Admissions

ADMISSIONS POLICY

General Criteria

As an institution educating students in an increasingly complex and sophisticated world, MIT is concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural growth in the broadest sense. Due to the strength of our applicant pool, the Sloan School sees a large number of applicants with very strong academic qualifications. Our task is to distinguish between those whose accomplishments are truly outstanding and those whose credentials are merely good. We look for students whose personal characteristics suggest that they will make the most of the opportunities at MIT, both in academic and non-academic areas. We also seek those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. Therefore, we value characteristics such as motivation, involvement, interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership, analytical skills, and tolerance of uncertainty.

Desired Qualifications

The Admissions Committee looks for excellence -- applicants with high academic potential and achievement, and strong motivation and leadership potential. High academic potential and achievement are normally reflected in high GMAT scores, excellent academic records, and recommendations that go beyond the usual polite endorsement. Ability to apply and achieve is usually shown in relevant experience, the statement of objectives, and the recommendations. No single characteristic in the application is more important than the other. An area of weakness -- for example, a low score on the GMAT -- may be successfully offset by strengths in other areas.

Work experience is relevant in terms of getting the most out of one’s experience at Sloan. People who already have a framework against which to apply their education and to understand issues more thoroughly are able to get more out of and contribute more to the program. Additionally, because most of our applicants have solid professional track records and experience, candidates without this work experience are at a competitive disadvantage both in admissions and in placement.


Application Deadlines and Decision Schedule

Electronic Application Submitted by* Decision Mailed by
December 20, 1998 February 22, 1999
January 4, 1999 (LFM Applicants Only) March 12, 1999
February 14, 1999 April 12, 1999

*11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time


Profile of the 1999 Graduating Class

Number of candidates 350   Undergraduate Majors:
     United States 63%        Social Sciences and Humanities 24%
     International 37%        Sciences and Mathematics 8%
Women 28%        Engineering 48%
Members of Minority Groups 8%        Business 20%
Average GMAT score 663   Average years of full-time experience 4.6
Undergraduate GPA (out of 4.0) 3.53   Age at Entrance 27.5


This page: web.mit.edu/sloan-masters/adm.html