NYU Stern MBA Admissions and Related Blogs

This interview is the latest in an Accepted blog series featuring interviews with MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. And now for a chat with Keith Riegert....

Accepted: We'd like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad?

Keith: My name is Keith Riegert, I’m originally from Berkeley, California—just across the bay from San Francisco—and I have a bachelor's degree in Literature from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara.

Accepted: Can you share three fun facts about yourself?


Keith:
1. For fun, I moonlight as a book author with my writing partner, Samuel Kaplan. Together we’ve written eight books over the past eight years; and every year we get to learn, in depth, about something new.

2. In my application to Stern, I wrote my “Personal Expression” essay on my visit to Manhattan’s North River Wastewater Treatment Plant for a book project we were working on. I think in the great canon of admissions essays that has to be original. We visited the plant on a very hot day in July—not recommended.

3. I cannot clap and sing at the same time. It’s embarrassing.

Accepted:Where are you currently in b-school? What year?

Keith: Right now, I’m about to start my second year at NYU Stern School of Business. I’m enrolled in Stern’s two-year accelerated program for part-time students.

Accepted: How did you decide NYU Stern was the best fit for you? Anything in particular that drew you to that program?


Keith: I’ve lived in New York for about five years now and knew that I wanted to pursue my MBA here. There is no place in the country that offers a better business education than New York City—this is the heart of commerce, banking and innovation. At Stern, we’ve got the Fed, Madison Avenue, Wall Street and Silicon Alley all within walking distance of campus.

As far as NYU Stern, I was really drawn to the school’s increasing focus on business analytics and entrepreneurship—both of which I’ve chosen as my areas of specialization. The school’s fostering of programs like the W.R. Berkley Innovation Lab have put Stern at the forefront of the push to make business schools more future- and forward-leaning. Moving away from a historically finance-oriented program has also created a student body at Stern with a remarkably diverse set of skills and backgrounds. The students I met when I first visited Stern, as well as the students in my cohort, have all been some of the most intelligent, interesting and driven people I’ve ever met.

Accepted: You recently became the co-President/Editor-In-Chief of NYU Stern's Graduate Student Newspaper, the Stern Opportunity. Tell me more about why you took this opportunity, and why you're so passionate about writing.

Keith: Of all the amazing student organizations Stern has to offer, I was most drawn to the newspaper. Business school is fast, tough and over in a flash, and it’s hard to get a grasp of everything that’s going on around you, especially if you’re also living in a bustling place like New York. I think the opportunity provides a link between students and the community (both at Stern and in the city) that has the power to ground you while you're pushing through intense semesters. We strive to publish articles from every student organization and highlight as many on- and off-campus events as possible. In addition, as students of business, I think the paper allows us to explore the world of innovation and change happening around us in tech, finance, energy, economics, advertising, etc., in ways we don’t get to through coursework. Personally, I find writing for the paper provides a critical bridge between what I learn in the classroom and what I see playing out in the world of commerce.

In a shameless plug, I highly recommend checking out our work: www.sternoppy.com (you can also find us on Twitter @sternoppy)

Accepted: Where are you currently working?


Keith: As a member of Stern’s Langone Part-Time Program, I never actually stopped working when I started at NYU. I am currently the Director of Analytics and Market Research for the independent book publisher, Ulysses Press. I also launched my own start-up publishing company just over a year ago called Kingfisher Press that specializes in crafting data-driven, quick-to-market books.

Working while pursuing an MBA has been challenging (and exhausting); but having the opportunity to apply lessons from the classroom the next day at work is not something I could imagine giving up. Every class I’ve taken has worked its way into my professional life.

Accepted: What advice do you have for those who are just starting out with their MBA? Anything you wish you would have known before starting your program that you'd like to share?


Keith: I think the most important piece of information I have from my own experience is that, regardless of your experience, you can thrive in a top-tier MBA program. I have a background in the humanities and I was very nervous about starting at a disadvantage in a program steeped in high-level mathematics. I had no idea how I was going to fare.

