Application Checklist

GMAT, EA, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, & DAT

Before submitting an application you must take a standardized test. We recommend the Executive Assessment (EA) test for EMBA applicants. Click here to register or find out more about the Executive Assessment.

However, Stern at NYUAD also accepts the following tests:

• GMAT administered by Pearson VUE
• GRE, administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS)
• LSAT, administered by the Law School Admission Council
• MCAT, administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges
• DAT, administered by the American Dental Association
• Stern at NYUAD has no minimum standardized test score requirements.

Scores are valid for five years from the date that you took the test and must be valid at the time that you submit your application. Applicants must confirm that scores are valid prior to submitting an application.

You are responsible for including your test score on the online application and ensuring that the respective testing agency is able to release and send an official score report to Stern at NYUAD. While an official test score is required for a final decision, the Admissions Committee can begin the review of an application with an unofficial test score.

At this time, despite GMAC’s new policy of a GMAT Superscore, the Admissions Committee will still consider your highest overall GMAT score, achieved in one sitting, as part of your application.

Test Reporting Codes

Standardized Test Waiver

The standardized test is a required application component of the Stern at NYUAD EMBA program application, and one way we assess your academic readiness.

For most applicants, the standardized test is an essential way to establish academic readiness. Applicants who are unable to provide standardized test scores to demonstrate academic readiness may request a standardized test waiver. Those who provide strong examples of academic readiness (e.g. strong analytical or quantitative undergraduate or graduate majors or professional work experience) may receive a standardized test waiver. *Note: If you are pursuing or have already earned your undergraduate degree from NYU in New York, NYU Shanghai, or NYU Abu Dhabi, you may be eligible for a standardized test waiver. Please review the NYU + EMBA Standardized Test Waiver policy for more information.

Your application may still be competitive for admission, even if you are not granted a standardized test waiver. The standardized test score is only one of many components of our application process; we strongly encourage you to submit your standardized test scores as an additional data point to aid our review of your candidacy.

To apply for the standardized test waiver, you must:

• Have received a bachelor’s degree. Students who have not received their undergraduate degrees are not eligible to submit a waiver request.
• Have a minimum of six years of full-time, post-bachelor’s work experience at the time of submitting a waiver request.
• Be planning to apply to the Stern at NYUAD Executive EMBA for the August 2026 intake.
• Submit a completed test waiver request by May 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM Gulf Standard Time.
• Applicants may only submit one standardized test waiver request per admissions intake. If you were approved for a standardized test waiver during a prior admissions intake, you will be required to resubmit a standardized test waiver request for the next intake should you choose to apply.

The following items must be submitted with the request:

• Request form (found on the Test Scores page of the application for admission)
• Resume
• Transcript(s) for all undergraduate, graduate programs/degrees, and professional certifications (e.g. CFA and CPA). Transcripts must indicate all classes taken, grades received, credits earned, final cumulative GPA(s) and degree conferral(s). If your transcript is not in English, you must provide a certified translation along with a copy of the original transcript. If you have attended more than one undergraduate institution, you must provide a separate transcript from the host institution(s) unless all course titles and grades are listed on your primary transcript.
• Brief essay response to the prompt: Please list the coursework completed, certifications held, and professional experience you have that demonstrates academic readiness for an EMBA program. You may use bullet points. (300 word limit).

If the information provided in your test waiver request differs from the information provided in your EMBA application, your waiver may be rescinded and your application made incomplete.

The Admissions Committee reviews the test waiver requests on a rolling basis, and in most cases will issue a decision within 3 weeks of submission. We strongly encourage submitting your test waiver request at least 3 weeks prior to when you plan to submit your EMBA application. We will make every effort to review your request in time, however, we will not grant requests to expedite reviews. Therefore, please plan accordingly when submitting your test waiver request.

If you are approved for a standardized test waiver, you will receive further instructions to submit your application. Applicants who are not approved for the waiver will need to complete the standardized test score requirement to complete their application.

Please note, any materials uploaded as part of this request will also appear in your Stern at NYUAD record. You will have an opportunity to upload new documents (e.g. updated resume) as part of your EMBA application. If the information provided in your request differs from the information provided in your application for admission, the Admissions Committee may reevaluate your test waiver request and application for admission to determine your eligibility for the test waiver.

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test

Fluency in English is required for the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program.

If your native language is not English, your level of proficiency in English must be demonstrated in at least one of the following ways:

Your undergraduate or graduate degree was taught in English
Your test results from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test
Scores are valid for two years from the date that you took the test and must be valid at the time that you submit your application. You are responsible for including your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score on the online application and ensuring that your official score report can be released and sent to Stern at NYUAD. While an official test score is required for a final decision, the Admissions Committee can begin the review of your application with an unofficial test score.

Test Reporting Codes:

Stern at NYUAD students bring diverse academic foundations, from business and engineering to liberal arts and social sciences.

