admissions_brian(P) Welcome to the NYU Stern Admitted Student Online chat. We hope you will

take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions of MBA Admissions, the

Office of Career Development and current students. Representatives of Stern

available to answer questions include:

admissions_brian(P) Lauren Levine, Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions

Katie Rayhawk Volz, Senior Associate Director, Career Counseling

Lauren Bernstein, Recruitment Team Coordinator, Office of Career

Development

admissions_brian(P) Bios for Current Student Chatters: Hadley Heffernan is a second-year

Stern MBA student specializing in Social Innovation & Impact and Finance at

Stern. She spent this past summer at Pfizer working on a variety of tropical

and orphan disease programs and will be returning to Pfizer’s commercial

leadership rotational program after graduation. At Stern, Hadley has served as

a Board member of the Social Enterprise Association and the Student Chair

of the Stern Board Fellows program. Prior to starting her MBA, Hadley spent

5 years in management consulting focused on marketing strategy. She is a

native New Yorker and holds an undergraduate degree in International Affairs

specializing in the Middle East from Columbia University.

admissions_brian(P) Michael Robertson is a second-year Stern MBA student specializing in

Corporate Finance. He spent his summer internship in investment banking as

part of the Consumer Retail Group at Goldman Sachs and will be returning

there as a full-time associate after graduation. At Stern, Michael is EVP of the

Graduate Finance Association and the VP of Admissions for OutClass. Prior

to attending Stern, he worked for Merrill Lynch in equity research focused on

the specialty retail and department store sectors and before that for

Abercrombie & Fitch in financial reporting. Michael is from East Providence,

Rhode Island and graduated from Harvard College with a degree in

Economics.

Admitted Student Online Chat

Thursday, April 21, 2011

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

admissions_brian(P) Andres Satizabal is a second-year Stern MBA student specializing in

Finance, Strategy and Social Innovation & Impact. Andres was awarded the

Social Impact Internship Fund Fellowship and spent the summer interning at

Education Pioneers. After Stern, he will be working as an Associate

Consultant at McKinsey & Company’s New York office. At Stern, he has

been a Board Fellow at NYC Academies, a Teaching Fellow and a Career

Coach. He also led consulting projects with Harlem RBI and the Aspen

Institute through the Stern Consulting Corps, the Entrepreneurs' Exchange

Club and personal contacts. Prior to Stern, Andres worked at a boutique

management consulting firm in Latin America. He is from Bogota, Colombia

where he completed his undergraduate degree in business management.

admissions_brian(P) Kathryn Sheaffer is a second-year Stern MBA student. She spent the

summer as a Brand Management Intern at Kraft and is looking forward to

returning as a full-time Associate Brand Manager after graduation. Kathryn is

VP of Corporate Relations for the Graduate Marketing Association and

participates in the Board Fellows program at Stern. Prior to Stern, she spent 4

years working in the Consumer Promotions division of News America

Marketing. Kathryn grew up in Dallas and attended The University of Texas

at Austin where she earned a degree in Marketing with a minor in Spanish.

admissions_brian(P) Endri Tolka is a second-year Stern MBA student specializing in Finance and

Entrepreneurship & Innovation. He spent his summer working as VP of

Finance and Operations for a start-up, YourCampus360, and will be returning

there as CFO after graduation. YourCampus360 is the leader in creating

virtual experiences that connect educational institutions with prospective

students across all of the most popular platforms: EDU websites, mobile

devices, Facebook, YouTube and more. At Stern, Endri is a member of the

Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club and the Latin American Business Association.

Prior to getting his MBA, Endri worked in corporate finance for Fidelity

Investments. He is originally from Tirana, Albania and graduated from

Brandeis University.

ashwin27(Q) Hi - In the second year one can choose up to 3 specializations. What are some

of the popular choices for consulting focus?

mba_andres(A) Hi! Popular specializations are strategy, finance (there are several to choose

from), entrepreneurship and innovation, social innovation and impact, and

marketing. It depends on your interests and career path.

angelineg(Q) I have a question related to housing. How difficult is it to get an apt in NYC?

I imagine that is a challenge.

mba_michael(A) It's definitely a challenge, especially on a student budget! But NYU provides

great resources to help you out. Some students moving to NYC choose

student housing for their first year and then move off campus for their second

year, once they have found their footing. You can generally find good deals in

Noho or the East Village, which are very convenient to the school.

angelineg(Q) Do CA recruiters come to campus? In general?

ocd_lauren(A) Sometimes. But often it's a locally based recruiter that comes to campus but is

knowledgeable about positions open in their firm on the West Coast. There

are also many job postings that are submitted by companies for openings on

the West Coast.

ginou(Q) Is there a way to combine Strategic consulting and ENT?

mba_andres(A) Hi. Do you mean as a career path? If so, I think it's doable in three ways. One,

you can join a growing strategic consulting practice. That way, you can be

part of an entreprenurial organization delivering consulting services. Second,

you could work for a couple of years as a consultant, develop analytical skills

and knowledge, and then jump to start your own thing. You'll have a network

to tap on that will help you succeed. Third, you can be part of the advisory

board of a startup, providing strategic support to entrepreneurs.

Russ(Q) Hi, this is russ from Det.Thanks for taking time to meet with us.As a career

switcher, in what ways should I expect a marketing position to challenge me?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Russ, there are many positions available in the marketing field that offer

interesting challenges across a broad spectrum of industries and opportunities.

You will certainly be able to find something that challenges you in a fun and

new way. For me, I'm going into CPG Brand Management and this means you

sit at the hub of the wheel of the brand. It requires being a bit of an expert in

all areas of the business including finance, operations, sales and so forth so

there are always new things to learn and interesting challenges. The Graduate

Marketing Association has been amazing here in helping me find

opportunities and figure out the best place for me within the marketing field.

mhalpert(Q) In terms of the mix of students at Stern, does it feel like most people are

pursuing finance and banking or is there an even mix in specializations?

mba_hadley(A) Thanks for your question! There is a great mix of specializations. Many

people are, of course, pursuing finance and banking given the strength of

Stern's programs in those areas, but there is true diversity of interests. If you

can imagine it as a post MBA career, there is someone at Stern pursing it.

