Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants

So let me put it this way -

Failure - When YOU (something you thought or did) caused something you were trying to do, from getting accomplished.

Setback - When some sudden, unexpected circumstance or event (not something you did) caused something you were trying to do, from getting accomplished.

Trying to run the marathon but chickening out the night before - Failure
Trying to run the marathon but an accident breaks your leg - Setback

I believe the key thing to address in setback essays, is mainly how you managed to deal with/overcome an unexpected speed bump on the way to achieving your task, even when it was not your fault.

Hope this helps.

-MBAWanderlust

MIT sent an email with some essay tips:

Essay 1: Describe a time when you had to convince a person or group of your idea. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Describe a time when you overcame a personal setback. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page) This example may be from a professional situation and should be something that affected you as an individual.
Optional Supplemental Information: Share something you would like your future classmates and the Admissions Committee to know about you in a multimedia or written format. (300 words or fewer, limited to one page) This will not be shared with anyone outside the Admissions Committee without your permission.

Presentations must be accessible via an unprotected URL and cannot be uploaded directly into your application. Videos should be no more than one minute long; please do not use Flash.

For each essay, please provide a brief overview of the situation followed by a detailed description of your response including what you thought, felt, said, and did.

Please limit the experiences you discuss to those which have occurred in the past three years.


A few thoughts/questions:
For Essay 2, I'm happy they clarified that this was not limited to just personal situations, but it's probably back to the drawing board for me on this one.

For Essay 3, does this mean we shouldn't use this as a typical "additional information" section (clarifying low exam scores, GPAs, other extenuating circumstances)? I'm starting to think this is more of a "describe yourself in 300 words" essay that may or may not end up being shared with the incoming class.

For Essay 2, I'm happy they clarified that this was not limited to just personal situations, but it's probably back to the drawing board for me on this one.

For Essay 3, does this mean we shouldn't use this as a typical "additional information" section (clarifying low exam scores, GPAs, other extenuating circumstances)? I'm starting to think this is more of a "describe yourself in 300 words" essay that may or may not end up being shared with the incoming class.

How are you all planning to sign your cover letters? For example, are you doing...

Sincerely,
First Last

OR

Sincerely,
[HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE]
First Last

OR

Sincerely,
[TYPED SIGNATURE IN A SCRIPT FONT]
First Last

or something totally different?

Thanks!
OptimisticApplicant

In short, yes, I do think there will be fewer seats for those of us applying for the Class of 2015 this year.

First, the Class of 2014 is overenrolled, so to compensate, I expect they'll want a smaller Class of 2015 to begin with. Second, four people accepted the $20K deferral and rumor has it that others accepted non-scholarship deferrals (see comments of P&Q article). Third, I'm sure MIT will have a higher estimated Yield based on last year.

In my estimation, the accpetance rate will drop from 14.4% for the Class of 2014 to 13.3% for the Class of 2015. Here's how I calculated those figures:

Class of 2014:
-4,133 Applicants (source 1)
-413 Enrolled (source 1)
-67% Class of 2012 Yield (source 2)
-400 Enrollment Target (assumption)
-597 Estimated Acceptances (400 Enrollment Target / 67% Yield)
-14.4% Estimated Acceptance Rate (597 Est. Accepts / 4,133 Applicants)
-69% Class of 2014 Yield (413 Enrolled / 597 Est. Accepts)

Class of 2015:
-4,133 Applicants (assumes it will hold constant vs. last year)
-4 $20K Deferrals (source 1)
-6 No Scholarship Deferrals (assumption based on source 1 comments)
-800 Total FT MBA Program Enrollment Target (assumption)
-409 Class of 2014 (source 1 - 4 $20k deferrals)
-391 Class of 2015 Enrollment Target (800 total - 409 Class of 2014, assumption)
-381 Class of 2015 Seats Available (391 target - 10 deferrals)
-69% Class of 2014 Yield (see above)
-551 Class of 2015 Acceptances (381 Class of 2015 Seats / 69% Yield)
-13.3% Estimated Acceptance Rate (551 Class of 2015 Accepts / 4,133 Applicants)

Source 1: https://poetsandquants.com/2012/09/26/sl ... o-go-away/
Source 2: https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... sloan.html

Let me know what you all think!

Thank you,
OptimisticApplicant

How are you all planning to sign your cover letters? For example, are you doing...

Sincerely,
First Last

OR

Sincerely,
[HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE]
First Last

OR

Sincerely,
[TYPED SIGNATURE IN A SCRIPT FONT]
First Last

or something totally different?

Thanks!
OptimisticApplicant

MIT sent an email with some essay tips:

Essay 1: Describe a time when you had to convince a person or group of your idea. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Describe a time when you overcame a personal setback. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page) This example may be from a professional situation and should be something that affected you as an individual.
Optional Supplemental Information: Share something you would like your future classmates and the Admissions Committee to know about you in a multimedia or written format. (300 words or fewer, limited to one page) This will not be shared with anyone outside the Admissions Committee without your permission.

Presentations must be accessible via an unprotected URL and cannot be uploaded directly into your application. Videos should be no more than one minute long; please do not use Flash.

For each essay, please provide a brief overview of the situation followed by a detailed description of your response including what you thought, felt, said, and did.

Please limit the experiences you discuss to those which have occurred in the past three years.

A few thoughts/questions:
For Essay 2, I'm happy they clarified that this was not limited to just personal situations, but it's probably back to the drawing board for me on this one.

For Essay 3, does this mean we shouldn't use this as a typical "additional information" section (clarifying low exam scores, GPAs, other extenuating circumstances)? I'm starting to think this is more of a "describe yourself in 300 words" essay that may or may not end up being shared with the incoming class.