Expressing Interest in NYU Stern Economics

Hey guys,

I just joined this community since I've seen how informative and helpful everyone is.

I'm wondering how I should go about expressing my interest for NYU stern econ in my essays and applications for undergraduate. I am really interested in economics and just wanted to know how I can related my passion for econ to stern's econ department. What are some useful ideas I can incorporate?

Thanks!

9 Comments
 

The truth of the matter is that you can get advice from other people on this topic, but you will do your best with writing this essay if you can relate your own personal passion for and connection to economics.

 
Best Response

I'd start by understanding what differentiates Stern economics from the CAS economics program and make clear why that's a better fit for you. If you're not all that familiar with the program, I'd call the school and ask questions.

Also, are you interested in economics or more focused on getting into NYU Stern? If I remember correctly, the essays don't ask you to go into detail about your intended major. You can express a general interest in economics, but mention a desire to explore other business disciplines as well. NYU allows you to be considered for two undergraduate colleges. If you craft your entire essay around economics and you preference Stern and put CAS down as a backup school, you risk the chance of being admitted into CAS for economics.

Just my $0.02

 

First off, thanks for the comment.

I am going to be applying to stern economics only and will not be putting down CAS as my backup. However I do not have any extra circulars in finance, so how would I make it sound that I am really interested in also pursuing finance at stern?

For the essays, should I also mention what I have done during high school related to economics, such as a internship with a professor and writing an economics research paper?

 

Just to clarify, you mean you'll be applying to Stern only? As in, you do not want to be considered for another undergraduate college at NYU? You don't receive admissions directly into a concentration (major).

It's great that you have all this experience in economics--that will definitely help, but at Stern you don't major in economics, you concentrate in it. You degree is a BS in Business with a concentration in Economics (and typically a secondary concentration),thus you'll be required to take operations, finance, accounting, and marketing courses. I would definitely highlight your interest and experiences in economics, but you also want to demonstrate an openness to other disciplines. This is as easy as saying, "I've had significant exposure to economics and I'm interested in exploring the area in greater detail, however, I am also eager to explore other opportunities offered at Stern. My high school had limited/no courses in [marketing/insert another concentration] and I'm eager to take [Intro to Marketing/insert any required course from said concentration] and gain insights to consumer behavior." Or something like that. You don't need experience to demonstrate an interest. I'd also mention taking advantage of the location to develop professionally through academic year internships. Also, I'd mention opportunities to develop leadership skills through the Social Impact core (social responsibility, public speaking, business law, etc.).

I'm studying Finance at Stern and never took a business course in high school. I took some economics and math course, but no accounting, finance, or marketing. They're not expecting you to have your academic and professional career mapped out.

Hope this helps

 

Sorry for the delayed response, just saw your reply.

Thank you, that was really helpful!!!

Do you think an internship at a small consulting firm (2 year internship) where I was recently made CFO would look good to Stern if I say it developed my interest in Finance and Economics?

Apart from the academic year internships, what else separates Stern from other Undergrad B-schools like Wharton?

 

Sure, anything that makes you seem like you have an interest in Stern (in addition to Economics) will help. It doesn't have to be finance, but it's easy to make that connection if you've been employed in a finance role.

Differentiation between undergraduate business schools is a personal preference. I didn't go to NYU purely to get into financial services. It was the university best position to allow me to pursue my many, albeit varying, interests. I didn't apply to Wharton, but as my interest shifted over my first few years, I really wish I had. Does Wharton have an economics major? Does it have good research opportunities in economics? I'm not incredibly familiar with Wharton to compare/contrast the two universities and I'm also unfamiliar with you career and academic goals.

Location was a huge factor for me just because of my other interests, but let your ability to do academic year internships be the determining factor in your decision.

Where are you from by the way?

 

Can I ask, if you don't mind, what did you tell NYU Stern as to why you wanted to attend their business school?

Also, in your years at Stern what have you really enjoyed doing be it either academic or anything else that you did not expect?

I'm from Florida, and I know NYU has regional admissions officers so I don't know how the competition for Stern is from Florida.

Is there anything at Stern that you think I should really get to know a lot about or familiarize myself with before applying?

And, thanks again

 

Molestias dolor recusandae quia qui et repellendus sequi. Ad et temporibus voluptatum corporis sapiente.

In enim quidem magni voluptas enim. Et occaecati rerum similique nobis. Omnis tempore harum nam vel. Et eum autem et at qui temporibus.

In et commodi optio dolore. Hic nam esse reiciendis voluptatem velit. Inventore rerum exercitationem quos est sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”