MIT Early Entry Deferred MBA Overview

What are your admissions criteria and what do you look for in a candidate?

Our goal is to create a vibrant learning environment rich in diverse ideas and life experiences. That’s why we welcome applicants from all over the globe, and from all areas of study. We seek students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.

Our Admissions Committee looks for applicants with demonstrated academic excellence, proven personal achievement, and strong self-motivation to make an impact and to inspire, no matter where they are in an organization. We look for evidence of high academic potential and personal achievement through the various components of the MBA application.

How does your Admissions process work?

After each application deadline, our professionally trained Admissions Committee reviews all applications. Based on our initial assessment, a subset of applicants are invited to interview with us.

Who makes up the Admissions Committee?

Our Admissions Committee is comprised of professional staff members within the MIT community. The Admissions Committee will review your application and a member of the committee will conduct your interview. Current students are not involved in the evaluation process.

Are some parts of the application weighted more than others?

Our Admissions Committee will carefully consider all application materials you submit. No single component is more or less important than another.

Does MIT let applicants apply as a couple?

Each person must submit a separate application and is considered individually, however, there is a place in the application where you can let us know if a family member, spouse, or significant other is applying as well.

Does MIT Sloan have rolling admissions?

MIT Sloan does not have rolling admissions. We review applications in three rounds, each with its own deadline. We begin our review process immediately following each deadline.

Are there advantages to applying in Round 1?

The advantage to applying in Round 1 and Round 2 is that there are more available seats in the class. However, we do admit candidates in Round 3 and you should apply only when you have fully completed your application to the best of your ability.

Can I apply in multiple application rounds?

You may only apply once per year. LGO applicants must apply in one of the LGO rounds and are automatically considered for both LGO and MBA; if not accepted, LGO applicants may not apply to another MBA round in the same year.

Do you offer waivers for the application fee?

We offer fee waivers to the following applicants:

• Admit.me Access Participant
• Current Peace Corps members
• Current Teach for America members and alumni
• Forté MBA Launch participants
• Leadership Brainery Participant
• MLT and Jumpstart Fellows
• Veteran and active duty U.S. military personnel

Participants from the following list of programs, conferences, and fellowships are also eligible for an application fee waiver:

MIT Sponsored Programs

• MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP General)
• MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP Biology/BCS/CBMM)
• MIT CONVERGE
• On-Campus MIT ACCESS Program
• MIT Media Lab Open House Travel Grant Recipients
• MIT Laureates and Leaders
• MIT Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular System (EBICS)
• Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Summer Institute

Fellowship Programs

• Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems Research Experience for Undergraduates (EBICS REU)
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)
• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• McNair Scholars Program
• Mellon Mays Minority Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
• Morehouse College Dr. John H. Hopps Jr. Defense Research Scholars Program Hopps (HOPPS)
• National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP)
• Questbridge
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Program (RISE)
• The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM)
• University of Baltimore Maryland County Meyerhoff Scholars Program
• Woods Hole Partnership Education Program

Events and Conferences

• ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
• Annual Ivy Plus Puerto Rico Event
• Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM (ERN)
• FIU McNair Scholars Research Conference
• MC-STEMP GEM GRAD Lab
• National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)
• National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP)
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

In addition to the list above, attendees of some recruitment events and conferences where MIT Sloan is present may qualify for an application fee waiver. If you are in attendance at one of these events, you will be notified at the conclusion of the event and the payment section of your application will reflect the waiver automatically.

To request a fee waiver, please start your application and navigate to the Payment section where you will find the fee waiver form and information on the documentation required to obtain the waiver. Your request will be reviewed and you will receive an email with the results. If your fee is waived, it will be reflected on in your application and you will be able to proceed with submission. 

Please note that all fee waiver requests must be submitted at least ONE week before the application deadline and we cannot grant retroactive fee waivers if the application fee has already been paid online.

Do you compare international applicants to one another? 

No. We consider all applications individually in accordance with our evaluation standards.

How does the waitlist work at MIT Sloan?

If you are waitlisted in a round and accept a place on the waitlist, you will automatically be considered in the next round and will receive an updated decision in that round.

Do you offer deferrals?

Deferral requests are approved on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply during the year in which they hope to matriculate. If you are a college senior, check out our deferred program – MBA Early Admission.