I found the first step toward feeling comfortable with the MBA coursework was definitely studying for the GMAT. My advice is, regardless of where you plan on going (and how well you need to score), take the test seriously and study hard—beyond the score, it’s actually a very accurate representation of the skills you’ll need to excel in a business program.

Next, before you plunge into coursework, recognize any areas that you are not fully prepared for—whether that’s essay writing or derivatives—and work to get yourself ready. Take advantage of any prep courses your school has to offer and don’t be shy about asking peers for help.

Finally, don’t go into the program laser focused on where you are going to end up after your MBA. If you can keep an open mind about your future, you’ll find immense value in every course you take—from Marketing and Leadership to Global Economics and Operations Management—despite the fact that some classes are just not going to fit with what you end up doing. Barring a PhD, this may be the last time in your life where learning is a top priority. Savor that.

You can learn more about Keith's MBA journey by checking out his website www.keithriegert.com and by connecting with him on LinkedIn. Thank You Keith for sharing your story with us - we wish you continued success!

For one-on-one guidance on your b-school application, please see our MBA Application Packages.





Related Resources:
• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
• Exploring the Part-Time MBA Options and NYU Stern [Podcast]
• NYU Stern 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

This article originally appeared on blog.accepted.com.

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New York University Stern School of Business has announced the establishment of The NYU Stern Venture Fellows Program with a $1 million gift from technology executive and alumnus David Ko and his wife Jennifer Ko.

With this gift, Stern MBAs will have the opportunity to apply to this new immersion program in lieu of a traditional summer internship and benefit from financial support, mentorship, workshops and access to NYC and Silicon Valley tech companies.

The launch of this program coincides with David’s appointment to Stern’s Board of Overseers and extends the commitment to education that he and his wife initiated in 2012 with the establishment of the Jennifer and David Y. Ko Family Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship at NYU Stern.

“We are grateful to the Ko family for their generosity and to David for his decision to get more deeply engaged with his alma mater and help us continue creating innovative new student experiences,” said Peter Henry, dean of NYU Stern.

“The NYU Stern Venture Fellows Program is an extraordinary opportunity for MBA students who come to Stern to set their entrepreneurial ambitions and dreams in motion.”

Incoming full-time MBA students will apply in Fall 2016 for consideration to become the first NYU Stern Venture Fellows. The program will start in Summer 2017 under the administration of Stern’s W.R. Berkley Innovation Lab and Office of Student Engagement.

It will provide each Fellow with a $10,000 stipend, a prototyping fee, workspace and access to a multi-week summer program featuring a “Silicon Valley Immersion Week” that includes company visits and access to VCs, mentors and Stern alumni.  Fellows will continue to receive mentorship support in their second year at Stern and can opt to earn course credit through a faculty-supervised independent study in which they can focus on their start up.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Stern MBAs transform their ideas into viable businesses through the resources that will be available to them from the NYU Stern Venture Fellows Program,” said Ko.  “My goal is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with early, firsthand access to leaders in the Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley tech communities and help them get a jumpstart.”

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Generous Gift Will Fund NYU Stern School’s New Program for Military Veterans

