Calling all MIT Sloan EMBA Applicants: (2016 Intake) Class of 2018!!

Question

ashtitude · Answer

We welcome all applicants applying to MIT Executive MBA program this year!! Use this platform to discuss your application strategy, share ideas and application updates with other applicants.

Good luck!!

carrerswitch · Answer

Hi guys,

I am applying to Sloan in R2 and was a little stumped with the deadline mentioned here. According to the Sloan website the deadline is 14th Jan'16 for R2, MBA applications, and not 12th Jan'16. Or am I reading something wrong?

Thanks

Accepted.com · Answer

https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/MITSloanStataCenter-300x225.jpg

Your three MIT Sloan Fellows essays must collectively convey the unmistakable message that you surpass your peers through consistently outstanding impact, and that you are destined to become a leader in your company and even industry. Simultaneously, the essays must convey fit with MIT Sloan’s enduring emphasis on being an innovative, principled leader and agent of change. Use the three essays to present different aspects of your experience and your character, to show that you envision and drive change, and to portray your rightful place in the “global leadership community.”

There is a notable commonality among the two essay questions: their emphasis on reflection, self-awareness, and synthesizing your experience. MIT SF adcom wants people who are thoughtful and probing.

There is a notable commonality among the two essay questions: their emphasis on reflection, self-awareness, and synthesizing your experience. MIT SF adcom wants people who are thoughtful and probing.

Essays:

Statement of Objectives: What are your immediate (1 – 5 years) and ultimate (>15 years) professional objectives for attending the program? Specifically, please indicate your objectives and how they fit with the purposes of the MIT Sloan Fellows Program. How would your unique background contribute to the diversity of the Sloan Fellows community? ( 500 words or less, limited to one page )

Let’s break this question into its three parts:

First, your professional objectives.  Be specific about position, company/industry, expected scope of responsibilities, and vision for what you want to accomplish. Give more detail for the 1-5 year segment. For the longer term goals, show direction – but not as detailed.
 
Second, your objectives’ fit with the program.  Identify and describe specific aspects of your objectives that align with the values and purposes of the program. Focus on the 2-3 key elements of this fit – fewer, with thoughtful discussion, is far better than a “laundry list” of fit points.

Third, your potential contributions to the community.  Again, focus on the 2-3 key aspects. “Unique background” certainly could refer to professional background, and it can also include other relevant, interesting factors and experiences if they represent a potential contribution, such as intimate knowledge of a poorly represented geographic region. This section can be tricky – interesting facts alone don’t show potential contribution; you need to add your insight to make it meaningful.

Essay 1:  Reflect on your effectiveness as a leader and give us an example of how you have leveraged your strengths to demonstrate ethical and innovative leadership. Now consider the leader you aspire to be – what are the areas of personal development you want to focus on in this program to become that leader? ( 500 words or less )

This convoluted question needs to be deciphered before it’s answered. There are three parts: (1) the story (example) of  your leadership , (2) your reflection on your related strengths, and (3) your developmental needs.

To make the most of the 500 words, select an example/story that portrays leadership that has ethical and innovative dimensions AND involves your leadership strengths. Also, look for a story/example that has as many of these elements as possible:

• Recent
• High-stakes
• Your performance in a high level environment
• Straightforward to describe
• Reflects an aspect(s) of your experience that you want to strategically highlight.

Here is an effective, simple structure: Start right in with the story – the example.

As you narrate the story, “zoom in” on your actions that show your strengths and present an ethical and/or innovative component. Next, explicitly identify your strengths and briefly discuss how they helped you lead (keeping in mind that the story really will actually show this). Last, identify and reflect on 2-3 leadership areas you want to develop within the program.

Essay 2:  Tell us about the most challenging experience you have had in trying to collaborate with a person or group who did not share the same ideas. What did you learn from this experience and did it change the way you dealt with similar situations afterwards? ( 500 words or less )

When the question says “the most,” you must present an experience of major significance – whether it happened yesterday or years ago. I’ve seen people reflexively respond to this question with stories about how they convinced people of their point (“got people onboard”) – but it’s not necessarily about trying to convince people. If you give the essay that emphasis, the adcom may worry that you are more self-focused and less substance-focused, i.e., more concerned with getting your way than with listening and weighing different ideas. In your story, you may or may not convince people of your own idea – that’s not the main point. It’s really about (a) how receptive and discerning you are with a range of ideas, and how you sift through them, and (b) how you respond to other people and the group (the group dynamic and your role in it) when there are different ideas in play.

