MIT (Sloan) 2006 MBA Application Toolbox

MIT (Sloan)

Official website
http://mitsloan.mit.edu/mba/admissions/index.php

Class Size:
Approximately 370

Desired Qualifications
What makes you stand out from the crowd? Nearly all the applicants to the MIT Sloan School of Management have noteworthy academic records and competitive GMAT scores. In addition, one to two years of professional experience is desirable, but we will consider exceptional candidates with less. The nature of the MIT Sloan MBA Program requires a thorough grasp of quantitative and analytical skills. Beyond these basics, we are looking for insightful, innovative and adaptable leaders for tomorrow's complex, international environment. The successful applicant will have a strong record of personal accomplishment and a clear and focused vision of how the MIT Sloan MBA Program will contribute to this path.

The application provides you with an opportunity to show us the person behind the resume. Tell us about your passions, your values, your interests and goals. Emphasize what you consider to be the most important factors in your experience. Be sincere and be specific. We are looking for the people who will thrive at MIT Sloan, people who will grow and contribute to our rich, diverse community. The MIT Sloan approach works thanks to a cooperative effort from all its varied members; tell us what special qualities of experience, background or expertise you will bring to the mix.

The MBA Admissions Committee makes decisions regarding admissions and financial aid on an individual case-by-case basis and will consider, among others, the candidate’s ability to contribute to the diversity of our student body. A diverse student body is one that includes students who vary along the dimensions of gender, race, ethnicity, geographic origin, sexual orientation, religion, culture, family background and life experiences.

We are committed to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. Our commitment to Diversity contributes significantly towards achieving our mission.

Recommendations
Please obtain two recommendations on your behalf (three if you are applying to the BEP or LFM Program) from individuals who are able to speak with certainty about your professional achievements and potential.

Please choose a recommender who is able to provide specific answers to the following questions:

1. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?

2. How does the applicant stand out from others in a similar capacity?

3. Please give an example of the applicant's impact on a person, group, or organization.

4. Please give a representative example of how the applicant interacts with other people.

5. Which of the applicant's personal or professional characteristics would you change?

6. Please tell us anything else you think we should know about this applicant.

7. Please note that the Leaders for Manufacturing Program requires three evaluations, and that at least one of the three should be from an academic source or someone who can speak definitively of your technical skills.

Recommenders may submit recommendations either online or through the mail.

ONLINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Please click on the "Recommendations" link in the left navigation bar of the online application and follow the instructions for online recommendation submission. Please ensure that your recommenders submit the recommendations by the appropriate deadline.

MAILED RECOMMENDATIONS
If your recommender elects to submit a paper recommendation, please allow sufficient time for your recommenders to write your evaluation and ask them to mail it to you. Please advise your recommender to use your formal full name as it is entered on the application, not your nickname, so that we can match it with your online application.

If both of your recommenders elect to mail in the recommendations, you must send the recommendations together in one envelope and address it as shown below. Please write outside the envelope the application round (MBA Round I, MBA Round II, BEP or LFM Program) for which you are applying.

MIT Sloan School of Management
MBA Application Materials (indicate Round I, II, BEP or LFM)
50 Memorial Drive, Suite E52-101
Cambridge, MA 02142-1347

Self-reported Transcripts
You must self-report in English your undergraduate and graduate transcripts online using the self-reported transcript form. Do not mail in your official transcripts. Please upload a self-reported transcript for each institution from which you received a degree. Additionally, if you were a transfer student, please submit transcripts from each school attended. Please note: In lieu of filling out the self-reported transcript form, you may upload a scanned version of your transcript. Please see the Self-Reported Transcript section of the application for more information.

Applicants invited to interview will be required to provide an official transcript from each school attended. Any discrepancy between the self-reported and official transcripts may result in a rejection in our decision or a withdrawal of our offer of admission.

LFM applicants cannot submit a self-reported transcript and should instead mail the transcripts by December 10, 2004, t

MIT Sloan School of Management
MBA Application Materials, LFM Transcripts
50 Memorial Drive, Suite E52-101
Cambridge, MA 02142-1347

Online Application
You may complete the online application at any time. Save your work before moving to the next page and print a copy for your own records. Until you press the submit button, MIT Sloan School will have no access to your application. Please note that all required fields are marked with an asterisk(*).