New York University’s Stern School of Business has received a $15 million endowment gift from alumnus Lorenzo Fertitta (MBA ’93) and brother Frank J. Fertitta III to create a new program exclusively for U.S. military veteran and active duty students who will be entering the school’s full-time MBA program next year. The school projects that approximately 20 incoming full-time MBA military students who are accepted into the Fertitta Veterans Program will receive scholarship support that reduces their tuition to a flat $30,000 per year. Students who qualify for veteran benefits, including Yellow Ribbon funding, will continue to be eligible to receive those benefits. In addition to the scholarship money, the program will provide academic and professional support customized for veterans to ease the transition from the military to business school and eventually the business world. The Fertitta Veterans Program, believed to be the only program of its kind at a U.S. business school, will begin in summer 2017 for members of the full-time MBA Class of 2019. The uniquely designed summer session will include an early start on selected coursework; career programming with access to corporations and alumni; engagement with veteran alumni mentors; and social activities. “The Fertitta family’s vision and generosity will support distinguished military personnel who seek the tools, knowledge and networks of an MBA in their return to civilian life, while significantly minimizing their financial burden,” said Peter Henry, dean, NYU Stern. “Their gift allows the School to take a giant leap forward in the level of commitment we will be able to offer the best and brightest military talent in their future career pursuits.” At the conclusion of the summer session, veterans will be fully integrated into the Full-time MBA program beginning with LAUNCH, Stern’s week-long MBA orientation. “We are proud that we are able to launch this program. Our veterans are a greatly valued group among the faculty, their fellow students and employers. We are delighted to be taking an important step towards addressing affordability, an issue on which NYU has placed great emphasis,” said Raghu Sundaram, vice dean of MBA programs. This endowment builds on a strong foundation of current support offered to military students at Stern through both scholarships and community. Stern’s Military Veterans Club is an active and tight-knit community of MBA student support. This fall Stern enrolled the highest number of incoming military students to its full-time MBA program on record. The Fertitta family’s support for the military also extends to a variety of local and national military charities personally, and through their ownership of Station Casinos and their former ownership of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Military-based charities that have benefited include: Veterans Village, housing and services for homeless veterans; the Fisher House Foundation; Nevada Military Support Alliance; the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund; and the Wounded Warriors Project. “My brother Frank and I have always been committed to assisting those who have proudly served our country and hope our gift encourages many of our military veterans to earn their MBA from my alma mater,” said Lorenzo Fertitta. You may also be interested in: Overcome 3 MBA Application Challenges Facing Military Veterans

New York University’s Stern School of Business has received a $15 million endowment gift from alumnus Lorenzo Fertitta (MBA ’93) and brother Frank J. Fertitta III to create a new program exclusively for U.S. military veteran and active duty students who will be entering the school’s full-time MBA program next year.


The school projects that approximately 20 incoming full-time MBA military students who are accepted into the Fertitta Veterans Program will receive scholarship support that reduces their tuition to a flat $30,000 per year. Students who qualify for veteran benefits, including Yellow Ribbon funding, will continue to be eligible to receive those benefits.

In addition to the scholarship money, the program will provide academic and professional support customized for veterans to ease the transition from the military to business school and eventually the business world.

The Fertitta Veterans Program, believed to be the only program of its kind at a U.S. business school, will begin in summer 2017 for members of the full-time MBA Class of 2019. The uniquely designed summer session will include an early start on selected coursework; career programming with access to corporations and alumni; engagement with veteran alumni mentors; and social activities.

“The Fertitta family’s vision and generosity will support distinguished military personnel who seek the tools, knowledge and networks of an MBA in their return to civilian life, while significantly minimizing their financial burden,” said Peter Henry, dean, NYU Stern. “Their gift allows the School to take a giant leap forward in the level of commitment we will be able to offer the best and brightest military talent in their future career pursuits.”

At the conclusion of the summer session, veterans will be fully integrated into the Full-time MBA program beginning with LAUNCH, Stern’s week-long MBA orientation.

“We are proud that we are able to launch this program. Our veterans are a greatly valued group among the faculty, their fellow students and employers. We are delighted to be taking an important step towards addressing affordability, an issue on which NYU has placed great emphasis,” said Raghu Sundaram, vice dean of MBA programs.

This endowment builds on a strong foundation of current support offered to military students at Stern through both scholarships and community. Stern’s Military Veterans Club is an active and tight-knit community of MBA student support. This fall Stern enrolled the highest number of incoming military students to its full-time MBA program on record.

The Fertitta family’s support for the military also extends to a variety of local and national military charities personally, and through their ownership of Station Casinos and their former ownership of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Military-based charities that have benefited include: Veterans Village, housing and services for homeless veterans; the Fisher House Foundation; Nevada Military Support Alliance; the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund; and the Wounded Warriors Project.