Everything from alternative energy, to the arts, to education reform, to green

marketing - just to name a few.

edking(Q) How has NYU's placement been in nonprofit/social enterprise firms for

summer internships?

ocd_katie(A) Placement is very strong - Every student I'm working with who was dedicated

to pursuing Social Enterprise for the summer has secured something at this

point. The placements range across all functions - social venture capital, non

profit, corporate social responsibility, etc., with both new organizations as

well as those with whom we've had exisiting relationships.

JSinger48(Q) Does NYU have good connections - in terms of possible internships - for

people looking to start their own business, but need creative help?

mba_endri(A) The Berkley Center is a fantastic resource for those who would like to start

their own businesses. The Center brings in industry mentors that help student

entrepreneurs with specific issues that they’re facing in starting or growing

their business. Furthermore, the Berkley Center and the Entrepreneurs'

Exchange Club (EEX) club work closely together to bring in start-ups to

recruit at Stern. This year EEX and the Berkley Center are offering a summer

stipend to encourage first year students to pursue an internship at area start-

ups.

blin(Q) What type of both courses and career placement are offered for a VC/PE

career path? Also, is it possible to focus on VC/PE and start-up opps?

mba_michael(A) We have student clubs dedicated to both VC and PE, and career services is

always a big help. There are also a number of courses dedicated to

entrepreneurship, VC finance, and private equity. Those are two career paths

that are very much reliant on using your personal network, and Stern

absolutely gives you the tools you need to leverage that in the best possible

way.

VarunOberoi(Q) Is there significant exposuire to entrepreneurship opportunities during your

summer internship?

mba_andres(A) Hi. It depends on what type of exposure you're looking for. There are several

students who have joined startup organizations during their summer. It has

been an interesting experience for most of them. Others have actually started

up their own business. This coming summer a couple of students will be in

India starting up a social venture to cure a disease. They were supported by

the Social Impact Internship Fund fund and hopefully they'll advance their

entreprenurial idea.

maria(Q) Can you tell us about the different treks and study abroad opportunities at

Stern?

mba_kathryn(P) Hi Maria- There are many treks and study abroad opportunities. The treks are

run by the student organizations and change a bit every year but there are

some popular classics that tend to happen every year such as Brazil and South

Africa. The trips are some of my best memories from business school! Study

abroad options are at top business schools around the world. This semester I

have friends in South Africa, Spain and England.

Steve_S(Q) What is the size of the Luxury & Retail club?

mba_kathryn(A) The Luxury & Retail club is a big club on campus with a lot of really unique

and interesting events. I'm not sure of the exact size but they have made a big

mark this year with the opportunities they've brought to students and they

continue to grow. Their conference this year was incredible!

ngajwani(Q) Can you describe the format of the entrepreneurship classes? Are they mostly

lecture style, do they allow you to interact with real companies?

mba_endri(A) The entrepreneurship classes are a combination of lecture, class discussion

and interactions with entrepreneurs. For example, in my Entrepreneurial

Finance class we had several entrepreneurs come into our class and share

their experiences with us. In addition, the Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club

(EEX) always brings in entrepreneurs to speak at different panels here at

NYU Stern. One week we did a case study on Zipcar, then two weeks later

the founder of Zipcar spoke to us at one of the events hosted by EEX.

Sternie2013(Q) How successful have career switchers been in getting banking jobs without

much prior finance experience?

mba_michael(A) Very successful! Consulting, engineering, and ops are all very natural

transitions into IB, and Stern does a great job of giving you all the finance

knowledge you need to prep for interviews and the internship.

zidane10(Q) What are the key differentiating factors between cbs and Stern?

admissions_Lauren(A) While I can't speak for other schools, one of the differentiating factors of

Stern is our extremely tight-knit and collaborative community. Stern is a

place where you can take advantage of our New York location but also be

part of a very supportive community. You really get the best of both worlds.

Scott(Q) For the career switchers, did you do anything in particular to prepare for

entering the MBA program and getting a consulting position?

mba_andres(A) Hi. Consulting firms look for a set of analytical skills and leadership

experiences. I think the MBA will help you with both, through coursework

and consulting engagements with startups and social enterprises (through the

Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club program, and the Stern Consulting Corps to

name a few). Beforehand you may want to assess your strengths and

weaknesses and see where you may want to start improving. For most career

switchers I would recommend getting involved in projects outside of their

job. If you are, or can get involved with some sort of startup or nonprofit,

doing any type of consulting work leveraging your skills, you can get

experience that will give you an advantage.

will(Q) I'll be relocating from Texas - when would you recommend making a trip to

NYC to do a full scale apartment hunt? Thanks in advance for your help.

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Will. I moved from Texas as well! I came to NYC about a month ahead

(you don't want to come more than that because places don't tend to open up

ahead of that) and just spent four days dedicated to finding a place. I set up

appointments ahead of time, researched quite a bit on Craigslist, and was able

to find a place. Be ready with all the paperwork you will need like proof of

finances and so forth and you will be good to go!

JWinterbottom(Q) I'm interested in pursuing CPG marketing on the West Coast. Can you tell me

about off-campus search support, and give any examples of past successes?

Thx!

mba_kathryn(A) Hello, I did some recruiting out on the West Coast for CPG. In particular I

interviewed with Clorox. Ultimately I decided to go to Kraft but I found that

the Stern name on my resume was extremely helpful in networking, and I was

able to leverage resources here at school as well as the alumni network to find

opportunities.

austinite(Q) Hello everyone! Thanks for hosting! Does Stern host any treks or trips for its

students BEFORE the Fall semester starts?

mba_andres(A) Hi! At Stern, students organize most of the treks and informal trips through

the clubs or just as friends. Before the Fall semester I know many students

connected through social networks and met in their cities. I know a couple

who took a trip together before school.

nrovelli(Q) Michael, how can a first year interested in Investment Banking learn about

that world (i.e. difference between IB dpts, or industry groups, etc)

mba_michael(A) The best way is to talk to someone. There are a bunch of prep guides out there

(Breaking Into Wall St., Vault, etc.) but nothing compares to speaking to

someone who has actually done the job. Starting in Pre-Term, students are

provided with ample opportunity to speak to students who have worked in

banking and can answer all their questions. Plus the Graduate Finance

Association does a bunch of info sessions and boot camps to help you get up

to speed before the craziness of recruiting begins.

