MIT’s App Is Different. Here’s How To Ace It

MIT Sloan’s MBA application is unlike any other. Instead of multi-essay prompts, Sloan centers the process on a one-page cover letter and two video questions – plus a single 250-word short answer (“The World That Shaped You”), a one-page resume, and an organizational chart that shows your role in context.

Your challenge is to present your authentic self and to demonstrate you are the curious, passionate and analytical candidate Sloan seeks – but within the fairly rigid confines of the application. The video introduction, of course, offers latitude and creativity, but it’s only 60 seconds. Each element is deliberate: 

• The cover letter mirrors how you’ll pitch yourself in the real world. 
• The video offers a glimpse of your presence and personality. 
• The org chart reveals your influence and responsibilities within a larger system. 

Together, these pieces give the committee a multidimensional view of who you are and how you operate. To stand out, the goal is to immerse yourself in Sloan’s mindset – and use every component to align yourself with the kind of student they’re looking for.

Fit Yourself Into The Sloan Ethos

Sloan wants brilliant builders. The MIT motto – Mens et manus (“mind and hand”) – captures the balance of intellectual rigor and practical action that defines the school. Sloan’s focus on “Ideas Made to Matter” reinforces this: they seek students who will turn innovative thinking into tangible impact. The beaver, MIT’s mascot, is a fitting symbol – industrious, inventive, and always building.

Sloan is looking for candidates who are:

• Leaders who inspire through collaboration and motivate those around them.
• Intellectually curious minds who pair analytical rigor with a hunger to learn.
• Persistent and resourceful problem solvers who don’t give up when challenges get tough.
• Individuals who have demonstrated success – not only professionally, but also in their personal pursuits.

The challenge for applicants is to show these qualities within Sloan’s distinctive application format. That means using every element – from the cover letter to the video intro – as an opportunity to show your alignment with Sloan’s ethos. For example:

• In your cover letter, frame your career path as evidence of being a builder and change-maker.
• In your resume, show how your actions created measurable impact, underscoring your doer mindset.
• In your video introduction, reveal personality, authenticity, and curiosity in a way the written materials cannot.

Each piece of the application serves a purpose, but together they must paint a cohesive picture: someone who fits with Sloan’s culture and will thrive in its collaborative, innovative environment.

How To Write The MIT Sloan Cover Letter

The cover letter is perhaps the most distinctive part of the Sloan application. Unlike a traditional MBA essay, it’s structured like a job application letter: concise (300 words max), persuasive, and to the point. The admissions committee is asking: Why Sloan, why you, and why now?

Your goal is to connect the dots between your past experiences, your career vision, and Sloan’s culture. A strong cover letter doesn’t just summarize your resume – it demonstrates your judgment about what to emphasize, why Sloan is the right environment for you, and how you’ll contribute to the community.

Think of it as answering three questions simultaneously:

• Fit: Why is Sloan the right school for you?
• Value: What strengths and experiences will you contribute to the Sloan community?
• Trajectory: Where are you heading, and how does Sloan help get you there?

The best letters are personal, precise, and specific. They reference concrete experiences that illustrate your character and values, while showing a clear line to your goals. And they avoid vague claims (“I’m a collaborative leader”) in favor of evidence (“When our startup faced a supply chain collapse, I led a cross-functional team that redesigned operations and reduced costs by 20%”).

How To Approach The MIT Sloan Resume

Sloan takes the resume very seriously – it’s not just a summary of your work history, it’s a core part of how they evaluate your candidacy. Unlike many programs, Sloan has very specific formatting requirements and prefers that you follow them closely.

This matters for two reasons:

• Attention to detail – The admissions team notices whether you’ve respected their instructions. A sloppy or non-compliant resume can signal a lack of care. (i.e., One page, Times New Roman, size 10; Word/PDF only – per Sloan’s instructions.)
• Evidence of impact – Sloan seeks outcomes. Your resume should demonstrate how you’ve made a difference in each role, not just what your job description says.

We recommend structuring each bullet point around impact and results, not duties. For example:

• Weak: Responsible for managing client accounts across three regions.
• Strong: Led client portfolio spanning three regions, increasing revenue by 20% and onboarding five Fortune 500 companies.

Think of the Sloan resume as the quantitative backbone of your application. Where the cover letter and video bring in voice and personality, the resume is about metrics, evidence, and clarity.

How To Nail The MIT Sloan Video Introduction

Applicants must submit a video introduction. While completing your application form, you’ll also be asked to complete a second, randomly generated video prompt. The second video prompt varies, but is designed to test your ability to think on your feet. The first prompt, however, is to introduce yourself to your future classmates. One minute, single take, no editing, no music, no subtitles.

This video is your chance to step off the page and show Sloan who you are as a human being. The format is intentional: one minute, unpolished, and uncut. Sloan isn’t looking for production value; they’re looking for presence.

Think about how you’d introduce yourself during your first week on campus. What would you share that feels true to you and memorable to others? The best videos reveal energy, warmth, and curiosity. They don’t regurgitate a resume or cover letter.

Tips to make it work:

• Be conversational, not scripted. A natural, confident tone is more compelling than memorized lines.
• Share one defining detail. Anchor your intro around a specific story, passion, or quirk that gives classmates a sense of who you are.
• Keep it simple. Strong sound and lighting matter more than fancy backdrops. Choose a setting where you feel comfortable.
• Practice, then let go. Record yourself a few times, refine, and then deliver it live. Don’t chase perfection – aim for connection.

Remember: Sloan designed this exercise to get a glimpse of your authentic self. If your video leaves them thinking, “I’d like to sit next to this person in class,” you’ve succeeded.

More Key Tips For The MIT Sloan Application

Beyond the cover letter, resume, and video, Sloan’s application includes a few distinctive components:

• Organizational Chart – Offers quick context about your role, scope, and influence within your company. Keep it one page and circle your role in red. Show your manager, your reports (if any), and key dotted-line relationships; redact names if needed. Focus on showing where you sit and how you collaborate.
• Short Essay – “The World That Shaped You” (250 words). This is Sloan’s invitation to share the personal context behind your story. Reflect on formative experiences, values, or environments that shaped who you are. The strongest responses link past influences to the perspective you’ll bring to Sloan’s community.
• Pre-Interview Questions – If invited to interview, you’ll submit brief written responses to two additional questions before your conversation. These typically include reflections on leadership and teamwork. Treat these as another opportunity to show impact, self-awareness, and cultural fit.
• Recommendation & References – Sloan requires one professional recommendation, plus contact info for two additional professional references the committee may contact. Prioritize a recommender who can speak to your leadership, problem-solving, and ability to inspire – substance matters more than seniority. For your additional references, choose people who can credibly reinforce these themes if contacted.

Final Thoughts

MIT Sloan’s application may be unconventional, but every element is designed with purpose. From the crisp cover letter to the unpolished video, Sloan is looking to identify candidates who demonstrate curiosity, integrity, and the capacity to drive meaningful impact. The key is to approach each component not in isolation, but as part of a unified story: who you are, how you lead, and how you’ll contribute to Sloan’s community. 

Book a free consultation with us at Fortuna today to get candid feedback on your profile and practical advice for your Sloan application – and take a confident step toward joining MIT’s next MBA class.

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Judith Silverman Hodara is a Co-Founder and Director at Fortuna Admissions and former Head of MBA Admissions at The Wharton School. For more free advice from Fortuna Admissions in partnership with Poets&Quants, check out these videos and articles. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up now for a free consultation.

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