“My brother Frank and I have always been committed to assisting those who have proudly served our country and hope our gift encourages many of our military veterans to earn their MBA from my alma mater,” said Lorenzo Fertitta.
You may also be interested in:
Overcome 3 MBA Application Challenges Facing Military Veterans


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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

Digital technology is redefining business models and transforming industries from finance to fashion at an unprecedented pace. In response, NYU Stern School of Business is introducing a new Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) in Digital Business.

At companies leading this transformation, technical professionals find they need to understand the business implications of technology as they progress to product planning and managerial roles, and non-technical professionals need to understand the fundamentals of digital technology to advance within their organizations. Stern’s new certificate will address these unmet needs.

Working professionals with or without an MBA may apply to the APC program to take five courses alongside Stern MBA students in the School’s Langone Part-time MBA program. APC students can earn their certificate in digital business in as few as two semesters and will have up to two years to complete it.

“Most of the top digital economy companies have a home base in New York City, many in Silicon Alley just a few blocks from Stern,” said Yannis Bakos, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Faculty Director of the APC in Digital Business.

“Employees in these companies can take top-tier MBA courses during evenings or weekends, and deepen their understanding of digital technology and digital business in a short amount of time. They can better assess whether a full MBA program might be the next step for them, or they can update a degree they earned before digital business was part of the MBA curriculum,” Bakos said.

APC students without an MBA may choose to apply to Stern’s Langone Part-time MBA program while pursuing their certificate. If admitted, these students can apply their APC credits towards the Langone Part-time MBA as long as they do so prior to receiving their APC certificate.

APC in Digital Business course offerings include classes on digital strategy; data mining; business analytics; digital marketing; digital media; and statistics and data analysis. As part of the admissions process, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, two years of work experience and submit either a GMAT or GRE score, or proof of an MBA degree. Candidates may apply to start courses in the Fall or Spring semester.

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

New York University’s Stern School of Business will establish a new merit-based scholarship called the Advancing Women in Business Scholarship for incoming full-time MBA students, the school has announced.

The scholarships will go to students—female or male—who demonstrate a deep and abiding commitment to advancing women in business and will cover the first year of tuition and mandatory fees.  Stern expects to award $1 million in Advancing Women in Business scholarships to students in the Class of 2019.

The Advancing Women in Business Scholarship is partially funded by alumnae and these members of the Stern School’s Board of Overseers:

• Tania Ahuja, PhD 2001
• Mary C. Farrell, MBA 1976
• Nomi Ghez, GSAS 1976, ADCRT 1981
• Judy Lee, BS 1988
• Alison Mass, BS 1980, MBA 1981
• Ellen J. Schapps Richman, MBA 1979
• Chandrika Tandon

NYU Stern’s popular and active MBA student club, Stern Women in Business (SWIB), reinforces the vision behind the scholarship.  The club, whose leadership board includes four men, generates a supportive community to address topics significant to women in business and provides forums where diverse experiences, perspectives and resources can be shared.

If you are a woman planning on applying to business school in the future, we here at SBC encourage you to connect with Forte Foundation and Catalyst, two widely respected organizations dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in business. Forte’s mission is to educate women on the value of an MBA degree, and holds events throughout the year to help prepare female applicants to become the best candidate possible.

You may also be interested in:

Challenges and Opportunities for Female MBA Applicants
Image by Flickr user WOCInTech (CC BY 2.0)

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

The Stern School of Business at New York University has announced the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-2018 admissions cycle. The application itself is undergoing annual updates and the essay questions will be posted shortly.
Round 1
Application due: October 15, 2017
Decision released: January 1, 2018
Round 2
Application due: January 15, 2018
Decision released: April 1, 2018
Round 3
Application due: March 15, 2018
Decision released: June 1, 2018

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All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline to be considered in that round. International applicants are encouraged to apply earlier in the application cycle to facilitate visa arrangements and to have priority consideration for off-site interviews, if desired.



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If you are looking for guidance on your NYU Stern MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

New York University’s Stern School of Business is launching a new category of specialized MBA, optimized for MBA seekers who are firmly committed to business careers either in technology or in fashion and luxury. Both programs will enable students to build applicable knowledge, gain relevant real-world experience and earn their MBA in one year.

