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Sloan Admissions Essay Requirements
MIT (Sloan)
U.S. News Ranking: 3
BusinessWeek Ranking: 10
Financial Times Ranking: 10
The defining feature on all of MIT Sloan’s essay prompts is the phrase, “Please describe a time when…” This prefaces every single one of their prompts, with the notable exception of the cover letter. As a result, you know they want to hear about specific experiences from your past, and they want you to focus on the details of a singular event in each response rather than bouncing from story to story.
Understanding this is critical to succeeding if you want to write a great Sloan essay. Think about your past and consider multiple options for each story. Remember, the first thing that jumps to mind may not be the best, so don’t rush to decisions.
Finally, don’t neglect the cover letter. This isn’t a form letter or a simple document like you might submit with a job application. It requires significant time and thought to write one that will improve your chance of admission at this top MBA program.
Ready to start writing your Sloan essays? EssayEdge has you covered with detailed analysis of all the 2011-2012 MIT Sloan essay prompts below.
Cover Letter: Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization.
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Approaching the prompt While not technically classified as an essay, this aspect of the application is more of a personal statement than a standard cover letter because of the specific request that you include information about your contribution to a particular group or organization. For this reason, as you brainstorm to complete the letter, focus on your most significant accomplishments in the first half of the letter, and use the second half to write about your contribution. Common pitfalls Reiterating Your Resume: The phrase ‘describe your accomplishments’ can be a bit misleading. The Sloan admissions officers will have a copy of the resume that you created for your application, so there is no need to restate it here. Instead, choose the accomplishments that you feel best showcase your character and potential. Not Taking the Cover Letter Seriously: Sloan is looking to see if you can be effective in this format, capturing the reader’s attention and intriguing the reader into learning more about you. Avoid the temptation to view this aspect of your application as a mere formality. It is an opportunity to direct the admissions officers to your most meaningful accomplishments and express your proven ability to make a significant contribution to your classmates at Sloan. |
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Prompt 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular.
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Approaching the prompt When outlining this essay, keep the second prompt in mind, as it can be easy to have much crossover between the two and end up with essays that are too similar. This will result in your essays actually undermining each other. For this reason, keep the focus on your own actions and the outcome of those actions instead of their impact on others. Great essays for this prompt can come from any aspect of your life, and you may wish to write about a personal or professional experience. Regardless, Sloan is looking for you to demonstrate a defined character, an ability to question convention (respectfully), and the willingness to try novel ideas without the ‘safety net’ of popularity or a known outcome. Common pitfalls Not Showing How You ‘Went Beyond’: Your ‘beyond-ness’ may not be readily apparent to the admissions officers. It is your responsibility to show in the essay the direct connection between what was status quo and the juxtaposing action that you took. State specifically what the expected response was and why. Was this simply the way things had always been done? Was it something that had worked successfully in the past, but you knew it wasn’t the optimal solution for this particular situation? Don’t make the admissions committee guess here. Seeming Reckless: Although calculated risks make for excellent anecdotes, make sure that you demonstrate a fully reasoned logic to your decision making and subsequent actions. Show how your ability to think a little more clearly or broadly about the situation gave you unique insight that others did not have and the confidence to carry out your plan. |
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Prompt 2: Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas.
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Approaching the prompt In order to be successful in the Sloan environment, you will need to be able to convince others of your point of view – as they will certainly be working to convince you of theirs! For this reason, this essay will serve as a preview to the admissions committee of your ability to navigate negotiations and create solid arguments that are ultimately persuasive to others. Common pitfalls Not Showing a Defined Sense of Purpose: Sloan is looking for you to write about an incident where you were passionate about convincing the other members of your group or team. Therefore, it is important to clearly describe why it was imperative for you to take the time to bring them around to your point of view. What did you perceive as the negative consequences of choosing a different path than the one you proposed? Not Including Enough Detail: Include information about both your thought process and the actions that you took. Were there things that did not work in the beginning that you had to refine to meet your goal? If so, these can show that you have flexibility and can manage setbacks. Did you have to use different techniques to persuade different members? How did you decide on your approach? Most of all, outline what the outcome was and how your interpersonal skills were further developed from this experience. |
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Prompt 3: Please describe a time when you took responsibility for achieving an objective.
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Approaching the prompt Leadership is the cornerstone of creating a winning response to this prompt. Sloan is asking for more than simply a time when you achieved something difficult or challenging. They want you to write about a time when you took the reins and accepted full accountability for completing a project or task. Again, the content of this essay need not derive only from your workplace experience. Choosing an anecdote from your personal life or from community work can demonstrate an ability to lead in a variety of environments. Common pitfalls Being Critical of Others: Writing about experiences where others had not been able to achieve the objectives of the project or task but you lead it to a successful outcome can make for great storytelling. Regardless, the tone of the essay must always remain positive. Do not waste any of the space available for this essay recounting the failings of others. Be factual and describe the situation as it was and why you felt passionate about taking a leadership role. Writing about Something you Achieved on Your Own: Although this essay will not be rejected outright, it will be all the more difficult to show your leadership skills if you choose to write about a solo project. If you are having trouble finding a relevant anecdote, remember that it doesn’t have to be you at the head of the group project. You can choose a time when you took on extra responsibilities to ensure the completion of a larger objective or goal. |
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