UPDATE: This article was originally posted on February 19, 2019. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
With the Media Lab, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation track, and a motto of “Mens et Manus,” or “Mind and Hand,” MIT Sloan is a hotbed for professionals seeking to work with cutting-edge industries and entrepreneurs alike.
However, with the number of MBA applicants hoping to land jobs in technology and entrepreneurship increasing every year, landing a spot at MIT Sloan has become more challenging than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your MIT Sloan interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your MIT application your best shot.
How the MIT Sloan interview works
As one of the most elite business schools in the world, landing an interview with MIT Sloan is no easy task.
Thus, if you have passed to the interview phase of the Sloan application process, congratulations! This is already an exceptional achievement.
MIT interviews are generally conducted by the admissions committee in “hub cities” around the world. During the interview, the admissions committee member is actively trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the MIT Sloan program, and if you fit well with the program’s values.
Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to gauge your self-awareness and ability to be part of a team. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions.
Our clients who have interviewed with MIT in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and prepared questions specifically tailored to their profile. As such, some clients received questions that were far more personal in nature, while others focused strictly on their academic and professional achievements.
Who will interview you?
You will interview with a member of MIT Sloan’s admissions committee. After being invited to interview, you will receive a link through which you can schedule a time for your interview.
Will the interviewer have read your application?
Yes. The interviewer will have read your entire application and will have seen your pre-interview essays. Past reports indicate that interviewers develop specific questions based on your application, so make sure to take the time to review what you presented.
How long will the MIT interview last?
30 minutes maximum. The MIT Sloan interview tends to be one of the shortest interviews in the MBA world, so don’t panic if your interview doesn’t last the full 30 minutes!
The Interview essays
MIT Sloan has long required candidates who are called to interview to submit an additional essay. This year, MIT Sloan has two interview essays, one focused on data analysis and the more traditional diversity-focused essay.
We have written a dedicated post with our tips on how to approach both of the MIT Sloan interview essays. Click here to read!
Who is MIT Sloan looking for?
Source: @mitsloanwomen on Instagram
“MIT Sloan students are informed and responsible global citizens with the vision, drive, and practical experience to make significant contributions to their organizations and to the world.” MIT Sloan Admissions Team
As one of the prestigious M7 schools, the average MIT Sloan student tends to have a demonstrated track record of academic excellence and a high GMAT/GRE score. The 450 admits to the Class of 2027 have a median GMAT score of 720 (Classic) and 675 (Focus). GRE quant scores range from 159-170. The Class of 2027 also has 61 countries represented and includes 47% women.
Source: MIT Sloan’s website
According to the admissions team, they also look beyond the numbers to ensure applicants fit with Sloan’s values.
In addition, MIT Sloan tends to favor applicants who demonstrate excellence and commitment both at the office and in the community.
How can you prepare for your MIT Sloan interview?
Though no interview is 100% predictable, MIT Sloan interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions, with a few personalized questions added as well. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past MIT interviews.
What questions are asked in the MIT Sloan MBA interview?
The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com. Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Sloan interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you an excellent foundation for your interview.
STARTING UP QUESTIONS
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- Do you have any recent accomplishments you want to share? / Are there any changes to your resume since you submitted it?
- Tell me about your data slide. (Expect follow-ups.)
- Expect further questions about your diversity essays.
- What do you do outside of work?
- What accomplishment in the past year at work are you proudest of?
- What’s a personal goal that you’ve set for yourself recently?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why MBA?
- Why now?
- Why did you decide to apply to Sloan?
- Where else did you apply?
- How will you contribute to MIT Sloan?
TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP
- Tell me about a time you had to manage conflict at work within a team or with a superior. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time when you were part of a team that didn’t get along well. How did you help solve the issue?
- How would you deal with a team member who wasn’t pulling his or her own weight?
- Tell me about a time you led a team to a solution.
- Tell me about a time when you had to persuade/convince others.
- Tell me about a time when someone else needed your help.
- Describe a situation where you had to influence others without authority.
- Can you give an example of how you have adapted your leadership style to be more inclusive or supportive of a team member’s unique needs?
- Have you ever advocated for a more inclusive approach or policy in your organization? What steps did you take, and what was the impact?
- What is your leadership style?
GENERAL BEHAVIORAL
- How would a friend describe you? A client?
- What do you think are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone.
- Describe a time when you faced a significant setback or failure. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Describe a time when you used data to make a significant decision. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?
- Have you ever faced a situation where the data conflicted with your instincts? How did you handle it, and what did you learn?
- Tell me about a time when you set a goal and achieved it.
- Tell me about a time when you thought outside of the box/innovated.
- Tell me about a time when you took a risk. What did you learn from it?
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision in an ambiguous situation.
- Tell me about something you’re proud of.
CLOSING
- I’m meeting a lot of people today; why should we admit you?
- Anything else? / Anything you wish I’d asked you?
- Any questions for me?
We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.
We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview.
Want Personalized Guidance?
Interview prep isn’t about memorizing scripts. It’s about knowing your stories well enough to tell them with conviction. Coach Ellin, my AI clone, gives you instant access to the strategies I’ve developed over 10+ years and is trained on 10 million words of successful MBA applications.
It’s also available 24/7 in 31 languages.
Test your answers in the middle of the night, brainstorm examples in your native language, and work through weak spots whenever they surface. Start a conversation with Coach Ellin.
What to do if you get a question you haven’t prepared an answer for
Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared.
First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!
Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation.
If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer, however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation.
Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance. Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you.
Effectively Tell your Story During your MIT Interview
Interview prep is one of those things where targeted practice with the right person makes all the difference. Leland connects you with vetted coaches who specialize in interview preparation, from current MBA students who just went through interviews at your target programs to former admissions officers who’ve conducted hundreds of interviews to professionals working at top MBA consulting firms who know exactly what post-MBA recruiting looks like.
You can book anything from a single mock interview session to a comprehensive interview prep package.
Their matching support helps you find coaches based on your schools, background, and the specific aspects of interviewing you want to work on, whether that’s storytelling, handling behavioral questions, or preparing for school-specific formats. Leland is the easiest way to find quality interview coaching at whatever scope and price point works for you.
Check out Leland and find the support you need to take your interview skills from good to great.
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