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Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.
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Executive Programs
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This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.
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How to Apply
Deadlines and decision schedule .
The Admissions Committee gives every application the fullest possible review and will notify applicants of their decision. Please note that in the interest of confidentiality, we will only deliver official decisions via your online application.
All applications should be received by 3:00 p.m. EST on the deadline date.
Tips on how to apply to via the MBA Early Admission process

A complete application for entry consists of the following:
Cover letter (300 words).
MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative— true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion. Please visit the website for frequently asked questions .
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above and can be addressed to:
Admissions Committee 50 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142
Your cover letter should be 300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation.
Please submit a one-page resume. This will help us easily track your academic and career path. Space is limited, so it's okay if you can't fit everything. Just make sure to focus on your work results, not just your title or job description. Here are some pointers on formatting:
- One page limit
- Times New Roman font
- Size 10 font
- Word or PDF formats only
- Education - Please include relevant awards, scholarships and professional societies
- Work Experience - Please include company name, title, results-oriented bullets that demonstrate your skill set, and dates
- Additional information - Please include languages spoken, extracurricular activities/community service, technical skills/certifications, and special skills/interests (if appropriate)
Video Question 1
Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here's your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can't wait to meet you!
Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:
- No more than 1 minute (60 second) in length
- Single take (no editing)
- Speak directly to the camera
- Do not include background music or subtitles
Video Question 2
All MBA Early applicants will be prompted to respond to a randomly generated, open-ended question.
Video Question 2 is a part of your required application materials and will appear as a page within the application, once the other parts of your application are completed.
The question is designed to help us get to know you better; to see how you express yourself and to assess your communication style. It does not require prior preparation.
Applicants are given one minute to prepare a 60 second response .
Letters of Recommendation
A detailed recommendation can tell us a lot about you. Make sure you select individuals qualified to speak about your results as a professional and your potential as a leader. Some important details:
- MBA Early applicants must submit two letters of recommendation .
- One recommendation from a professional contact, e.g., a work supervisor or manager
- One recommendation from an academic contact, e.g., a faculty member who can speak to your academic ability. If you are currently an MIT student, please use an MIT faculty member for your academic recommendation.
- We do not accept recommendations from family members.
- MIT Sloan utilizes the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation form.
- Find more information about the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation here .
- If you are an MIT student, please use an MIT Professor for one of your letters.
- Your letters of recommendation must be received by the deadline date. It is your responsibility to remind your recommenders to make sure it is submitted on time.
Academic Transcripts
We know you've worked hard to get to where you are today. Tell us about your academic journey, so we can understand what experience and skills you might bring to the classroom as an MIT Sloan student. Please include every undergraduate and graduate institution you've attended, or are currently attending. List your degree-granting undergraduate institution first. Transcript(s): Please scan and upload your transcript(s) from all colleges and universities you attended or are currently attending. If you are currently earning a degree, please upload your most up-to-date transcript. We review transcripts carefully, please double check that what you have uploaded is legible. Some important details:
- All applicants to the program must hold a four-year undergraduate degree or three-year equivalent undergraduate degree from outside of the U.S, by time of matriculation.
- Do not mail any hard copies of official academic records or transcripts.
- If you received an undergraduate degree as part of a Master's program, please include an undergraduate entry in addition to your Master's degree.
- If your transcripts are not in English, please scan and upload both the original and the certified translation.
- We cannot accept "digitally signed" or encrypted transcripts. If you're having difficulty uploading your document, this may be the reason. Print out your transcript, scan it, and upload the PDF.
Once admitted to the program you will be required to provide an official signed and sealed transcript from all schools attended. Any discrepancies between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a candidate's rejection or a withdrawal of our offer of admission.
Test Scores
Standardized tests, such as GMAT and GRE are a component of the application process and play an important role in our holistic evaluation process. The admissions committee will continue to accept the remote/at-home version of these exams. Because of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MBA Early offering will allow candidates for the 2022-23 admission cycle to submit a request for a test waiver, should their current situation prevent them from safely being able to access an exam. On the waiver request, you will be required to answer “Are you able to safely access a GMAT or GRE either in person or virtually?” If the waiver is approved, and the candidate is admitted, no test will be required.
MIT Seniors with a 4.2 GPA or higher do not need to submit a test score to apply and do not need to submit a waiver request.
We will accept self-reported test scores by the application deadline, and welcome either the traditional or online version of exams. Official scores should be sent using the following school codes:
GMAT School Code: X5X-QS-41 GRE School Code: 3791
Relevant Coursework & Professional Certifications
Please list courses that you are currently taking or that you have completed in the following areas:
- Communications
- Microeconomics
- Organizational Behavior
- Probability
- Statistics
Additionally, applicants are welcome to submit other pieces of academic evidence such as: professional certifications CFA, CPA, among others; non-degree coursework such as CORe, edX, or any other non-degree coursework completed; all of which may assist the Admissions Committee in its evaluation process.
Optional Short Answer Question
Applicants are invited to expand on their background by responding to the following optional 250 word short answer question:
How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background.
This question is truly optional; applicants will not be evaluated more positively or negatively should the choose to respong. This is an opportunity for you to share more about yourself with the Admissions Committee, should you choose to do so.
Application Fee: Waived
No application fee is required for the MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission process.
The Interview
The interview is a required step in the process and will be scheduled by invitation only, after an initial evaluation of a complete application. All interviews will be conducted virtually.
- Top MBA Programs
- Admissions Essays
2022-2023 MBA Admissions: MIT Sloan Essays

