The Complete MIT Sloan School of Management
Application Guide

The Core Values of MIT Sloan School of Management

MIT Sloan’s driving force is its mission statement: to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. This mission is reflected in the MIT Sloan MBA experience through four key characteristics.

Chief among them is Innovative Leadership, where students aren’t just taught to succeed in business – they’re challenged to tackle global issues with a forward-thinking, ethical, and collaborative mindset. At Sloan, leadership is about driving change, fostering creativity, and benefiting society. Students are inspired to challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and explore new business models that disrupt industries.

Action Learning is another cornerstone of the MIT Sloan experience. The school fosters an environment where students are encouraged to push boundaries, think critically, and experiment with new ideas. The phrase “Ideas Made to Matter” reinforces that conceptualizing is not enough; true innovation occurs when those ideas are put to the test. Whether through its cutting-edge research initiatives, hands-on learning opportunities, or entrepreneurial projects, MIT Sloan emphasizes the application of knowledge to tackle real-world problems. 

Another core value of MIT Sloan is Collaboration and Diversity. The school’s belief that diverse teams with varied perspectives lead to more effective solutions is reflected in the collaborative, team-based learning environment, where students from different backgrounds work together to solve real-world business problems. MIT Sloan encourages its students to share knowledge, challenge each other’s ideas, and support one another in both their academic and professional journeys.

Finally, the value of Global Impact highlights MIT Sloan’s commitment to using business and technology to address the world’s most pressing issues. With global study trips, a diverse and international student body, and initiatives that address sustainability, equity, and social good, MIT Sloan prepares its students to lead with empathy and responsibility, striving to create positive and tangible change across industries and societies worldwide.

The MIT Sloan Academic Experience

At MIT Sloan, the MBA journey is a dynamic blend of rigorous academics and hands-on learning. Small class sizes foster collaboration and personalized mentorship, while the curriculum’s emphasis on innovation and practical application prepares students to tackle real-world challenges head-on. This isn’t just theory; it’s a launchpad for impactful careers.

After completing one semester of core courses in foundational subjects like finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, students at MIT Sloan have the opportunity to choose from a vast array of electives. This flexible, interdisciplinary approach allows them to explore diverse disciplines, including courses from MIT’s renowned Engineering, Computer Science, or Media Arts and Sciences departments, fosters creative problem-solving, and provides students with a well-rounded, holistic understanding of global business challenges. Notably, courses such as Leadership Challenges for an Inclusive World, Communication for Leaders, and Organizational Processes emphasize developing critical soft skills like emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and cross-cultural communication—skills that are vital for effective leadership but often underemphasized in other MBA programs. 

Students looking to specialize in a specific discipline may choose from seven certificates to hone industry- and function-specific skills: Analytics, Product Management, Enterprise Management, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Finance, Healthcare, and Sustainability. Additionally, students may pursue dual-degrees and combine their MBA with a Masters in Engineering through the LGO program, a master’s degree in city planning from the MIT Department of Urban Studies, or a Masters in Public Administration or a Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. 

The MIT Sloan curriculum also emphasizes experiential learning. Built on MIT’s motto “Mens et Manus” (Mind and Hand in Latin), the Action Learning Labs such as Global Opportunities in Leadership and Business (G-LAB) enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world business challenges. These hands-on opportunities span from international consulting projects to entrepreneurial ventures, allowing students to work directly with organizations to develop innovative solutions.

Perhaps most notably, MIT Sloan fosters a culture of collaboration and risk-taking, encouraging students to tackle unfamiliar subjects, knowing that their peers and faculty mentors are there to provide support. Upon arrival at Sloan, students are assigned to diverse cohorts to complete their core classes. These cohorts are further divided into smaller learning teams, thoughtfully composed to simulate the real-world dynamics of cross-functional collaboration in professional settings. The grade non-disclosure policy further enhances this culture, as it prohibits employers from inquiring about academic grades, enabling students to take intellectual risks without fear of judgment. 

The phrase “Sloanies helping Sloanies” also embodies the MIT Sloan MBA community; students are known for “paying it forward,” whether through supporting one another through post-MBA recruiting periods or helping connect classmates with colleagues in their networks.