Standardized tests, such as GMAT and GRE are a component of the application process and play an important role in our holistic evaluation process. The admissions committee will continue to accept the remote/at-home version of these exams. Because of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MBA program will allow candidates for the 2022-23 admission cycle to submit a request for a test waiver, should their current situation prevent them from safely being able to access an exam. If the waiver is approved, and the candidate is admitted, no test will be required.

Will you accept the online GMAT/GRE?

Yes, we accept the in person and online tests.

What is MIT Sloan’s code for the GMAT?

If you are applying to the MIT Sloan MBA Program, you can share your GMAT score with us by entering Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – MIT Sloan School of Management.

Can you confirm receipt of my GMAT score?

We cannot confirm receipt of your GMAT score. Please check with ETS to confirm that you have designated MIT Sloan to receive your score.

Where can I get more information on the GMAT?

Visit MBA.com for more information on the GMAT, including sample questions and information on test registration. 

Will you accept my GRE score in place of a GMAT score?


Yes! MIT Sloan will accept your GRE score in lieu of a GMAT score. Our code for the GRE is 3791. We have no preference for which exam you take.

Do you require a minimum acceptable GMAT/GRE score?

No. MIT Sloan does not require a minimum test score on either test. Visit our class profile page to view the average GMAT score of our students.

Where can I get more information on the GRE?


Visit GRE.com for more information on the GRE, as well as test registration information.

Which do you prefer, GMAT or GRE?

We view scores from both tests equally. We have no preference.

Can I submit an EA score in place of a GMAT or GRE score?

No. The MBA program will not accept an EA score in lieu of the GMAT or GRE.

If I have taken both the GMAT and the GRE, should I submit both scores?

You are welcome to submit both exams or choose one. Again, we have no preference which test scores you submit.

What if I took the GMAT or the GRE several times? Will you accept several scores?

If you took the exam several times feel free to submit multiple scores.

Should I submit a test score with a higher overall score, but lower quant score or a test score with a lower overall score, but a higher quant score?

You should submit both. Our application allows you to enter multiple scores.

What is the last date on which I can take the GMAT?

If you intend to take the GMAT and submit the score with your application, you may take the GMAT anytime up until our application deadline and submit your unofficial score in the application.

Should I send you my official GMAT/GRE score report now? Or, do I send it after I’m admitted?

We want to see your official GMAT/GRE test score by the application deadline. However, we understand that sometimes it takes up to two weeks for test centers to release official scores. So, it’s okay if we receive your scores shortly after our application deadline.

I recently took my GMAT and will not receive the AWA score for another four weeks. May I submit my application without the AWA score?

Yes, you may submit the application without reporting the AWA score.

If my score is not in the middle 80% for MIT, does the fact that I performed well in my undergraduate quantitative classes help? Is this something the Admissions Committee will consider when reviewing my GMAT score?

We will consider all parts of your application. If you did not score high on the GMAT/GRE, we will look  for evidence of academic success, as demonstrated on your transcripts and quantitative professional experience.

How much of a disadvantage is a low GMAT/GRE score?

We accept candidates with a wide range of test scores. If your GMAT/GRE is on the lower side, we will consider your other strengths, as demonstrated in your application. For example, we’ll look for strong academic work and quantitative work experience.

Do I need a TOEFL/IELTS score to apply to the MBA Program?

No. This is not required to apply to the MBA program. 

Since a TOEFL score is not required, how do you measure English speaking ability?

We assess English language ability during our interviews.

What is the format of the interview?

If you are invited to interview, you will meet one-on-one with a member of the Admissions Committee. We conduct behavioral interviews in which we’ll ask you to provide specific examples of your personal and professional behavior, such as how you persuade others, work as part of a team, and solve problems. Your interview will last about 30 minutes. All interviews will be conducted virtually.

What are you looking for when interviewing candidates?

Our goal with the interview is to get to know you better! We look forward to hearing specific examples of how you have built relationships and demonstrated leadership. This will help understand the strengths you’ll bring to the MIT Sloan community. Additionally, we look for professional presentation and communication, as well as English language proficiency.

When are interviews for each round?

Round 1 interviews take place in late October through early December; Round 2 interviews typically occur in February and March; and Round 3 interviews take place in May.