This year’s MBA application prompts have been released, so it’s time to start brainstorming what your topics will be. Wondering where to start, what to write? No worries, we have all the tips you need to get a nice start on writing a quality essay for MIT Sloan.
Sloan emphasizes impact – how their students and school community as a whole can impact the world. This is accomplished through research and global, innovative ideas brought forth by both students and faculty. Through the story you relate in your essay, the admissions council is looking to see if you reflect the same values that the school does. MIT Sloan is looking for students who are problem-solvers, practical, and excited to engage with the world. The best way to represent that you possess those qualities is through the type of essay you choose to write.
It’s crucial to pick the right experience to discuss in your essay, and the different types of prompts help narrow that down for you. Keep reading for a closer look at the different types of essays, and how best to utilize them in order to write a stand-out essay for MIT Sloan.
At Menlo Coaching, we noticed that most MBA essays will fall into one of a number of categories: personal essays, career goals essays, and behavioral essays etc. Read ahead for our expert guide on approaching these essays for MIT Sloan.
Organizational Chart
- Our goal is to learn about you and your professional background. Your employer’s organizational chart will help us better understand the role you play within your organization, who you report to, and the impact you might have on your department or company.
Some important details:
-Give us as much detail as possible (names, titles, etc.) but it’s ok to redact names if you need to.
-Please circle your role in red so that your position is easily identifiable.
-Make sure we can easily identify where you are, to whom you report, and if applicable, who reports to you.
-If your recommender or references are on your organizational chart (they may not be, and that’s ok!), please highlight them for us.
-If you are a consultant, entrepreneur, or affiliated with the military review our FAQs for suggestions on how to approach the organizational chart.
-Please upload an organizational chart that outlines the internal structure of your place of employment. Limit to two pages.
Click here to view a sample organizational chart.
Behavioral Essay (Cover Letter)
- MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and can be addressed to:
Admissions Committee 50 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142
Your cover letter should be 300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation. If you have any additional questions, please visit our FAQ page.
Upload a Word or PDF document.
Personal (Video) Essay
- Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you!
Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:
-No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
-Single take (no editing)
-Speaking directly to the camera
-Do not include background music or subtitles
Note: While we ask you to introduce yourself to your future classmates in this video, the video will not be shared beyond the admissions committee and is for use in the application process only.
Optional Essay
- We’d like to give you the opportunity to expand on your background. This question is completely optional.
How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background.
Please do not include any links in your response. (250 words or fewer)
Reapplicant Essay
- Please let us know what’s changed since you last applied. (200 words)
MIT Sloan Organizational Chart
Another of Sloan’s unusual admissions requirements is its organizational chart. From this chart, the AdCom wants to understand visually what your current role is in your organization or company, as well as where you sit in the hierarchy and chain of command. The admissions committee also wants to understand the role and position of your recommenders, so it’s important to be detailed, thorough, and accurate in your organizational chart.
The Behavioral Essay
To make it simple: the behavioral essay is meant to show MIT Sloan that you have developed some sort of leadership skills, what your values are as a leader, and how you are going to most benefit from their development programs.
The admissions committee is looking for applicants that are self-reflective. Whether it’s through a setback you’ve experienced, or how you dealt with situations that have gone awry, the school is looking for students who are resilient and able to learn from their mistakes.
Do not overexaggerate (or underexaggerate!) the situations you decide to write about. Be honest about what happened; MIT Sloan is looking for genuine people to join their campus community, and they are less likely to admit an applicant who has overinflated their prior experiences.
Last but not least, make sure to describe what you learned and how you implemented this in a subsequent situation. This is an expected element of the behavioral essay, even if it’s not directly written in the prompt. The Admissions Team is looking for MBA essays that show you are a considerate leader who will make the best of their time in the program. The school “demand[s] integrity and respect[s] passion.” Prompts that deal with these topics can be daunting, especially when they require you to write about a weakness you have or a failure you’ve experienced.
The Personal Essay
Like we touched on earlier, schools are looking for the right fit for their campus community, just as you are searching for the school that aligns best with your goals. In the personal essay, this is your chance to show MIT Sloan the values that drive you both as a person and as a student. These values tell the admissions council what you prioritize, the moral code you live by, and, most importantly, who you are as a person.
In these essays, you can talk about almost anything; typically, applicants will write about relationships in their lives, or times when there was a hardship they had to overcome. Be warned, though: there are some topics to avoid, and we have outlined a few things to watch out for in this article .
When it comes to video essays specifically, we have some advice:
- Practice—but don’t memorize: it’s always clear if someone has memorized what they intend to say in a video essay verbatim, and this can make your content seem staged and inauthentic. If you find that you’re repeating the same speech over and over again, change the first sentence. You’ll be surprised at how this will throw you off!
- Make sure that your setting is appropriate: you want to make sure that your lighting is good and that there are no empty tequila bottles in the background.
- Speak slowly and clearly: clear diction can make a big difference when it comes to reviewing your video essay.
Once you’ve completed your application, the optional Sloan essay gives you an additional opportunity to provide the AdCom with any additional information or clarity that you feel would enhance your application.
One trap that MBA applicants fall into is using the additional space provided by this essay to write on a whole new topic. However, this is not always the best idea.
You should only make use of this essay if you what you write will provide context to an element of your application to improve your candidacy—you don’t want to jeopardize your chances by adding unnecessary noise to your application.
For reapplicants, Sloan requires a specific essay in which you can address how your application has improved since your last application.
In this essay, you can address any improvements to your test scores, promotions at work, additional volunteer or community work, or any significant professional development that you have undertaken since you last applied to the program.
Timing is key for reapplicants, and when you’re applying for an MBA program a second time around, you want to be sure that you are a more qualified and desirable client than you were in the past—even if your application was stellar the first time.
Writing strong, coherent, genuine stories is an essential part of your MBA application. These essays are meant to help you stand out among many other applicants, so it is worth your time to do the work and write about situations unique to your life and that you truly learned from. Visit our process page to understand how Menlo Coaching can help you with your MBA essays for MIT Sloan.
Related Articles
- MIT Sloan MBA Program Overview
- MBA Essay Tips From 3 Top Admissions Consultants
- How to Get Into MBA Programs at Top Business Schools

