MIT Sloan Application Essays for 2008-2009

Attention, MIT Sloan applicants! Sloan has released its application deadlines and admissions essays for the 2008-2009 season. Our comments are in italics:

MIT Sloan Application Deadlines

Round 1: October 28, 2008
Round 2: January 13, 2009

(These dates are virtually the same as last year's. Note that Sloan has just two rounds of admissions, while most other top programs have three.)

MIT Sloan Application Essays

All applicants:

• Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.


(Yes, the MIT Sloan cover letter is back. Note that the question is a little different this year. While last year's cover letter asked you to "discuss your passions, values, and interests," this year's cover letter wants to see how you've made an impact on an organization -- this used to be a standalone essay question.)


• Essay 1: Please tell us about a challenging interaction you had with a person or group. (500 words or less, limited to one page)



• Essay 2: Please tell us about a time when you defended your idea. (500 words or less, limited to one page)



• Essay 3: Please tell us about a time when you executed a plan. (500 words or less, limited to one page)



• Essay 4: Please tell the Admissions Committee whatever else you would like us to know. (250 words or less, limited to one page)

(The biggest change is that last year's "Tell us about a time when you had an impact on a group" question has been replaced by the "whatever else you would like us to know" question. Also interesting is that each of last year's questions asked the applicant to "Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did," while that has been dropped from this year's application.)

LFM applicants only:

• Essay 5: Why do you wish to pursue the LFM Program? How does this fit into your future plans? (250 words or less, limited to one page) You are welcome to copy and paste text directly from your cover letter.



• Essay 6: Why do you wish to pursue the engineering field and specialty area you have selected? (250 words or less, limited to one page) You are welcome to copy and paste text directly from your cover letter.

For more information about application strategies for MIT Sloan, visit our MIT Sloan information page.