Sarah_F.(Q) Will Hadley's upcoming role at Pfizer combine her skills in Finance as well as

Social innovation?

mba_hadley(A) Hi. I found my role at Pfizer by meeting Pfizer employees through the on

campus recruiting process. Through that process, I spoke with people who

worked there at length about my interests in social enterprise and global

health and they felt strongly that there was a place for me in their

organization. So I applied through the Office of Career Development and was

ultimately placed on their malaria team. My fulltime role (starting in

September) is a rotational program where I’ll spend 2 years in four different

roles. My hope is that I will get to use all of the skills I’ve gained at Stern and

develop new skills and healthcare expertise.

Alexandra(Q) What companies recruit for luxury marketing in the fashion business on

campus?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Alexandra, I didn't recruit in luxury marketing but I have friends who are

going to companies like LVMH, Gilt Group, Rent the Runway, Coach, Prada

and several others. There are many wonderful opportunities through the

Luxury & Retail club as well as the Office of Career Development.

Sarah_F.(Q) Are there resources for students to lead career paths combining both Finance

and Social Innovation? If so, what are they?

ocd_lauren(A) Hi Sarah! Sure. A huge resource when you come to campus are the MBA2

students. They are a great group of students who have already gone through a

recruiting cycle and know/understand the different job opportunites that are

out there. You should also come into OCD to chat with Career Counselors

and Student Coaches.

Carla(Q) Endri, could you give a bit of insight as to how you found your internship at a

start up? Did career services help you out with that?

mba_endri(A) Carla, I had started my company a few months before coming to Stern so I

decided to work on that idea during the summer, given the great response we

were getting from our clients. There are tons of opportunities to work for start-

ups that come through the different clubs such as the Entrepreneurs' Exchange

and the Technology and New Media Group. Given that the start-up recruiting

process is very informal I would recommend participating in these clubs as

they have strong ties to the entrepreneurial community here in NYC. It is a

fantastic time to be an entrepreneur in NYC and the list of opportunities is

growing every day.

JC85(Q) At what point do we choose a specialization?

mba_michael(A) You should probably have an idea about your specialization in the second

semester of your first year, but honestly it is not something to stress about.

You don't actually formally declare it until your final semester, so there is

tons of flexibility.

Sternie2013(Q) Can any of you shed light on how long the Kroll verification typically takes? I

would like to submit my notice only after the confirmation. Thanks!

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi Sternie2013 - If you have not informed your current employer of your

plans to attend business school and do not plan to do so until after your

verification deadline, please email admchair@stern.nyu.edu and do not

initiate your verification process. Kroll does contact your employer as part of

the process.

fygi(Q) Which courses would you recommend regarding the consulting field,

particularly in technology, media and entertainment? Thanks .

mba_andres(A) Hi! It depends on your previous experience. If you aren't strong analytically I

would suggest taking strategy courses and electives (advanced strategic

analysis, implementing strategy), and more finance courses. If you are already

strong you may want to round up your knowledge taking some of the

technology, media, and entertainment courses. There's a wide range of

courses, but I would definitely recommend Brand Strategy, which involves a

consulting project that taps a lot into social media and digital marketing. It

depends on what type of consulting you're looking to do. You can also look to

work on consulting engagements through the Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club,

where there are several media and entertainment startups seeking help!

Jerry(Q) Hi. What percentage of students choose to live on campus? How does the

experience differ for those who choose to live off campus?

mba_hadley(A) The vast majority of students choose not to live in on-campus housing, but

many do live very close to the school. (It's a great opportunity to live in

downtown Manhattan!) I would say there is not a huge difference in the

experience if you live 3 blocks away or 30. I personally live about 30 minutes

away in Brooklyn and have found that to be very manageable. I spend a lot of

time on campus and am very active in student organizations and socially.

will(Q) For summer internships, what % of the on-campus recruiting companies are

looking to fill NYC positions vs. positions elsewhere?

ocd_katie(A) Hi Will! Great question. It definitely varies -- while the majority of students

choose to spend their summers in the tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT), companies

recruit students for locations all over the world from Southeast Asia, Latin

America, the UK, etc.

Olutosin_Fashusi(Q) Are there pro-bono consulting projects I can participate in this summer with

the MCA or SOC or for example local media,technology companies?

mba_andres(A) Hi! Once school starts in the fall you can start participating in probono

consulting projects with the Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club. These are

engagements with local startups, many of them media and technology

companies. During your second semester you can also join the Stern

Consulting Corps, which is a longer probono consulting engagement with a

local nonprofit.

JC85(Q) I know all admitted students are quantitatively able, but do you recommend

any sort of math refresher before school starts? If so, to what level?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi, I had this same exact question. Stern offers two "crash courses" right

before classes start in accounting and math (calc in particular). It's a few

hours during Pre-Term but they were extremely helpful to me in brushing up

on some of those old skills. It was a great way to get everyone on the same

page before classes like statistics started.

mmikus(Q) What is the best way to go about finding housing for the summer and fall

semesters?

mba_hadley(A) Oh finding housing in New York is always fun! I would start with the

Admitted Student Website and forums. Current students will post their

apartments up there if they are leaving New York. I would also look on

Facebook for groups for your class - a lot of people find roomates that way.

aron.solomon(Q) Good morning! Do students have the flexibility to create their own consulting

initiative- ex. in accounting strategy, by partnering with SCC? Thanks.

mba_andres(A) Hi! Stern is a very student oriented school. Students constantly propose new

initiatives and lead them. These efforts are done through the clubs. In terms of

a consulting initiative you might want to join the Entrepreneurs' Exchange

Club. They organize consulting engagements with local startups and you can

propose a new platform on consulting. You can also meet with the SCC if

you're interesting in bringing new types of consulting projects. They are very

open to hearing about new opportunities.

