Master of Business Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
In this time of uncertainty, you likely have questions related to how the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may affect the 2021 admissions cycle. The Admissions and Financial Aid questions reflect updates related to the 2021 admissions cycle and include specifics on application procedures and requirements, interviews, and financial considerations. The MIT Sloan Master of Business Analytics program questions cover general topics regarding curriculum, teaching style, student life, and career support. While most student activities listed here will not be offered in person, you will still find many ways to engage virtually with fellow students outside the classroom.
Following MIT-issued guidance, our staff is working virtually and are here to answer any questions you may have not already addressed below. We also encourage you to register for an upcoming virtual event to learn about MIT Sloan and interact with community members.
Questions About the Program
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What is the Master of Business Analytics 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 online. This contains all of the statistics we have for the current class.
How busy is the program schedule?
The Master of Business Analytics program is rigorous and intensive to ensure that students have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of data science. Balancing job searching with academics is also a challenge, but students have support along the way.
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?
Our 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. Master of Business Analytics 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 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 Master of Business Analytics program part-time or via distance learning?
No, the Master of Business Analytics 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.
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 there a minimum GMAT or GRE score?
The GMAT and GRE are components of the application process and play an important role in our holistic evaluation process. However, in view of challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we will allow candidates for the 2020-21 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.
Additionally, applicants are welcome to submit other pieces of evidence, such as expired test scores (GMAT, GRE, EA, etc.); MITx MicroMasters, CORe, edX, MBAMath, or any other non-degree coursework completed; or certifications earned such as CPA, ACCA, CFA, etc; all of which may assist the Admissions Committee in its evaluation process.
What if my transcript is not in English?
If your transcript is not in English, you are required to have it translated by a credential service, such as World Education Services (WES). We ask that you scan both the original and translated copies and submit them with your application.
If I have an international transcript, do I need to have an outside credential service evaluate it and provide you with a report?
The MBAn Admissions Committee has extensive experience evaluating transcripts from around the world. While some applicants choose to have an outside credential service evaluate their transcript, it is not mandatory.
Is there a minimum GPA?
There is no minimum GPA. A low GPA can be offset by excellence in another area of the application.
How do I submit letters of recommendation?
You will provide the recommenders’ contact information on the online application, then we will send them instructions and provide a link to submit their recommendation directly to the Admissions Office. Recommenders should not mail or email recommendation letters directly.
Should recommendations be in a question-answer format, or should they be in letter format?
Either format is acceptable. We require only that the recommender answer all of the questions that we ask.
Can my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation after the application deadline?
Your complete application, including letters of recommendation, need to be submitted by the application deadline.
What types of questions are asked during the interview?
Interviews are composed of behavioral and resume questions. Be prepared to provide specific examples in answer to questions about past experiences, how you handle real-life situations, and your goals.
Who reads the applications?
Our MBAn Admissions Committee is comprised of professional staff members and faculty within the MIT community. The Admissions Committee will review your application and a member of the committee will conduct your interview. Current students are not involved in the evaluation process.
Is there rolling admissions for the Master of Business Analytics program?
The Master of Business Analytics program does not have rolling admissions. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline.
Is an internship considered work experience?
Yes, an internship is considered to be professional work experience and will be considered in your application.
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.
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.
Do I need work experience in order to apply?
Work experience is not required for admission. A significant population of our students come directly from undergraduate while others have 2-3 years of professional 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.
The video asks us to introduce ourselves to our future classmates. What is the Admissions Committee looking for in this video?
The Admissions Committee is looking to get to know you better. We encourage you to be authentic and introduce yourself as you would to your future classmates. Videos should be a single take (no editing) lasting no more than one minute (60 seconds) and consisting of you speaking directly to the camera. Please avoid using background music and subtitles.
Is it possible to waive the application fee?
We offer fee waivers to the following applicants:
- Active U.S. military personnel
- Current Teach for America members/alumni
- Current Peace Corps members
- Attendees at special Identity + Inclusion livestream events (not including Coffee Chats)
Applicants who qualify must submit the fee waiver form at least ONE week before the application deadline (an application fee waiver notification will be granted for attendees at special Identity + Inclusion events post-attendance. You do not need to submit the fee waiver form). Your request will be reviewed and you will receive an email with the results. If your fee is waived, you will be able to proceed to submit your application.
*Please note that we cannot grant retroactive fee waivers if the application fee has already been paid online.
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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?
The Master of Business Analytics program offers a limited number of fellowships. Also, each year, the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School invites programs to submit nominations for a limited number of fellowships. When our students meet the required criteria, we are eager to nominate them. Typically, these fellowships are extremely competitive, so you should not plan on this as a support mechanism. All students receive a $22K+ tuition offset as a result of their participation in the Analytics Capstone Project. For more information, visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
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What is the function of the Career Development Office (CDO)?
The CDO offers career advising, curated career and industry resources, and career events. As an enrolled student, you benefit from the guidance of a dedicated MBAn career advisor with deep knowledge of opportunities for MBAns, who can assist in all stages of career management, from deciding what’s next, to developing a plan, making connections, preparing for interviews, and negotiating offers. Other resources include alumni, clubs, tracks and certificate staff, and greater MIT. Learn more about the CDO via their website Your CDO.
When does the recruiting process start for Master of Business Analytics students?
Recruiting season kicks off with the first week of February with the annual MIT Data Science and Analytics Career Night and for many students the process continues all the way through to graduation. The Career Development Office, shares career development and research resources online in the summer and fall, to help you tighten your career focus. Combining your program and your job search is an intensive process—one that requires a strong work ethic and good time management skills to be successful.
What are the employment statistics for the Master of Business Analytics Class?
MIT Sloan’s Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) program answers the industry’s demand for highly analytical graduates who can manage modern data science to solve critical business challenges, and MBAn graduates are in high demand in the market. In 2019, 100% of MBAn Class of 2019 received an offer by graduation. Top industries included Consulting (42.9%), Technology (31.3%), Finance (8.6%), Retail/CPG (8.6%), and Pharma/Health/Biotech (8.6%)
Learn more about MBAn employment outcomes, including top employers and job roles, in the 2019 MBAn Employment Report.