How to Write MIT Essays in 2025?
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Your approach while writing an MIT MBA essay is important. The admission committee assess your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning through your essay. Many candidates submit their essays for admission but to increase the chances of your selection, be authentic, concise, and avoid cliches lines.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a globally renowned institution’s business school is known as The Sloan School of Management. Students can apply for this school to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies, as well as an executive program. Contrary to the practice followed by other universities, there are no specific MBA essays for MIT. Rather, the students have to submit a cover letter, along with video essays and a short question, which we shall be discussing in this article. You will also need to submit a resume and letters of recommendation for your application.
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MIT Cover Letter
MIT Sloan seeks 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 thoughtful 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 pre-empt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity, respect and passion.
MIT Cover Letter Format
Start your cover letter formally, addressing it to the Ad Com, as stated below:
To,
The Admissions Committee
MIT Sloan School of Management
<MIT Address>
<City, State, ZIP Code>
Dear Sir/Madam,
<Body of your letter in less than 300 words>
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Yours sincerely,
<Your name>
MIT Cover Letter Outline
As you can see, the university has given very specific requirements for the MIT cover letter. The tricky part is to show your potential in less than 300 words. However, they have simplified it, by allowing you to include instances from your professional life that relate to the goals and ideals, explained before the requirements of the cover letter. You need to think about your experiences at your workplace, where you demonstrated thoughtful leadership. It is important to showcase your contributions – how you managed or led the team in a difficult situation. You can also include incidents showcasing your ability to question the status quo, take initiative, and think critically. MIT prefers students whose stories are authentic and genuine to read. Also, do not praise yourself in your cover letter.
Stand out as soon as you start your letter. Avoid boring statements like ‘I am writing to express my sincere desire to pursue my MBA from MIT and so on…’. The Ad Com is well-aware of your intent and they have already gone through your resume and other formal documents. Therefore, use your 300 words wisely. Start by talking about a professional experience that shows your exceptional talents and capabilities. Your cover letter should talk about something that is not covered in any other documents and the experiences that will truly show who you are as a person. Include at least two experiences, preferably professional. This cover letter should also explain why an MBA from MIT is the best fit for you. You can dedicate about 100 words to explaining two experiences each, and then another 100 words to show the relevance of an MBA from MIT for you. This can be perfectly illustrated by mentioning the facilities and opportunities at MIT that align perfectly with your goals and aspirations. Hence, you may need to reflect on your post-program objectives as well.
Other than your success stories, as a leader, you can also talk about failed entrepreneurial experiences, if any. If you had a novel idea and took the risk of executing it, then it shows your confidence and a fearless attitude. Ensure that you have expressed your creative idea and the efforts you made for it to work. Also explain the reasons for failure, and how an MBA from MIT will help you achieve your dreams.
When you write your MIT cover letter, make sure that you are emerging as a potential candidate for an MBA program. Check if your instances depict your honest potential and experiences. Do not treat this letter as a generic statement of purpose. You need not include anything that is not asked; for example, your academic background or extracurricular achievements are not required here. They are looking for students who will add value to the MIT community and that is what you need to portray in your MIT cover letter.
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MBA Essays for MIT
Other than the cover letter, the MBA essays for MIT are actually video essays. There are two video questions that need to be submitted, out of which one can be pre-recorded and one you need to submit as and when you file your application. Let us have a look at both of them:
Video Question 1: Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you! Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:
– No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length
– Single take (no editing)
– Speaking directly to the camera
– Do not include background music or subtitles
Note: While we ask you to introduce yourself to your future classmates in this video, the video will not be shared beyond the admissions committee and is for use in the application process only.
MIT Essay One - Outline
Again, the directions are crisp and clear. The only thing you need to focus is on your content and manner of expression. Write down what you feel about yourself. This video should not be a repetition of your educational and professional credentials. One minute means you have only about 100-150 words to say. Hence, use this time to leave a lasting impression on the listener. You can talk about your unique experiences or aspects that have shaped your personality. Describe your true self and include those elements that are not portrayed elsewhere in your application. You can take help from your family, friends, and close ones to frame your answer. Know what they think about you and explore what is it about you that makes you unique.
Here are Some More Tips to Follow:
- Speak like you are talking to someone in person. Imagine you are meeting your classmates at MIT and introducing yourself. However, as the video will be used by the Ad Com only, ensure to maintain subtle professionalism as you speak.
- Do not mug up the content. Talk normally and in a comfortable one. It should not look like you are delivering a speech.
- Close the video a few seconds before one minute so that it looks like you have covered everything that you wanted to, and there was no rush to adjust everything in the given minute.
- Pay attention to your dressing style and video background. There should not be any weird background noises. Your voice and message should be clear.
- You can be creative in your video. For instance, if you share your mad love for books, in your video, you can prefer recording it while sitting in front of your bookshelf, showing your collection. Your posture and tone should both be confident and comfortable.
- You should look enthusiastic, positive, and happy while recording. A slight smile will also add to your personality; however, avoid being dramatic or expressing too much.
Video Question 2: All MBA applicants will be prompted to respond to a randomly generated, open-ended question. The question is designed to help us get to know you better; to see how you express yourself and to assess fit with the MIT Sloan culture. It does not require prior preparation.
Video Essay 2 is part of your required application materials and will appear as a page within the application, once the other parts of your application are completed. Applicants are given 10 seconds to prepare for a 60-second response.