Frieda(Q) My question is about the I-20. I've been waiting for over a month since I sent

out the AFCOE form. When possibly will I receive the I-20 form?

admissions_Lauren(A) Once you submit the AFCOE form, you should receive your I-20 from the

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via mail within one

month. In your case, I would recommend following up with the Office of

International Students and Scholars directly at afcoenew@nyu.edu to make

sure they have everything they need.

Caroline(Q) Does Stern have a bidding system for inerviews during recruiting, or are

interviews by invitation only?

ocd_lauren(A) Hi Caroline! Yes - some companies (historically CPGs) will opt for a

"bidding" schedule. This is a company decision (not a Stern decision) -- and it

will be clear on the student's Career Account which schedules are "bidding"

and which are "pre-select to alternate" (where the company pre-selects which

students they would like to see on a particular schedule, ie. invitation only).

Often, companies that opt for a "bidding" schedule will also have a "pre-

select to alternate" schedule.

maria_MBAapp(Q) How is the placement for internships shaping up this year through on-campus

recruiting?

ocd_katie(A) Hi Maria - We're fortunate to have seen a healthy and steady presence of

employers recruit on campus this year. In all economies, the percentage of

students securing internships through on-campus recruiting is a little over

50%, and I expect that will be the case this year. This represents all industries-

the "staples" like consulting, marketing, investment banking,

pharma/healthcare, etc., as well as growing fields like luxury/retail, media &

entertainment, social enterprise. Those who pursue opportunities outside of

campus recruiting are for the most part looking to work for organizations that

do not have the need to launch full-scale on campus recruiting efforts, which

include organizations across all industries yet again (boutique banking and

consulting firms, real estate, private equity, among others).

Sagarjshah(Q) Similar to Will, I will be coming in from India. Would you also recommend

coming in a month ahead to secure an apartment, or do you suggest 60 days?

mba_andres(A) Hi! There are several ways you can secure an apartment. You can look for on-

campus housing in the Palladium. You can also connect with fellow Stern

students and become their roommates. If you definitely want to look for your

own place and not depend on other people, you have options. One is to come

early, 30 days should be enough but be wary that if you don't have a credit

history you may need a cosigner or to pay in advance. Another option is to

come, sublet an apartment for a month or two, and then take the time to look

for a nice place. It depends on how much time you have for this. Good luck!

Sternie2013(Q) Are there any resources/websites out there that give ratings/reviews on

professors and classes that could help us line up our classes?

mba_michael(A) Your first semester will be all core classes, so there will not be much to worry

about right off the bat. Once you start taking electives, you will be able to see

professor ratings for each class you take through Stern's internal system. Your

best resource is definitely the 2nd year students, though, since they have been

through it all and can give you great tips on which classes and professors are

not to be missed!

alice(Q) As someone who is planning on specializing in finance but interested in real

estate, are there a lot of opportunities to take classes at Schack?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Alice . Stern MBA students are allowed to take up to 25% of their classes

at other NYU grad schools including Schack. On the website there is a list of

the pre-approved classes but you can also request approval for other classes

not on this list.

(http://www.stern.nyu.edu/AcademicAffairs/Policies/OtherNYUDivisions/C

ON_022429) There are also a lot of courses within Stern that incorporate

real estate and even some professors come from other schools to teach

Stern classes.

visivasa(Q) How will Stern EEX help MBAs start businesses in their home countries

outside of US ? Does Stern have ties with VCs apart from US ?

mba_endri(A) The Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club (EEX) hosts a lot of events on campus

that allow students to connect with VCs in the area. Also by participating in

these events you will be able to learn from entrepreneurs on how they started

their business not only in the US but also outside. For example, we had one of

the founders of Boxee on campus several weeks back who shared his

experiences about setting up his company in Israel and how they raised VC

funds.

Sagarjshah(Q) Having worked in an investment bank, I am now looking to work in Venture

Capital post my MBA. Are there specific classes they look for besides

Finance?

mba_michael(A) We have some great classes for people looking at VC. I would recommend

Foundations of Entrepreneurship, Valuation, Managing Growing Companies,

and Entrepreneurial Finance as the most critical. Also some of the advanced

strategy classes would be very relevant to this path, especially since you have

a banking background and won't need that much help in the Finance area.

Carla(Q) How can partners get involved in the Stern community?

mba_hadley(A) Hi! Virtually all Stern social events are open to partners and many students

take advantage of it. There is also a Partners Committee that is a part of

SCorp that plans events specifically for students and their significant others -

dinners, wine tours, etc. Another great option is to go on a trek together

during spring break with one of the student clubs. Nothing like a week in

Brazil or South Africa for your partner to get to know your Stern classmates!

rfischer(Q) Can you shed some light on the process to pass out of core courses?

mba_andres(A) There are a couple of ways to pass out. First you can opt out of one or two of

the menu core courses. The risk is then you'll need to make sure this doesn't

limit you in choosing electives that require the core course as a prerequisite. If

you have sufficient experience in a core course prior to Stern you may be able

to establish proficiency. For example, I took 3 Organizations courses as an

undergrad. I submitted a letter highlighting my previous course experience

and they let me waive the Leadership in Organizations course (but approving

me to take courses that had Leadership in Organizations as a prerrequisite). I

also didn't want to take a semester course in Accounting, so I studied and took

the accounting exam. I passed it and then I could take my advanced finance

courses. More information is available on the Academic Affairs website at:

http://www.stern.nyu.edu/AcademicAffairs/Policies/WaivingandSubstituting/

index.htm

maria_MBAapp(Q) What firms are hiring Stern grads in consulting this year?

ocd_lauren(A) Students are going to a variety of consulting firms including Bain, McKinsey,

Deloitte, Booz, BCG and PWC, as well as many other smaller and specialized

firms.

shri(Q) Hi...typically how many students are part of the Stern Consulting Corps? Is

there a selection procedure as well?

mba_andres(A) Hi! It varies depending on the number of projects they're able to bring in, but

in my year it was around 50-60 students. There is an interview process, but

mostly it's to make sure students have the commitment and the time to work

on the projects. Stern wants to make sure the work reflects well on the school,

so that's why there's a selection process. That being said, if you have the

interest and the time to do it it's very likely you'll participate in the program.

