Master of Business Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
Our goal is to make the Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) admissions process straight-forward. To help you along the way, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we hear from applicants. If you don’t see the answer to your specific question below, feel free to send us an email!
About the Program
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What is the MBAn class size at MIT Sloan?
The Master of Business Analytics program is typically about 60 students.
Where can I view the class profile?
The Class Profile can be found on our website.
How busy is the program schedule?
The MBAn program is rigorous and intensive to ensure that students have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of data science. Students balance job searching and academics with the support of our faculty and Career Development Office.
Are classes individually driven or team based?
The curriculum is team based for most homework, projects, and case studies. The midterms and exams, however, are done individually. Different classes have different expectations and the teaching faculty will make it clear if you are to work as a team or on your own.
What is the curriculum content like?
The MBAn program is an advanced training program for students who want to become top tier business analytics professionals. We prepare them to solve real-world issues through our action learning courses and required Analytics Capstone Project, which guarantees them an internship in the summer before graduation.
Do Master of Business Analytics students participate in IAP & SIP?
Independent Activities Period (IAP) is MIT-wide and occurs during the entire month of January. MBAn students will be preparing for their Analytics Capstone Project, taking a software tools training, and participating in Career Core. Sloan Intensive Period (SIP) is held for one week in October and one week in March. In the spring, Master of Business Analytics students have a mandatory ethics session and another software tools training.
Does the Master of Business Analytics program accept transfer students?
The MIT Sloan Master of Business Analytics program does not accept any transfer credits and it is not possible to shorten our program based on work done elsewhere.
Can students complete the MBAn program part-time or via distance learning?
No, the MBAn program is full-time only and takes place on the MIT campus.
What degree would I graduate with after completing the Master of Business Analytics?
The degree is a Master of Business Analytics.
Can a Master of Business Analytics student start in the spring semester?
No, all students must start in the fall.
Questions about the Admissions Process
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How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the current admissions cycle?
We understand that the pandemic may continue to cause some uncertainty for applicants around the world. We have made a few changes to our application process this year. While standardized tests are an important component of the evaluation process, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will allow applicants to apply without a test. If admitted, candidates will not be required to take the test[AM1] .
Who evaluates the applications?
The applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committee, which is composed of staff on the admissions, career and program teams, along with faculty members. Students and alumni are not part of the evaluation process.
Are some parts of the application weighted more than others?
Our Admissions Committee will carefully consider all application materials you submit. No single component is more or less important than another.
Is there a minimum GPA required to apply to the MBAn program?
There is no minimum GPA required to apply to the MBAn program. We understand this is one component of your application and will review it alongside any other relevant coursework you’ve completed. View our Class Profile to see the average GPA of our current MBAn class.
Is there rolling admissions for the Master of Business Analytics program?
No, the MBAn program does not have rolling admissions. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline.
Are there any required courses students have to take in order to be admitted?
There are no prerequisites for admission, but applicants are encouraged to review the curriculum online and ensure that they have the necessary math and programming skills required to be successful in the required coursework. Our application also asks about your familiarity and comfort level with certain programming languages.
Do I need an undergraduate degree in a particular field in order to apply?
There is no specific undergraduate degree needed to apply and our applicants come from varying backgrounds. We consider successful completion of courses in the following areas to be relevant to your potential in the MBAn program: Math, Statistics, Machine Learning, and Computer Programming.
Can I apply to the Master of Finance and Master of Business Analytics programs concurrently?
Applicants may apply to both programs but will need to submit separate applications to each program. Each program makes admission decisions independently and students can only attend one program at a time. If you apply to both MFin and MBAn, you should create both applications with the same email address.
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Is the GRE/GMAT required?
The GRE and GMAT are components of the application process and play an important role in our evaluation process. However, in view of challenges brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will allow candidates for the 2021-22 admission cycle to submit their application without the test and review their submitted material as is and without negative inferences. If admitted, candidates will not be required to take a test.
Do you require a minimum acceptable GRE/GMAT score?
No. MIT Sloan does not require a minimum test score on either test. Visit our class profile page to view the average GRE score of our students.
Can I submit my application even though I have not yet received the Analytical Writing Assessment score for my GMAT?
Yes, you may submit the application without an AWA score.
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If my transcript is not in English, should I get it translated?
Yes! We require all transcripts to be submitted in the original language, accompanied by a certified English translation. We accept translations issued by an institution or professional translating service, such as World Education Services (WES). If you are currently earning a degree, please submit your most up-to-date transcript.
If I have an international transcript, do I need to have an outside credential service evaluate it and provide you with a report?
