Calling all MIT-Sloan Applicants(2015 Intake) -Class of 2017

no invites or dings again today... what is this nonsense

Has anyone received an invitation to interview on Latin America?

not here..

nor here in Brazil

any western /southern europeans invited?

Thanks, RazorDude -- this brings my highly scientific sample size up to 2 people .... and helps me re-iterate that the "optional essay" is most certainly very nice to have, but is truly "optional".

All the best in your interview!!!

Nothing here in Costa Rica, but someone in Panama reported an invite last friday.

Yeah, but as far as I understand he/she is going to have the interview in Cambridge. The MIT has interviews also in some cities around the world, like mexico city or sao paulo. I pray to God that those invites are yet to be sent

Fully booked for HK.
4 slots left in Shanghai

See, I agree MIT's optional essay is not like the others' where you usually write to justify/explain any extenuating circumstance(s). It's more of another avenue to show a different side of you. But you have to ensure that it is genuinely something very different and engaging in a way that it shows you in another light than it would have without it. So if we make a video explaining 'why MBA', 'motivations for MBA', etc, it's my personal opinion that it won't do any good. It may sometimes even provide a desperate overtone. I just wanted to avoid this mess and move on. However, judging from last year's thread, people who finally converted are advising to use this space than to not. So can't really say. My opinion is if you can, use it... but not for trivial stuff. Show something really unique and fascinating.

Also, thanks for your wishes!

Im from Chile and I have got no news, but I heard from someone that knows a lot of applicants that there had been some invitations over here. Also that person told me that last year there had been two bulks of calls. Either way I will still be waiting

My reading into the whole saga of interview invites is that if you are around their interview hubs, you would have been invited by now. If you are away, expect to receive skype invites pretty soon.

Very true! This can very well be possible. However, from last year's stats, the number of invites sent out were pretty less (in terms of slots per hub) than they are this time around. Don't know which of the two sides might be accurate.

razordude.. could you share bit more about your profile?

i know you have a stellar gmat score of 750.

trying to weigh my options for r2

That's a really bad idea... comparing based on stats...
nobody knows the real chances until one has seen the detailed profile and the application that is submitted...
Execution is everything.. totally everything...

agreed that execution plays an important role.

but what are your views on the past stats (gpa, ug, work exp, community etc.) being a predictor of success?

My view? oh well here they are....
But before I say anything, I would like to reaffirm - bad execution kills everything!

To be successful high GPA from Reputed UG school, decent GMAT score (say 700+), 3+ years of work exp in feeder industry (feeder companies have higher success rate), high community involvement over past 2-3 years (at least) will all make a profile catchy and glittery. However, we all aren't that prepared in late teens to work it all up and be ready with all this in early twenties. Adcoms know this and hence, few things counterbalance others. Like high GMAT will counterbalance low GPA or even better do some post-collegiate courses (maybe MOOCs) and get As. Promotions and awards might balance out feeder industry and feeder company thingy, though well executed application from non-feeder industry applicant will still stand out on its own. Last but not the least, ECs and community involvement. The more you do close to applications, the worse it is for you. Better to have a nice spread over your entire career and education.

But don't all the consultants say the same thing?!