Real Humans of the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Clear Admit recently profiled many of the standout students from the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019, which you can read below.

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New York University’s Stern School of Business got the party started this summer as the first leading business school to share a profile for its incoming Class of 2019. That profile, published in late July, revealed a 4 percent uptick in application volume over the prior year. At the same time, the school admitted significantly fewer students—822 this year as compared to 871 last year—which means that those who got in did so against greater odds.

This increased selectivity may have contributed to the rising GMAT scores among those who got the nod. Both average and median GMAT scores increased year over year. The average GMAT score jumped six points, from 710 to 714. The median score increased even more significantly, from 710 to 720. Average GPA, though, slipped slightly, from 3.51 to 3.48.

As the school’s admissions process grew more selective, the enrolled class grew more diverse. The incoming class is 38 percent female, up from 35 percent the prior year. International students also increased to represent 37 percent of the Class of 2019, up from 35 percent in the Class of 2018.

In terms of the work experience they bring with them, more members of the Class of 2019 come from the financial services industry (29 percent) than any other. Another 12 percent of the class came from consulting. Students with government/non-profit, tech, and military backgrounds followed, at 7 percent each.

While some of these statistics hint at both the diversity and the high caliber of the incoming class, nothing brings that to life more than a look at some of the real students who enrolled. We spoke with five of them—drawn from Massachusetts, Texas, Michigan, India, and Lebanon respectively—to learn more about why they chose Stern, how they hope the Stern MBA will help them transform their careers, what advice they would offer to applicants navigating the admissions process right now, and more.

Perhaps not surprising, NYU Stern’s New York City location factored highly into the decision-making process for many of the students we asked. But so too did its community—including how approachable and friendly current students were to prospective students and the school-wide emphasis on IQ + EQ (emotional quotient)—and its curriculum, which has a strong core but also gives students the opportunity to explore electives early on and offers specializations in things like luxury marketing and technology. The reach of its alumni base was also a factor cited by several of the students we spoke with.

Read on to learn more about some standout members of the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019.

Meghan Cole, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Age: 26

Hometown: Canton, Massachusetts (previously lived in Chicago prior to coming to business school)

Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Notre Dame; doubled majored in economics and management consulting

Pre-MBA Work Experience: Four years in Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital Practice

Why business school? Why now? I decided to attend business school to build upon my past experiences, advance my skills, and ultimately achieve my career goals. I am specifically interested in learning more about business operations and strategy as well as developing my leadership skills and expanding my network. After working at Deloitte for four years, I decided now was a pivotal time to focus on my areas of interest and continue my professional and personal development.

Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Located in the business capital of the world, Stern provides a unique opportunity to experience the energy of a global hub firsthand with many hands-on learning opportunities as well as accessibility to companies and leading executives located in New York City. As one of the premiere finance MBA programs in the country, Stern’s rigorous curriculum will allow me to gain a more holistic perspective of how businesses operate and learn about strategic issues that organizations face. Stern also has a well-established presence in the luxury retail space, which I am very interested in exploring over the next two years.

Stern is also an incredibly diverse and inclusive community. Stern’s strong emphasis on EQ + IQ, meaning individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths, was another important factor in my decision. I wanted to be surrounded by people who excelled in both of these areas. Lastly, Stern’s large alumni network along with its incredibly talented faculty members provides the opportunity to meet, network, and learn from some of the world’s prominent industry leaders.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? One of my differentiating contributions to the Class of 2019 is my past work experience in Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital practice. As a consultant, I had the opportunity to work across many different industries and partner with C-suite executives in helping to develop and shape their people strategy, specifically around compensation and organizational structure. My exposure to a variety of industries as well as my ability to work directly with CEOs and CFOs will allow me to bring unique insights to classroom discussions and share my experiences with others.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I lived abroad in England for three years when I was younger and traveled to over 10 countries.

Post-MBA career interests? I am very interested in exploring the Luxury Marketing specialization while at Stern in a strategic capacity and would like to transition back into consulting after my MBA, hopefully with a focus in the luxury retail space!