MIT Essay Two - Outline
Yes, there will be an extempore kind of situation while submitting your MIT MBA application. Do not worry and take this activity in your stride. Know that they are not expecting you to be a perfect communicator here with exceptional oratory skills. All they want to assess is your creative thinking capabilities, and how well you deal with unprepared situations. Therefore, look at the question carefully, take deep breaths and see what strikes your mind. You will have 10 seconds to prepare yourself for the recording. Therefore, you should be well-dressed in advance. Maintain your calm composure and say whatever you can think of, based on the question asked. Try not to repeat the sentences and do not elaborate too much on your point, lest you run out of time. You should be able to conclude your point well within a minute. Again, the key is to look self-confident and undeterred by a small essay question.
Other than the video essays for MIT and your cover letter, you also need to submit one short question:
Short Question - The Admissions Committee is excited to learn more about you and your background. In 250 words, please respond to the following short answer question:
How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, and community, all help to shape aspects of your life experiences and perspective. Please use this opportunity to share more about your background.
Essay Outline
In this short MBA essay for MIT, you need to give unique insights into your background. Do not state what you have already mentioned in other documents like the resume or the MIT cover letter. You can reflect on your upbringing, the values that have guided you, the community that has influenced you, and the culture that you follow. You can share about the group of friends that you have, people with whom you have worked or interacted with – the ones who positively impacted your life or thinking. Bring out encouraging, positive, and lively attributes here. Avoid showing negative aspects like betrayals, failures, or struggles, unless they were an extremely important part of your life, and they have made you who you are today and can be shown in a positive light. Use this essay to give a peek into the world that you have experienced to date. This essay should be unique and interesting to read for the Ad Com.
Getting into the MIT MBA is like living a dream but it is indeed an uphill task. Writing essays in fewer words and recording video essays are some tricky challenges that you can overcome with a positive mindset, calm attitude, and patience. Start working on your applications early so that you have enough time to improvise your answers or video essays, get feedback, and submit the best possible responses from your end. Do not hesitate to seek expert guidance in order to prepare quality MBA essays for MIT. At Shiksha, we are committed to answering all your questions and concerns promptly.
All The Best!
Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Topper Counselling services on our website. For other queries feel free to get in touch with us in the comments below. To read more about MBA Essays from top universities, visit our website.
MBA Essays of Leading Universities
FAQs Related to MIT MBA Essay
Q. What is the process of MBA admission at MIT?
A. MIT selects its candidates for the MBA program by following a thorough and transparent process. Initially, the students are expected to submit a complete application, with a cover letter, a resume, and video essays. After receiving the applications for a particular session, an admissions committee of experts reviews all the profiles thoroughly. Further to this, only the shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview, after which a final decision is made.
Q. Do I need to make videos while applying for an MBA from MIT?
A. Yes, you will need to answer two video essays. The first one is where you introduce yourself to your classmates in one minute. You can prepare this video comfortably as you will need to upload it on the portal and record it in one take. In the second one, you will be given a random question at the time of submitting your MBA application. You will get just 10 seconds to prepare and one minute to answer it. Hence, you need to be quick and calm, think of your opinions on the question given to you, and record your answer confidently.
Q. What is the profile of MIT MBA Class?
A. For 2025, MIT has a class size of 409 students. The applications received were more than 5000, and therefore, the Acceptance rate is below 10%. The MBA class profile at MIT is truly diverse, comprising of more than 40% international students, belonging to 60 different countries. There is almost equal gender participation, with 46% women students enrolled in 2022. Traditionally, you will find most of the students from the finance and consulting sectors in your MBA cohort at MIT.
Q: Â How do I increase my chances of getting into MIT?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the topmost university in the world and is highly selective when it comes to admissions. MIT takes a holistic approach for admissions, hence students students must be at the top of their class to study here. Also, they excel in activities outside class in order to enhances their chances of getting admitted in the university for their higher studies. In order to increase the chances of getting into MIT, here are some factors that students must consider:
- Focus on academic scores;
- Prepare for the standardized tests (if applicable) and English language proficiency tests ;
- Create a strong online application;
- Get involved in extracurricular activities;
- Get recommendation letters; and
- Write brilliant application essays.
Q: Â How can I get into MIT from India?
MIT is one of the most selective schools in the world. With an acceptance rate of 4.8%, it is very difficult to secure admission here. So, one needs to have an excellent profile to get into MIT. Indian students applying to MIT need to submit the following documents.
- Official school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
- English language proficiency proof
- A statement of purpose
- the latest Resume
- Essays and personal statements
- A letter of recommendation
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â How long does it take to get admission to Iowa State?
After submitting the application the Iowa State admission committee will review the application for admission on the basis of documents that applicants provide. A decision may require several weeks as it depends on the time of year the applicant submits the application (Applications submitted right before the deadline require a much longer processing time due to the volume of applications received then.). Applicants will receive an admission offer letter and the I-20 Form if admitted.
Q: Â Is the University of South Dakota hard to get into?
With a 99% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota is easy to get into. The university follows an easy approach during admission. The university takes a simple admissions procedure. The high acceptance percentage does not mean that the university admits every applicant; rather, it suggests permissive admittance as compared to another university.
Students must prove themselves by scoring excellent academic scores, English proficiency requirements, and standardized test scores. Also, the university prioritizes factors, such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, and more.
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