable in combination with the educational credentials listed above.

Waitlisted Applicants
We understand that the waitlist process can be complex and hope that this page answers your waitlist questions.  We appreciate your patience with the process. If you have any additional questions, please send an email to admchair@stern.nyu.edu.

When I receive notification that I have been put on the waitlist, what is the next step?
Within two weeks, notify the admissions office that you would like to reserve a spot on the waitlist. You can complete and submit the waitlist response form that you received online.

When will I hear a final decision?
Because we consider all waitlisted applicants as space becomes available, we are not able to provide a specific decision date. Typically we begin to evaluate our waitlist in June and this process can continue through mid-August. If you are concerned about applying for a visa as an international student, rest assured that we take these factors into consideration.

Is the waitlist ranked? What are my chances of getting accepted?
The waitlist is not ranked, and the number of applicants on the waitlist varies throughout the admissions cycle. There is no pre-determined number of waitlisted applicants. Since we do not know in advance how many spaces will become available, we cannot estimate your chances of being admitted.

How do you select applicants from the waitlist? When are decisions made?
As we continue to make admissions decisions and assess the remaining spaces in the class, we evaluate the entire waitlist. Typically, this process begins in June and can continue through August. Therefore, it is possible that you will not receive a final decision until the end of August. If you are an international student concerned about applying for a visa, rest assured that we take these factors into consideration.

How do I strengthen my application at this point?
The admissions committee appreciates relevant additions and updates to your application. We assume that you provided complete and current information when you submitted your application, but also realize that as time passes circumstances may change. New information about employment, a promotion, additional community involvement or relevant coursework, along with updated test scores, supplemental recommendation letters and additional essays can all potentially enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your continued commitment to attending Stern. New information is most effective when it provides a different or updated perspective to the committee. You may email these updates to admchair@stern.nyu.edu.

Can I get feedback on my application?  Can I find out which specific parts of my application I need to strengthen?
We are looking for savvy candidates who show great self-awareness.

Therefore we expect that strong applicants are capable of assessing their own application for areas of improvement.  As such, we do not provide specific feedback on individual applications.

Can I interview with a member of the admissions committee? Should I visit campus?
Interviews are available by invitation only from the admissions committee, and we will contact you if the committee requests an interview. While we appreciate the demonstration of interest by visiting campus or attending an information session, we do not track this information as part of the application process. The best way to demonstrate your interest is by sending appropriate email correspondence.

I plan to retake the GMAT or TOEFL. What should I do?
If you intend to re-take the GMAT or TOEFL, please email your test date to admchair@stern.nyu.edu.  Once you take your exam, please fax your unofficial score report to us at 212-995-4231.   Even if the score does not improve, please send us the new result.  It will signal that you put in additional effort to improve your application.

If I am admitted late, what is the impact on financial aid and class registration?
We are committed to providing all admitted students with assistance with the financial aid and registration process.  lease keep in mind that you should start to review our Financial Aid information early in order to begin the process of financially planning for your MBA.  Below are a few tips:

Domestic Students: If you have not already done so, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) immediately at http://www.fafsa.org. As it typically takes 4-6 weeks to process your FAFSA, do not wait until you receive an offer of admission.

Domestic and International Students: There are many private loan opportunities available.  For more information on how to finance your education, please visit our website.