Again, I suggest a simple structure: tell the story, then reflect on what you learned, and give a brief example of how you applied that learning subsequently.

Again, I suggest a simple structure: tell the story, then reflect on what you learned, and give a brief example of how you applied that learning subsequently.

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Related Resources:

•  Navigate the MBA Maze 
•  MIT Sloan 2016 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines 
•  A Transformational Year: The MIT Sloan Fellows Program

This article  originally appeared on  blog.accepted.com .

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away. 
 
Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help  you   get accepted !

smk83 · Answer

I was recently invited to interview for the MIT Executive MBA program...anyone on this forum have any tips or experiences on the kind of questions one can expect?

smk83 · Answer

I was recently invited to interview for the MIT Executive MBA program...anyone on this forum have any tips or experiences on the kind of questions one can expect?

rakeshanigundi · Answer

I submitted my application for R3 and waiting for the decision. I am looking to connect to any alumni or admitted applicants for eMBA 2018.

ash21 · Answer

I have applied on May 30th for 2016 matriculation EMBA program and waiting for response, has anyone received any response yet ?

Accepted.com · Answer

https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MIT-Sloan-new-building-long.png

In my experience assisting MIT Sloan Fellows applicants for over a decade (Successes every year, and last year all of my MIT Sloan Fellows clients were accepted), I have seen consistently that the adcom values applicants who, among other things, demonstrate consistent outstanding impact and are on track to  become leaders in their company and even industry  (“high performing” per the MIT SF website). While your application as a whole should convey these points about you, the essays are an ideal opportunity to make the case affirmatively and directly, with example and detail.

Simultaneously, use the essays to convey fit with MIT Sloan’s enduring emphasis on being a proactive, innovative leader and agent of change – as the Sloan Fellows’ website says, “individuals who aren’t satisfied with the status quo and have demonstrated their ability to effect change.”

The essays together should create a vibrant, holistic view of your candidacy:

• The Statement of Objectives, which serves as a lens and sets the context for understanding your candidacy

• Two “story” essays delving into different aspects of your experience – at least one of these should be relatively recent, to strategically show you performing at your highest level organizationally

• A video essay focusing on (for most applicants certainly) a non-work aspect of your life and showing how you engage people personally.

As you select your essay topics and prepare the essays, keep this holistic picture in mind – especially important given the expectation that each MIT Sloan Fellow contribute substantially and distinctively among highly accomplished peers.

ESSAYS

Statement of Objectives:  What are your immediate and ultimate professional objectives and, specifically, how will the MIT Sloan Fellows Program help you to achieve them? What unique contributions will you bring to enrich the experience and diversity of the Sloan Fellows community?  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

Let’s break this question into its three parts:

First, your professional objectives.  Be specific about position, company/industry, expected scope of responsibilities, and vision for what you want to accomplish. Give more detail for the 1-5 year segment. For the longer term goals, show direction – but not as detailed.

Second,  your objectives’ fit with the program  . Identify and describe specific aspects of your objectives that align with the values and purposes of the program. Focus on the 2-3 key elements of this fit – fewer, with thoughtful discussion, is far better than a “laundry list” of fit points.

Third, your potential contributions to the community.  Again, focus on the 2-3 key aspects. “Unique background” certainly could refer to professional background, and it can also include other relevant, interesting factors and experiences if they represent a potential contribution, such as intimate knowledge of a poorly represented geographic region. This section can be tricky – interesting facts alone don’t show potential contribution; you need to add your insight to make it meaningful; after all, that’s really what you’ll be bringing to the table.

Essay 1:

Think about an instance when you were on a team which did not work well together. What challenges did you face and what did you learn from this experience?  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

In selecting a story for this essay, keep the focus on the difficult team dynamics. In addition, be strategic – look for a story that shows an aspect of your work that is particularly interesting and/or impactful and/or represents diversity in some way and/or impressive. (Keep in mind essay 2 to ensure you are portraying different elements.)

Use a story-based structure , which is both efficient and engaging for the reader. First, set the scene briefly – what, where, when, who – and clarify what was at stake for the team. Next, narrate the story, clarifying your specific role in the events. The challenges you faced should be woven into the story. Provide your perspective at key moments: what were you thinking, feeling, saying. Conclude the story with the team’s results.

