Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants

Jamon, we have to agree with missxmelon on this - the MIT adcom has stated publicly (see this video by the adcom https://mitsloanadmissions.com/2013/09/2 ... nal-essay/ ) and in their info sessions over the past year that a) they want to get a fuller picture of applicants, including non-professional stuff like hobbies and interests, and b) that while you're right, the MIT Optional Info isn't "required", the adcom strongly encourages that applicants take advantage of it.

EssaySnark

If you are a dime a dozen kind of candidate, then yes I agree. The optional essay is a great way to "differentiate" yourself. But if your essay is strong and you have crafted essays that convey both your personality and goals, then I strongly disagree that the optional essay should be put to use. You aren't going to get accepted because you make some PPT about your basket weaving that you do while visiting nursing home on weekends.

Thanks for the input essay snark. I do see the benefits of an optional essay. But I also faile to see your admission chances increasing by trying to impress them with some useless (interesting, nevertheless) hobby that you enjoy.

Submitted.

Like many others, GPA on 4.00 scale wasn't showing up on the PDF proof.

OMG we so have to disagree with this -- if you are doing basket weaving during your nursing home visits, we TOTALLY hope you'll tell the adcom about it - THAT would be seriously unique!!!!!!!!!!

I don't even...



Yes, you can be accepted because you differentiated yourself through the optional essay.

Yes, you can increase your admission chances by properly conveying a hobby you enjoy.

Obviously, it is not a guarantee.

Ward, this goes to show we need more of you here. . I have already submitted my application without the additional transcripts. I mentioned it in the optional essay. Hopefully the admissions committee take my word for it.
Deacow. If you have took my word and not submitted the additional transcript I am so sorry for misleading.


Posted from my mobile device

And I'm very sorry for not noticing this post before. You may want to email the Admissions office to see if you can add your transcripts to your file (it's kind of MIT's fault for being unclear.) I've interacted with the Admissions office at Sloan quite a bit because I was waitlisted last year. I found that they are very friendly, and will help you if they can.

Of course, it would be best if the instructions on the form itself were a little more clear. I can see why there was confusion. I had the same question, which is why I asked the Office.

Submitted. First submission this year!

And I did fill in the optional essay, talking about a hobby I have had for the last 8 years.

Ward, you are extremely modest. I wish you all the best with your application.
I have dropped the adcom an email and will repost here if they would let me submit the additional transcripts.

By the way, those of whom applying, the MIT adcom is ok with giving a little bit of leeway, like a few days, for recommenders to submit their letters. One of my recommenders submitted 3 hours after the deadline. They are fine with that. Just had ward mentioned, MIT adcom is really nice and flexible. Check with them directly for extenuating circumstances. They are really warm people.

Great to know. Thanks for the info, randomwalk ! !

For what it's worth, last year I did submit an optional essay and it was about a personal topic.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the topic of that essay was specifically brought up in my interview, too.

Thanks. I guess, lesson learned: when in doubt, ask the source (i.e., Admissions Office.)

To be diplomatic, I think both sides of this debate about the optional essay are coming at the optional essay from two different perspectives. One side is saying, you don't need it if your other essays are good. Saying you do some hobby is not going to help.

The other side is saying, yes, differentiating yourself will absolutely help.

To me, I think the real point is that that if you are going to talk something that differentiates yourself whether it's a hobby, a philosophy or whatever it is, you have to convey *why* you are telling the Admissions Committee about the thing that differentiates you. In other words, what does your hobby or whatever the thing is say about you? creative? overcoming adversity? leadership? good with people? quick learner? entrepreneurial compassion? etc.

Now if you do something really truly off the wall that no one else does or something really impressive (like you started $10M business), then the activity itself may be enough. But so many people say things like "i love to travel" or "i love to cook" or "i love basketball" and that's great and it certainly offers more of your personality to the admissions committee. However, what that activity means to you is the real thing that differentiates you, and if you don't tell the AdCom, you may leave them wondering "why is this person telling me this?"

Yes, that's true. That's why I didn't say that "differentiating yourself will absolutely help." I said that it can help. I also specifically said that "properly conveying" a hobby can increase admission chances (vs. instances you mentioned in your post). And while that may be where Jamon was coming from, I took issue with his absolute statements, which were misleading.

missxmelon--i was not referring to you specifically. I was talking about the corpus of comments from everyone who has commented.

Sorry - I assumed you were referring to me because you quoted my previous post.