Advice to Current Prospective Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Apply to NYU Stern! This was probably the best (last minute) decision I made. Make sure you apply to schools where you know you can be both happy and successful.

One thing you would change or do differently? Apply Round 1 if you are ready! I spent the fall studying and taking the GMAT/GRE exam, so I missed out on applying to any schools  Round 1.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? GMAT/GRE—I am not a strong standardized test taker and wish this part could be eliminated from the application process. But, if you put in the time and effort, you can get through it. Don’t be afraid to seek a tutor or prep class and lean on your family and friends for support too :).

Greatest highlight so far at NYU Stern? LAUNCH—NYU Stern’s signature orientation program. The week was absolutely jam-packed, but an awesome way to learn about all the opportunities available at NYU Stern. More importantly, it was a great way to meet future classmates and bond both inside and outside of the classroom. The boat cruise around NYC was probably the highlight of the LAUNCH.

One thing about NYU Stern that you didn’t expect before arriving? The instant camaraderie among students. Everyone wants to see each other succeed and help each other out. It’s one thing to read or hear about it, but it’s another thing to experience it first hand.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? Being able to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and recruiting. Everyone says business school is incredibly busy and after one week of classes, I totally understand why. I will have to master the skills of prioritizing, multitasking, and time management these next two years.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I am most excited to live in New York City and take advantage of everything the city has to offer from Broadway shows to sightseeing around Manhattan to picnics in Central Park to meeting all my new MBA classmates at NYU Stern. Pursuing my MBA has always been a dream, and now I have the opportunity to attend business school in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Calan Underwood, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Age: 28

Hometown: Warren, Michigan

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Michigan State University, electrical engineering and economics

Pre-MBA Work Experience: Four years in the U.S. Military (Air Force)

Why business school? Why now? An MBA stood out to me as an extraordinary opportunity for personal growth and amazing tool to make my transition from the U.S. Air Force and into a business career. My military service commitment recently concluded, making it the perfect time begin my transition at NYU Stern.

Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I based my decision on the program’s culture, its approach to curriculum, and the characteristics that made the program unique. I wanted to be a part of a culture that was both welcoming and close knit.

Not only would this culture be ideal for my overall experience, but also it would provide an optimal environment for my personal growth. I connected with several current students and alumni at each MBA program I was interested in during the application process as a way to further evaluate the culture of each program. The warm and welcoming response I received from the Stern community was distinct.

Stories of how Sternies looked out for one another, even if it meant going above and behind to do so, indicated that Stern was a strong cultural fit for me. A program’s approach to curriculum was also a major factor in my decision. Stern has a core curriculum with flexibility to take electives early on in the program. I wanted to be able to tailor my MBA experience and also have a fixed curriculum that ensured I gained familiarity with fundamental business subject areas. In addition, I wanted the curriculum to be taught using a teaching methodology that didn’t adhered to a one-size-fits-all approach. Stern embraces a teaching methodology that believes in multiple approaches, including the use of case studies, experiential learning, and traditional lectures. I have personally found that adapting the teaching approach to the subject being taught is most conducive to my learning of the material.

One characteristic that makes Stern unique and appealed to me was its location. Many companies that students are interested in recruiting for have a presence in New York City. This is in itself is powerful, but it also fosters a large, local, and involved alumni community within the city. These two location-based benefits allow for incredible access to networking and employment opportunities within walking distance of Stern’s facilities.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? The most valuable contribution I will make to the Class of 2019 is my passion and dedication to helping others. I hope to provide my classmates with a unique opportunity to volunteer as a mentor for high school students enrolled in my nonprofit’s mentoring program. Also, I hope to help my fellow classmates to the best of my ability during my time at Stern and beyond. Whether its help with statistics homework or conducting a mock interview, I find solace in helping others be successful.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? One fun fact that didn’t make it into my application is my love for puns, clever jokes, and plays on words.

Post-MBA career interests? I plan to transition into a management consulting career post-MBA. Down the road I hope to transition into a career in venture capital.

