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Stern Singles Presents: Sara Mitchell7 min read

Welcome back to another edition of Stern Singles. We are excited to introduce you all to another eligible Stern bachelorette, Sara Mitchell. If you would like to nominate a classmate for future features of the Stern Spotlight, please email the Oppy staff at Oppy@stern.nyu.edu.

Hello Sara! Thank you for being this month’s bachelorette! Let’s start with an easy question. What brought you to Stern?

I went to undergrad for nutrition and was working as a registered dietitian ever since. I loved it but came to realize there wasn’t much career growth. When Covid hit I kind of re-evaluated everything and decided business school was the best way to make a career switch. I was already living in NYC and heard great things about Stern so it was an easy decision once I got in.

I work in a hospital and I love our dieticians. What you do is incredible! But I can see how it’s difficult for career development after a certain point. What’s the best part about being at Stern?

I love the friends I’ve made so far. We have a really great class and I’m excited to keep building relationships. Also I committed to two years of this and am not one to back out of commitments! (Laughs)

Yeah, I heard the school isn’t great at giving refunds. What excited you most about coming here?

A fresh start. It felt like I was hitting reset on my life and I was ready to fully immerse myself. I was also excited to experience NYC in a totally different light.

Fresh starts can be intimidating. Did anything worry you about starting grad school?

Making friends again. (Laughs) I’ve pretty much had the same friends since undergrad and then with Covid, I was worried I forgot how to socialize. But I was fine. I was also worried about being thrown right into recruiting, which was definitely valid because juggling that and school has been rough.

Completely understandable. I’ve dabbled in recruiting this year and even from my limited experience, it was stressful. What’s been your favorite part about the program?

The people.

We are a lively bunch. What’s been the best surprise about the Covid Business School experience?

Aside from having to wear masks in the building, it feels like it’s been a relatively normal experience. I heard that Stern has had the most Covid cases out of NYU so I guess we’re doing a bad job and that’s why it’s felt normal?

I have friends like that, who are such givers that they can be taken for granted. This is a friendly reminder for the rest of us not to take them for granted! Show some love to your friends today. Ok, so what excites you?

New experiences and traveling.

Me too. Get me out of this country already. What scares you?

Losing the people closest to me.

I don’t even know why I asked that question. Favorite musician or band?

John Mayer or Taylor Swift – I’m all over the place with music genre/artists.

TAYLOR SWIFT IS LIFE. Favorite song to dance to?

So many, tough to say but I like EDM/house/alt-pop.

Favorite karaoke song?

We Can’t Stop by  Miley Cyrus and Vienna by Billy Joel.

Favorite podcast?

I’m all over the place with podcasts – My Favorite Murder, The Apology Line, and Call Her Daddy.

It’s called diverse taste, Sara! Favorite book?

I don’t really read and need to come up with an answer to this for interviews (Laughs). Although I actually listened to Matthew McConaughey’s book this summer and loved it, mostly because he’s such a great narrator.

Ha! I love the honesty. And yes, Greenlights. It’s such a good book. I can imagine even better if McConaughey is narrating it. Do you cook?

I go through waves where I do but it’s been a long wave of not cooking a whole lot. I have a few easy staples though.

I would love it if you could teach me how to make them. Throwing everything into an Instapot has gotten old after two years. Any fun Covid stories?

I know it’s taboo but I traveled a bunch. I was super safe and got tested constantly and never got or spread Covid. I went out West and bounced around at different friends’ places, went to Tulum, which was awesome. I thought for sure I’d get Covid there but did not. And did a road trip to North Carolina and Tennessee. I also spent a lot of time at my parents house and did a virtual TikTok with friends featuring my dad.

How does one get her hands on this TikTok? We’ll talk later. How do you spend your days when you’re not busy with school?

I’m a big workout person and like to be active, so I try to workout most days (run, gym, or Barry’s) and like to walk a lot. My days lately have been spent hunched over my laptop but looking forward to catching up on TV and with friends.

Favorite date spot?

Have yet to find a favorite but a big fan of the cozy West Village bars/restaurants

Same. Same. Describe your ideal first date?

Kinda depends on if I know the person or not. Typically just drinks but if it’s going well then also dinner. Second date, maybe a fun activity or outing.

What do you want out of a relationship?

Someone to do fun things with, try new restaurants with, just do life with in general…not in, like, a forever creepy kind of way, just like typical day-to-day stuff.

You mean, like father your children? Kidding! What are you looking for in a partner?

Similar interests and goals, someone who likes to go out and do things, someone not afraid to commit. I’m looking for someone who I could see as my best friend and partner. Someone who likes to go out and party but also equally likes to stay in and binge TV. 

Do you have any deal breakers in a partner?

Loud chewing/loud breathing. Someone who hates being active.

Pretty standard. What do you find most challenging about dating?

I seem to date people who are emotionally unavailable/can’t talk about anything serious or on the flip side people who become obsessed too early because they think I check their boxes without even knowing me – both are pretty frustrating, but probably more so the former. Also Hinge seems like a black hole that never amounts to anything without putting hours into it, which I just can’t fathom doing.

Again, I love the honesty! So, do you enjoy dating?

Honestly dating sucks and I would much prefer to be set up. But even then it usually doesn’t amount to anything. I’ve had the most success meeting people IRL but not enough success given this Stern Singles feature. Dating in NYC feels particularly more difficult than elsewhere. Or maybe I just attract the wrong guys.

Is there anything you would like to tell your potential suitors?

I guess the moral of the story is I would like to date someone and end up in a relationship but not for the sake of being in a relationship. I think it’s important to get to know each other well and make sure we are both on the same page before actually committing to anything. And as I’ve come to realize from previous relationships, open communication is huge for me and if that is lacking it probably won’t work. Which I guess brings me back up to the deal breaker question – lack of communication without signs of improvement would be a deal breaker.

Thank you Sara for talking to us! Catch Sara around on campus or on Teams or Stern Gmail!

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