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Now MIT Sloan changes the game: Test-optional MBA admissions

September 15, 2020 by EssaySnark - Discusses Darden, MIT Sloan Leave a Comment

Whoa. Two blahg posts on one day? Yeah — because this news needs to get out there.

Seismic shifts in the MBA application landscape are occurring right before your very eyes, people.

The coronavirus is causing changes we never thought would happen in graduate business admissions.

Some quick history:

UVA Darden has been experimenting with the possibility of allowing candidates to apply for their MBA programs and be admitted without a GMAT or GRE score, and in the wake of coronavirus upheavals for last year’s Class of 2022 Round 3 in March and April, Darden was the first to allow applications with no score at all. We consider Darden to currently be the leader in willingness to innovate with their MBA applications.

However, MIT Sloan also was willing to break all the rules during that early phase of coronavirus impacts — or at least, they were a fast follower, after Kellogg did so. Both Kellogg and MIT allowed applicants who had been rejected earlier that season, in their Fall 2019 Round 1s, to request for reconsideration. We know of several incredibly well qualified BSers who made it into Sloan through that process; they had been rejected in Round 1 only because Round 1 last year at Sloan was so competitive and very strong candidates had been turned away. The right messaging in the reconsideration request paid off for them.

Now, MIT Sloan has changed the status quo significantly: They’ve just modified their requirements as published on their site to this:

Standardized tests, such as GMAT, GRE, EA, TOEFL, IELTS, are a component of the application process and play an important role in our holistic evaluation process. However, in view of challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we will allow candidates for the 2020-21 admission cycle to submit their application without the test and review their submitted material as is and without negative inferences. If admitted, candidates will not be required to take a test. [emphasis added]

Additionally, applicants are welcome to submit other pieces of evidence, such as expired test scores (GMAT, GRE, EA, etc.); MITx MicroMasters, CORe, edX, MBAMath, or any other non-degree coursework completed; or certifications earned such as CPA, ACCA, CFA, etc; all of which may assist the Admissions Committee in its evaluation process.

 
 

What does this mean for you, the candidate who’s heart is set on Sloan for your MBA?

Should you skip the test entirely?

What if you never tested — should you bother trying at all?

How about if you have a not-so-great score — should you send it to them?

We will be digging into all of these questions soon here on the blahg! For now we wanted to make this change in policy known to you so you can start considering how it may impact your strategies.

The biggest impact of course is to test prep companies… Not that we expect all schools to ditch GMAT/GRE requirements this season. But perhaps the writing is on the wall?

Overreliance on standardized tests like these maintains the status quo in society, where those with means do better. If you’re wealthy, you have access to tutors and test prep resources, and you can afford the fees to take the tests over and over until you get the score that an elite school requires. Overreliance on standardized tests in admissions reinforces systemic racism in elite colleges and universities. This change is overdue.

Thank you MIT Sloan for being willing to be first.

Filed Under: coronavirus, GMAT/GRE Bschools: Darden, MIT Sloan

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: "What should I do with my summer?"
  • 2019: ($) Got a glitch with your grades? TAKE ACTION NOW!
  • 2019: ($) "What can I do to improve my chances?" Volunteering edition
  • 2018: Does it matter who the dean is? 2018 edition
  • 2018: ($) If you're on the Round 1 waitlist will you have a shot this year?
  • 2017: Prediction: Which schools will change their essay questions for Class of 2020?
  • 2016: Another little quiz
  • 2016: ($) When your safety school is actually a stretch school.
  • 2015: ($) Deciding on a school: Does location matter?
  • 2013: Success Story! "It's complicated..."
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