Now that MIT Sloan has released its 2011-2012 essay questions, we’d like to take some time to offer some advice on how to best approach these questions.  With just one essay changing from last year’s set , this season’s batch of essay prompts reflects an emphasis on proactiveness, encouraging applicants to reflect upon how they have taken charge and led others to achieve some objective.  As has been the case in prior years, the essay questions are open in terms of the nature of the examples an applicant can use – work, current activities and even appropriate personal stories are fair game here.  In answering the questions, applicants should provide a complete and chronological narrative that touches on their thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.  It’s important to note that the philosophy behind Sloan’s approach is that past behavior is a reliable predictor of future behavior, so it will be wise to select examples that show you at your best.

One final thing to note is that MIT once again requests that applicants select experiences or events from the past three years.  While it’s possible that there is some flexibility to draw essay subject matter from early experiences if the subject matter is very compelling, it would be prudent to showcase experiences from the past three years in as many essays as possible.

Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions. (500 words or fewer)
Rod Garcia has long likened the MBA application process to the recruiting process; MBA aspirants, just like job applicants, need to demonstrate that they know how to market themselves. This is why the school requires a cover letter as part of their application.

As you approach this assignment, keep in mind that many of the standard cover letter themes need to be discussed – your attributes and skills, why you are interested in joining the ‘company’ (MIT/Sloan), and what you feel you could contribute. These certainly intersect with the ideas covered by other schools’ “career goals” essays, so much so that it may be tempting to simply tack a greeting onto the beginning of a career goals essay you’ve prepared for another program. MIT’s request for these ideas in cover letter format, however, actually makes it very easy to spot recycled material, so it’s important that you tailor your response to the school’s unique process. A potential outline for this essay might open with a ‘greeting’ to the committee followed by a statement of your interest in MIT and what you would bring to the school, then a short statement of your career goals with a summary of the ways in which your experience to date has prepared you, then a “why MIT” section explaining why it is the best place for you in terms of what you need from an MBA and your fit with the school, concluding with a thank you.

With the “impact” angle, there’s a good deal of ground to cover in this essay. The best way to satisfy this requirement might be to build a brief professional accomplishment into the overall career background narrative. It will also be important to conduct a fair amount of research on the program in order to efficiently reference the most relevant programs and offerings. Taking the time to learn about MIT’s curriculum, special programs and extracurricular activities – whether through a visit to campus, conversation with alumni or reading the Clear Admit School Guide to MIT Sloan – will pay dividends here.

Essay 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
This prompt calls for an anecdote in which a candidate sets him- or herself apart from the pack by demonstrating the confidence to deviate from the norm or explore new channels, or the ability to see a situation or problem in a different light.  Fitting topics might include developing an innovative solution through a nontraditional avenue or challenging the status quo with an eye for how operations could be enhanced.  Ideally, the end result would be one in which you reached new insight or perspective, created a new process, or established a new process or standard in a professional or extracurricular setting.

Essay 2: Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
This prompt calls for a discussion of how the applicant handles opposition or resistance to an idea, while managing potential interpersonal fall-out in navigating the situation.  In providing a detailed description of the situation and the steps taken to garner support from others, applicants should highlight their ability to persuade and inspire others to accept their ideas, as well as their sensitivity and receptiveness to others’ concerns and suggestions.  In doing so, applicants will highlight their problem-solving and leadership skills, thus showing the adcom that they possess the abilities to succeed through challenges at MIT Sloan and in their future careers.

Essay 3: Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
A new addition for this admissions season, this prompt centers on the applicant’s decision-making process, requiring a discussion of a time he or she had to make a choice or choose a path without having all the facts.  Making decisions based on incomplete information is often a necessity in the fast-moving business environment, and while an MBA program will no doubt impart some useful tools in this area, the Sloan adcom is likely seeking students who demonstrate a strong set of baseline skills and good instincts in this area.  It would therefore behoove applicants to showcase their sound judgment and, if applicable, willingness to consult others in arriving at a highly defensible (and ideally beneficial) decision, walking the reader through their attempts to track down the information they needed and their ultimate weighing of the options.

For more detailed guidance on your approach to MIT Sloan’s essay topics, feel free to contact Clear Admit directly to learn more about our admissions consulting services.