NYU Stern MBA Essay 1: Change: _________ it (350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _____ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:
Change: Dare it.
Change: Dream it.
Change: Drive it.
Change: Empower it.
Change: Manifest it.
Change: [Any word of your choice.]

******

Background Information: A technology consultant working with a startup in the retail space, is challenged by the price-cutting strategies of a competitor.

With a 15% attrition of customers – a month before, panic set in, and the CTO began raising requests to change the search results in the App to prioritize high-priced products first. 

The consultant’s persuasive argument on the brand’s ‘dream big’ mantra resets the panic-driven CTO to evaluate the long-term goal. 

Theme: Long-Term Thinking

Theme (Explained): Dream it themes also require facing setbacks with maturity, silencing the self-sabotaging strategies, and stopping irrational choices from muddling the brand’s unique value proposition.

Profile: Technology Consultant

Industry: Retail

MBA Essay Strategy: Career switchers from Technology consulting to traditional management consulting roles should capture examples of strategic thinking and persuasion skills.  

The most significant achievement for the applicant was persuading the CTO not to feature the high-priced product as the first featured search result in the App. 

The reasoning from a branding and marketing perspective helps the admissions team evaluate the applicant’s knowledge beyond technology. 

Another goal was to bring a data-driven decision-making framework into the recommendations. The field test and customer behavior examples are included to demonstrate the applicant’s reliance on data to recommend solutions – a style of recommendation that is highly valued in Management Consulting. 

Opener: Starting with a problem statement works in goals essay and other essays where the applicant’s handling of the problem is the core narrative.

NYU Stern Change Essay Example: Dream It (Technology Consultant – Strategic Thinking) (343 Words) 

While working with retail startup <X>, we witnessed a 15% attrition of customers in September despite our innovative personalized offers. The entry of the retail giant A had begun the price wars. Driven by panic, the CTO raised feature requests that showcased high-priced products first in search results, nudging ‘impulse’ purchases. 

The strategy, although advantageous in the short term, had a disastrous ..

.....

Download the Change Narrative of the Technology Consultant Candidate