2022-2023 MIT Sloan Essay Analysis + Downloadable Sample Essays
Jul 5, 2022

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on August 27, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With the Media Lab, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation track, and a motto of “Mens et Manus,” or “Mind and Hand,” MIT Sloan is a hotbed for professionals seeking to work with cutting edge industries and entrepreneurs alike.
However, with the number of MBA applicants hoping to land jobs in technology and entrepreneurship increasing every year, landing a spot at MIT Sloan has become more challenging than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Sloan admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips, but have also included sample essays to ensure you give your MIT application your best shot.
1. Who is MIT Sloan looking for?

(Photo courtesy of @mitsloan on Instagram)
“MIT Sloan students are informed and responsible global citizens with the vision, drive, and practical experience to make significant contributions to their organizations and to the world.” MIT Sloan Admissions Team
As one of the prestigious M7 schools, the average MIT Sloan student tends to have a demonstrated track record of academic excellence and a high GMAT/GRE score. The 450 admits to the Class of 2023 had a median GMAT score of 730. GRE verbal scores ranged from 157-168 and quant scores ranged from 158-169.
However, with a major focus on diversity (it’s been the theme of Sloan’s interview essay for the past several years), it’s no surprise that MIT Sloan’s admissions team works hard to continually increase the diversity of perspectives present in its class.

