Arati Venkatram takes you through her applicant journey from India to a full-time MBA at NYU Stern. She recommends keeping a work journal for up to two years before applying for an MBA
Arati Venkatram, full-time NYU Stern MBA candidate from the class of 2020, is a business leader on the rise. A strong believer in and promoter of women in business, Arati has a deeply-held desire to "engage in conversations on the topic, and create impact in this space.”One could quite convincingly argue that Arati has already begun to make such a mark with dual bachelor’s degrees in both commerce and law from the University of Mumbai in 2014.
She has three banner years of experience in investment banking and a year of experience in consulting, having worked most recently as a senior consultant with Deloitte. She is also a member of the Indian institute of Chartered Accountants, India's national professional accounting.
Arati specializes in Strategy, Management, and Leadership at NYU Stern, and aims to continue her career in Management Consulting.
While NYU Stern is known for its strengths in finance, boasts placement at top consulting firms, and reports on an overlap with students entering into the tech market, Arati offers additional reasons why it was a wise decision to build on her own experience and vision at NYU Stern:
“The first is to obtain a holistic business understanding beyond finance; the second is to build global personal and professional networks; and the third is to understand various leadership styles and develop my own as I elevate my career.”
She says that location was very important in selecting her target schools. “When I say location, I mean New York City!
“I wanted to take advantage of the variety of opportunities the city has to offer, all a stone’s throw away from Stern’s campus.”
Arati employed several strategies during the MBA program selection process. Rather than casting her net too widely, she says she opted to "focus on the schools I was most interested in and went all in."
She advises that prospective students across the board, regardless of their particular career ambitions, "visit schools if possible, as it really gives one a sense of culture fit.”
On the subject of test prep, Arati explains, “I believe the GMAT tests a lot more than our quant and verbal skills.” She advises that applicants make a point of familiarizing themselves with the test format.
Arati also recommends that applicants time themselves in practice tests and be mindful of both their strengths and weaknesses in the GMAT’s various subjects. In terms of a performance day tactic, she adds, “I think going in to take the test with a calm mind is half the battle won.”
The application process taught Arati a lot of things about herself that, she says, were hiding beneath the surface all these years. "The introspection required for my essays in a short period of time was challenging.”
Her recommendations?
“Maintain a journal of your personal and professional achievements way ahead of application deadlines to help formulate your professional goals for the essays. I would recommend at least two years ahead of applying to business school. I didn’t do this, but am certain it would have helped!”
Then, when it comes to the subject of interviews, Arati asserts, “The best interviews are those that don’t feel like interviews!”
She advises that candidates strive to extend themselves by shaping the interview into a conversation, remembering to be friendly yet respectful.
“Most importantly,” she says, “let the honesty of your application shine through.”
Student Reviews
New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business
What built my love for NYU
My involvement with NYU has been astonishing thanks to individuals there, yet I truly do figure they could improve in the area of offering understudies sage monetary guidance. I only have more inquiries in regards to my school consistently. I truly like how different and comprehensive my school is generally speaking. By and large, individuals are thoughtful, well disposed, and exceptionally splendid. I'm propelled to work harder by my incredible speakers and companions. Assets and encounters are unparalleled. In spite of the fact that it isn't a great fit for everybody, I love going to a major metropolitan school. The main things I need were that it was more affordable and farther away from my folks.
Experienced educators
NYU is known for its focus on providing students with hands-on experiences. They offer numerous opportunities for exploration. The classes are enjoyable, and the professors display genuine passion for both their subjects and their students. The professors at NYU are highly knowledgeable in their fields and are always available to lend a helping hand as long as you make the effort to approach them. Joining a research laboratory is highly encouraged and can provide you with priceless experience. The professors not only care for students but are also highly intelligent. They prioritize the success of their students in their future careers.
Graduate Acting in a Nutshell
NYU's Graduate Acting program has consistently been recognized in the world's top 5 acting graduate programs for years. With an unprecedented pandemic commencing in my first year in the program, I experienced the type of innovation worthy of that world recognition. The ability to pivot entirely, yet maintain an extremely high level of education was truly profound. I consistently found myself being pushed in ways I wasn't aware I needed to be. The access to industry professionals for advice, guidance, and leadership means the transition after graduation is much less daunting than going it alone.
Simply the best school
This school is truly outstanding. In essence, there is no other educational institution that can surpass its exceptional performance and unparalleled attention to detail. It not only boasts state-of-the-art equipment, but also houses exceptional professors who are available to guide and instruct students on their usage.
Quality curriculum
NYU is a wonderful school where you can really learn anything you want to know. New York College gives probably the best training inside a city climate. I can see NYU becoming a leader in the technology and infrastructure industries thanks to its rapidly expanding engineering school. I love the delightful way proficient the teachers are and how the educational plan is set up.
Amazing school environment
The campus of New York University is very diverse, has excellent programs, and the professors are nice. NYU's location is fantastic because it is close to Manhattan. There is so much to learn about and such a lively environment created by the city. Additionally, I believe that the urban location of the campus aids students in developing important life skills.
Transformative experience
The experience of going to New York University (NYU) has been transformational. An environment that is conducive to study is created by the lively campus and multicultural community. NYU provides a comprehensive education that goes beyond the classroom thanks to the access to limitless opportunities in the center of New York City. The student experience is further improved by the support services and extracurricular activities. I wholeheartedly endorse NYU as a fantastic university.
This programe was strong!
The studies we're great, I learned the ins & outs of modern history. The subjects taught were on point (biology, art, etc.)
The staff was well trained and were very helpful and kind. Facilities were also on point.
The pricing can be a bit expensive though, but it is worse in Massachusetts.
NYU's Undergrad Accounting
The Stern School of Business provides the undergraduate accounting program at New York University. Students are prepared for careers in accounting, finance, and related fields through this highly regarded program. In addition to a comprehensive business education, the program provides students with a solid foundation in accounting principles.
The educational program remembers courses for monetary bookkeeping, administrative bookkeeping, tax collection, evaluating, and data frameworks. Economics, statistics, finance, and management are also required courses for students.
Through internships and other experiential learning opportunities, students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in addition to the coursework. Additionally, the program has strong connections to leading accounting firms, which may offer students a route to employment opportunities after graduation.
By and large, the undergrad bookkeeping program at New York College is a thorough and extensive program that can give understudies the abilities and information they need to prevail in the field of bookkeeping.
Journalism program
The best professors!!!! Really talented and experienced, full of knowledge and gave really a hands on education. We worked like a real newsroom, got assigned stories and were given the tools to go after them.
