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TheEntrepreneur
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 22 Sep 2013, 20:04
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submitted! linked through dropbox. good luck everyone. the wait begins..
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CelerIP
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 04:13
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jirodreamsofmba
is anyone considering not doing anything for the optional component?
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I've considered not submitting anything, but then I saw this video, and the logic is pretty valid about how this essay is not actually that optional... starting at 3:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vbdZHfe1M

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vbdZHfe1M[/youtube]
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 05:37
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Am I going crazy? I have been through the application form 3 times and I can't seem to find the "extenuating circumstances" field. Is there one available? I thought I had seen one before?
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Jamon
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 07:24
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CelerIP
jirodreamsofmba
is anyone considering not doing anything for the optional component?

I've considered not submitting anything, but then I saw this video, and the logic is pretty valid about how this essay is not actually that optional... starting at 3:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vbdZHfe1M
Show more


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.
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 08:32
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Ward2012
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Guys,
Has anyone tried printing the application in pdf before submitting? The note says

"Only after you have submitted your form will it be available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (as the institution will see it) using this Print window. However, you will have the opportunity to review your form in PDF format during the first step of the multi-step submission process."

How does this work? Can I click on "submit application" print the pdf form and then edit it if necessary before doing the Final submission?

Yes, you can click on "Submit application" and there will be a link to view in PDF or print to PDF before you get to payment and actual submission.
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Thanks worked like a charm. By the way, the optional essay text does not appear in the pdf form.
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 08:54
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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!!
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 09:13
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quincyliao
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!!
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same problem with me..
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Bytran
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 14:25
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quincyliao
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!!
Show more

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

Guess it's a bug..
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 16:20
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etta
Am I going crazy? I have been through the application form 3 times and I can't seem to find the "extenuating circumstances" field. Is there one available? I thought I had seen one before?
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I don't remember that
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Ward2012
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 16:23
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Jamon
CelerIP
jirodreamsofmba
is anyone considering not doing anything for the optional component?

I've considered not submitting anything, but then I saw this video, and the logic is pretty valid about how this essay is not actually that optional... starting at 3:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vbdZHfe1M


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.
Show more

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
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etta
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 16:50
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Ward2012
etta
Am I going crazy? I have been through the application form 3 times and I can't seem to find the "extenuating circumstances" field. Is there one available? I thought I had seen one before?

I don't remember that
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Thanks Ward2012! I probably confused it with another school's application - wrote the addendum in my optional essay/additional information section instead.
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 19:33
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Jamon

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.
Show more

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!
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 19:40
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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.
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 23 Sep 2013, 21:40
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Good luck this year, everyone (and especially Ward2012)!
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 00:04
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Application submitted. Now the wait begins...
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Ward2012
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 06:01
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kingfalcon
Good luck this year, everyone (and especially Ward2012)!
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Thank you! Submitted!
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 06:54
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Bytran
quincyliao
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!!

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

Guess it's a bug..
Show more


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!
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Jamon
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 07:07
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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.
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Ward2012
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 07:24
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lnds1001
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quincyliao
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!!

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

Guess it's a bug..


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!
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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.
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Ward2012
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Sloan (MIT) Class of 2016 Calling all applicants 24 Sep 2013, 08:10
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randomwalk
deacoW
I built an alternative transcript, but am not sure where on the application to reflect it. In the education section it gives you extra space for other Degrees earned, so I'm not sure if that is an appropriate place to put it. I've uploaded the transcript but I'm not sure what else to do.

Any advice?

Thanks

Deacow, I don't think you can do that. The instructions clearly mention that you should upload only transcripts that contribute towards a degree. I would mention about the alternate transcript and the grades in the optional essay and leave it there.
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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.
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