Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants

I don't think it's a misstep to write the optional essay, but I was told by very reliable sources that it's mostly used to explain/do damage control to some other weak element in your application. If you are confident and don't feel there is anything else the school needs to know, then do not write just for the sake of writing. Haven't you noticed how short and "cut to the bone" the app is? They don't care about some sappy, tranformational story you had way back when-- they like using past (professional) accomplishment to measure future success, not what you want to do in the future or what you do in your free time. And those accomplishments should be conveyed in required essays.

Hope this helps.

Thanks worked like a charm. By the way, the optional essay text does not appear in the pdf form.

Anyone else had the same problem? I filled in overall GPA as well as major GPA, but overall GPA didn't show up in the final PDF version...

Also, where would the link for my optional essay show up? It's not in the PDF anywhere either... Thanks!!

same problem with me..

I faced exactly the same issue. In addition, the "grade distribution" doest not appear either.

Guess it's a bug..

I don't remember that

that's definitely one approach, but the optional essay was actually put on the application so that candidates could talk about another part of their lives or something else they did. This video from Sloan Admissions explains the origins:

https://mitsloanadmissions.com/2013/09/2 ... ign=Buffer

Thanks Ward2012! I probably confused it with another school's application - wrote the addendum in my optional essay/additional information section instead.

Please check your facts before posting misleading advice like this.

The MIT optional information section is not for explaining / doing damage control.

The MIT optional information section is a way for the adcom to get to know the applicant.

From MIT's website:

The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format. If you choose to use a multimedia format, please host the information on a website and provide us the link.

And from the site that Ward2012 posted:

This year, our Admissions Team wants to give you the chance to show us anything you believe is essential to know about yourself, that may not necessarily be reflected in the rest of the application. The Optional Information section offers you this opportunity; it’s your time to get creative and distinguish yourself from the other applicants!

I agree with missxmelon. I attended a MIT Sloan Info Session today, and the admission officers told us to be thoughtful about the optional essay - not restricted to professional achievements or events within the past 3 years. Out of all the current students I talked during the info session, only one did not submit a supplemental essay at all. Most of them did a video/powerpoint of some sort. It seems like MIT Sloan is pretty direct about knowing you on another level, beyond mere professional achievements.

Good luck this year, everyone (and especially Ward2012)!

Application submitted. Now the wait begins...

Thank you! Submitted!

My link showed up in the PDF at the very top of an otherwise blank page immediately preceding the transcripts. I missed it at first glance...

Good luck to everyone submitting today!

Just submitted! Without the OPTIONAL essay. I was simply telling you what a friend of mine who is very close told me, so no need to try to prove me wrong.

Yep, MIT must have fixed their form. It definitely wasn't there before.

Although, the overall GPA on a 4.00 scale is still not appearing.

I just noticed this post. Actually this isn't right. I agree that the instructions on the application form state that only work counting towards a degree should be listed. But I emailed the Sloan Admissions office, and they told me to list any extra courses I took in the application form and upload my transcripts.