Calling All Fall 2010 MIT Sloan Applicants

No rolling admissions, get that recommendation letter in by the deadline. I know the adcom folks can be a bit forgiving, but I wouldn't count on it.

Sure thing. I am sticking with one example and in order to make it dense...I am devoting 1/3rd essay on making the stage.

for ex: For #3 - Please describe a time when you took responsibility for achieving an objective.

I have spent ~100 words settgin up the stage and how I fit in. I also explained why did I chose to take the responsibility.

Is that the right way?

thanks in advacne[/quote]

Setting the stage is certainly a key piece, I know most of the adcom folks and they work damn hard since they read every application with their small staff. If you can capture their attention and pull them into the story, all the better. I'm sure they get quite a few cookie cutter essays. One of them told me they read up to 10 apps a day between the deadline and interview announcement.

I like these essays a lot. Applying R2 if I don't hear from Stern R1 by early Dec...

keep in mind that Sloan R2 = R3 at other schools.

Great! Thanks!

Setting the stage is certainly a key piece, I know most of the adcom folks and they work damn hard since they read every application with their small staff. If you can capture their attention and pull them into the story, all the better. I'm sure they get quite a few cookie cutter essays. One of them told me they read up to 10 apps a day between the deadline and interview announcement.[/quote]

Hey clarks .. thanks for confirming. I tried my best and hope they like it. Thanks for comfirmign that we need to set up the stage... I was discussing this with one of my friends and he said i am wasting words for sth that is not being asked. But I see your pt that this is a prerequisite.

In creating the cover letter, how critical is it to minimize overlap between other essays? I realize its best to diversify, but my biggest impact on an org is also one of my biggest professional accomplishments. I'd rather put my best foot forward in the cover letter.

unhedged, I am (procrastinating from) writing the cover letter right now
My current plan is to detail my biggest impact, and then just list my accomplishments. Cramming all this and showing fit with MIT in 500 words is quite a challenge! I am actually concerned about being redundant between the cover letter and my resume, but I think it is expected since the resume is a list of qualifications and accomplishments.

Recommender still hasn't completed the recommendation form. Guess it's time to send him another reminder, since there's only a week left. Hope he completes it before the deadline.

What does the previous post mean that R2 at Sloan is like R3?
Does their acceptance rate drop significantly? Any numbers for that?

Sloan only has two rounds, so R2 is like R3 at other schools that have 3 rounds. And yes, your chances drop significantly.

According to Adcom, they typically get half of each class from each round. R2 is usually larger than R1, so it is a bit more competitive, but I don't think it is quite the same as R3 at other schools, where you are basically competing for a handful of unfilled seats.

IMO Dont worry about the redundancy. You have to put your best foot forth with cover letter. And then explain them in detail in other essays. For ex.. I expanding my two accomplishments in my other essays.

I am also pushing for R1. Started my app on Sunday. Hope to finish by Sunday. My recommender probably is attending the Sharepoint Conference - so will need him to submit pretty soon as well when he comes back on Fri.

I had one question for essay 1 - "you went beyong what was defined, expected, established, or popular". My example does not have the popular aspect of the question. It just talks about what was defined, expected and established. My act definitely was popular. Does this really make a difference?

The question says: defined, expected, established, or popular. Because it says "or", it does not need to address all of these points.

Wow looks like people are quick here. I just started on Essay 1 today. Looks like this is gonna go down to the wire too.
good luck !!

Are people counting the headers and signatures in their word counts for the cover letter? MIT is very specific on limits for the resume and essays, so I am being extra careful to be under the limits... I wouldn't be surprised if they automated word and line counting of submitted materials somehow.