Advice to Current Prospective Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? If I did one thing again, it would be connecting with current students and alumni at each MBA program I was interested in attending. The insights you gain from connecting with them are far too valuable to pass up.

One thing you would change or do differently? If I could do one thing differently, I would have visited more business schools I was initially interested in applying to. This would have made it easier to narrow down my list of programs to apply to. I only visited Stern shortly before applying, and it was incredibly helpful. I highly recommend making the effort to visit business schools you’re interested in before submitting your applications, permitting you have the vacation time and resources to do so.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Some essay prompts were easier than others, and some required a great deal of thought in order to write anything worth submitting. There were a couple essay prompts that I wish I could have skipped. Grit and the opinions of a few brilliant friends helped me get through it and write something meaningful for my application.

Greatest highlight so far at NYU Stern? My greatest highlight at Stern is not an easy question to answer. I would have to say the opening dinner at Ellis Island ranks among the greatest. It was interesting to visit the island for the first time and have dinner in one of buildings within the complex. The event was a lot of fun and a wonderful way conclude our first day of orientation.

One thing about NYU Stern that you didn’t expect before arriving? One thing I didn’t expect before arriving to Stern was the difficulty I would face renting an apartment in New York City. There are several reasons why I faced this challenge, but in the end, I found a place to live and avoided paying a broker’s fee.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? The amount of commitments and opportunities I have this year can be overwhelming at times. I’ve always considered my ability to prioritize a natural strength, but I’m anxious I may miss incredible opportunities by over prioritizing the big picture. Time will tell how everything unfolds, but I’m hopeful that it will work out.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I’m most excited to see fellow classmates earn internship and full time offers, and admittedly excited to receive an offer myself. It’s gratifying to see that moment of joy.

Mounya Sabri, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Age: 29

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), finance major and consumer psychology minor

Pre-MBA Work Experience: Three years in the legal industry (specifically immigration law); two years in branding/marketing strategy (agency-side); two years in market research focused on social media (social media listening).

Why business school? Why now? I chose business school because I wanted to round up my business skills, deepen my marketing knowledge, and expand my professional and personal networks. I have been working for seven years and acquired enough professional experience to put the lessons learned in the MBA in context.

Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Location. I’ve been living in New York for 4 years and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. It is a city that gives me so much energy, professionally and personally.

People. I met a couple of Sternies prior to applying and had great conversations with them, I felt like they were balanced, down to earth, and that we could be friends.

I am interested in exploring career opportunities in luxury marketing, and Stern offers a specialization in this field.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? I bring a mix of qualitative and quantitative skills, many of my classmates come from either quantitative or qualitative backgrounds. I am fluent in three languages (French, Arabic, Spanish) in addition to English. This allows me to connect deeply connect with people from other cultures and advance innovative ideas in a team setting.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I collect magnets from places I’ve visited, and I am obsessed with Spanish TV series.

Post-MBA career interests? Luxury marketing, consumer products, technology

Advice to Current Prospective Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? First, the main career essay. It was a lengthy, iterative process, sometimes frustrating process but it forced me to take stock of what I’ve achieved so far and really think about what I want to do next in my life. Second, visiting campus ahead of time and attending conferences organized by the different professional clubs as it helps showcase your interest in a specific school, provides talking points during the interview and most importantly allows you to assess whether the school is a good fit for you.

One thing you would change or do differently? Throughout the year, prior to starting the application process, document your contributions at work and think critically about what you want to do next in your career. Second, reach out to your recommenders early and periodically check-in on the progress of the letter.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The personal/creative essay because I felt that the pressure was high to come up with something very creative, but I reminded myself to just have fun with it.

Greatest highlight so far at NYU Stern? The breadth of professional and personal backgrounds I have encountered so far.

One thing about NYU Stern that you didn’t expect before arriving? How jam-packed our schedules become with social activities starting the first week.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? FOMO (fear of missing out) there are so many interesting events and initiatives I want to get involved in. I need to strive for a good balance between classes, recruiting, and socializing.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? Being in a classroom again and learning something new every day!