mmikus(Q) When does the Fall recruiting process start and how should you best prepare

for your internship search?

ocd_katie(A) The fall recruiting process starts fairly early for students pursuing

opportunities that recruit largely through on campus (banking, consulting,

marketing, strategy, finance, etc.). Companies begin coming to campus to do

corporate presentations, Lunch & Learns and other recruiting activities in late

September/early October. Actual on campus interviews for these functions

don't begin until January. October may seem early to begin talking to

companies, but their goal is to get to know you and to educate you on their

industry and organization so that you can make the best possible decision for

the summer. Therefore, the sooner you can begin to prepare for your

internship search, the better. This means beginning to really assess your

interests, as well as the skills you're looking to continue using, and those

you're looking to develop. There is a great deal of information available to

you through the Admitted Student Website - look through Vault and Wet Feet

Guides to help you identify what the necessary skills for your function(s) of

interest may be. Also, it doens't hurt to begin to get your resume in order - it

will change a great deal over the course of your first year - but at least begin

identifying the experiences you want to highlight through your bullet points.

The career search is a constant work in progress, but the sooner you get

started, the more prepared you'll be. Lastly - the best way to educate yourself

at this point is very simple - talk to people! Even if they're working in

industries and functions you're not sure you're interested in, this will help you

to identify whether or not it's something you'd want to pursue, or possibly

give you new ideas to consider. You'll feel more confident going into the job

search process, and into business school. Good luck to you!

mg21(Q) Hi everyone! What do you suggest is the best way to target jobs in PE?

Thanks!

mba_michael(A) Networking!! PE is one of the more informal recruiting paths at Stern, so

leveraging your network is absolutely critical. The Stern Private Equity Club

is excellent at making connections for students (they hold one of the biggest

conferences of the year), and the Office of Career Development and the

alumni office will be able to provide plenty of assistance.

mpg846(Q) What is the strongest aspect of Stern's Entrepreneurial program that separates

it from other top programs?

mba_endri(A) I cannot speak for other programs but NYU Stern has a tremendous

entrepreneurial program. The Berkley Center hosts the Business Plan

Competition and they give out $200K every year in seed money to startups on

campus. The Berkley Center also provides industry mentors to entrepreneurs

on campus. In addition, there is a big entrepreneurial movement occurring in

NYC and NYU Stern has very strong connections with the entrepreneurial

community.

Caroline(Q) Do students work with their core course study group for the menu core

classes 2nd semester?

mba_michael(A) It's not required by any means, but often students stick with their core study

groups because they have developed a good working relationship. Electives

give you the flexibility to choose your own groups, so its entirely up to you.

Eric_M(Q) My question is similar to Will's - can you name some companies in Boston

that have a relationship with Stern and may recruit for summer internships?

ocd_lauren(A) Hi Eric! Students typically go to companies in Boston for buy-side asset

management and consulting. Some companies include Fidelity, BNY

Mellon, and BCG.

Jerry(Q) Are there any merit scholarships available in the second year of attendance

and how do they fare in terms of availability and amount (range)?

admissions_Lauren(A) We do offer donor awards in the second year. These awards are merit-based.

There is no application necessary, as we notify students. The amounts can

vary depending on the award.

Sternie2013(Q) Realistically, how many clubs/volunteer opportunities do MBA students

typically have time for?

mba_endri(A) In my experience students take on leadership opportunities in one or two

clubs, but they participate in activities hosted by many clubs. I am the VP of

treks for the Association of Investment Management & Research (AIMR) and

although I don’t hold a leadership position, I’m heavily involved with the

Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club (EEX) and a member of the Latin American

Business Association (LABA) and the Technology and New Media Group

(TANG).

Sternie16(Q) Please provide some guidance around how and when can we apply for

housing in the Palladium. Thanks

admissions_Lauren(A) The Palladium application for the upcoming academic year is currently

available. You may access the housing application and instructions through

the Admitted Student Website -http://www.stern.nyu.edu/ASW/.

apoorvamehra(Q) I am looking to recruit for sales and trading. Does any one know how the

sales and trading recruiting process is structured?

mba_michael(A) S&T is one of the most structured recruiting processes on campus. There will

be planned events starting very early in the first semester that will continue

through winter break. It is a very time intensive process, for sure, similar to

investment banking and consulting recruiting. Interviews and offers for

internships generally happen in January.

alac(Q) Can you talk a little bit more in depth about the consulting projects through

EEX? Who is selected them? How long do they last? How many to a project?

mba_andres(A) Hi. It varies. These projects are executed throughout the semester but there's

not a fixed starting date. Some projects start early in February while others

may start in late March for example. They last between 4 and 8 weeks.

They're typically teams of 3-5 people and work on a specific project for a

local startup. There's an application and interview process, that's led by fellow

students who are members of the Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club (EEX). They

are the ones who coordinate the projects also.

George(Q) What's more important to IB's and consultancies - GMAT Quant score or

level of math taken, and how important is either?

ocd_katie(A) Hi George - This is a question that really varies by company. Most buldge

bracket IB firms and top tier consulting firms will ask you to provide them

with your GMAT score at some point, either in an application or an interview.

As far as the breakdown in the GMAT, that tends to be subjective - but for

the most part, banks/consulting firms will not be as interested in the

breakdown of your GMAT score vs. the overall score. Remember that they

are looking for the strongest candidate overall - this includes scores/gpa's,

etc., but just as important is the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills for

the function, your interest in their firm and in a career in either

banking/consulting, and how well you "fit" with their culture - Culture fit may

be hard to quantify, but remains incredibly important, particularly for these

two industries. As much as possible, begin to get to know the companies you

may be interested in across these two fields; set Google Alerts to remain

current on the happenings across their firms and the industry in general. If you

can equip yourself with this knowledge now and throughout the next 4-5

months, the less of a learning curve you'll have once the recruiting process

really kicks off in the fall.

will(Q) What kinds of fitness or recreational facilities do we have access to through

Stern? Are spouses permitted to use the facilities as well?

mba_endri(A) Hi Will, There are two recreational facilities that we have access to, Coles

and the Palladium. I use the Palladium most of the time since it is closer to

where I live. I believe that spouses can get a membership for approximately

$150/year to the Palladium, one of the cheapest gyms in the city.