Raghu Sundaram, Vice Dean for MBA Programs and Online Learning, says, “These new MBAs provide broad exposure to core business areas with a depth of focus on the specialty area through an efficient schedule, reducing the opportunity cost with a more affordable MBA option.”

The program structure consists of four components: a business core; a technology or fashion and luxury core; real-world experiential learning projects with organizations in the respective specialty areas; and electives. With real-world business projects an essential element of the curriculum, Stern is elevating its commitment to experiential learning and branding it Stern Solutions.

The Tech MBA is designed for business candidates with strong technology backgrounds and will prepare students to advance their careers in Product Management, FinTech and Tech Entrepreneurship across various industries.

The program’s tech core was designed in partnership with NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. NYU Stern is itself home to one of the largest faculty of computer and data scientists among business schools and will bring all these strengths to bear in the Tech MBA.

Stern is the first US business school to offer a Fashion & Luxury MBA.

Over the past several years, the fashion and luxury industries have increasingly acknowledged the competitive advantage of adding business-educated talent to their creative ranks especially in the face of technological disruption.

This program is designed for students with a commitment to management roles throughout these sectors—accessories, apparel, beauty, jewelry, high-end automotive, fine wines and spirits, real estate, wearable tech and more. They will also have access to the Stern Fashion Lab, a new central hub being established for industry-related projects and networking for all Stern students.

“Because we sit in the heart of the business ecosystem that is New York City, with global headquarters and new economy upstarts just outside our doors, we are in constant conversation with industry about developing future talent,” said Peter Henry, Dean of NYU Stern. “This dialogue drives continuous innovation at Stern […] so we stay as relevant to the new economy as we are to Wall Street.”

The inaugural classes for the Tech MBA and Fashion & Luxury MBA will enroll at Stern in May 2018. Students will take 51 credits over 12 months and earn an MBA degree from Stern in one year.



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If you are looking for guidance on your NYU Stern MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: My Journey to American Express

Mansi S. Allison is a rising MBA2 and interning at American Express this summer. She is specializing in Finance and Strategy and is a member of Stern Women in Business. Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: From the Military to Management Consulting

Wes Going is a rising MBA2 and interning at L.E.K. Consulting this summer. He is specializing in Finance and Strategy and is a member of the Management Consulting Association, Military Veterans Club, and Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Loop Capital Markets

Oyinkansola Ayobiojo is a rising MBA2 and interning at Loop Capital Markets this summer. She is specializing in Finance, Strategy, and Global Business. NYU Stern’s “Summer Internship Series” sheds light into Sternies’ internship Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Discovering Healthcare Brand Management

Erin Guthrie is a rising MBA2 and interning at Johnson & Johnson this summer. She is specializing in Marketing and Strategy and is a member of the Graduate Marketing Association and the Stern Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Accenture Consulting

TJ Herrle is a rising MBA2 and interning at Accenture Consulting this summer. He is specializing in Strategy and Leadership & Change Management and is a member of the Management Consulting Association, and Stern Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: QuintilesIMS

Daniel Villaveces is a rising MBA2 and interning at QuintilesIMS this summer. He is specializing in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and is a member of the Stern Healthcare Association, Stern Student Government, and the Management Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Mastercard

Mark Lomedico is a rising MBA2 and interning at Mastercard this summer. He is specializing in Management, Management of Technology & Operations, and Finance and is a member of the Military Veterans Club, Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Colgate-Palmolive

Francois Anderson is a rising MBA2 and interning at Colgate-Palmolive this summer. He is specializing in Marketing and Strategy and is a member of the Graduate Marketing Association and Stern Speaks. NYU Stern’s Read More

FROM NYU Stern Admissions Blog: Summer Internship Series: Macquarie

Evan Foo is a rising MBA2 and interning at Macquarie this summer. He is specializing in Finance and Leadership & Change Management and is a member of the Asian Business Society, Graduate Finance Association, Read More