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We all are aware that Round 2 of top US B-Schools deadlines are around the corner. Our experts dive deep into the “MIT Supplemental Essays.” Writing cover letters will be a large part of applicants’ career development at Sloan, so why not start now?
At this peak hour and rush, we don't want you to remain baffled as there is always a “?” as to what narrative to build, what USPs to show, which stories to pick in the applications (as every achievement you have had or the impact you create or see as worthful might not be the same for adcoms).
Here is a quick guide on MIT Supplemental Essays with dos and don'ts regarding the cover letter, resume, and video statement, and some tips regarding short answer questions and reapplication so that you can grab the attention of the admissions team.
If you’d like personalized, honest, and in-depth feedback on your profile and essays, feel free to book a 1:1 Profile evaluation with our profile experts (students and alums in the top 10 B-Schools).
Without any further ado, let’s get rolling!
Quick Snapshot
Before beginning! We are not saying an essay is the only requirement MIT wants, as there is no doubt getting a good score on the GMAT will increase the chances of your selection. But an extraordinary cover letter, resume, and video statement are important to stand out from the crowd with a great score.
1) Cover Letter
We strongly advise you to avoid traditional introductions like ‘My name is,’ ‘I’m seeking a place, etc., as they have already gone through 1000s of applications; beginning with this, they will likely be asleep before even starting. So why waste your precious word count with such an obvious introduction? Instead, open your statement with impressive words that can grab the attention of adcoms.
The far-reaching concept of a cover letter is that applicants can demonstrate their candidacy by marketing themselves, which sets them apart from others. To convince the adcom that your background is uniquely suited to MIT Sloan, you can use the STAR approach, as it will create interest in adcoms about you. Applicants can write up to 300 words, roughly three short paragraphs where the focus should be largely on who they are and, what they have accomplished so far, any leadership opportunity, international exposure, any impact created on society, and post-MBA goals(How to frame practical post MBA goals essays?). Also, mention that you are a multifaceted individual who can add an interesting new element to the next incoming class and how you will be an asset to their institutions. With such a limited length, all points must be concise yet informative.
The key tip is to be authentic. Do not even think to brag, as the committee evaluating your profile has evaluated thousands of applicants for tens of years. It’s better to have only a few things than to exaggerate things.
Suggested Readings:
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How to pick the strongest anecdotes to put in your MBA applications.
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Seven powerful techniques to ace your MBA personal statement!
2) Resume
Remember, “An MBA resume is not the same as a job resume.”
Generally, a resume should be up to 1-2 pages and contain all the details about your past experiences. However, reading all the technical information about someone’s professional experience can be very daunting. Hence our experts suggest that to stand out, your resume should-
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Reflects you as a very strong leader who greatly impacts the organizations s/he has worked for.
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Strong alignment with what each of your target schools is looking for in your professional journey.
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Bring strong coherence to the narrative you are building in your essays.
The above 3 require a good brainstorming phase on your application and a strong understanding of MIT.
To help you create a strong application, be a part of our coffee chat which we do every alternate week, where you can have a chance to talk to alums of top B-schools and clear all your doubts and know your future classmates!
Suggested Readings:
3) Video Statement
Introduce yourself to the future college in your video statement. Bring your personality’s shine and confidence on your face and show it to the adcoms. Before giving you some tips, the school has guidelines an applicant must adhere to.
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No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
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Single take (no editing)
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Speaking directly to the camera
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Do not include background music or subtitles
We understand the level of eagerness and concern regarding video essays, but the school’s intention is not to scare you off. They want to see your dynamic personality and desire through a virtual medium. Let’s be real! In just a minute, you can break or make your chances, so be ready for days for this 1 minute. 😉
The best advice is to represent yourself and not ideal. Being natural and less rigid will gain you a seat. Do not try to say the “right hings in the video. The topic is “You,” one you know very well.
Most of the applicants fail to bring this authentic personality. Check out our unique process to help applicants get the most genuine personality and create their brand in applications.
A good tactic is to imagine meeting a person for the first time at an event. Of course, any normal person will try to grab the interest of others. And what is the best way? Simply give information that you think is worth accomplishing, that you are proud of, that excites you, and what you desire. Take some time to peek into your personality in a way that makes you “you.”
Sometimes taking different routes will give you the right perspectives, which you may not be aware of. In this task, you can take help from your close ones to describe you and their feelings about your best qualities and skills. Jot down the points and create combinations that will benchmark your personality in their minds.
The important point to keep in mind is not just mugging up things and dictating your cover letter and resume. Even you can self-analyze your video that seems boring and will create a negative impact. Do not simply praise their curriculum; you will already mention why you want to join in your cover letter. We are confident that you have more to your personality that can be conveyed in that minute, so do not waste any of them.
Also, the basic advice is to speak clearly. To give the best shot, generally, you might tend to speak fast, but do not mistake this as it will be a waste if they don’t understand what you spoke.
4) Optional Short Answer Questions
First & Foremost- IT’S AN OPTIONAL ESSAY.
This is the part where most applicants need help deciding whether to write one or not. Trust the admission committee or us that this is not a trick; they just want to leave the door open where applicants’ can come forward and tell more about themselves based on the question.
To understand if you should attempt it-
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See if there are any substantial gaps in your profile (for ex- low GPA/GMAT, low work-ex, gaps in work experience, etc.)
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If there are no substantial gaps, look for the intangible ones. The tricky ones! And for that, you must get your application reviewed by someone who understands what these schools look for, i.e., consultants/students/alums of the target school.
Suggested Links-
Read the samples of successful optional essays.
Tips for writing a good optional essay
Get an opportunity to network with adcoms/alums of top B-Schools
5) Reapplication
Again, this is the best chance that MIT provides you if you think you have improved your academic score, got promoted, are working on a new and exciting project, increased community involvement, or have taken on some personal challenge, you can submit new application materials and emphasize what has changed since you last applied. This will show your dedication and that you believe in consistency and want to improve to be the perfect candidate for Sloan, and it will create an impression on adcoms.
Read the success story of a reapplicant!
We have covered the dos and don’ts of “MIT Supplemental Essays.” We know you can crack this and grab that seat at MIT, but taking a second opinion is always worth considering. If you need an upper hand, our team is always there to show you the right direction.
1:1 Profile Evaluation with Students & Alums-
We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week to maximize your chances. We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.
