How do I write good MIT MBA essays?

Question

Jayant M · Accepted Answer

MIT essays are different from most schools&mdash;they skip the long-form narrative and ask for a 300-word cover letter plus a 1-minute video intro. That means every line counts.
Here&rsquo;s what helps:

In the cover letter, start with your post-MBA goal and back it up with real experience. If you&rsquo;ve led digitization projects in banking and want to move into fintech product roles, connect the dots clearly.
Mention Sloan-specific resources like the Enterprise Management Track, Action Learning, or the Sandbox Innovation Fund&mdash;but only if they genuinely support your plan.
Keep the tone sharp but personal. It should sound like a thoughtful letter to a future hiring manager, not a pitch.
Use the video to share something fresh, a hobby, a cultural connection, or a trait classmates will remember. Think of it as your Day 1 classroom intro.

Make sure the video adds personality and complements the cover letter, rather than repeating what you&rsquo;ve already said.
For more details you can even read this blog on "How to Write Strong MIT Sloan MBA Essays"

V Ritik · Answer

To write strong MIT MBA essays, focus on clarity, authenticity, and alignment with Sloan&rsquo;s values &mdash; especially innovation, collaboration, and practical impact. The admissions team isn&rsquo;t looking for overly polished pitches &mdash; they want real, thoughtful stories that show how you think and who you are.
Here&rsquo;s what works:
Start with a specific experience that reflects how you solve problems or lead in real-life situations. It could be a failed project, a risky decision, or a challenge you navigated &mdash; but keep it personal and reflective. Sloan values people who learn fast, adapt, and act &mdash; so show that pattern in your story.
Don&rsquo;t list generic goals like &ldquo;I want to be a global leader.&rdquo; Instead, explain what you actually want to build or solve &mdash; and how MIT&rsquo;s ecosystem helps you do that. Whether it&rsquo;s through Action Learning Labs, the Sloan Venture Studio, or a specific club &mdash; connect your goals to what MIT offers.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

Good MIT MBA essays are clear, focused, and personal, but without sounding too polished. Sloan doesn&rsquo;t ask for traditional essays. Instead, it uses a cover letter and a video to understand who the applicant is, what they want, and why Sloan makes sense.
The cover letter should be structured like a job application, starting with the goal, then explaining why Sloan is the right place to support it. Avoid buzzwords and keep it tight. For example, if you&rsquo;re moving from fintech to climate finance, mention relevant MIT resources like the Sustainability Initiative or Action Learning Labs.
The video is where personality matters. Don&rsquo;t repeat the letter. Use it to introduce yourself as a classmate ,someone real, relatable, and memorable. Think of it like orientation day, not an interview.
Together, these two parts should reflect clarity of purpose, research about Sloan, and a genuine sense of who&rsquo;s applying.

Mohit C · Answer

Writing strong MIT MBA essays needs to focus on what MIT Sloan actually asks for. The school clearly states that it wants to understand who you are as a person  not just your resume. So the essay should tell your real story, not just list your achievements.
In the cover letter-style essay, speak directly about your goals, why you want to join MIT Sloan, and what unique skills or experiences you will bring to the class. Write it like you're applying for a job:professional, clear, and to the point.
MIT values honesty, leadership, and impact. Choose stories that show how you made a difference, handled challenges, or worked with others. The best essays are personal, specific, and avoid big or fancy words.Keep it simple, structured, and real, that's what the admissions team is hoping to see.

Mansih K · Answer

MIT Sloan asks for essays that clearly show who the applicant is and how they think and to write the essay in the best way you need to understand it. The official site explains that they want to admit people who are curious, humble, and ready to make a difference, not just people with top scores or job titles.
The main essay is in the form of a cover letter, and it should explain why the applicant wants to pursue the MBA at MIT Sloan and how they plan to contribute to the class. It should also show what makes them a strong candidate for this kind of program. Clear goals and a genuine voice matter more than long descriptions.
There&rsquo;s no need to use complicated words or write long paragraphs. Simple language, focused ideas, and honest stories work best. Sharing a challenge handled well or a decision that shaped a new path that&rsquo;s the kind of content the committee remembers.
Also strong essays are always personal and well thought out. They don&rsquo;t repeat the resume. They tell a story that connects with the reader and shows that the person behind the application knows why MIT Sloan is the right place for them.