DaveBerv(Q) I am considering applying to Wagner to pursue a joint MBA-MPA, where

could I find more information on the application process and the joint

program?

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi DaveBerv, You can find more information on the program through our

website

at: http://www.stern.nyu.edu/AcademicPrograms/FullTime/Academics/DualD

egrees/index.htm#4

Sternie2013(Q) What is the target class size of this year?

admissions_brian(A) Hi Sternie2013- Our class size for the Full-time program is typically around

400. So you can expect that to stay around the same this year!

Sarah_F.(Q) When would students apply for the MBA/MS in Mathematics program? Is

there an opportunity to take some of the pre-requisites at Stern before

applying?

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi Sarah_F, I would suggest reading more about the program at our website

at:

http://www.stern.nyu.edu/AcademicPrograms/FullTime/Academics/DualDegr

ees/index.htm#3.

mlevitin(Q) Is there any big downside to placing out of core classes?

mba_andres(A) Unless you're profficient in an area like accounting and you know you won't

benefit from the core class I would suggest to take them all. The core classes

will give you strong foundations as a manager. That being said, if you place

out make sure you are not interested in taking courses that require that course

class as a prerrequisite. If there are, you might want to take a proficiency

exam or submit a letter proving you have had prior experience of the material

(such as being a CPA or taking similar coursework during undergrad) in order

to be able to take the related electives.

mg21(Q) Can first year students participate in the New Venture Competition? I believe

the competition starts in September.

mba_hadley(A) Hi! Absolutely! All members of the Stern community are welcome. The

competition does kick off early in the year with a session where all entrants

with existing venture ideas recruit teammates.

Mark_admit(Q) Hi all, I am pursuing IB (from tech consulting) and I am curious, what are

some of the things that the finance club does to help MBA1s in recruiting?

mba_michael(A) The GFA (Graduate Finance Association) provides tons of resources for first

years looking at IB. Right off the bat they will begin holding Q&A panels,

presentations, and boot camps to get you up and running in the recruiting

process. The first informal recruiting event of the year is an alumni cocktail

hour sponsored by the GFA, which always has a very strong attendance from

recent grads working at all the major banks, and the GFA Conference is one

of the biggest of the year. GFA members are also very available to sit down

with you for coffee chats to answer any questions you have one-on-one (I

recommend doing this a lot, and as early in the semester as you can!).

maria_MBAapp(Q) Hi OCD - do you have any suggestions for things we can do to get ready for

the recruiting season ahead?

ocd_lauren(A) Hi Maria. Great question. Recruiting season definitely calls for some stamina.

Practice your 60-second pitch and have a concise reason as to why you want

to go into "X" industry, "Y" firm. The counseling team at Stern will do a

wonderful job preparing you for the recruiting season with resume

workshops, interview-prep sessions, etc.

austinite(Q) Hello Everyone!! Can some of you speak to the staff/professors that were

thought provoking and that had an impact on how you viewed business?

mba_endri(A) Hello Austinite, Professor Okun has been a tremendous resource in helping

me understand the issues faced by start-ups at different stages of their growth.

I wish I had taken some of his courses before I had started my business as I

would have avoided a lot of the classic mistakes that entrepreneurs do. His

rigorous approach has made me think about my business in a different light.

katie_Stern(Q) Hi - I am excited to be a part of SEA. What are some of the things the club

will be planning for next year? How involved is SEA in recruiting?

mba_hadley(A) Hi! Yay for SEA! The club is one of the most active on campus, so it is

planning so many things for next year. Just to name a few - we will be

launching a new recruiting cohort program so that members can connect with

other students and alumni interested in the same areas. We will be continuing

with the I Love New York event series where we visit local, sustainable and

socially-driven businesses. And we will be expanding our relationships with

social enterprises in New Orleans where SEA students do pro-bono

consulting work.

Frieda(Q) When can an international student start working in the U.S.? Is it possible for

international students to work in a non-paid job in their first year?

mba_andres(A) As an international student you can do volunteer unpaid jobs. However, these

jobs can not replace a paid position. By that I mean you cannot be brought in

as a volunteer to replace someone that had a paid job. As a volunteer you can

participate in consulting engagements or other projects. These are typically

with startups or nonprofits. The Stern Consulting Corps (SCC) and the

Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club (EEX) organize these engagements, but you

can also look for one on your own. I'm an international student and worked on

three volunteer engagements during my first year, one in a startup through

EEX, one in a nonprofit through SCC, and one with the Aspen Institute by

using my personal connections. You can start being paid during your summer

internship and during your second year you can work part time on campus.

After you graduate you can legally work for one year in the US using

Optional Practical Training.

rarmijo(Q) How many consulting internships are generally available vs full time

positions after graduation?

ocd_katie(A) For consulting, the number of internships vs. full-time opportunities remains

relatively flat - That said, consulting firms recruit the way most large firms do

- using their summer class as the pipeline for full-time opportunities. We're

fortunate at Stern to have a strong presence from consulting firms on campus

in the fall for MBA2s; in fact, just about every consulting firm who recruits

for summer interns comes back to recruit second-year students in the fall for

full-time opportunities. In addition, there are the consulting firms who only

recruit second-year MBAs and don't necessarily have a summer program. Just

this past week we held our annual spring career fair, which brought in several

large consulting firms who are currently interviewing our second-year MBAs

for full-time opportunites. Stern has strong relationships with all of the major

consulting firms, but it's important to note that our location also attracts the

smaller boutique firms as well who may hire more on an as-needed basis.

This is important to consider not just for summer internship and full-

time/post-graduation job opportunities, but also as an alumni, when you'll

have access to the job postings throughout the course of your career.

mariog(Q) This year for international students is there the option of applying for loans

without a U.S. co-signer?

admissions_Lauren(A) We are currently working on securing this option and will let students know

when it is finalized.

Tim_Letts(Q) Did any of the students live in the Palladium? Can your give some pros/cons

of living there?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Tim. I did not live at Palladium but I had several friends who lived there

for both years of school. It is a nice building, walking distance from school,

with a gym, doorman, etc. Those are some nice perks in NYC! I believe there

is a floor designated for graduate students and that the people in Palladium

would organize fun events to do together as well. It is a great option for a

place to live.

