FAQ & Online Chat Transcripts
Answers to the most common questions
The Application Procedure
Recommendations
GMAT/GRE
TOEFL/IELTS
Admissions Information
Qualifications/Criteria
Visits/Interviews
Financial Aid
The Application Procedure
How can I request the MIT Sloan MBA program brochure?
Please fill out our information request form to receive a brochure, or download the MBA Viewbook.
Do I need to mail in copies of my transcripts?
You will be required to scan your transcripts and submit them as part of your online application. Applicants admitted to the program will be required to provide an official transcript from each school attended. All admitted students will receive further instructions after the decision deadline on where to send the materials. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection in our decision or a withdrawal of our offer of admission. For more information, visit Application Instructions.
Does the 500 word limit on the cover letter pertain to just the body of the letter or does it include the salutation, inside address, etc.?
The 500 word limit refers only to the text (or body) of the cover letter.
Recommendations
Do you have letter of recommendation forms?
All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through the online application process. For more information, please visit the Application Instructions.
Should my letters of 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 letter of recommendation?
Applicants to the MBA program are required to submit two letters of recommendation. Additional letters of recommendation will not be considered.
GMAT
What is MIT Sloan’s code for the GMAT?
The School’s code for the GMAT is X5X-QS-41.
Is there a minimum GMAT score required?
No, MIT Sloan does not require a minimum GMAT score.
How long are GMAT scored valid?
Only GMAT tests taken after September 1, 2008 are valid.
What is the last date on which I can take the GMAT?
You may take the GMAT anytime 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 complete GMAT or GRE scoring information.
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.
Do I have to send you the official GMAT/GRE score report now? Or, must it be sent upon admission?
We require that the official GMAT/GRE test scores are sent to us by the application deadline. We understand that sometimes it takes 1-2 weeks for the test centers to release the scores. Therefore, it is acceptable if we receive the scores shortly after the application deadline.
Do you average GMAT scores if I’ve taken the test more than once?
If you have taken the GMAT more than once, you should use the highest of the scores. We will consider the test score that you have indicated on your application to be your highest score.
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 MIT Sloan (Code: X5X-QS-41) to receive your score.
Where can I get more information on the GMAT?
You may visit MBA.com for more information on the GMAT, including sample questions and information on test registration.
Can my GRE score take the place of the GMAT?
Yes, MIT Sloan will accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT. The School’s code for the GRE is 3791.
Where can I get more information on the GRE?
You may visit GRE.com for more information on the GRE as well as test registration information.
TOEFL/IELTS
Am I required to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
No. The verbal sections of the GMAT or GRE will be used to evaluate your English language ability. Applicants who do take the TOEFL or IELTS may choose to report their scores to help demonstrate their English language ability, but it is not required.
Admissions Information
Are some parts of the application weighted more than others?
No single characteristic in the application is more or less important than any other. Each applicant is evaluated as a whole.
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.
Applicants should apply when they have completed the application. There is a competitive disadvantage to applying after the final deadline, as the decision process — along with class selection — is well under way. LGO applicants must apply in the LGO round. If you are not accepted to the LGO program, your application will automatically be considered for the MBA program in Round II.
Qualifications/Criteria
What are the general criteria and desired qualifications for admission?
General Criteria:
We seek 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 thought 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 preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.
Desired Qualifications:
The Admissions Committee looks for applicants with demonstrated academic excellence, proven personal achievement, and strong self-motivation to make an impact and to inspire, no matter where they are in an organization. High academic potential and personal achievement are typically reflected in test scores, academic records, and recommendations that go beyond a polite endorsement.
Do I need work experience to apply?
No, work experience is not required for admission, although having work experience can help leverage the opportunities at MIT Sloan. Students who already have a framework of experience against which to apply their education, and who understand workplace issues, generally get more out of the program and contribute more to classroom discussions and team projects.
Is there any academic preparation required prior to applying or enrolling? Do I need an undergraduate degree in business to apply?
We welcome applications from college graduates from all areas of concentration, including the humanities, the social and physical sciences, and engineering. However, accepted applicants may be required to take a course(s) in microeconomics, calculus, or financial accounting prior to starting MBA studies.
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.
I have a three-year bachelor's degree from outside of the U.S. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. Candidates with a three-year bachelor’s degree from outside of the U.S. may apply.
Can you tell me my chances given my background?
The admissions process at MIT Sloan does not include a pre-screening of resumes. Requests for pre-screening of resumes to determine eligibility cannot be conducted by our staff.