(MIT Sloan’s Class Profile, source: MIT Sloan’s website )
According to the admissions team, they also look beyond the numbers to ensure applicants fit with Sloan’s values.

(Source: MIT Sloan’s Website)
In addition, MIT Sloan tends to favor applicants who demonstrate excellence and commitment both at the office and in the community.
So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of MIT Sloan’s students. This means forming your business school brand , and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with collaborative leadership, analytical thinking, and a commitment to solving urgent issues in business and society.
2. How should I answer the essay questions?
This year, MIT has retained its famous cover letter question and has retained the same instructions for the video essay question. Given the limited amount of space you have, you need to make sure every word paints a picture of your accomplishments and potential additions to the MIT Sloan community.
The following analyses demonstrate how you may do that.

2.1. Cover Letter
MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).
After taking a short break from the cover letter question, MIT Sloan reinstated it several years ago, and it seems this “essay” is here to stay.
This is not surprising, considering how well the task of writing a cover letter aligns with Sloan’s goal of admitting practical candidates with a demonstrated track record of success. The cover letter, thus, allows you to concisely and pragmatically feature your key accomplishments, demonstrate your career plan, and demonstrate to Sloan’s admissions committee that you “fit” with their program.
Though it may sound obvious, approach this essay as though you are applying for a new job. A good professional cover letter opens by demonstrating your strengths and creating a strong picture of the value you can contribute to your future organization.
You should begin your MIT Sloan cover letter by doing the same. First, consider your background and professional history. Which examples show you are an innovator (a core value at Sloan )? What shows that you are passionate about the career you have chosen but are also practical enough to get results day in and day out?
After choosing 2-3 examples that show you thinking outside the box and offering pragmatic solutions to challenging business problems, as well as examples that demonstrate your leadership skills, consider how you might tell these stories in a short yet powerful way .
Then, begin your letter. We suggest you avoid a boring “My name is X, and I am applying to join Sloan” opening. Instead, craft a compelling hook introduction that not only grabs the reader’s interest, but that also sets the stage for the themes you will explore in your letter (opening with a line about teamwork then spending your whole essay talking about innovation, for example, would not be a good match).
TOP TIP : Dedicate roughly 75% of your essay to your past examples. Make sure these are told in STAR format .
After you show MIT Sloan what you’ve already accomplished (and make sure you do this well, MIT Sloan believes strongly that the best indicator of success is past behavior), you might want to mention a bit about your goals if it gives necessary context to why you are pursuing an MBA. In most cases, we find adding at least a brief summary of the mission or path you plan to explore in the future leads to a stronger overall cover letter.
Then, end the essay by giving one or two examples of what kind of student you will be at MIT Sloan and why Sloan is the right choice to help you achieve your goals. You do not want to include a laundry list of classes and clubs, but a few, well-chosen examples and connections to how the MIT Sloan MBA experience will serve you well.
TOP TIP: Format your cover letter essay as a traditional cover letter. Elements like your address, your salutation and your closing do not count towards your final word count.
You can find a downloadable template for the cover letter by clicking here !
Need more guidance? Our MBA Resource Library has dozens of past successful MIT Sloan essays and a detailed brainstorm to help you plan out a winning MIT essay. Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join !

