David Knoll, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2024
Hometown: Scarsdale, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Yeshiva University, General Business
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 years, Military and Financial Services
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Over the last decade, I have been fortunate to work in increasingly senior roles that allowed me to sharpen my professional capabilities, such as managing client expectations and empowering a team to work towards a common goal. At the same time, I have always had an itch to return to the classroom to enhance my technical skills, broaden my corporate/financial knowledge and expand my professional network. The pandemic was an acute reminder that there is no virtue in unduly delaying your goals and pushed me to apply to business school.
Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My professional and personal network has always centered around New York. As a prospective student researching schools during the pandemic, I was limited to virtual events. Helpfully, this dynamic made it easier to have meaningful touchpoints and engage directly with students/alumni at different MBA programs. The deciding factor in my journey was the investment Stern makes into the Veteran community by way of the Fertitta Veterans Program.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
As an employee of the Marine Corps and former employee of J.P. Morgan, I have always aimed to be a resource to Veterans entering the civilian workforce and an aid to my coworkers in welcoming Veterans into their group. I will do the same for my fellow classmates. Also, my wife and I met in New York and dated in the city for several years, so I have a list of great date ideas and locations.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a certified diamond grader.
Post-MBA career interests:
After graduating from Stern, I am planning to work in investment banking. An important post-MBA goal of mine is to be part of a team that performs at a high level under challenging deadlines to ensure exceptional outcomes for clients/customers.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Tell your genuine story and believe in the process. If you feel you are an ideal candidate for a school, have the fortitude to trust the selections they make.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Don’t fall in love with one facet of your profile. You could end up overweighting one aspect of your candidacy that you think is strong and undervaluing other notable features, which may resonate strongly with the Admissions Committee.
What is your initial impression of the Stern students/culture/community?
The diversity of my cohort is front and center. We all have different backgrounds and life experiences, and, when it comes to getting the work done, you can see the tangible value that each student brings to the table.
What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
It was surprising to learn that Stern was founded on Wall Street in the early 20th century.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Investment banking recruiting is known to be very demanding. I’m excited to meet that challenge and succeed while bonding with my fellow students over the process.