The online application is due 12 noon Pacific Standard Time (2000 Greenwich Time) on the deadline dates.

Cover Letter
The application continues by asking for your cover letter, which should be up to 500 words. This is your first and best opportunity to make a strong, positive impression on us, so take the time to infuse this letter with your personal energy and character. Through what you write we hope to discover whether you will thrive at MIT Sloan, and how you can contribute to our diverse community.

Résumé
Please prepare a business résumé (as opposed to an academic c.v.) that includes your employment history in reverse chronological order, with titles, dates, and whether you worked part-time or full-time. As part of this résumé, also include a similar education history that includes dates and degrees, listed in reverse chronological order. The résumé should not be more than one page long.

Essays
Use the application's essays to display your writing skills and tell us more about yourself. You will be asked to organize a persuasive presentation to show us how you think about and approach business challenges.

More than that, the essays are a chance for you to discuss your passions, values, interests and goals. Emphasize those experiences that were most important and meaningful for you — which may not necessarily be those that were most outwardly prestigious. Be sincere and be specific. There is no one "right" kind of MIT Sloan student; in fact, MIT Sloan deliberately builds each class to unite varied strengths and perspectives. Tell us what particular experiences and expertise you will bring to the mix. The essay instructions and questions are included below.

We are interested in learning more about you and how you work, think and behave. Please answer the four questions below.

For each essay, describe the situation, your thoughts and actions, and the outcome. The essay questions listed below are for the 2005-06 application.

Essay One: Please tell us about a time when you had an impact on a person, group, or organization. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)

Essay Two: Please tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. How did others react? Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)

Essay Three: Please tell us about a time when you had a difficult interaction with a person or group. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)

Essay Four: Please tell us about a time when you overcame an obstacle. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)

Supplemental Information
Use this part of the application to give us any additional information that might help us understand the choices you have made, your leadership activities and skills, and your scholastic and professional achievements. Please elaborate on your personal interests, activities and hobbies-as well as any special circumstances you feel are relevant. We would like to know what you've learned and how you learned it. Please tell us anything that will round out our impression of you as a unique individual.

Test Scores
GMAT
The GMAT is required of all applicants and must be taken before submitting your application. If you have taken the GMAT more than once, you should self-report your highest scores only. Once your online application is submitted, we will not allow replacement of your GMAT score. The GMAT school code for the MIT Sloan MBA program is 3514. Candidates who plan to take the GMAT after December 31, 2005, must use the new code X5X-QS-41.

TOEFL
The TOEFL is not required, but you may report your score if desired. Our TOEFL institution code is 3514-02.

Application Fee
The fee for applying to the MIT Sloan MBA Program is $230, payable by credit card online when you apply. You will be prompted for payment information after pressing the "Submit Application" button. If you wish to pay by means other than a credit card, you must send an email to adcom@sloan.mit.edu at least one week before you intend to submit your online application. We regret that we cannot waive the application fee.

Instructions for Reapplicants
For applicants who applied for Fall 2004*: We require you to submit the entire application, including two new recommendations, and apply in Round I. You are not required to submit the self-reported transcript. Reapplicants to the LFM Program must submit their materials in the LFM application round.

For applicants who applied for entry prior to Fall 2004: We require you to submit the entire online application including your transcript and recommendations. You may apply in either round.

*Applicants who were admitted for Fall 2004 and chose not to matriculate may reapply by filling out the online application, submitting a cover letter and resume, and paying the application fee. However, only applications from candidates who submit new essays will be considered for scholarship awards.

Instructions for BEP Applicants
The dual-degree Biomedical Enterprise Program (BEP)-MBA Program offers deep immersion in the fundamentals of management and biomedical science and an extended opportunity to build depth or breadth through elective subjects. Students exit this program with a Master's in Business Administration from MIT Sloan and a Master's in Health Sciences and Technology from Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST). The BEP-MBA curriculum is completed in three academic years. Students matriculate in the fall, taking only MIT Sloan courses during the first semester. The integration of HST and MIT Sloan subjects begins in the spring semester of year one.