2.2. Video Statement
Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you! Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:
No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
Single take (no editing)
Speaking directly to the camera
Do not include background music or subtitles
MIT has again simplified its video essay question. Again this year you cannot edit the video and are only given 1 minute to speak , but this year, MIT Sloan has asked you to introduce yourself in a more open-ended manner.
Considering the short amount of time you have to make an impression on MIT, your goal with this essay is to introduce yourself to your classmates, and the best introductions usually contain a selection of interesting stories .
To start brainstorming which topics you might want to include, imagine you’re at your first day of work and need to introduce yourself to your team. What would you want to make sure your new colleagues know about you? Or, better yet, if a new colleague joined and was introducing himself, what would you want to know about him?
Since you’ll have your entire cover letter to discuss your professional achievements, we suggest you focus more here on your personal interests than on examples of big wins at work.
Of course, in your introduction, feel free to mention what you do for a living and give the necessary context for the experiences you do mention, but spend the majority of the video essay going beyond your profession.
So think about what makes you YOU beyond what the school has already learned about you in your CV , letters of recommendation, and cover letters.
You might want to devote your entire minute to one topic (for example, a client this year discussed her passion for fencing and her experience creating the first women’s fencing club at her university). If you do choose this route, you may want to consider filming your video in a creative environment that reflects your interest (the client mentioned above filmed her video wearing her fencing gear).
However, if you have many different interests and would like to talk about several of them, this approach also works. Make sure you are able to fully describe what you’re interested in and why it’s important to you. A laundry list of extracurricular achievements is not the goal here. If you choose this option, try to record in a somewhat neutral environment so the focus is 100% on you. Nonetheless, we see videos focused on a single topic tend to do better overall.
Finally, you might want to mention briefly how the theme you have developed connects to MIT Sloan and how you can contribute to the school. They don’t want to see a full-blown “Why MIT” statement, since they have asked you to speak to your classmates! However, if your whole video is about your passion for social impact, you might want to mention how how you’d share this passion of yours with fellow Sloanies. Or, if you use the fencing club example above, you might want to end by mentioning you’d like to create Sloan’s first Fencing Club! You don’t want to overdo it, however!
TOP TIP : Try to choose a background or setting that complements your video. To again cite the fencing example, this client recorded her video in her fencing uniform, removing her mask right before introducing herself. Another client, who talked about her passion for Italian cooking and her sabbatical year at a cooking school in Rome, filmed from her kitchen. There is no right or wrong answer here, so be creative!
No matter where you record, check your sound quality and lighting to make sure you will be easy to see and hear.
Finally, we suggest you write a script and practice recording yourself several times to get just the right take. Usually, clients are able to comfortably fit about 170 words of content into 1 minute. After recording yourself a few times, you may want to send a few options to friends, family, or trusted advisors to get their take on which clip to send. The most important thing is to show MIT your winning personality!
Make sure you do not exceed the 1:00 limit.
2.3. Optional Short Answer Question
How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. (250 words or less)
MIT Sloan values applicants who can contribute to its greater community and the educational experience for all. This question offers you the chance to give the admissions committee more information about what makes you you , as well as show how you will contribute to the overall diversity of the class.
There is really no “right” answer to this question. We have seen clients discuss how growing up in a low-income context fueled them to overcome adversity and, later, share this success with other people in their communities. Other clients have talked about their varied multicultural experiences gave them a unique view of the world. When considering what to add here, I would suggest you think about what unique perspective you’ll bring to the MIT community and what experiences have shaped you to become this person.
Though this essay is optional, since MIT’s application is so short, we suggest that you take advantage of it. Just make sure you don’t repeat information that can be found in your cover letter or video.
2.4. Additional Information Essay
Please provide any additional information you would like the Admissions Committee to know that may be helpful in evaluating your candidacy (i.e. choice of recommenders, areas of concern in your academic record, other extenuating circumstances, etc.). This information should be provided in a written format. (200 words or less).
Like all other elements of the MIT application, keep this short and sweet. We have written extensively on the issue of optional essays, giving tips and tricks for how to address issues like low GMAT scores or poor academic performance here.
2.5. The Interview Essays
MIT Sloan has also long required candidates who are called to interview to submit an additional essay. The questions themselves will be confirmed upon interview invitation.

3. Need help?
Are you almost finished with your application, but are still worried your essay is not quite perfect enough to send?
At Ellin Lolis Consulting, our goal is to add more value to your application than you ever thought possible by giving you the tools and positioning you need to write outstanding essays that help you gain admission to a top MBA program.
If you’re struggling to put your core values into words, or aren’t sure you’ve really nailed the brief for MIT Sloan, let our award-winning editors use their expert storytelling abilities to help you transform your essay from average to attention-grabbing .
After all, you don’t get into a prestigious business school without standing out!