Is there a preferred type of job before graduate business school?
No. There are as many routes to graduate business school as there are students. The best approach is to simply follow your own genuine abilities and aspirations.
Visits/Interviews
What is the policy for visiting MIT Sloan?
You are always welcome to visit the School. The best time to come is when we offer the Ambassadors Program during the school year. However, we also offer information session on campus, self-guided tours or you are welcome to drop by the Admissions office during business hours Monday-Friday. Please read our Visiting MIT Sloan section.
How do I get to MIT Sloan? Where should I stay?
Directions to MIT Sloan
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 with and ask questions of MIT Sloan alumni/ae at our MIT Sloan on the Road events.
What is the interview policy?
Interviews are by invitation only and are determined after an applicaiton has been submitted and evaluated. Interviews are conducted by the admissions staff on-campus and at select cities around the world.
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 the processing of federal loan applications, we recommend that you complete the FAFSA as early as possible. The FAFSA School Code for MIT is 002178. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education homepage for more information on the FAFSA, or write to:
FAFSA Information Center
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
1-800-433-3243
All other aspects of the financial aid application process do not begin until students have been formally admitted into the program.
What types of financial aid are available from MIT?
Financial aid for MIT Sloan MBA students is primarily in the form of loans, either from two government programs, from MIT directly, or through an alternative loan source. Visit our Financing Your MBA page for more information.
What financial resources are available outside MIT?
Opportunities for funding do exist outside MIT and MIT Sloan. Potential students should begin researching other sources of financial aid beyond MIT as early as possible.
What financial aid do Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) students receive?
LGO industry partners provide a generous fellowship to each LGO student. For more details, visit the LGO Program Costs page.
Curriculum
What subjects/areas of study are offered at MIT Sloan?
A list of courses offered at MIT Sloan is available on the MIT Online Course Catalog. You should also visit our Curriculum pages for a description of our curriculum.
What are the degree requirements for the MIT Sloan MBA program?
All degree candidates enrolled in the MBA program complete a required core curriculum in addition to 144 units of electives. While enrolled in the MBA Program, students may take up to three non-MIT Sloan graduate level MIT or Harvard subjects approved by the School, towards completion of degree requirements (there is no credit limit to these three subjects.) Most MIT Sloan subjects range from three units to 12 units based on an approximation of weekly class hours, Lab or thesis units, and outside preparation time. Second-year students are given the option of writing a thesis.
MIT Sloan requires students to maintain residence for four consecutive semesters.
What degree do MIT Sloan MBA program graduates receive? What is the difference between the MBA degree and the Master of Science in Management?
Upon completion of degree requirements, candidates receive either a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or Master of Science (SM) in Management. Only students who complete a thesis may elect to receive the SM. The thesis is optional for MBA degree candidates.
What is the teaching style for professors at MIT Sloan?
MIT Sloan faculty employ a variety of teaching methods including lecture, case study, team projects, writing, problem sets, presentations, company visits, guest speakers, and other theoretical and applied teaching methods. The teaching method used in a class is the choice of the individual professor and is chosen to best facilitate learning for that subject matter.
What is the average class size?
In the first year of the MBA during the first semester, referred to as the Core, classes have approximately 60 students (except the communications class, which averages 30 students). Core classes typically have smaller discussion sections in which you have the opportunity to talk about conceptual issues and work on specific problem sets.
Beginning in the second semester of the first year, elective classes typically have 25 to 60 students (although a few number as high as 90 students), and seminars may have fewer students.
Do you accept transfer students?
The MIT Sloan MBA program does not accept any transfer credits.
Can I waive management subjects? Can I transfer credits from previous MIT Sloan coursework?
Management subjects may not be waived. Students who have completed previous graduate-level elective coursework at MIT Sloan can petition the MBA Program Office for applied credits from elective subjects.
Is there a part-time program? Is there a program starting in January?
There is not a part-time or evening component to the MBA program. The MBA program begins in August each year. There is an Executive Management MBA program for working, experienced professionals that meets primarily on weekends.
What is the Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program?
LGO is a two-year, dual-degree program in which students receive an MBA or SM, and a SM in one of seven engineering departments. The program is a partnership between MIT and more than 25 global operations companies. LGO students are part of, and participate fully in, the MIT Sloan MBA Program. The LGO Program, which starts in June each year, includes a 6.5-month internship at an MIT partner company as well as a generous financial aid package. Please visit the LGO website for more information.