Vikram Gulati, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Age: 28

Hometown: Bangalore, India

Undergraduate Institution and Major: National Institute of Technology, Karnataka; electronics and communication engineering

Pre-MBA Work Experience: Five years in corporate banking at Citibank India

Why business school? Why now? I wanted to get an international qualification that would a) allow me to work at a global financial hub and b) allow me to switch into other areas in finance like investment banking/investment management/private equity/venture capital.

Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? NYU Stern is among the best business schools in the world for finance and enjoys a pedigree that’s second to none. Additionally, the NYC location makes it so much easier to connect with the industry. Most prominent factors—Stern’s reputation for finance, location, and alumni base.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? I come with five years of experience in a fast-changing sector of a large emerging market (the banking sector in India). The sheer amount of regulatory, technological, and process changes that have occurred in the past five years in India have shaped the way I think and work at problems. I believe that this experience and the skills I have developed because of it make me a strong value-add to the Class of 2019.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I love hiking in the Himalayas—enough to keep going back every chance I get, much to the annoyance of my family/significant other as it’s not the safest of past-times, and I’m often without communication for weeks at a stretch.

Post-MBA career interests? Finance—either investment banking, investment management/research, or private equity/venture capital.

Advice to Current Prospective Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Interview early, even though you need to fly to New York to do so. It’s completely worth it.

One thing you would change or do differently? Start earlier in the application cycle. I feel as if I underestimated the amount of work it takes to complete one application.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? I can’t think of anything! All components of the application were important to me.

Greatest highlight so far at NYU Stern? LAUNCH, NYU Stern’s MBA orientation—the whole experience, the energy, and how friendly my classmates are. I hope it stays that way!

One thing about NYU Stern that you didn’t expect before arriving? How friendly and approachable everyone seems to be. I’m new to NYC, and I’ve gotten a lot of cool tips and tricks to help me navigate through living here.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? The recruiting—whether I can manage to get a role that I am happy with.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? The learning—from my courses, my peers, the MBA2s, the faculty, the projects, etc.

Hamilton Jordan, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

Age: 28

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgetown University, double major in operations & information management and marketing and minor in Japanese

Pre-MBA Work Experience: Six years in a few different industries, serving mainly in operational, data analysis, and technical product management roles.

Why business school? Why now? An MBA was always part of the long-term plan in my career. I believe there’s probably no best time for most people. You just have to jump 100 percent in and take the plunge.

I had to come to a point where I had figured out what I like, what I dislike, and what I enjoy doing. Combined with a limit on the potential growth I saw in my previous role, I realized that I needed to learn about technology. I figured that I could use an MBA to close that knowledge gap and place myself in a competitive position for the type of roles I’m interested in long term.

Why NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I started my MBA journey by determining what area on which I wanted to focus. I settled on a list of 20 or so highly ranked schools and began to evaluate them on a number of different factors such as size of alumni network, curriculum, recruiting companies, location, student life, and culture fit. I narrowed down my list to five schools at which I felt I would be both happy and successful.

Though Stern was just above and beyond for me in every way possible, the thing that really set it apart was the level of collaboration I saw from last year’s MBA 1s and 2s. I felt immediately welcome in the Stern community, and they proved it to me by treating me as a peer before I had even submitted my application. The amount of support and encouragement I received throughout this explorative period was unmatched by any other program.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? Since I’ve been on campus for a couple weeks now, I’m finding there are a few places where I think I can add the most value to my class. As with most business schools, I think there’s a lot of good work being done in the diversity and inclusion space, but we’re not quite there just yet. I’d like to work with my fellow Sternies on some new ideas that bring all voices into the conversation, including those within the majority.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I taught myself Japanese in high school. In college, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Tokyo (and even climb Mt Fuji!). More importantly, it taught me how to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. Now, it’s something I seek to do.

Post-MBA career interests? I’ll be recruiting for technology with a focus on product management and business development.