Carla(Q) Are there many students who start their own entrepreneurial venture during

their time at NYU?

mba_endri(A) There are a lot of students that are very interested in entrepreneurship here at

NYU Stern. I know of at least eight different companies that are being started

or are currently run by students. Starting a business during your MBA years is

a great way of trying out your idea while you have the support of your

classmates, professors and the rest of the NYU community.

mg21(Q) What financial aid options do you suggest for international students without a

co-signer? I’m an international student but I have been living in the US for 9

years and I have a good credit history. Thanks!

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi mg21, I would suggest that you reach out to our Financial Aid Office to

discuss further. They can get to know your situation and best advise you. You

can reach them at 212.998.0790 or fin-aid@stern.nyu.edu.

JayMorelock(Q) Hey! Looking back, is there anything you wish you would have done the

summer before entering Stern to prepare you better for recruiting?

mba_kathryn(A) Great question! First I would say to enjoy the summer and relax because the

first semester of school is pretty busy! It might be helpful to start doing

research into companies with which you might want to recruit so that you can

narrow your focus as much as possible. It is also helpful to start shaping up

your "elevator pitch" about yourself.

mlevitin(Q) When do most treks and DBis get announced?

mba_michael(A) It depends on when they are taking place. Treks often take place over breaks

(Thanksgiving, winter, and spring) and there will be sign-ups and info

sessions throughout the year for these. DBis count for course credit so you

will lottery for these along with the rest of your courses.

shourya(Q) Do the investment banks coming to campus recruit for specific depts. Or do

they hire a general batch for internships and jobs?

ocd_lauren(A) It varies from firm to firm. They all hire division specific -- investment

banking, sales and trading, or research -- but within those divisions, it varies

firm to firm whether it's general or specific.

Sternie2013(Q) What do we need to prepare for in order to pass the quantitative competency

test during Pre-Term? Also, should we dust off our old TI-89's?

mba_endri(A) I would recommend brushing up on your calculus. I don't believe you are

allowed a graphing calculator during the test. Over the summer you will get a

math packet that will allow you to refresh your math skills

Len(Q) I am pursuing a career in healthcare (on the pharma side). What classes would

you recommend taking?

mba_hadley(A) Hi! Stern is a great place for that. I would definitely recommend the

Economics of Healthcare course as well as Pharmaceutical Marketing. But

thinking a little more broadly, Corporate Finance is essential and Valuation is

great if you ever plan to work in Business Development. I found both of those

to be very relevent during my summer internship. I would also recommend

getting involved with the Stern Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association.

They are playing a role in building out the healthcare course offerings and

have wonerful relationships with all of the pharma companies in the New

York area.

gustavo.tatsch(Q) I'm a foreigner interested in an internship at a luxury firm, would you

recommend taking specific courses to get the US approach to the luxury ind?

ocd_katie(A) Hello Gustavo, Because just about every student will find a need to adjust in

some capacity on entering business school (being back in school, working in

the US for the first time, learning about an industry you've never worked in,

etc.), I definitely recommend taking measures to educate yourself on whatever

this area may be for you. In your case, learning as much as you can about the

luxury industry in the US would certainly help - though I don't know if there

are specific courses you can take that would give you that broad-based

understanding. My thought is that you could probably achieve a great deal by

simply staying on top of the industry, which includes things like reading

blogs/publications for the industry, following the biggest names in the

industry. One of the most important things you'll need to do for this type of a

search is to learn to really market yourself - while we see a number of luxury

organizations recruit at Stern, many of them also rely solely on students'

abilities to network within the organization to identify possible internships for

both the summer as well as potential spring internships. They want to see

passion for the industry, which should come naturally, but should also be

coupled with a solid understanding of where the industry currently is and who

the players are.

jenny(Q) Hi. Where do students typically stay during the Dbi programs? Is housing

provided by Stern?

mba_kathryn(A) Hi Jenny! I did Dbi Budapest and we stayed in a hotel down the street from

our school. The Dbi program arranges a hotel for housing during the time of

class. Several of us also traveled both before and after the program and had a

great time!

Jerry(Q) What companies in the technology space have recently recruited at Stern and

for what types of positions? Do these opportunities vary from Columbia's?

ocd_lauren(A) Hi Jerry! Firms include Google, Zynga, Yahoo, Microsoft and others -- types

of positions include product manager, business development, sales, finance,

etc.

rarmijo(Q) Where's the best location to see a "map" of where stern alumni reside and

their industries?

ocd_katie(A) Hi - The best place to see current placement data is on the placement report.

Go to the Stern homepage (www.stern.nyu.edu) and click on the "Recruiters"

tab, where you'll see a tab for "Placement Reports". While this will give you

the information you're looking for in aggregate, it's not necessarily broken

down by both geographic location and function. Also note this is the

information for the class of 2010 (full-time) and internship information for

the class of 2011. Thanks!

Mark_admit(Q) Can anyone talk about the Michael Price Student Investment Fund?

mba_michael(A) MPSIF is a great way to get hands on experience with asset management.

Students can apply to become analysts or portfolio managers and then they

actually get to manage a significant porftolio (last year it ended with over

$1.4 million in assets). Students also get experience analyzing the market and

pitching recommendations. More info is available

here: http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~mpsif/about.html

Tim_Letts(Q) Similar to the SCC question, can you tell us about selection for the Board

Fellows program? How are students paired up with non-profits?

mba_hadley(A) Hi! The Board Fellows process includes a written application and an

interview. Students are accepted to the program as a whole and then matched

with non profits. We consider the student's interest in the org's mission,

whether the student is interested in serving on a large established board or a

smaller, more hands-on board, and the student's skill set in the matching

process. So far, we've always been able to match people with one of their top

3 choices!

Michael.Kashan(Q) Is there a general timetable as to how long Kroll takes to complete?

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi Michael - It generally takes about 3 weeks from initiation to completion,

but for some people it takes longer. So the timing really can vary.

