NYU Stern MBA Essays: Complete Guide (Change Essay + Short Answers)

NYU Stern's MBA application includes a required essay and short answers that give you the opportunity to showcase your creativity, adaptability, and fit with Stern's innovative and collaborative culture. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down each component, provide strategic insights, and offer sample responses to help you craft compelling essays that demonstrate your potential as a Stern MBA student.

Understanding the Components

Change Essay (350 words)

"Change: ______ it (350 words)"

Short Answers

"Short answers about career goals, personal tagline, etc."

What NYU Stern is Looking For

1. Creativity and Innovation

Stern values candidates who can think creatively and approach problems from unique angles.

2. Adaptability and Change

Demonstrate your ability to adapt to change and drive positive transformation.

3. Collaboration and Community

Show your ability to work with others and contribute to the Stern community.

4. Self-Awareness

Demonstrate understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and growth areas.

5. Fit with Stern's Culture

Show understanding of Stern's values and how you'll contribute to the community.

Strategic Approach to the Change Essay

Understanding the Prompt

The "Change: ______ it" prompt is designed to assess:

Your creativity and innovative thinking
Your approach to change and transformation
Your ability to think outside the box
Your fit with Stern's innovative culture

Choosing Your Word

Select a word that:

Reflects your personality and values
Connects to your career goals
Demonstrates your approach to change
Shows your creativity and innovation

Popular Word Choices

Innovate it: For those focused on innovation and creativity
Transform it: For those focused on transformation and change
Disrupt it: For those focused on disruption and innovation
Accelerate it: For those focused on speed and efficiency
Optimize it: For those focused on improvement and efficiency
Democratize it: For those focused on accessibility and inclusion

Structure for Change Essay (350 words)

Introduction (50 words):

Hook with a compelling opening
Introduce your chosen word
Show why this word matters to you

The Concept (100 words):

Explain what you mean by your chosen word
Show your unique perspective
Demonstrate your creativity

Application to Your Experience (125 words):

Specific example from your background
How you've applied this concept
Results and impact

Connection to Goals (75 words):

How this connects to your career goals
How Stern will help you continue this work
Your potential impact at Stern

Sample Change Essay Drafts

Option 1: "Change: Innovate it"

"Innovate it. This isn't just about creating new products—it's about fundamentally reimagining how we solve problems. My approach to innovation focuses on bridging gaps between different worlds, connecting people, ideas, and opportunities that might otherwise remain separate.

At Epic Systems, I discovered that the biggest barrier to healthcare innovation wasn't technology—it was the gap between brilliant engineers and healthcare administrators who needed their solutions. I became the translator, explaining complex technical systems in terms of patient outcomes and operational efficiency. When presenting our electronic health record system to rural hospital administrators, I didn't just describe software features; I explained how automated medication reconciliation could reduce medical errors by 30% and save $50,000 annually in liability costs.

This approach to innovation drives my interest in healthcare investment banking, where I can help connect innovative healthcare companies with the capital they need to bring life-saving technologies to market. Stern's emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship will provide the perfect environment for me to develop the skills needed to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and capital markets, ultimately enabling me to drive meaningful change in how healthcare companies access funding and scale their innovations."

Option 2: "Change: Transform it"

"Transform it. This isn't about incremental improvements—it's about fundamental change that creates new possibilities. My approach to transformation focuses on building bridges between different perspectives and creating environments where diverse ideas can thrive and collaborate.

At Epic Systems, I led the transformation of healthcare delivery in rural communities by implementing electronic health records across 15 hospitals. But I quickly realized that technology alone wasn't enough. I transformed the implementation process by creating collaborative teams that included engineers, clinicians, and administrators, ensuring that every perspective was valued and incorporated into the final solution.

This experience taught me that successful transformation requires both technical expertise and emotional intelligence. I learned to build trust across different stakeholder groups, translate complex technical requirements into clear operational benefits, and maintain focus on the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

This approach to transformation drives my interest in healthcare investment banking, where I can help transform how healthcare companies access capital and bring innovative solutions to market. Stern's collaborative culture and emphasis on diverse perspectives will provide the perfect environment for me to develop the skills needed to transform healthcare finance and improve patient outcomes."

Strategic Approach to Short Answers

Understanding the Purpose

Short answers are designed to assess:

Your communication skills
Your personality and values
Your career clarity
Your fit with Stern's culture

Common Short Answer Topics

Career Goals:

Be specific about your short-term and long-term goals
Show connection to your background
Demonstrate research about your target industry

Personal Tagline:

Create a memorable phrase that captures your essence
Show your personality and values
Make it authentic and specific

Why Stern:

Show specific research about Stern
Connect to Stern's unique offerings
Demonstrate fit with Stern's culture

Sample Short Answers

Career Goals: "Short-term: Join Goldman Sachs' Healthcare Investment Banking group as a Senior Associate, focusing on biotech and digital health transactions. Long-term: Lead Goldman's Healthcare Investment Banking division, driving increased capital flow to innovative healthcare companies."

Personal Tagline: "Bridging gaps between technology and business to improve healthcare outcomes."

Why Stern: "Stern's location in New York City provides unparalleled access to healthcare companies and investment firms, while the school's emphasis on innovation and collaboration aligns with my approach to solving complex healthcare challenges."

Key Tips for Success

1. Research Stern Thoroughly

Understand specific programs and opportunities
Know Stern's values and culture
Connect to unique offerings like the Healthcare Club

2. Be Creative and Authentic

Choose a word that reflects your true personality
Show genuine creativity and innovation
Connect to your broader goals and values

3. Show Adaptability

Demonstrate your ability to handle change
Show your approach to transformation
Connect to Stern's innovative culture

4. Stay Within Word Limits

Every word counts in these concise essays
Edit ruthlessly for clarity and impact
Ensure smooth flow and transitions

5. Demonstrate Fit

Show understanding of Stern's culture
Connect your approach to Stern's values
Demonstrate potential contribution to the community

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Generic Word Choices

❌ "Change: Improve it" ✅ "Change: Innovate it" or "Change: Transform it"

2. Vague Stern References

❌ "Stern is a great school" ✅ "Stern's location in New York City provides unparalleled access to healthcare companies"

3. Weak Creativity

❌ Generic approach to change ✅ Unique and creative perspective on transformation

4. Poor Short Answers

❌ Generic responses ✅ Specific, authentic, and memorable answers

5. Ignoring Collaboration

❌ Focusing only on individual achievement ✅ Emphasizing teamwork and community contribution

Final Checklist

Before submitting your application, ensure:

[ ] Change essay shows creativity and authenticity
[ ] Short answers are specific and memorable
[ ] All components stay within word limits
[ ] Components complement rather than repeat each other
[ ] You've shown research about Stern
[ ] Components are authentic and specific
[ ] You've proofread for errors

Conclusion

NYU Stern's application components are your opportunity to demonstrate your creativity, adaptability, and fit with Stern's innovative culture. By crafting specific, authentic responses that show your unique approach to change and your potential to contribute to the Stern community, you can create compelling essays that showcase your readiness for the Stern experience.

Remember, Stern values students who are creative, adaptable, and ready to collaborate with others. Your application should reflect these qualities while telling your unique story and demonstrating your potential to thrive in Stern's collaborative and innovative environment.

Looking for more guidance on NYU Stern's application? Check out our guides on Stern's interview process and application timeline.

NYU Stern MBA Essays: Complete Guide for 2026 Intake