After the story, add a short paragraph reflecting on what you learned from the experience. I recommend 1-3 points derived specifically from the story. Avoid generic lessons here. And ideally add a sentence or two noting how you applied one of those lessons subsequently.

Essay 2:  
Please describe a time when you made a significant positive impact to an organization that demonstrates your ability to lead.  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

When you discuss a “significant positive impact” for a MIT Sloan essay, I suggest finding one that is “bottom line plus.” By that I mean, one you can quantify in some way or for some aspect, but that also extends beyond mere numbers to include  change , even in some small way. And this change will likely be related to your demonstrated ability to lead.

Here too (as in essay 1), follow a straightforward story approach to structure the essay –make it a story of your leadership. Use your leadership role as the lens for telling the story. Unlike essay 1, you do not need to include anything about what you learned. I’ve found that it’s almost intuitive for people to add that that the end (“What I learned from this experience is…”) even when it’s not asked. I’ve found pretty consistently that with only 500 words and a compelling story, it’s a much more powerful to just end, if additional reflection isn’t requested. It lets the story reverberate, and it conveys confidence.

Video Essay:

Please choose one of the questions below, and upload a video (90 second maximum) of you responding to the question.

• What are you passionate about?

• Tell us something that we would be surprised to learn about you.

• What do you like to do for fun?

Video can be uploaded on the  Multimedia tab 
 Video:  .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

In deciding your topic, respond to the “tone” of the question – it’s kind of begging for something that will make the viewer of the video smile. It doesn’t have to be hilarity – it can be a warm smile or a delighted smile or a charmed smile or a moved smile or a surprised smile.

You can certainly, with an effective presentation, simply discuss your chosen topic on the video. Given the wording of the question, “…of  you  responding to the question…,” you must be in it and should be the key visual component. But since it’s a visual medium, you could, and I believe should, if the topic warrants, show some aspect of your topic as well (e.g. if you’re discussing your hands-on restoration of an old farmhouse in answer to “tell us something we would be surprised to learn about you,” set the video in the location and walk us through). Keep in mind that it is a visual presentation, not just an essay spoken aloud.

If you aren’t accustomed to  doing video presentations , practice and expect to put some effort into visual elements like background and lighting. Keep the background simple, clean, and uncluttered. Have the light behind the camera and shining on you.

Additional Information (a separate question in the application):

Please use this section to include any additional information that you believe is important for the Program to have when evaluating your application that you have not been able to address elsewhere.

If needed, use this space to  address a weakness  in your profile or qualifications. You can also use it to explain things that are not weaknesses but still need explaining (lack of recommendation from a boss or gap in resume for understandable reason). This question also allows you to discuss a diversity element in your personal background or simply some unique – and relevant -- area of interest.

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

MIT Sloan Fellows Deadlines:

https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MIT-Sloan-Fellows-2017-Deadlines.jpg

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By  Cindy Tokumitsu , author and co-author of numerous ebooks, articles, and special reports, including   Why MBA   and   Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One .  Cindy has advised hundreds of successful applicants in her fifteen years with Accepted.

Related Resources:

•  Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One 
•  MIT Sloan 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines 
•  Individual Mobile Test Prep and the MIT Sloan MBA Who Created It

This article  originally appeared on  blog.accepted.com .

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away. 
 
Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help  you   get accepted !

Accepted.com · Answer

https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MIT-Sloan-new-building-long.png

These essay questions show that MIT seeks applicants who have the judgment and practical skills to take on the challenges that will fly at them as they re-define industries and functions. It admits applicants who push the boundary of what’s possible and exercise “principled leadership” in a torrent of change.

The essays (including  Statement of Purpose ) are your main means to show that you possess, as MIT’s website states, “ strong leadership performance , global perspective, functional expertise, and innovation.” While the statement of purpose challenges you to succinctly create your portrait as an applicant, the three essay questions, each in its own way, probe how your perception and thinking lead to specific impacts and outcomes.

In an overall plan for the essays, the statement of purpose works as a context, a positioner, an opening pitch, a frame. You will describe specific experiences in each of the three essays, so strategically try to select experiences that show different aspects of you and your background to give a comprehensive view. Also, it’s advisable to discuss recent experiences in at least 1-2 of the essays, to allow the adcom to see you working at a high level and to show what you’ll bring to the table.