Advice to Current Prospective Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? First thing would be to take your time. I probably did each step (GMAT, investigation, applications, interviewing) in very distinct times. Focusing on one aspect at a time allowed me to still perform at work and carve out some time to have fun as well.

Try to take the GMAT once! Really put in the time to studying efficiently. It’s a tough test, but it’s also something you can prepare for. Time yourself as you do practice questions. Review the questions you get right and the ones you get wrong. Prioritize the question types that are the most common and where you either (a) need more than ~2 minutes to answer and/or (b) get consistently incorrect. Don’t spend time on 700-level questions if you’re not getting 600-level ones right. Evaluate how you think and feel during a test, then find ways to counteract the tendencies you have that could work against you.

Don’t take more than one practice test/week but make sure you TIME YOURSELF. That helped me a lot in my post-test evaluations.

Get as many people to read and critique your essays and resumes as you can. Additional perspectives force you to think in new ways, and it ultimately strengthens your application. Just make sure that you pick wisely. Not everyone knows what to look for in an MBA application essay/resume.

If you’re thinking about how to respond to certain essay prompts and find yourself stuck, take a step back and think about what admissions is actually asking. Simplify the ask as much as possible and then ensure that every sentence you write does one of the following:

1.   Strengthens your claim that you’re a good fit for the school, you’ll do well, etc.
2.   Lays to rest any potential reservations a member of admissions might have to admit you.

Practice interviewing with someone who will give you positive and constructive feedback.

If you’re not ready or you don’t have your strongest application prepared, wait for a later round or defer applying until next year.

Go to the events and network, of course, but also remember that you’re evaluating the people with whom you’re about to spend a stressful two years. How well you connect with them is just important as everything else.

Lastly, have fun with the process. It’s stressful, but it can also be exciting. Take the time to enjoy the fun aspects as well.

One thing you would change or do differently? If you have something in your life that helps you relax or puts your mind at ease, do it. For me it was exercising, and I should have done more of it. I stressed myself out a few times throughout the process. It’s a lot of work, but looking back, I had the time to take a couple of breaks here and there.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? It gets expensive and it doesn’t stop there! I should have started saving money a bit earlier than I did but there’s no going back in time. Luckily, I saved well, but having a bigger cushion going into the school year would have been nice.

Greatest highlight so far at NYU Stern? The people. You hear a lot from many schools about how collaborative the students are. Sternies really do support each other better than any other group I’ve ever been a part of. It’s truly remarkable. Beyond that, there is an aspect of goodness in everyone I’ve met so far. I really commend our admissions folks, I’m not only impressed by my classmates, I’m also blown away by how naturally curious, supportive, and embracing they all are. I’m honored to be going through this journey with them.

One thing about NYU Stern that you didn’t expect before arriving? The administration of the school is amazing. During Stern Launch (orientation), we’ve been fortunate enough to have some amazing and accomplished people come speak with us and give us guidance as we go into our first year of business school.

I’m very grateful for Stern’s investment in our well roundedness as well. We’ve done several activities focused on group work and interpersonal dynamics, diversity and inclusion, and professional development. I’m only one week into class, and I’m already amazed at how much I’ve learned!

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? There’s so much to do in this first year. I want to ensure that I make the most of my time and balance all of the things that I’ll have to do for recruiting and school with the new opportunities there will be to try something new.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I’m excited to take part in some of the immersive programs that Stern offers.

Through Stern’s “Tech and The City,” we have the opportunity to work directly with startups on various initiatives to get real-world experience. I hope to work with a startup focused on cybersecurity.

I’m also excited to go international on a Stern DBI (Doing Business In) which is a one- to two-week immersive experience in which students travel to a foreign country to learn how business is conducted through corporate visits, speakers, and cultural explorations. I’d love a chance to travel to China and see how the technology world differs from our own. With massive companies like Alibaba and TenCent that mirror western tech giants, I’m interested in learning how they have accomplished so much in a market so different from everything I’ve seen.