{"id":35291,"date":"2016-12-15T12:15:10","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T19:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=35291"},"modified":"2016-12-15T12:15:10","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T19:15:10","slug":"get-an-nyu-stern-mba-interview-with-admissions-dean-isser-gallogly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/get-an-nyu-stern-mba-interview-with-admissions-dean-isser-gallogly\/","title":{"rendered":"Get an NYU Stern MBA: Interview with Admissions Dean Isser Gallogly"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Listen<\/a><\/p>\n

It gives me great pleasure to have back on Admissions Straight Talk Isser Gallogly, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business<\/a>. Isser earned his MBA from Duke Fuqua in 1995. He then worked in brand management for Unilever and L\u2019Oreal before coming to NYU Stern as Director of Admissions and now Associate Dean for MBA Admissions. Isser participated in many of Accepted\u2019s old admissions chats, typing madly away and getting finger cramps, but bravely answering applicants\u2019 questions in that old text-only format. He also was the guest way back for episode 97 of AST when we discussed part-time options at NYU Stern. Isser, welcome to Admissions Straight Talk!<\/p>\n

Can you give us an overview of NYU Stern\u2019s Full-Time MBA program?<\/strong>\u00a0[1:25]<\/p>\n

Like many b-schools, our full-time program is a traditional, full-time, two-year MBA. The first year focuses on foundational basics, and in the second year you move into specializations.<\/p>\n

Two things set us apart: first is our location and how we leverage that to our students\u2019 betterment through experiential learning and career opportunities. And second is the unique makeup of our student population. We have about 400 students.<\/p>\n

We value IQ and EQ \u2013 both intelligence and leadership<\/a>. Our approach to academics is distinctive: it\u2019s a mixed approach (not just lecture based or case-based, but a mix of approaches). We provide a range of opportunities; our courses are taught by a range of faculty (from Nobel Prize winners to practitioners who teach part time). There\u2019s a lot of flexibility in the program \u2013 you can pursue between up to three specializations (or no specialization). And you can take classes overseas, or at other NYU grad schools.<\/p>\n

What are specializations?<\/strong>\u00a0[4:45]<\/p>\n

These are most akin to what people think of as majors. We offer about 20 of them \u2013 it\u2019s an organically developing list.<\/p>\n

Some standard options include management strategy, finance, corporate finance, etc. But there are also more specialized areas, such as digital marketing, luxury marketing, entertainment and media, FinTech, etc.<\/p>\n

You can specialize in none, and get a degree in general management \u2013 or pick up to three areas. So you can really tailor the degree to your short and long-term career goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We keep it fresh and in line with today\u2019s business.<\/p>\n

How many classes does it take to specialize?<\/strong>\u00a0[7:45]<\/p>\n

It takes nine credits to specialize. A typical class is three credits, though some are one and a half.<\/p>\n

Stern is very proud of its 4 core values: Academic Excellence, IQ+EQ, Collaborative Community, and the Energy of a Global Hub. The stated focus on EQ is unusual. What does EQ mean at NYU Stern?<\/strong>\u00a0[8:35]<\/p>\n

Self awareness, judgment, understanding what\u2019s going on in an interpersonal scope. Leading people. Negotiating, managing. Basically what might have been termed \u201csoft skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

We see that an important part of business is not necessarily about your ideas, but about how you lead and manage your team\u2019s ideas.<\/p>\n

There are a number of ways we get at this value through the application process.<\/p>\n

What are some of those ways?<\/strong>\u00a0[9:50]<\/p>\n

It starts with the essays. We\u2019re looking for things that get at who you are.<\/p>\n

Recommendations provide insight into people\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n

And the interview process adds dimension. We interview all the candidates we admit. Interviews are by invitation only. The interview is not blind \u2013 the interviewer will have read your application and know it well. The interview<\/a> is conducted by a member of the admissions staff. Our admissions officers are trained assessors of talent \u2013 that\u2019s important to us.<\/p>\n

Stern is located in the heart of Manhattan. How do you take advantage of your location?<\/strong>\u00a0[14:30]<\/p>\n

We have an Office of Student Engagement, and one of their functions is to leverage the city for students\u2019 learning and make NYC a hands-on extension of the academic experience, through industry immersions, course projects, etc.<\/p>\n

For example, the Entertainment & Media Immersion brings students together with alumni from Time Warner, and culminates with teams presenting to executives from Time Warner. Students get into real issues and learn about the industry.<\/p>\n

Another example is the Stern Consulting Corps. Students act as consultants for local companies and work on real problems. (The companies are vetted so that we know students will be working on significant projects that will be of value to them.)<\/p>\n

Through the Tech in the City project, students learn about digital entrepreneurship by working with early stage startups. They get a sense of what\u2019s going on, and participate in weekly reflection activities.<\/p>\n

Do projects like these ever turn into internships or jobs?\u00a0<\/strong>[18:40]<\/p>\n

Sometimes. People make connections and referrals. Even if they don\u2019t result in a career directly, the type of experiences they get are helpful during the recruiting process: it gives them a tremendous advantage \u2013 not to mention the connections they make.<\/p>\n

Recruiting is changing \u2013 the hiring path is fragmenting. How is Stern adapting?<\/strong>\u00a0[20:45]<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve always had a footprint in multiple industries, because of our location. What\u2019s happening now is that\u2019s how things are going more generally. The biggest change in our world is the growth of consulting, which is now one of the biggest areas for our grads \u2013 about 30% of our grads now go into consulting.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s an example of a cool entrepreneurial project students have created?<\/strong>\u00a0[22:30]<\/p>\n

