NYU Stern MBA Recommendation Questions
The NYU Stern MBA recommendation questions for the 2024-2025 admissions season are below. One EQ (emotional intelligence) Endorsement is required, but applicants may submit a second if they choose. The required endorsement must come from a current supervisor, and if that is not possible, an explanation as to why must be provided in the application. Your EQ Endorsements should come from individuals who know you professionally and/or personally, who can objectively assess your potential for success in NYU Stern’s MBA program and in your future career, and who can act as a persuasive advocate of your EQ strengths.
2024-2025 NYU Stern MBA Recommendation Questions
Section 1: Applicant and Recommender Information
Is the applicant currently employed by your organization? (Yes/No)
Are you an alumna/alumnus of the NYU Stern School of Business? (Yes/No)
Section 2: EQ Endorsement
Recommenders are given 10 characteristics to rate the applicant:
Analytical/Quantitative Ability
Oral Communication Skills
Written Communication Skills
Initiative
Integrity
Leadership
Maturity
Teamwork
Professionalism
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Using a drop-down menu with the following choices, recommenders are asked to rate the applicant on each of those characteristics in relation to his or her peers:
- Outstanding (Top 5%)
- Excellent (Top 15%)
- Good (Top 1/3)
- Average (Middle 1/3)
- Below Average (Bottom 1/3)
- Unable to judge
Please mark your overall recommendation regarding this applicant’s admission to NYU Stern:
- I strongly recommend this applicant for admission
- I recommend this applicant for admission
- I recommend this applicant for admission with some reservation
- I do not recommend this applicant be admitted
Section 3: Written Endorsement
How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles (if applicable)? Please provide specific examples. (E.g. what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Up to 500 words)
MBA Applywire
I have primarily worked with venture funds and startups covering a range of tax advisory projects from M&A, due diligence, venture fund setup etc. I want to go beyond tax and step into strategy consulting roles, with a focus on fund strategy and portfolio acceleration in private equity.
Extracurricular : Involved with Rotaract for 2.5 years, taken part in multiple corporate responsibility initiatives at the firm , volunteer in pet rescue initiatives for the community
- South Asian (Non-Indian), Male, 25 year old
- Bachelor in Finance and Economics (1st in Class) Graduated May 2023
- Activities:
Debating (Coached National Debate Team to its best performance in the World Championship, 3x Asian Top 10 debater, won/competed in finals of Oxford Intervarsity, UCL Intervarsity, Durham-Oxford-Cambridge Open, and many more prestigious competitions, Mentored 100+ debaters across 15 countries and advised Debate Organizations in Australia and China).
Non Profit (Founding member of a student org; Conducted 5 city-wide projects on Food Security, Clothing for the poor in Winter, and Improving sanitation in slums that received national coverage)
- More on Work: My focus is on Growth Tech (Startups and fast scaling businesses) and Public Sector practice area. I have led the writing of a report we co-published with a client (my name is on the acknowledgement section). The client and Partners loved my work and have now staffed me in writing another report for the same client. Evals are highly positive and have endorsements from 2 Senior Partners in the org (who are happy to write my recc)
- What I am doing outside of work now: I had a merit scholarship offer from LBS for its MiM program upon graduation. I have been helping folks from my country get into top tier early career master's programs pro-bono (Most people here cannot afford Western Admissions consultants as the charges are exorbitant for us given the country is an LDC). Since joining work, I have continued to work as a selector for National Debate Team and I take pro-bono sessions for disadvantaged schools. I have also taken sessions at local consulting firms to teach them what I have learned from my MBB experience (I am the first from my country to make it to an MBB after a local undergrad; MBBs do not have offices in my country)
- Future Plan: Continue at MBB and specialize in Venture Capital/ Startups. I have a very good network with VCs and founders in my home country. I would love to raise a fund to help the startup ecosystem of my country in the future or work in the capacity of mentoring founders.
- Target: Full-rides to top schools such as HBS, Wharton, CBS, Sloan. Looking for tips to develop my profile for 2027 Fall entry. I believe that I have what it takes to make it to an M7 but would love to take the 2 years to solidify my profile so that I can be in the mix for a good scholarship
Interests: Martial Arts, Reading (I have read books from Wharton Professors such as Adam Grant, Angela Duckworth, and Katy Milkman) Weightlifting, Marathon Running (I am aware this is super cliche haha)
Side-note: My GRE split is 166 Q (84%ile), 169 V (99%ile), and 5.5 AWA (98%ile). I can improve my Quant to 169-170 but I doubt the extra effort needed now will make a material difference. Would love to have your thoughts
Background in design. Graduate degree in design from Harvard. Transitioned public sector consulting and planning work.