{"id":21521,"date":"2013-11-08T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2013-11-08T17:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=21521"},"modified":"2013-11-10T14:41:39","modified_gmt":"2013-11-10T21:41:39","slug":"2014-mit-executive-mba-application-essay-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2014-mit-executive-mba-application-essay-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 MIT Executive MBA Application Essay Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MIT<\/a>This set of essay questions shows that MIT seeks applicants who have a vision for the career they are building, who understand the impacts of their actions, and who have the judgment and practical skills to effectively handle the challenges that will come at them like fastballs in a World Series. The essays are your main means to show that you possess, as MIT\u2019s website states, \u201cstrong leadership<\/a> performance, global perspective, functional expertise, and innovation.\u201d While the statement of purpose challenges you to succinctly create your portrait as an applicant, the three essay questions, each in its own way, probe how you create value while responding to various types of challenges<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

In an overall plan for the essays, the statement of purpose works as a context, a positioner, an opening pitch, a frame. You will describe specific experiences in each of the three essays, so strategically try to select experiences that are different, to give a comprehensive view. Also, usually it\u2019s advisable to discuss recent experiences<\/a>, to allow the adcom to see you working at a high level and showing what you\u2019ll bring to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statement of purpose:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please provide a statement indicating your qualifications, why you are pursuing the MIT Executive MBA Program, and what you will contribute to the program. (500 words or less, limited to one page)<\/em><\/p>\n

This is your portrait \u2013 your candidacy at a glance. It should convey a vivid, immediate sense of you as a person and as a candidate. It should go beyond just facts to present a point of view and a message. Decide your message first, before drafting the essay, and let it guide you in selecting and elaborating the content details.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beware of a potential pitfall: in discussing qualifications, do not repeat your resume in prose format. Also, don\u2019t present all your qualifications. Select carefully, focusing on those that (a) are really distinctive and relevant to the MBA and\/or (b) support your goals<\/a> directly or indirectly and also (c) reflect your message. Make a short, meaningful point about each qualification, such as the insight it lends or its influence on you, supported by a fact or example.<\/span><\/p>\n

For why you are pursuing the MBA, of course you\u2019ll discuss your professional goals and objectives. Focus not only on what you want to do, but also on what you want to accomplish for the organization and\/or its customers\/market.<\/span><\/p>\n

The contributions you mention should reference your own experience from work or outside work; think of what about you would be most meaningful and interesting to prospective classmates. This element of your response is an opportunity to show that you understand the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essays<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1:<\/strong> The educational mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to \"develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world.\" Please discuss how you will contribute toward advancing this mission based on examples of past work and activities. (500 words or less, limited to one page)<\/em><\/p>\n

In answering this question, clarify what \u201cprincipled, innovative leader\u201d and \u201cimproving the world\u201d mean to you. These points represent your point of view, your \u201cvision\u201d \u2013 they should be short, but without them this essay lacks focus. The bulk of the essay will focus on action \u2013 your examples of past work and activities that make the case for how you have been and will continue to be a principled, innovative leader who improves the world. They key to making this a gripping, memorable essay is strong experiences and examples combined with your reflection on them pertaining to the essay\u2019s theme. End by briefly discussing how you will build on these experiences to be such a leader in the future<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2:<\/strong> During your career, what is the hardest challenge that you have had to solve? Consider examples when more than one viable solution was present. (500 words or less, limited to one page)<\/em><\/p>\n

There are really two points this question asks about: how you define and respond to a major challenge, and your decision-making process in selecting the solution. Choose your topic accordingly. With just 500 words, structure the essay simply: narrate the challenge as a brief story, portraying your thought process as you encounter it. As you approach the solution part of the story, describe the solution options and your determination of which to take. In writing the essay, clarify why you consider it the \u201chardest challenge\u201d \u2013 is it one that was extraordinarily complex, one that had no desirable solution, one that had huge stakes, etc.? <\/span><\/p>\n

3:<\/strong> Tell us about a time within the past three years when you had to give difficult feedback to a peer. (500 words or less, limited to one page)<\/em><\/p>\n

This question is a straightforward inquiry into your interpersonal skills<\/a>, judgment, leadership, and (again) decision making. It\u2019s one thing to give difficult feedback to a subordinate \u2013 something you probably do as part of your supervisory role. It\u2019s another thing altogether to give such feedback to a peer \u2013 someone you don\u2019t manage and whose performance you aren\u2019t accountable for. If possible, make the essay do \u201cdouble duty\u201d by selecting a story that also portrays you performing at a high level in a significant role. Think about the topic and how your actions align with and complement the other essays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deadlines<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Application will open on November 15, 2013. Early deadline is February 13th, 2014 at 11:59pm EST. Final deadline is May 29th at 11:59pm EDT.<\/p>\n

If you would like help with MIT Sloan\u2019s executive MBA essays, please consider Accepted.com\u2019s Executive MBA packages<\/a> or our hourly consulting\/editing services<\/a>.<\/strong>
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