Calling all MIT Sloan MBA Applicants: 2021 Intake (Class of 2023)

Hi Arro44,

I was looking for deadlines for the 2021 intake but from your attachment (that is the same that I find on their website) I see that deadlines are still related to 2020 intake (for example, Round 1 deadline is 1 Oct 2019).
Can you confirm that the new deadlines have not yet been published?

Thanks!

You're correct -- they haven't updated their site yet with the new dates, but I would expect they'll be in line with last year (which was in line with previous years).

I´ll post the updated dates as soon as I can find them on the website.
If the situation allows me to get to Boston in time for the start of the semester, I can also keep you updated on "student life" under the current circumstances.

Regards,
Chris

MIT Sloan MBA Deadlines

Round	Application Due	Decisions Released
R1	October 1, 2020	December 16, 2020
R2	January 19, 2021	April 02, 2021
R3	April 12, 2021	May 20, 2021

*LGO applicants must apply in the LGO Round.

MIT Sloan essays/requirements

• 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 examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Assistant Deans of Admissions, Rod Garcia and Dawna Levenson (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).
  
  
• Resume
  Please submit a one-page resume (Times New Roman 10 point font preferred) that includes your employment history and academic record in reverse chronological order. Other information appropriate to a business resume is welcomed and encouraged, including extracurricular activities, awards, and achievements. Please REDACT your name, address, and contact information. For formatting purposes, please list the information in the following order:
  - Education - please feel free to include relevant awards, scholarships, professional societies
  - Work Experience - please list in reverse chronological order and include: company name, title, results-oriented bullets that demonstrate your skill set, and dates.
  - Additional information - languages, extracurricular activities/community service, technical skills/certifications, special skills/interests (if appropriate)
  
  
• Video Statement
  Please take a minute to introduce yourself to your future classmates via video. Include a bit on your past experience and why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your MBA. Videos should be a single take (no editing) lasting no more than one minute and consisting of you speaking directly to the camera. We recommend using an application such as QuickTime or iMovie to record yourself.
  
  Upload the video file according to the detailed instructions within the application. We support the following file formats: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv
  
  Should you experience difficulties uploading your file, please ensure that you're using a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) on the fastest wired internet connection available. An intermittent or slow internet connection can cause uploads to timeout.
  
  
• One Letter of Recommendation
  MBA applicants must submit one letter of recommendation. A professional recommendation is preferred, from an individual who is able to speak with certainty about your professional achievements and potential. We do not accept recommendations from family members. The recommender must submit their letter online. We only accept electronic recommendation letters. The recommendation may be in either letter or short answer format and should not exceed two pages. MIT Sloan utilizes the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation form.
  
  Please choose a recommender who is able to provide specific answers to the following questions:
  
  Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. (Maximum word count: 50 words)
  How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (e.g., what are the applicant’s principal strengths?) (Max word count: 500 words)
  Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (Max word count: 500 words)
  Is there anything else we should know? (Optional)
  
  More information about the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation can be found at https://www.gmac.com/reach-and-recruit-students/prepare-candidates-for-the-exam-classroom/common-letter-of-recommendation-lor
  
• Additional References
  MBA Applicants must provide contact information for two additional references. We request the names and contact information (phone and email) for each additional reference as well as where they work and their relationship to you.
  
  Similar to the role of a Recommender, these additional reference contacts should be able to speak to your professional and/or academic background. A member of the Admissions Committee may reach out to these references at any time during the evaluation process, should we have additional questions about your background and/or experiences.
  
• Organizational Structure
  Please upload an organizational chart which outlines the internal structure of your department and company. Limit to two pages.
  Note: You may choose to create your own document or redact individuals' names. However, please provide as much information as possible.
  We should be able to see your line of reporting to the top of your organization, and to easily find you, your peers, your supervisor, their peers, and your direct reports (should you have any), as well as any recommender or references from your current organization. For those in consulting, please submit an organizational chart of a current or previous project you were staffed on. Please use the sample organizational chart displayed in the application as a guideline.

More at https://mitsloan.mit.edu/mba/admissions/how-to-apply

Analysis of Sloan MBA Essays By: Stacy Blackman | PersonalMBACoach

MicCat
Refer above post.

Arro44
Chris,
Thanks for chiming in.

Hello all,

Does anyone know if the application is open yet? I know the deadlines are out, but I don't seem to see the option to start MBA application when I logged into the portal...