Statement of Purpose

Please provide a statement indicating your qualifications, why you are pursuing the MIT Executive MBA Program, and what you will contribute to the program. For reapplicants: please highlight developments since your last submission.  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

This is your portrait – your candidacy at a glance. It should convey a vivid, immediate sense of you as a person and as a candidate for this program. It should go beyond just facts to present a point of view and a message. Determine your message first, before drafting the essay, and let it guide you in selecting and elaborating the content details.

Beware of a potential pitfall: in discussing qualifications, do not repeat  your resume  in prose format. Also, don’t present all your qualifications. Select thoughtfully, focusing on those that (a) are really distinctive and relevant to the EMBA and/or (b) support your goals directly or indirectly and also (c) reflect your message. Make a short, meaningful point about each qualification, such as the insight it lends or its influence on you, supported by a fact or example.

For why you are pursuing the MBA, of course you’ll discuss your professional goals and objectives. Focus not only on what you want to do, but also why -- what you want to accomplish for the organization and/or its customers/market (your “vision”).

The contributions should reference your experience from work or outside work; think of what about you would be most meaningful and interesting to prospective classmates. This element of your response is an opportunity to show that you understand the program.

Essays:

Question 1:  The educational mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is “to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world." Please discuss how you will contribute toward advancing this mission based on examples of past work and activities.  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

In answering this question, clarify what “principled, innovative leader” and “improving the world” mean to you. These points represent your point of view, your perspective – they should be short (sometimes even a phrase suffices), but without them this essay lacks focus. The bulk of the essay will focus on action – your  examples of past work and activities that make the case  for how you have been and will continue to be a principled, innovative leader who improves the world. They key to making this a gripping, memorable essay is strong experiences and examples combined with your reflection on them pertaining to the essay’s theme. End by  briefly  discussing how you will build on these experiences to  be such a leader in the future .

Question 2:  Tell us about a time when you introduced an idea that changed the way in which your organization functioned or approached a business challenge. Comment on the factors that you considered and the barriers/obstacles that you faced.  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

This question requires you to combine two realms: thought (idea) and action (you introduced…). MIT Sloan seeks people who have strength in both areas – who have vision and can execute that vision.

With only 500 words, draft it straightforwardly,  as a story : start with your idea and what prompted it, and then narrate your action – how you introduced the idea. Conclude with the results, clarifying the change in function or approach.

Option A: As you narrate, include and “zoom in” on factors you considered and the barriers you encountered in the process; make them part of the story. Option B: narrate the story, and then in a concluding paragraph discuss the factors you considered and the barriers/obstacles faced.

Question 3:  Tell us about a time when you took a risk in your professional life. How did you make the decision and from whom did you seek advice?  (500 words or less, limited to one page)

MIT always wants to know about decision making and your decision making – the thought process, not just the situation and results. Given MIT’s interest, if possible select a story that involves decision-making that is not just difficult but that includes some uncertainty or ambiguity – and also some significant stakes. MIT also values resourcefulness, which means finding out or knowing where to go to get needed input – so don’t hesitate to show that you need or want help with this decision.

Here too, structure the essay simply, just walking through the story – with focus on your thought process of making the decision. Start with the situation (the setting) that requires the decision making. When you discuss whose advise you’re seeking, note why that person.

Here too, structure the essay simply, just walking through the story – with focus on your thought process of making the decision. Start with the situation (the setting) that requires the decision making. When you discuss whose advise you’re seeking, note why that person.

If you would like professional guidance with your MIT Sloan EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA  essay editing  and MBA  admissions consulting  or our MBA  Application Packages , which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the MIT Sloan EMBA application.

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

Deadlines:

https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MIT-Sloan-EMBA-Deadline-Table-e1477941584599.png

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Cindy Tokumitsu  has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 15+ years with Accepted. She would love to help you too.   Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

•  Too Old for an MBA? Check Out 3 Outstanding MBA and EMBA Alternatives 
•  5 Key Qualifying Factors the EMBA Adcoms Look For 
•  MIT Sloan Fellows 2017 Essay Tips

This article  originally appeared on  blog.accepted.com .

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away. 
 
Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help  you   get accepted !

bb · Answer

Calling all MIT Sloan EMBA Applicants: (2016 Intake) Class of 2018!!

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