Students entering the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program are required to hold a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Degree Requirements

Transcript Requirements for the Online Application
As part of your online application, you must include unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. Your unofficial transcripts must show the following information:

• All courses taken, credits earned, and grades received
• The name of the degree(s) earned along with the conferral date, if applicable
• Your full legal name
• The name of the college or university attended

Transcripts must be in English. Any translated transcripts must be certified. Please upload files directly into the online application. Uploaded files must be scanned copies of transcript(s) received from the college/university registrar or electronic transcripts. Word documents and HTML documents are not acceptable.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission at any time, prior to or after enrolling, if there is any discrepancy between the unofficial transcript and the official transcript.

Optional: If you did not graduate from a university based in the United States, we encourage you to provide a third-party international credential evaluation to assess U.S. bachelor’s equivalency and evaluation of your grade point average. We will only accept evaluation reports from NACES-approved agencies. You can find a list of NACES-approved agencies here. *Note: Branch campuses of US universities, such as NYU Abu Dhabi, would be considered a US-based university.

Official Transcript Requirement for Enrollment
Admitted students are required to provide an official record of all academic transcripts and proof of each corresponding degree conferral prior to enrollment in the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program.

Do not send official transcripts to Stern at NYUAD unless instructed to do so.

Providing transcripts for non-US institutions
You must have all non-US university educational credentials evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). To do that you must ensure that transcripts and other required documents are sent to ECE (instructions will be provided, if applicable, after admission). The cost of this report is covered by Stern at NYUAD and you are not responsible for any costs associated with ECE’s evaluation. The completed Evaluation Report will be delivered directly to Stern at NYUAD.

If you cannot meet these requirements or have further questions, contact us at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu.

Providing transcripts for US institutions
You have two choices to submit an official transcript:

• EMAIL: You may request that your institution(s) send secure digital copies of your official transcripts to emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu. E-transcripts must be sent directly from your institution(s) or via a recognized transcript platform such as Parchment to emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu. You must include transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended showing a list of all courses taken, credits earned, grades received and (if applicable) the name of the degree earned. Stern at NYUAD EMBA Admissions reserves the right to request a hard-copy transcript.
• MAIL: You may submit official, hard-copy transcripts via mail from the institution(s) you have attended. You must include transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended showing a list of all courses taken, credits earned, grades received and (if applicable) the name of the degree earned. Transcripts must be original documents bearing the institutional seal and signature of the institution’s registrar, and must be submitted in the original, sealed envelope from the institution.  Transcripts may be sent to:New York University Abu Dhabi
  Stern at NYUAD Admissions (A6-L01-1163)
  PO Box 129188
  Abu Dhabi, UAE

If you have attended multiple institutions, we recommend that you submit your official transcripts in one envelope to Stern at NYUAD EMBA Admissions.

If you completed coursework through a study abroad program, you must provide a separate transcript from the host institution(s) unless all study abroad course titles and grades are listed on your primary transcript.

All transcripts must be accompanied by proof of degree conferral if you earned a degree at the institution. The degree conferral must indicate the:

• Type of degree conferred
• Month and year the degree was conferred
• Institution and location from which you received the degree
• If degree conferral information is reflected on your transcript, you do not need to provide additional degree conferral documentation.

Important:

• ​​Stern at NYUAD does not accept notarized or personal copies of transcripts.
• Official transcripts and degree conferrals will be verified.
• The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission at any time prior to or after enrolling if there is any discrepancy between the unofficial and official transcript(s).
• All transcripts submitted are considered property of Stern at NYUAD EMBA Admissions.
• Do not submit the original copy of an academic transcript that cannot be replaced.
• Transcripts will not be returned to you, transferred, or forwarded to other institutions or other programs or schools at NYU.

Current and former NYU students do not need to order official transcripts for their previous NYU degree(s).

Stern at NYUAD seeks experienced professionals with a track record of achievement, strong leadership potential, and a clear vision for impact in the UAE, MENA, and beyond.

Executive MBA applicants must have a minimum of six years of full-time, post-graduate work experience, though most will bring significantly more. Candidates often hold mid- to senior-level roles across diverse industries, including consulting, financial services, government, energy, consumer products, healthcare, technology, and the nonprofit sector.

The Admissions Committee assesses professional experience not only by years, but also by the depth of responsibility, scope of leadership, and progression over time. What matters most is your ability to contribute meaningfully to the classroom, your organization, and the broader business community.

While academic research and internships do not count toward the required professional work experience, the Admissions Committee considers your full career journey when making admissions decisions.

Résumé (or CV)
You must upload your résumé, which should include both full-time, post-university work experience and educational information. Extracurricular activities, or volunteer activities should also be included.

If your employment status changes after you apply, you must submit an updated résumé by emailing the admissions office at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu.

