UPDATE: This article was originally posted on September 18, 2024. 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 Sloan video essay to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample questions to ensure you give your MIT application your best shot.
Why does MIT Sloan require a video essay?
Though MIT has long required a “pre-recorded” video essay, this is the first year they are also asking for a “live” video.
That’s because it gives the admissions committee the chance to see how you think on the spot. In my opinion, video essays are also becoming more popular with the rise in popularity of AI. This type of exercise really tests your communication and critical thinking skills and gives MIT one more chance to get to know you better.
According to the Sloan admissions committee, “As part of the application review, the Admission Committee will evaluate your response to see how you express yourself and to assess fit with the MIT Sloan culture. The simple, open-ended question is designed to help us get to know you better and will not require prior preparation.”
If you’re looking for guidance on how to complete the pre-recorded interview, please review the MIT Essay Analysis for detailed information.
With that in mind, it’s extremely important to ensure that you fully understand this application component.
How does the MIT video essay work?
The way the video essay works is very simple.
Once you fill out your application, a tab will open within the application entitled “Video Essay 2.” This is where you will complete your video essay.
After completing a system test to ensure your video and microphone are working, you will get one video essay question in written format on the screen. After receiving the question, you will have 10 seconds to think and then 1 minute to answer. There are no opportunities to redo the question, and you only get one chance to provide your answer.
The format
If you’ve taken the TOEFL exam, you’ve already practiced for the type of format you can expect in the MIT Sloan video essay!
After completing the test and “starting” the session, the question will appear in written format on the screen and your 10 seconds of thinking time will automatically start.
After the preparation time runs out, the clock to answer (60 seconds!) will start, and you will need to give your answer during this period of time. Remember: you cannot redo the question.
After you answer the question, the system will upload your answer to the server (depending on your connection this can take a while) and will return you to the main application form.
You cannot “reload” the page while the answer is uploading to attempt to get a second try to answer.
Technical requirements
Given past applicants’ issues with iPad and mobile versions of the application, we strongly suggest you record your answer on a computer.
If you do end up experiencing technical issues, access the support page here.
Deadlines
Since you cannot submit your application without completing MIT Sloan’s Video Essay 2, you need to record it before the deadline. Find MIT Sloan’s most current application deadlines here.
Answer time limits
You will have 10 seconds to think and 60 seconds to answer the question. Remember: you cannot redo the question.
Which types of questions are asked?
MIT Sloan asks a single randomly generated question. The question will be similar to a behavioral interview-type question.
This question may be focused on your characteristics, or it may allow you to share a professional example that highlights your personality traits.
The best advice for this assignment is to think about what it’s asking you and what you can show about yourself, your achievements, and your values.
When answering, try to draw on examples. Furthermore, make sure to show your human side and demonstrate that you genuinely care for others and want the teams you join to succeed. It can be easy to answer in a very conversational way, but doing so can often lead to an answer without a point, so make sure you use your planning time to structure the key elements of your answer.
Regardless, be careful about what you choose to show here. Keep in mind that MIT Sloan prefers data-driven leaders who embrace diversity, so don’t miss an opportunity to reinforce your personal brand and your fit with the school’s values.
Here is a list of the types of questions you can expect (we suggest preparing your answers to these questions as part of your preparation).
- What achievement are you most proud of and why?
- Tell us about a time a classmate or colleague wasn’t contributing to a group project. What did you do?
- Describe a time when you faced a significant amount of conflict in a job, school or internship.
- Tell us about a time you found out you couldn’t do something alone. What was it? When did you realize that you couldn’t do it alone? What did you learn?
- Tell us about a time you took a risk. What did you learn?
- Tell us about a time you experienced a professional failure. What did you learn from it?
- Tell us about an organization or activity to which you have devoted a significant amount of time. Why was it meaningful to you?
- What will your classmates be most surprised to learn about you?
- What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received that you also shared with other people? / What is the most important feedback you’ve ever received?
- Tell us about a time you worked with diversity
- in the workplace.Tell us about a time you contributed to improving a process in your organization.
- Tell us about a time when you faced a conflict on a team that affected its productivity. How did you face it?
- Tell us about a positive impact that you made. Why was it important to you?
- Whose leadership style do you admire and why?
- Tell us about a time you contributed to your company or community.
- Tell us about a time you created a good environment in your personal or professional life.
- What’s the biggest misperception co-workers might have about you?
- Tell us about a time when you had to reshape a strategy due to a sudden change in the scenario.
- Tell us about a relationship you leveraged to reach your goals and how you did it.
- Tell us about a time when you had to deliver a tough task at the last minute.
- Tell us about a time when you solved a problem in a creative way.
- Tell us about a time when you had to give a colleague feedback.
The difference between a good and great video essay
Given the importance of the video essay in your MIT Sloan application, it’s crucial to make sure you don’t just have a good video essay, but that you have a great video essay.
Now that you’ve learned how the video essay will work, we’ve gathered our top 5 tips here to ensure your video essay performance brings you one step closer to reaching your goal of attending MIT Sloan.
Show MIT Sloan Why You Belong
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