4. Deadlines
Here are the deadlines for the 2022-2023 season. You can access the MIT Sloan application here .

Ellin Lolis MBA Resource Center
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First-year applicants: Essays, activities & academics
Rather than asking you to write one long essay, the MIT application consists of several short response questions and essays designed to help us get to know you. Remember that this is not a writing test. Be honest, be open, be authentic—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
You should certainly be thoughtful about your essays, but if you’re thinking too much—spending a lot of time stressing or strategizing about what makes you “look best,” as opposed to the answers that are honest and easy—you’re doing it wrong.
Our questions
For the 2022–2023 application, we’re asking these short answer essay questions:
- We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.
- Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?
- MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.
- Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?
We’re looking for responses of approximately 200 words each. There is also one final, open-ended, additional-information text box where you can tell us anything else you think we really ought to know.
Please use our form, not a resume, to list your activities. There is only enough space to list four things—please choose the four that mean the most to you and tell us a bit about them.
Self-reported Coursework Form
How you fill out this form will not make or break your application, so don’t stress about it. Use your best judgment—we’re simply trying to get a clear picture of your academic preparation by subject area. We see thousands of different transcripts, so it really helps us to view your coursework and grades in a consistent format.
Here are a few quick tips to help you complete this section:
- The self-reported coursework should be completed by students in U.S. school systems only. If you attend an international school, we’ll just use your transcript.
- The information you provide does not replace your official high school transcript, which must be sent to us from your school to verify your self-reported information (in order to avoid accidental misrepresentation, it might help to have a copy of your high school transcript in front of you while completing this form).
- Avoid abbreviations, if at all possible, and enter the names of your school courses by subject area. Please include all classes you have taken and are currently taking. If your courses were taken outside of your high school (at a local junior college or university, for example), tell us where they were taken in the “Class Name” field.
- In the “Grade Received” field, list term and/or final grades for each class, as found on your school transcript (semester, trimester, quarter, final, etc.). Use one entry only per class. For example, it’s not necessary to use a separate entry for each semester of the same class. Place all grades for a class in the same field, separating grades with commas.
We can improve your MBA profile and boost your candidacy. Gain insight into the review process and eliminate weaknesses from your MBA application.
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MIT Sloan Cover Letter, Application Requirements for 2022-2023

The MIT Sloan School of Management has published the application requirements and deadlines for the 2022-2023 season. Once again, candidates must submit a cover letter rather than a traditional MBA essay.
MIT Sloan Cover Letter and Application Requirements
Here’s how each component is explained on the MIT Sloan admissions site:
Cover Letter
MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).
Please submit a one-page resume. This will help us easily track your academic and career path. Try to focus on your work results, not just your title or job description. Here are some pointers on formatting:
- One page limit
- Times New Roman font
- Size 10 font
- Word or PDF formats only
Provide the following information in reverse chronological order:
- Education: Please include relevant awards, scholarships and professional societies
- Work Experience: Please include company name, title, results-oriented bullets that demonstrate your skill set, and dates
- Additional information: Please include extracurricular activities/community service, technical skills/certifications, and special skills/interests, and languages spoken (if applicable)
Video Statement
Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you! Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:
- No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
- Single take (no editing)
- Speaking directly to the camera
- Do not include background music or subtitles
Note : While we ask you to introduce yourself to your future classmates in this video, the video will not be shared and is for use in the application process only.
Additional requirements beyond the MIT Sloan Cover Letter and Video
Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation and two additional references. Also, candidates need to upload an organizational chart that outlines the internal structure of their department and company. This will help the adcom better understand your current role and the impact that you have on your team and department.
The MIT Sloan MBA application is now open. For more information on applying, please visit the MIT Sloan admissions website . If you need guidance on your MIT Sloan cover letter and application or wish to discuss your business school plans, don’t hesitate to reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

With deadlines around the corner, you may be interested in the world-famous SBC Flight Test . Once a full set of application materials for your initial school have been drafted, but not finalized, the application will be sent to a former admissions committee member for a one-time review, adcomm style. You’ll have the benefit of a true admissions committee review while still having the ability to tinker and change. You will receive written feedback within two business days after submitting.
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MIT Sloan Deadlines for 2022-2023
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A complete application for 2023 entry consists of the following: Cover Letter MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students.
A complete application for entry consists of the following: Cover Letter (300 words) MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students.
Behavioral Essay (Cover Letter) MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students.
Rather than asking you to write one long essay, the MIT application consists of several short response questions and essays designed to help us get to know you. Remember that this is not a writing test. Be honest, be open, be authentic—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
The MIT Sloan School of Management has published the application requirements and deadlines for the 2022-2023 season. Once again, candidates must submit a cover letter rather than a traditional MBA essay. MIT Sloan Cover Letter and Application Requirements Here’s how each component is explained on the MIT Sloan admissions site: Cover Letter