It was billed as a way to get to know MBA applicants better. But NYU Stern School of Business’s new applications process, which asks candidates for contact details of referees who will talk to the school directly about the applicant, has the additional aim of ensuring that
prospective students are not writing their own glowing reviews for bosses and colleagues to sign off.
“There are definitely ways in which we can see when something looks suspect,” says Isser Gallogly, Stern’s associate dean of MBA admissions and programme innovation. “Every individual has their own writing style so if we spot similarities, that is cause for concern.”