We don’t have a preference! While some applicants choose to have an outside credential service evaluate their transcript, it is not mandatory.
If I studied abroad, do I need to submit that transcript as well?
Yes! We want to see all of the grades you received during your undergraduate degree. If you have a second transcript from a study abroad institution, please upload that transcript as well.
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Who should I ask to write my recommendation letters?
One letter must come from someone who can speak to your quantitative abilities. A suggestion would be a faculty member from a STEM discipline. If you are a current student, you should submit three academic letters of recommendation.If you are working full-time, you should submit two academic letters of recommendation and one letter from your most recent employer.
What if I can’t get a letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor?
If you’ve been working full-time, we want to learn more about the impact you have made in a professional setting. If your direct supervisor is not able to submit a letter on your behalf, consider asking another manager or supervisor (not a peer) who can speak to the contributions you have made and share substantive examples of your strengths.
How do I submit letters of recommendation?
Your letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through our online application. We do not accept recommendation letters via email or mail. For more information, please visit the How to Apply section here.
Should recommendations be in a question-answer format, or should they be in letter format?
Either format is acceptable. We only require that the recommender answer all of the questions that we ask. Please visit the How to Apply section to see the list of questions we ask recommenders.
Can my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation after the application deadline?
Your complete application, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the application deadline. Please be sure to let your recommenders know when the deadline is.
One of my recommenders doesn’t speak or write in English. Should I translate their recommendation letter to English myself?
You should not translate the recommendation letter to English yourself. If your recommender writes a letter in a language other than English, the letter should be translated by a third-party service.
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Is the interview required?
Yes! The interview is an important and required component of the admissions process. Our goal with the interview is to get to know you better and understand the strengths you’ll bring to the MIT Sloan community. During the interview, we also look for professional presence and communication, as well as English language proficiency.
What is the format of the interview?
If you are invited to interview, you will meet one-on-one with a member of the Admissions Committee. The interview is both behavioral and technical. As part of the technical interview, you may be asked math, probability, statistics and/or computer science questions relevant to fields of data science and analytics. You will also be asked behavioral questions that help us to learn more about how you work with a team, make decisions, and solve problems. Your interview will last about 30 minutes.
Interviews may be virtual or in-person for the 2021-22 admission cycle. A decision on the format of the interview will be made in early 2022 and communicated to applicants.
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Is an internship considered work experience?
Yes, an internship is professional work experience and will be considered in your application. Your internship may either be paid or unpaid, as long as you were hired directly from the Human Resources department at that company.
Do I need work experience in order to apply?
The short answer is no. While some MBAn applicants have several years of experience, this is not a requirement for admission. A significant number of our students are recent college graduates who have completed an internship before enrolling in the MBAn program. Others have up to three years of full-time work experience.
I have several years of work experience. Am I still eligible for the Master of Business Analytics program?
The MBAn program was designed for those in the very early stages of their career. Please review the Class Profile to see if your background and experience aligns with our current students. Applicants with several years of work experience may also want to consider the MBA program, during which you can take Business Analytics elective courses while developing yourself as a leader.
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What is the MBAn tuition charge?
Visit here for information about MBAn Tuition and Financial Aid.
Is it possible to waive the application fee?
We offer fee waivers to the following applicants:
- Active and veteran U.S. military personnel
- Current Teach for America members/alumni
- Current Peace Corps members
Applicants who qualify must submit the fee waiver form and required documentation at least ONE week before the application deadline. Once you start the application, you can find the form under the Payment section of the application.
*Please note that we cannot grant retroactive fee waivers if the application fee has already been paid online.
How do MBAn students finance their education?
The majority of MBAn students use loans to finance their education. These come from two government programs, from MIT directly, or through an alternative lending source. Some students supplement their tuition expenses with fellowships and research assistantships. You can find more information here.
Are Research Assistantships (RA) or Teaching Assistantships (TA) available to Master of Business Analytics students?
Every year, students in the Master of Business Analytics program take advantage of Research Assistantship opportunities. Teaching Assistantships are less common. Students enrolled in the Master of Business Analytics program are expected to be self-funded, though RA positions are often paid.
Are fellowships or scholarships available to Master of Business Analytics students?
All Master of Business Analytics students receive a $22K+ tuition offset as a result of their participation in the Analytics Capstone Project. Additionally, the MBAn program offers a limited number of merit-based fellowships. All applicants are automatically considered for a fellowship and no additional application components are required.
How are applicants evaluated for fellowships?
The Admissions Committee reviews admits and awards merit-based fellowships to exceptional students who have shown academic excellence, professional achievements and potential to enhance the MIT Sloan community.