Are there other joint degree programs?
In keeping with our commitment to innovation and academic adventure, MIT Sloan offers several joint and dual degree programs through which students can pursue study in a combination of disciplines. Some of these programs are offered jointly between MIT Sloan and other MIT schools; some take advantage of our partnerships with other world-class institutions in the Boston area. All of them provide the extensive theoretical and practical training that is the hallmark of an MIT Sloan education. Programs include the Harvard Kennedy School Dual Degree Option (HKS) and System Design and Management (SDM).
Does MIT Sloan offer a PhD Program? Does MIT Sloan offer programs for executives?
Yes, MIT Sloan offers a PhD Program, an Executive MBA, and a series of non-degree programs for executives.
Can I pursue two Tracks simultaneously? How about one of the Tracks and the Sustainability Certificate?
Students can only pursue one Track at a time but can pursue a Track and a certificate concurrently. There is enough flexibility and overlap that the latter is more than doable.
Student Life
How many students attend the MIT Sloan MBA program?
MIT Sloan has approximately 400 MBA students per class year (including around 50 LGO students) for a total of about 800 MBA students.
What student clubs exist at MIT Sloan? What if I want to start a new club?
Each year there are about 60 student organizations and clubs at MIT Sloan. These clubs sponsor events, invite host speakers, and conduct forums. There are also intramural sports teams, which compete within the MIT intramural system, as well as against other MBA programs in the Northeast and nationally. If there is an area that interests you, but is not represented through a student organization, you could start one.
Where do most MIT Sloan students live?
Many MIT Sloan students choose to live off campus. The MIT Off-Campus Housing Office is an excellent resource for locating options. Affordable housing may be found close to the campus and near the public transportation system.
On-campus housing is also available. Demand exceeds supply, so a lottery system is used to allocate both the single student and married student housing units.
Career Development
How many offers did members of the most recent graduating class receive, what jobs did they accept, and what were their salaries for the first year?
You can find this information on our employment statistics page.
“It was really rewarding that they wanted to know what we thought. We left there being fairly certain that they will do some of the things that we suggested.”
“One of the reasons I came to Sloan was because I wanted to be at a top MBA institution worldwide. But I also wanted access to working with the latest innovations and the highest technology that was coming out of the MIT labs.”
“At MIT Sloan you have a lot of opportunities to explore entrepreneurship. Especially in a place like Kampala where you have a lot of development, entrepreneurship can be very exciting.”
"The relationships that we forged helped us to turn out a better project. We were able to test our hypotheses with the people that we spoke with every single day. And really, I think the friendships that you develop really propel the work that you’re doing."
“I came to Sloan because of its high rankings within the sustainability community, specifically the professors. The S-Lab class itself is part of what drew me to Sloan. And the reason I came to business school was to learn the business speak that really is what connects with people."
“We’re very interdisciplinary. Among the faculty in the group are an economist, a political scientist, a sociologist, and an industrial relations specialist. We’ve always made a big effort to be open to a variety of perspectives, but also to go beyond being open to them, to want to bring them in, because it makes for a richer environment.”
“Our mission, along with the mission of MIT Sloan, is to both develop leaders who make a difference in the world, and also to make a contribution to thinking about the topic of leadership.”
“Because of the diversity of our backgrounds, when we hit the ground in Tanzania it almost was a natural play where different people assume different roles.”
“The assistant to the CEO was like our host mom while we were there. She arranged our housing for us, she took us out to her friend’s game farm, and we got driven around in 4x4s. She was just wonderful to meet, and we developed a personal as well as professional relationship with her.”
“[The India Lab] program is one of the reasons I came to Sloan. ... The hands-on learning that MIT offers was a huge differentiator.”
“I love being in a place that is such a nexus of people and ideas — people coming to learn something new and to define themselves. Being a part of that process is a real honor and a real gift.”
“For 35 years, we’ve been studying how companies get value from information. … We try to help organizations take a more holistic view of what they are trying to do.”
“I knew about American business, but not enough about what’s really become a global economy. … You can read about it all you want, but there’s no substitute for being there and seeing the context and seeing how completely different these [other countries] are.”
“The conditions in the neighborhoods we were visiting were different than what we realized before getting there. Beyond that, what was surprising was that there weren’t surprises!”
“I learn from what I do on the outside, I bring it back into my classrooms, and I bring it back into interpreting my research. It informs my research, and my research informs my practice.”
FAQ from the Road: Recommendations