Work History
To supplement your résumé with key information about your career to date, you will be prompted to add employment information for your current and most recent positions via the “Add Position” function in the online application.

At Stern at NYUAD, we are interested in the complete picture — not just your professional achievements, but the experiences, values, and goals that have shaped who you are today. Our Executive MBA essay questions are your chance to share your story with the Admissions Committee and help us understand what drives you, how you lead, and what you hope to achieve.

We ask that your essays be written entirely by you, in your own voice, so we can hear your perspective authentically. An offer of admission may be rescinded if an applicant did not write their essays.

Essays should be double-spaced, in 12-point font. Please include your word count at the end of each essay.

Essay 1: Why the Stern at NYUAD EMBA Program?
(500 word maximum)

Why are you pursuing the Stern at NYUAD EMBA Program? How will your past experience combined with the EMBA support your short and long-term career goals? Please be specific about how you see your career progressing or evolving.

Essay 2: Leadership in Practice
(300 word maximum)

Tell us about an experience that challenged you as a leader and required you to adapt your approach. How did you respond, what did you learn about yourself and others, and how will those lessons shape the way you lead and engage with your peers in the Stern at NYUAD EMBA classroom?

Essay 3: Additional Information (optional)
(250 word maximum)

Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include important aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your transcript(s), or any other relevant information.

We want to understand the full scope of who you are, not only through your own experiences, but also through the perspective of those who have seen you lead, grow, and succeed.
Recommendations play a vital role in the admissions process, offering insight into your professional achievements, leadership potential, and character. Your chosen recommenders should know you and your work well, who can speak to your contributions, impact, and readiness for the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA.

• Two recommendations are required.
• One recommendation must come from an applicant’s current supervisor. Applicants must provide an explanation in the online application if they are not able to do so.
• The second recommendation may come from someone who knows an applicant professionally and/or personally.
• Recommendations should come from individuals who can objectively assess potential for success in the Stern at NYUAD Executive MBA program and in future career.
• Submitting more than two recommendations is not encouraged but is allowed. Applicants should carefully consider whether additional recommendations add significant value and a new, unique perspective to your application.

Your recommenders will be asked to provide an answer to these questions:

1. How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization.
2. What are the applicant’s principal strengths? If applicable, how does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
3. IQ+EQ is a core value of NYU Stern, and we seek exceptional individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. Emotional intelligence (EQ) skills such as self-awareness, empathy, communication and self-management are at the core of our community of leaders. Please provide one specific and compelling example to demonstrate the applicant’s emotional intelligence.
4. What observations do you have of the character and integrity of the applicant?
5. Please describe the applicant’s leadership skills and potential. How does the applicant influence, motivate, or guide others, particularly in challenging or complex situations?
6. What is the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant? Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.

Once you have entered the contact information for your recommenders in the online application and click the “Send to Recommender” button, your recommenders will be contacted automatically with submission instructions via email. We strongly encourage you to alert your recommendation providers to this in advance.

Recommendations should be written in English. If your recommender provides a supplemental recommendation letter with their form submission, this letter should preferably be on institutional letterhead and include the recommender’s signature.

If your recommender cannot submit an online recommendation, you must email emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu to explain the circumstances and request approval for your recommender to submit a paper endorsement.

If your recommender cannot complete their recommendation in English, they will need to follow the instructions above and have the recommendation translated into English through a certified English translation service. Upon submitting the recommendation, your recommender must include the original letter and the translated copy. Applications that only include the translated copy are considered incomplete. Recommenders can upload these documents directly to the application as a single PDF via the link provided. Recommendations can only be accepted directly from the recommender.

Organization Sponsorship Form
The Stern at NYUAD Part-time EMBA program is designed for experienced professionals who remain employed while pursuing their degree. As such, we require admitted students to submit the Organization Sponsorship Form from their employer confirming support for attendance at all class sessions. If you will not be employed throughout the program, we recommend that you speak to us before applying by contacting us at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu.

The Organization Sponsorship Form summarizes the time commitment required for the program, and should be used as a tool to have a conversation with your employer around time and financial sponsorship.

Download the Organization Sponsorship Form

Please upload the Organization Sponsorship Form to the Program Information page of the online application form.

The Stern at NYUAD Part-time EMBA program is designed for experienced professionals who remain employed while pursuing their degree. As such, we require admitted students to submit the Organization Sponsorship Form from their employer confirming support for attendance at all class sessions. You can also upload this to your application for admission, however this is entirely optional. If you will not be employed throughout the program, we recommend that you speak to us before applying by contacting us at emba.admissions@sternad.nyu.edu.

The Organization Sponsorship Form summarizes the time commitment required for the program, and should be used as a tool to have a conversation with your employer around time and financial sponsorship.

Download the Organization Sponsorship Form

Please upload the Organization Sponsorship Form to the Program Information page of the online application form.