MIT Sloan Admissions Master of Finance How we evaluate our applicants

Competency Model We review applications using a competency based model that was developed to measure attributes that we feel will make the most successful MFin candidates Demonstrated SuccessPersonal Attributes Academic Success Test Scores Internship and/or Full-Time Professional Experience Building Effective Relationships Motivating Others Solving Problems Working Well on a Team

Key Competencies

Application Components One Essay Resume Three Letters of Recommendation Response to Optional Question GMAT or GRE Score Academic Records/Transcripts 18-Month Pilot Essay for those applying

The Essay Question The full essay question can be found within the application. Please discuss past academic and professional experiences and accomplishments that will help you succeed in the MFin program. Include: Achievements in finance, math, statistics, and computer science as applicable Your short-and-long-term professional goals. How will our MFin degree help you achieve these goals? Personal qualities that will enable you to contribute to the advancement of our mission Relevant, verifiable details, such as awards, rankings, media references, etc., Responses should be written in essay format (750 or fewer words total)

Essay Tips Complete responses should cover the four distinct points, and be fewer than 750 words We are interested in learning more about you, your goals and how you work, think and act Use personal and professional examples within the past 3 years. Include specific details

18-Month Pilot Essay Applicants applying to the 18-month pilot will be required to submit an additional essay describing how the pilot structure will contribute to their academic and professional goals (250 or fewer words)

Recommendation Tips For your 3 recommendation letters, we ask for one professional, one academic and the third is up to you – either academic or professional Choose references who truly know you, and who can highlight your skills with detailed examples. And who can take the time to speak to the specific questions we ask on the recommendation form Recommender QuestionsRecommender Questions can be found in the application instructions on our website Reach out to your recommenders early and keep in mind the upcoming winter holidays and school breaks! Recommendation letters are due on the deadline – January 4, 2016; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete until all recommendations are received We do not accept mailed paper recommendations. They must be submitted online through our electronic system We do not accept recommendations from family members

Optional Question Tips The Admissions Committee invites you to share additional information about yourself, in any format. Be creative: this is your chance to tell us anything that isn’t already highlighted in your application, or to emphasize something important, or any extenuating circumstances We love to see videos, but please limit them to 1 minute or less If you choose a multimedia format, please host the information on a website and provide us with the URL If you link to a personal website or other type of interactive multimedia, be sure it’s easy to navigate

Test Scores We accept either the GMAT or GRE. We do not have a preference We do not require the TOEFL or IELTS. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the interview process

Academic Records/Transcripts Please scan and upload your academic records from all schools whose courses counted toward a degree Submit your most up to date transcript with your application. If your fall grades are not available by our January 4 th deadline, please self report your fall grades and your updated transcript to as soon as it becomes If your transcripts are not in English, you are required to translate them. There are several companies such as WES that offer translation services We ask that you scan both the original and translated copies and submit them both with your application While some applicants choose to have an outside credential service evaluate their transcript and provide us with a report, it is not mandatory

Interviews are by invitation only and are a required step in the process. Applicants who are invited to interview will receive further instructions and information about what to expect. Interviews are conducted in person by a member of our admissions committee. Interviews will be conducted in several key locations around the globe: Cambridge, London, Delhi, Latin America, Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai. Interviews

Behavioral Event Interviews Your behavioral event interview will focus on: Continuing to get to know you better Probing details from your application Learning specifics about your past experiences, accomplishments and actions… “tell me about a time when you…” Obtaining more details about what you thought, felt, said or did in a specific situation

Important Dates Deadline Jan 4, 2016 Decisions Released Deposits Due Mar 7, 2016Apr 15, 2016

Questions?