All BEP applicants must complete the entire MBA application. In addition to the two MBA letters of recommendation, BEP applicants must submit a third letter of recommendation. This letter should be from someone who can speak of your ability to handle problems involving science, engineering or technology. All letters of recommendation should be submitted to MIT Sloan Admissions Office as directed.

Interviews for the BEP are by invitation only. The BEP Office will notify applicants selected to interview. Those who accept will participate in the MBA one-on-one interview and a second interview with a subset of the joint (HST/MIT Sloan) BEP Admissions Committee.

In addition, you must submit additional material directly to BEP. For further instructions and requirements please go to http://bep.mit.edu/admissions. Your application to BEP will not be considered complete until you have satisfied all requirements listed on the BEP website. All applicants to BEP are automatically considered for admissions to the MBA Program.

Instructions for LFM Applicants
Applicants to the Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) Program should also go to the LFM Supplemental Section of the online application for further instructions and information. LFM applicants should also visit the LFM Program website at http://lfmsdm.mit.edu/lfm/.

Interview
Interviews are by invitation only. Our goal is to interview all candidates accepted into the program. An invitation to interview thus signals that your application has reached an advanced stage of consideration, but does not guarantee admission. Candidates will be notified of interviews by email until the decision deadline.

Interviews will be conducted at MIT Sloan and in several key regions around the globe. Please indicate on the application the preferred location of your interview; in some cases, we may conduct interviews by telephone. Please note that interviews are conducted on weekdays and during business hours only.

Deadlines

* Reapplicants must submit the application by this deadline. LFM reapplicants must submit their reapplication by
the LFM deadline.
** 12 noon Pacific Standard Time (2000 GMT)

Frequently Asked Questions
The Application Procedure
How can I request the MIT Sloan MBA Program brochure?
Please fill out our brochure request form to receive this year’s brochure.

Do I need to mail in copies of my transcripts?
You are not required to mail in copies of your transcripts. You should, however, have official copies of your transcripts so that you may report the information on the transcripts on the self-reported transcript form. Admitted applicants will be required to mail in copies of their transcripts after admission. For more information, visit Application Instructions.

Recommendations
Do you have recommendation forms?
The MIT Sloan MBA Admissions process offers online submission of recommendations. For more information, please visit Application Instructions.

Should my recommendation be from work or from a professor?
The most useful recommendations are those from individuals who are able to speak with certainty about your professional and/or academic achievements and potential. It is important, for those who are currently employed, that at least one of your evaluators be someone in a position to judge your professional performance.

May I submit an additional recommendation?
Applicants to the MBA Program should submit no more than two recommendations. Leaders for Manufacturing applicants are required to submit three recommendations, one of which can speak to the applicant’s technical ability.

GMAT
What is the MIT Sloan School code for the GMAT?
The MIT Sloan School code for the GMAT is 3514.

Is there a minimum GMAT score required?
No, MIT Sloan does not require a minimum GMAT score.

What is your average GMAT?
The average GMAT for last year’s entering class was 707.

How long are GMAT scores valid?
GMAT scores are valid for five years. Official score reports from January 2000 through the present will be valid for entry in August 2005.

What is the last date on which I can take the GMAT?
The GMAT can be taken up to the last day of the application deadline. The GMAT must be taken before the online application form is submitted and must be self-reported on that electronic application. No submissions will be allowed without a GMAT score reported.

I recently took my GMAT and will not receive the AWA score for another four weeks. Can I submit my application without the AWA score?
Yes, you may submit the electronic application without reporting the AWA score.

Can my GRE score take the place of the GMAT?
No. All candidates are required to submit GMAT scores. We do not accept the GRE.

Do you average GMAT scores if I’ve taken the test more than once?
No. If you have taken the GMAT more than once, we will consider only the test score that you have indicated on your application.

Can you confirm receipt of my GMAT score?
No, we cannot confirm receipt of your GMAT score. Please check with ETS to confirm that you have designated the MIT Sloan School (Code: 3514) to receive your scores.