Thanks guys

We were asking this as well internally... doesn't look like it yet, even though they have the new deadlines up. On their site there's a place to register to be notified when the app goes live, so I would do that to be safe. Best of luck!

They are well on path. Seems August is yet to start application-wise. Refer my post dated 08th July.
I'm wildly guessing that by weekend they would start.

If you get started keep us informed here.

Thanks.

Hello Applicants,

Applications are live now. I have updated the welcome post.
Please refer.

stellatmtsui May be you have started but just FYI.

All the best with your applications.

unraveled , thank you for updating the dates!

I deleted my initial post to avoid confusing people with last years dates.

Thanks Chris,
It actually helped me to keep a tab on the dates.

Hi all,

I'm filling out the application for full time MBA and it asks me if I want to be considered for the Fellows program and whether I want them to share my info with the EMBA program.

Does selecting "yes" to either or both of those options impact my candidacy for full time?

Also, if I get rejected from full time, can I apply to the EMBA program in the same admissions cycle? (hoping to apply full time R1 and then submit an application to EMBA this winter if I get rejected from full time)

Thanks!

MIT Sloan has removed the GMAT/GRE requirement for all 2020-21 Applicants!

https://mitsloan.mit.edu/mba/admissions/how-to-apply


Pretty crazy! I am wondering if it is Good or Bad? On one hand, anyone can apply who wishes to pay the $250 application fee.... so seems good but does it make it harder for people to stand out now? would over-represented groups be even more over-represented? Does it make easeir for people from weird or unique backgrounds to get in?

Edit:
Personally I am mixed on this change. I think the threshold for entry is definitely lower with this change. As the result, the applicant pool will definitely go up and the diversity will go up as well (potentially good) as people from a variety of backgrounds will apply without a need to have a 3-month prep period for the GMAT/GRE. At the same time, I feel this change so late before the deadline (less than 2 weeks until R1) is really really not helpful for the serious applicants who have worked hard and are in teh submission stages of their application. I feel this change is a bit desperate to be so last minute, esp when GMAC has just announced GMAT can be taken online again for 1 extra retake and GRE has been chugging along pretty well all this time. I feel the folks who have struggled with the GMAT should definitely find this as super positive news. At the same time, considering the competition and how hard it is to get into MIT Sloan, people who have struggled with the GMAT are not likely to get in anyway and I feel this will be a lot of crushed dreams and done mostly to drive up applications... care to disagree?

P.S. Since other schools require GMAT anyway still (and some have applied already to a few with R1 deadlines), this only makes a difference to a few users who got 660 with a great profile. However, those who are applying to Booth, Wharton, etc are going to take the GMAT anyway and this makes hardly any difference to them. It changes things a bit for R2, giving R2 applicants some additional strategies as I feel a few other schools will follow MIT Sloan so there may be a few options to apply without the test scores.

Is it only of the mba program or also for the MSc finance /Mim?

Posted from my mobile device

Interesting take bb,

I see both sides of the coin here. On one side, those who have a 700+ GMAT and a solid profile should apply with their GMAT. On the other side, you may have some applicants who have phenomenal professional experience, have shown a lot of professional growth and who have great LORs who may just not be great at taking standardized exams. They may also not have the time to give to prep as they may work 40+ hours per week with a spouse and kids.

It was actually Darden, and I verified on their website, that they are doing a pilot for the 2020-2021 application cycle where they are offering a standardized exam waiver for those who have:

1) A strong undergraduate and/or graduate record including performance in analytical coursework or disciplines
2) CPA or CFA designation or other professional certification/discipline
3) Master's or advanced degree in an analytical discipline
4) Seven (7) or more years of progressive, professional work experience in an analytical field
5) Strong performance on a U.S. college admissions test (SAT and/or ACT) or a national exam administered for admission to bachelor's study in other countries.

Maybe MIT is having similar thoughts in that there are various ways to determine if someone is ready for the MBA journey without the need of the GMAT/GRE?


Posted from my mobile device

Could it be because MIT saw a substantial dip in applications / good applications and this is a desperate attempt to balance that out ?

This is certainly going to hurt the chances of the candidates who would want to offset some weak part of their profile through a strong GMAT score.

I think this is a bit unfair for MIT to have waived off GMAT at this stage.

Posted from my mobile device

It’s very difficult right now. Since many seats are already full due to deferrals and small class size as the Adcom mentioned, chances are the 425 seats are already occupied.

Posted from my mobile device