MIT Sloan MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines: 2022-23

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The MIT Sloan School of Management, one of the most selective programs in the world, aims "to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice."

From MIT Sloan Website “We seek applicants with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative- true doers.”

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines are as under:

Round 1

Application Deadline: Sept. 29, 2022
Admission Decision: Dec. 14, 2022

Round 2

Application Deadline: Jan. 18, 2023
Admission Decision: Apr. 03, 2023

Round 3

Application Deadline: Apr. 11, 2023
Admission Decision: May 18, 2023

*All applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. EST on the deadline date.

The Admissions Committee will release decisions on the dates listed above; however, decisions will be released early for candidates who have been denied admission without an interview. Reapplicants may submit an application in any round.

Let us look at the various components of the MIT Sloan MBA Application.

MIT Sloan MBA Application Components:

MIT Sloan School of management has retained cover letter, self-introduction video, and organization chart for the 2021-22 application season. It has added an optional short essay to allow applicants to “expand on their background” and showcase how it has shaped their personality and values.

The following are the different components of the MIT Sloan Application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Video Statement
4. One Letter of recommendation
5. Two additional references and
6. Company Organization Chart (outlining the internal structure of your department)
7. Optional Short Essay Question

Here is MER's analysis of different parts of the MIT Sloan application:

MIT Sloan MBA Application Cover Letter:

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative— true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems and strive to pre-empt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your Letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the admission committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).


MIT has used the cover letter format to select its MBA students for many years now. Applicants should take it as an opportunity to market themselves for a seat in the MIT classroom the same way they would do for a job. It is a great place to demonstrate your key accomplishments, career objectives, and 'fit' with the admission requirements of MIT- independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative— true doers. Write your letter in a professional letter format with a date, address, header, salutation, and close.

Though MIT has not asked about the direct career goals or why MIT essay, these themes will also find their place in the letter. However, your focus should be primarily on who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you are a good fit for the program. Make sure to highlight your three biggest hits that present you as a dynamic and innovative leader. For example, you may discuss a time when you approached a business problem and provided a creative solution, took a decision with insufficient information, convinced someone of your creative ideas, innovated a process at work, or suggested a new approach to a customer problem. Remember, past experience is a predictor of future success. While illustrating your traits as an innovative leader, explain how you are a dynamic team player who will enrich the experience of peers.

In-depth knowledge of the program is vital to an effective response. Visit the website to learn about MIT's curriculum, faculty, special programs, and extracurricular activities. Also, connect with current students and alumni to get their insights and attend virtual events to gain deeper insights into the feel of the culture.

How to organize the MIT Sloan MBA Application Cover Letter?

Introduction: A couple of sentences about the purpose of this letter and who you are as a person and a professional (100 words)

Para 2 & 3: A brief account of your professional accomplishments with examples (including entrepreneurial experience, if any) You may also touch upon your career goals (100 to 150 words)

Para 4: "Why MIT" section to explain how MIT is your good 'fit' and what you will bring to the program. Conclude the letter with a thank you. (50 words)

With only 300 words to showcase your candidacy, make every word count.

Read the following article for helpful strategies to meet the stringent word restrictions:

11 Strategies to Meet Strict Word Limits of MBA Essays

MIT Sloan MBA Resume:

Please submit a one-page resume. This will help us easily track your academic and career path. Try to focus on your work results, not just your title or job description. Here are some pointers on formatting:

1. One page limit
2. Times New Roman font
3. Size 10 font
4. Word or PDF formats only

Provide the following information in reverse chronological order:

1. Education: Please include relevant awards, scholarships, and professional societies
2. Work Experience: Please include company name, title, results-oriented bullets that demonstrate your skillset, and dates
3. Additional information: Please include extracurricular activities/community service, technical skills/certifications, and special skills/interests, and languages spoken (if applicable)


Tips for Creating a Standout Resume:

Your resume should showcase your above-average career progression, accomplishments, leadership, teamwork skills, innovation, interests, and extracurricular activities. Show your creativity and contribution and demonstrate that you have picked up new skills and have assumed new responsibilities throughout your professional career. Also, quantify your impact on your company/ organization with measurable results or achievements. Projecting the achievements in numbers will highlight your performance and problem-solving skills, strengthening your case. For example: Spearheaded a flagship project for the company– built a team of 5 analysts, translating into a revenue of $100K.

Click here for common mistakes in creating a strong MBA résumé.

MIT Sloan MBA Application: Video Statement

Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here's your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can't wait to meet you!

Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:

1. No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
2. Single take (no editing)
3. Speaking directly to the camera
4. Do not include background music or subtitles


MIT Sloan introduced the video statement five years ago. The purpose of the video is to see you and know you personally. You may consider it as having a facetime with the admission committee members.

Tips for Recording the Video Statement:

Since you need to record this video in one take, I recommend preparing for it as you would do for an interview. For each experience/story that you highlight, include details using the STAR method (the situation, the task, your actions, and the results)

Recording a video can be a bit intimidating. So try to be as natural and poised as possible. Though you are addressing your future classmates, the video is for the 'Ad Com' and 'you' at center stage. Make a script of 60 seconds introducing yourself to your future classmates. Be creative, and highlight your personality, including the details not covered in the cover letter and resume. Please note that Authenticity is key to a compelling video. You have only 60 seconds to make an impression, so make the most of it.

Practice your stories until you feel comfortable recording on the webcam. Then, review your practice videos and do a self-critique. Also, it will be helpful to ask a family member or a friend to check your practice videos and provide you feedback on areas of improvement.

While recording the video, speak clearly and make sure that your background is tidy and free of any other sounds or visual distractions. To make sure 'you' remain the focal point of the video statement, keep the background blank. Make sure your face is well-lit so the ad com can see you. Dress appropriately in a business suit or business casual as though you are going for an interview. Lastly, and most importantly, smile and speak naturally to the camera.

Click here for more pointers to ace your video essay.

In this video, Diana Jordan, Associate Director of Admissions at MIT Sloan, shares 5 tips for applicants on approaching the 60-seconds video.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must provide the contact information of two additional references besides the individual they choose to write their letter of recommendation. Also, applicants need to upload an organizational chart that outlines the internal structure of your department and company. (Limit to 2 pages)

In this video, MIT provides tips on completing the organizational chart.

Optional Short Answer Question

We’d like to give you the opportunity to expand on your background. This question is completely optional.

How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. (Please do not include any links in your response. 250 words or less.)


This optional essay allows you to throw a spotlight on your personality and character. Through this essay, the admission committee wants to know who you are as a person. We are who we are because of the experiences and events that we have gone through in our life. To brainstorm ideas for this essay, you need to reflect on your past experiences- growing up years, schooling, college, professional life, volunteer activities, general interests, etc., and look for some common thread that runs through some or all of them. Focus on life experiences that have shaped your values and priorities all these years. Don't shy away from sharing the challenging experiences– often, tough experiences make us stronger and instill a zeal to fight. Whatever stories you choose, focus on their impact on your life and values.

Also, keep in mind that this Sloan MBA essay is optional, so write it only if you feel you want the admission committee to know about this aspect of your personality or background.

You may be interested in the admission journey of an MER student who got accepted into MIT- A Brazilian Entrepreneur makes it to MIT Sloan

Free Resources

Overarching Essay Tips

MER Students Share their Success Stories

Essay Analysis of Other Top Programs-2022-23

Case Studies

15th AIGAC Conference -2022- The Changing Trends in Management Education – Key Takeaways

Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped many applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs, including MIT. (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)

Do you have questions about your application? E-mail Poonam at [email protected] or sign up here for a free consultation.

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