EXPERIENCE MIT SLOAN

The MIT Sloan Visiting Fellows Program is a customized course of study that provides students, professionals, and MIT alumni the freedom to explore all that MIT Sloan has to offer, as well as courses across the Institute, while cultivating the skills and tools required to generate impact where it matters most. The Visiting Fellows Program provides access to an unparalleled education model that offers Fellows the flexibility to glean what they need to know now from the world's leading research institution in an expedited timeframe. We invite you to plug in to the MIT and Kendall Square ecosystem, level up your professional knowledge and leadership skills, and energize your network by connecting with industry leaders, innovators, and world-renowned faculty. Upon completion of the program, Visiting Fellows receive a certificate from MIT Sloan and affiliate status.

Applications are due by October 1, 2024, 5 pm ET, for the Spring '25 semester. 

Unlike a traditional degree program, there are no course requirements. Visiting Fellows come to MIT with the freedom to pursue their academic and professional goals, such as developing new skills in global entrepreneurship, broadening understanding of strategic innovation, or exploring international finance and capital markets. Visiting Fellows also participate in student clubs, conferences, and special seminars, and enjoy a wealth of cultural, social, and recreational activities, both on campus and in Cambridge and Boston. 

Program Details

Whether you're an executive seeking leading-edge ideas to advance to the next stage of your career, a student earning a degree elsewhere ready to supercharge your education, or an MIT alumna/alumnus eager to re-engage with the MIT ecosystem and reignite your mind and network, Visiting Fellows allows exploration of all that MIT Sloan has to offer with a relentless focus on generating impact where it matters most.

• Create your own curriculum with a faculty advisor and design a specific course of study for the semester, aligned with your academic and professional goals.
• Take elective courses at MIT Sloan, throughout MIT, and virtual courses at Harvard University. 


• Visiting Fellows take between 27 and 54 credit units, or about four to six courses, throughout the semester.
• For those who decide to stay more than one semester MIT Sloan offers
  certificate programs in Business Analytics, Healthcare, and Digital Product Management.

Term Dates

The MIT Sloan Visiting Fellows Program is available in the following terms:

• Spring: Begins early February through mid-May.

• Fall: Begins early September through mid-December. 

Tuition

Tuition for the Sloan Visiting Fellows Program is $43,250 per semester. A special rate is available for MIT alumni and current students from a GBSN member school or MIT Sloan partner school.

Admissions Criteria

Enrollment in the Visiting Fellows Program does not imply subsequent admission into an MIT degree program. Visiting Fellows typically have one or more university degrees and several years of work experience before they apply to the program. However, outstanding undergraduate students may apply. Visiting Fellows who successfully complete their course of study will receive a program certificate from MIT Sloan.

There are two key steps to the admissions process:

• Application Review: The admissions committee reviews your application materials. Should your application be recommended for admission, the committee will submit your application to faculty advisors who are experts in your areas of interest.
• Acceptance by an Advisor: Faculty advisors review applications recommended by the committee and make the final decisions on admission to the Visiting Fellows Program. As stewards of your academic experience at Sloan, faculty advisors will recommend courses as well as extracurricular academic activities such as seminars and conferences that correspond with your area of study.

Application Materials

A complete application consists of the following materials:

• Application form
• Official academic transcripts
• One letter of recommendation
• Résumé or CV
• Statement of purpose and study objectives
• Video assessment (required for all applicants)
• *English Proficiency Test for International Applicants, with a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 95, and minimum International Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5. 

Candidates who have attended an academic program conducted in English for one year may request a TOEFL waiver. If you qualify for this waiver, please email visitingfellows.mitsloan@mit.edu before you submit your application.

Deadlines And Decision Schedule

The Admissions Committee carefully reviews the application of each individual and will notify applicants of their decision by the deadlines listed below. Interview invitations will be extended up until the final decision date. Please note that in the interest of confidentiality, we will only deliver official decisions via email.

The Admissions Committee may not accept applications between October 2 - October 31 and April 16 - April 30 for each application round.  

If a student decides to withdraw from the program, they will be reimbursed as follows:

Prior to December 1 / June 1:  Full refund

After December 1 / June 1: No refund of the $10,000 deposit; full refund of additional funds credited towards tuition

After classes start: No refund of the $10,000 deposit; prorated refund of additional funds credited towards tuition as allowed under the MIT proration policy.

Student Profile

Who may apply to MIT Sloan's Visiting Fellows Program:

• Professionals with a minimum of five years of professional experience, or a mix of academic and professional experience.
• MBA students enrolled in one of MIT Sloan’s international collaborative universities.  These students attend the Visiting Fellows Program for one semester to attain academic goals via a specific set of courses focusing on finance, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, or other concentrations specific to their needs.
• Exceptional undergraduate students with a proven academic record

Key Attributes

The Visiting Fellows Program is an opportunity for you to build your skills, expand your global leadership network, and define your place in the world. The following are a few attributes that we would like to see in candidates:

• Work in a global environment or demonstrated commitment to a global perspective.
• Pushing boundaries and tackling challenges others might think too difficult to achieve.
• An undergraduate degree (or currently pursuing a masters’ or PhD) or at least five years of professional work experience, or an appropriate mix of both.
• Commitment to a full semester immersion at MIT Sloan, actively engaging with students from other programs.
•  Capability and interest to master a rigorous curriculum.
• Effective English communication, both oral and written. Candidates who have attended an academic program conducted in English for one year may request a TOEFL waiver.

Course Registration

MIT Sloan Visiting Fellows may register for a minimum of 27 units and a maximum of 54 units. Please note that International students may have different requirements based on their current U.S. immigration status/situation. If you are an international student, please contact your ISO Advisor directly with any questions regarding what is allowed in relation to your current U.S. immigration status.

Certification and Course Credits

All students who successfully complete the program are issued a certificate from MIT Sloan at the end of the program.

If you are a current degree student at another school, upon successful completion of the Visiting Fellows Program, MIT Sloan will issue a certified transcript for your school.

Program Expenses

The estimated expenses for one semester are:

Tuition  – Please consult program office

$500      – Books, course materials, supplies

$20,000 – 5 months living expenses, single person*

$1,907   – MIT student extended health insurance plan, single person**

*Living expenses are quoted for a single bedroom apartment in the Kendall Square neighborhood surrounding campus. Costs may vary if you share an apartment or live farther away from campus. Visiting Fellows are not eligible for on-campus housing.

**The MIT student health insurance may be waived if you are able to provide other health plan coverage that meets the minimum required per law. If you are an international student, your health plan should meet the minimum insurance visa requirement.