Caroline(Q) Do you think that it is more difficult to get a job in NYC from Stern b/c so

many people want to stay in NY, or easier because of the alumni network?

ocd_katie(P) Hi Caroline, I see no disadvantages to getting a job in NYC from Stern. Not

only do you have the strong Stern alumni network, but you have the ability to

network in person (as opposed to over the phone, Skype, etc.). The value of

this cannot be overstated. In addition, you have the ability to learn so much by

being on site at the organizations you may be interested in. For instance,

companies will often host "Day on the Job" or "Day in the Life" events,

bringing you to their offices and allowing you to see what they do; this is

possible only because we are in the NYC area and students have the ability to

do this. So it's not only easier to network, it's easier to just be around and

learn about the organizations and opportunities you're interested in.

Sternie1685(Q) How selective is the Industry Mentoring Initiative for the Finance track?

mba_michael(A) The IMI is a great program that is designed for career switchers, so they are

selective in that they will only accept true career switchers with no finance

experience. If you fit that criteria, then there is a good chance you will be able

to take part in the program.

Dani_T(Q) Do you recommend the Palladium to live with your significant other,

considering that she/he will spend more time there than the student?

admissions_Lauren(A) Hi Dani_T, Actually the Palladium is for single residents only, so it is not an

option for students living with significant others. We provide a number of off-

campus housing resources through the Admitted Student Website that you

may find helpful.

JayMorelock(Q) When would you suggest to start looking for apartments/roommates? And

when would you suggest moving to the city before Pre-Term?

mba_kathryn(A) Most places in NYC will know availability for apartments one month ahead

of time. I came to the city for a few days and looked for a place ahead of time.

It can be quite a process in NYC but there are a lot of great places to live

around school and throughout the city. As far as finding a roommate, I would

suggest joining the admit Facebook group and messaging everyone. I'm sure a

lot of people are looking. Try to move a week or two before Pre-Term so you

can get settled in and you aren't worried about any moving logistics so that

you can really enjoy Pre-Term. It is very fun!

ari(Q) Hi. Is it possible to break into a major consulting firm if I am coming into the

MBA without any full time work experience?

mba_andres(A) Hi! Major consulting firms recruit from a diversity of backgrounds, even

people with no prior business experience. They're looking for leadership

experience and analytical skills. If you have these leadership and analytical

skills you can break into a major consulting firm. Your time at Stern will help

you develop them even more, through coursework, club leadership, and

external consulting engagements. Major consulting firms have a lot of

applicants, and you'll need to make sure you'll make a strong case for

yourself. Having Stern in your resume is definitely a huge step forward in

achieving that objective!

MOE(Q) Hi, I am an international student relocating to NYC.. What is the normal

period to find a house? Some people mentioned 3 weeks some mentioned 6

weeks?

mba_endri(A) I was relocating from Boston and it only took me a few days to find an

apartment to move into. I recommend you do your research a few weeks

ahead of time and plan to visit NY at least 10 days before you move to make

sure you get enough time to pick the place you like the most. I would also

recommend you get in touch with other admitted students who may be in a

similar situation to try to share an appartment together.

Caroline(Q) Since the IMI groups are fairly small, is it difficult to get into this program?

mba_andres(A) Hi. It depends on the type of IMI you're looking to get into. If you have the

drive, can show an interest for the industry, and can make a case for how

you'll benefit from the program you'll have a better chance to get into the

program. I would suggest connecting with people who participated in the IMI

you're looking for and asking how to prepare for the process. Good luck!

nrovelli(Q) With regards to I-banking recruitment, what are their principal expectations

of a great candidate? What are they looking for?

ocd_katie(A) Hi - To put it simply, I-banks want you to be an all-around great candidate.

What does this mean? They want you to be smart with a demonstrated ability

to execute on the skills necessary to do the function (strong

quantitative/analytical skills, financial understanding, leadership, etc.), but

they also want to see a combination of confidence AND humility - meaning

you understand you have a lot to learn, but have the determination and energy

to do so. I mentioned this earlier, but the fit with the culture of their firm

tends to be very important in banking - they want to know that they'll enjoy

working with you during what can sometimes be grueling hours that are

called for at times.

Carla(Q) I'm from Spain and would eventually want to go back to Europe. How strong

is Stern's network / brand in Europe?

mba_hadley(A) Stern alumni in Europe (specifically in Spain coincidentally) are a growing

and spirited group. Each year about a third of our students are international

and many choose to go home after graduation adding to an already strong

network. Also a driving force in building our brand and network are all the

students who choose to study abroad in the UK, France, Spain, and China

(just to name a few!).

consultinghopeful(Q) What % of students who are primarily searching for strategy consulting

summer jobs are able to find one, and what do they do if they don't get one?

ocd_katie(A) Hello consulting hopeful - Between consulting and strategy, I would say the

success rate of students pursuing opportunities in this space is very high. A

large percentage of these students recruit for and end up working at traditional

management consulting firms, and then you have a subgroup who may choose

to pursue roles in strategic planning and business development in industry

(i.e. media & entertainment), either after having pursued management

consulting or from the start. Fortunately, every organization across every

industry has a focus on strategy, so opportunities for these types of roles are

both broad and plentiful.

Caroline(Q) Do Stern students share all resources (career services, administration, etc)

with the part time students, or are they separate?

ocd_katie(A) Hi Caroline - All Stern students are supported with career resources - from

self assessment to resume preparation to interview/offer assistance, etc. That

said, we're really lucky at Stern to have two career offices to focus on the

different needs of the various populations. The Office of Career Development

which focuses on Full-time students (career prep + recruiting) and the Career

Center for Working Professionals (CCWP) which focuses on current Part-

time and EMBA students as well as all alumni. Their needs tend to be

different simply because they're not often able to be on campus during the day

and therefore the CCWP offers programming as well as career counseling in

the evening. It's important to note that the two offices work hand-in-hand on

career development initiatives. Stern students are very fortunate across the

board in each program!

Admissions_Brian(P) Thank you for participating in our chat today! The chat room is now closed. If

you have additional questions, feel free to contact current students at

mbaga@stern.nyu.edu or the admitted student account

at admits@stern.nyu.edu. We hope you enjoyed the chat!