There are so many! But here\u2019s one: Students tried to come up with an idea to help the health of people in developing countries.<\/p>\n

Imagine you\u2019re in a developing country and have a cellphone \u2013 take a picture of your eye, and an app can diagnose what kind of eyeglasses you need. Then you could link to a site to order glasses. The idea that you could see correctly and affordably with your phone is pretty amazing! Not surprisingly they won support with that idea.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s turn to the application process \u2013 we touched on EQ. The other values are intelligence, collaborative community, and the energy of a global hub. How can applicants show fit<\/a> with these elements of Stern\u2019s mission?<\/strong>\u00a0[25:45]<\/p>\n

Academic excellence:<\/strong> we\u2019re looking for students who will thrive in a rigorous academic environment. That\u2019s really a minimum threshold.<\/p>\n

The global hub:<\/strong> we want to take advantage of NYU as a global university. Students can go to our partner schools\u2019 around the world and learn what it\u2019s like to do business in China, India, etc \u2013 this type of immersive, in depth experience gives a broader experience. Today, most applicants do have a global mindset, and that\u2019s important to us.<\/p>\n

The other important aspect is character elements. Collaborative community:<\/strong> we believe in taking care of one another. Group success is more important than individual success. Students here help each other be competitive for jobs \u2013 they coach each other for interviews, even when they may be applying for the same position. Our classes form bonds that are deeper than you normally see at a b-school, that last a lifetime.<\/p>\n

Stern accepts roughly one in five applicants. How do you winnow it down? How do you decide who gets interview invitations, and who gets in?<\/strong>\u00a0[30:40]<\/p>\n

We get many more qualified applicants each year than we have room for \u2013 these are difficult decisions we have to make. It\u2019s a combination of factors that set people apart. Don\u2019t give us a reason to say no.<\/p>\n

On the career front: prepare as if you were preparing for your post-MBA job. That is, do your homework. Research the career, job function, etc. I would do that before even starting to write the essays.<\/p>\n

The interviews are in person in NY. Prepare extremely seriously<\/a> \u2013 why are you passionate about Stern? Demonstrate EQ, not just IQ. Show your personality: we\u2019re not looking for a cookie cutter. Embrace what makes you truly, distinctively you \u2013 don\u2019t shut it down.<\/p>\n

If you can, visit before you apply<\/a>. Contact students, come to a session. Get a feel for the vibe of the place.<\/p>\n

It should be a mutual match \u2013 you want to find the right fit. The people who really want to be here, it often comes through.<\/p>\n

Is there something you wish MBA applicants understood that they often just don\u2019t?<\/strong>\u00a0[38:30]<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> It\u2019s such a big investment \u2013 of both time and money \u2013 and there\u2019s no do-over button. Make sure that you need an MBA, make sure you know what you want to do<\/a>. Make sure you\u2019re going to the school where you get the best return (that\u2019s not the highest ranked school, but the best school for you).<\/p>\n

People spend so much time on GMAT and essays that they lose track of the big picture: you need to know what you\u2019re doing. There\u2019s a big step between knowing you want to do something else and going to b-school.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> It\u2019s not just about the test score.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Judgment. I\u2019m looking for people I\u2019ll be proud to put in front of recruiters and have as alumni, so if people demonstrate certain behavior, it\u2019s a sign of a lack of self-reflection.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Blind leading the blind. There\u2019s a trend of peer input on applications: applicants are listening to their fellow applicants for advice. Checking in with each other is natural, but there\u2019s a reliance on people who don\u2019t have experience or expertise. Why you\u2019re doing it is so different from why anyone else is doing it.<\/p>\n

Go visit, talk to students, get a sense of the vibe of the place. Do your research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Any advice for applicants currently working on their applications for the Round 2 deadline?<\/strong>\u00a0[47:05]<\/p>\n

The essays that pop are the ones that are from the heart<\/a> \u2013 speaking in the words you would normally use, about something you\u2019re passionate about.<\/p>\n

Show the essay to your best friend and ask, \u201cDoes this sound like me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Let who you are shine through. The biggest risk is playing it safe.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Stern MBA Admissions
\n<\/a>\u2022\u00a0NYU Stern 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines<\/a>
\n\u2022 NYU Stern B-School Zone Page<\/a>
\n\u2022 Full-Time MBA: FinTech<\/a>
\n\u2022 NYU Stern MBA Student, Published Author and Journalist Writes His Way to Success<\/a>
\n\u2022 Sports, Media, and an MBA: NYU Stern Student Shares His Story<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Shows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Exploring the Part-Time MBA Options at NYU Stern
\n<\/a>\u2022 How to Become a Corporate Executive<\/a> (Interview with NYU Stern Executive-in-Residence)
\n\u2022 Mission and Admissions at Yale School of Management<\/a>
\n\u2022 The MBA Menu at Columbia Business School<\/a>
\n\u2022 An NYU Stern Grad and Strat Consultant Helping Vets Get Into School<\/a>
\n\u2022 From Luxury Marketing to Entrepreneurship: A Talk with Daria Burke<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This article<\/a> originally appeared on\u00a0<\/em>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/em>get accepted<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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