Where can I get more information on the GMAT?
You may visit the MBA Explorer for more information on the GMAT, including sample questions and information on registration.

TOEFL
Am I required to take the TOEFL?
No. The verbal sections of the GMAT will be used to evaluate your English language ability. Applicants who do take the TOEFL may report their scores to help demonstrate their English language ability, but it is not required.

Admissions Information
How many people applied last year? How many were admitted?
Of the approximately 3000 applications received last year for the MBA and Leaders for Manufacturing Programs, about 500 were admitted and 372 matriculated.

Are some parts of the application weighted more than others?
No single characteristic in the application is more important than any other. An area of weakness—for example, a low score on the GMAT—may be successfully offset by strengths in other areas.

Does MIT Sloan have rolling admissions? Are there advantages to applying early?
MIT Sloan does not have rolling admissions. Applications are received in two rounds.

There are no competitive advantages to applying in either round. There is a competitive disadvantage to applying after the final deadline, as the decision process is well underway and the class is being chosen.

Qualifications/Criteria
What are the general criteria and desired qualifications for admission?

General Criteria
We look for students whose personal characteristics suggest that they will make the most of the opportunities at MIT, both in academic and non-academic areas. We also seek those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. Therefore, we value characteristics such as motivation, involvement, interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership, analytical skills, and tolerance of uncertainty.

Desired Qualifications
The Admissions Committee looks for excellence—applicants with high academic potential and achievement, and strong motivation and leadership potential. High academic potential and achievement are normally reflected in high GMAT scores, excellent academic records, and recommendations that go beyond the usual polite endorsement. Ability to apply and achieve is usually shown in relevant experience, the statement of objectives, and the recommendations.

Do I need work experience to apply?
Work experience is relevant in terms of getting the most out of one’s experience at MIT Sloan. People who already have a framework against which to apply their education and to understand issues more thoroughly are able to get more out of and contribute more to the program. Additionally, because most of our applicants have solid professional track records and experience, candidates without this work experience are at a competitive disadvantage both in admissions and in the job search.

Is there any academic preparation required prior to applying/enrolling? Do I need an undergraduate degree in business to apply?
The MIT Sloan School welcomes applications from college graduates from all areas of concentration—the humanities, the social sciences, the physical sciences, and engineering. The only specific requirement is that the applicant must have completed formal courses in differential and integral calculus and in economic theory, both macro- and microeconomics. If these subjects have not been taken in a previous academic program, they may be covered by formal courses prior to enrollment.

I already have an MBA. Am I eligible to apply?
Candidates with previous MBA degrees are eligible to apply. These candidates should, however, detail the reasons for their pursuit of a second MBA degree in the application.

Can you tell me my chances given my background?
It is unlikely that an admissions committee member would be able to assess your chances for admission without first seeing a completed application.

Is there a preferred type of job before business school?
No. There are as many routes to business school as there are students. If you follow your abilities and aspirations, you will be headed in the right direction.

Visits/Interviews
What is the policy for visiting the MIT Sloan School?
You are always welcome to visit the School. The best time to come is when we offer the Ambassadors Program. Please read our Visiting MIT Sloan section for information on visiting the School.

What is the interview policy?
We will selectively interview individuals who submit an application to the MIT Sloan School. These interviews will be by invitation and at our initiative only; not all applicants will be interviewed. An invitation to an interview should be interpreted neither positively nor negatively as regards one’s admission status. It simply means we are seeking additional clarification of your goals and professional and personal attributes.

Can I contact alumni/ae in my area? Can I contact current students?
The MIT Sloan MBA Program does not give out the names or contact information of current students or alumni/ae to prospective applicants. Prospective students can attend a class with a current student as part of our Ambassadors Program. Also, candidates will have a chance to meet and ask questions with MIT Sloan alumni/ae at our Sloan on the Road events.

Financial Aid
What are the first steps in the financial aid application process?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required of all U.S. citizens and permanent residents who wish to apply for federal student loans. To expedite processing federal loan applications, we recommend that you complete the FAFSA as early as you can.