Applying to MIT Sloan? Then you already know the MIT Sloan video essay is unlike anything most MBA programs require. In fact, Sloan asks for two separate 60-second video prompts: one where you introduce yourself to your future classmates, and a second, randomly generated question where you only get 10 seconds to prepare. These short clips may look simple, but they’re testing your authenticity, confidence, and ability to think on your feet. In this guide, I’ll show you how to craft responses that feel genuine, align with Sloan’s mission, and hold up under time pressure.
What Are the Two MIT Sloan Video Prompts?
MIT Sloan requires two short video essays as part of the MBA application. Each is 60 seconds long, and each plays a different role in showing who you are:
- Prompt 1: “Introduce yourself to your future classmates.”
You’ll have one minute, in a single take, to speak directly to the camera. This is not a résumé readout — it’s your chance to share something personal, engaging, and authentic. Think of it as your Day 1 classroom introduction, not a stiff interview response. - Prompt 2: A randomly generated question.
This one is trickier. You’ll see the question on screen, get 10 seconds to prepare, and then have 60 seconds to answer — with no retakes. The questions are open-ended (e.g., “What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?” or “Describe a challenge you’ve overcome”), designed to test how you think on your feet.
Both prompts are recorded through MIT’s application platform and are only seen by the admissions committee. Together, they give Sloan a sharper sense of your personality, communication skills, and fit with the program’s collaborative, action-driven culture.
Why Does MIT Sloan Have Two Video Prompts?
MIT Sloan doesn’t add requirements just for the sake of it. The two video prompts serve different but complementary purposes:
- Prompt 1 (Introduce Yourself): This is about presence. The admissions committee wants to see how you present yourself to peers — not just on paper, but in the room. Do you come across as approachable? Do you sound like someone classmates would want to collaborate with? Many applicants over-rehearse here and end up sounding stiff.
- Prompt 2 (Random Question): This is about spontaneity. With only 10 seconds to think, Sloan is looking at how you organize your thoughts under pressure. Can you structure a mini-story on the spot? Do you connect your response to values like leadership, collaboration, or innovation? Or do you ramble, freeze, or lean on clichés?
The challenge is that you need to succeed on two different playing fields at once: one carefully prepared, one unrehearsed. A lot of otherwise strong applicants slip on one side of the equation, which is why smart preparation makes a measurable difference.
| School | Video Essay Format | Length | Prep Time | Retakes Allowed? | What They’re Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIT Sloan | Two prompts: (1) Self-intro, (2) Random open-ended question | 60 sec each | 10 sec for Prompt 2 | No | Prepared presence + spontaneous thinking |
| Kellogg | Three randomized prompts | 60–90 sec each | 20 sec | No | Authenticity, clarity, confidence |
| Yale SOM | One “introduce yourself” prompt | 60 sec | None | No | Personality + fit with community |
| INSEAD | Four short questions (randomized) | 30 sec each | 45 sec | No | Global awareness, communication, cultural fit |
MIT’s Core Values Reflected in the Video Essay
MIT Sloan isn’t just looking for applicants who can speak clearly for 60 seconds. The video essay is designed to surface the qualities that define a Sloan MBA — and these align directly with the school’s mission:
- Authenticity – Sloan doesn’t want the “perfect MBA robot.” They want applicants who sound like real people, who bring quirks, passions, and experiences into the room. If you come across as scripted, you’re missing the point.
- Innovation & Problem-Solving – “True doers” is Sloan’s favorite phrase. The second video prompt, especially, is testing how you think when the spotlight’s on you and the clock is ticking. Do you freeze, or do you adapt?
- Collaboration – Sloan’s culture is highly team-oriented. The admissions committee is asking: Would I want this person in my study group?
- Leadership Potential – Not the “title on a résumé” kind, but the type of leadership that shows up in how you talk about challenges, decisions, and people.
The catch? These values are easy to list, but much harder to communicate naturally in a 60-second window. Many applicants either play it too safe (“I’m hardworking and passionate”) or overcompensate with jargon that feels insincere. The sweet spot is a story that feels both spontaneous and strategically aligned with Sloan’s culture — and that takes practice.
Make Your Sloan Video Essay Stand Out
Most applicants either sound too scripted or too scattered. The ones who get it right prepare strategically. If Sloan is your goal, don’t leave this to chance.
Get Expert MBA Application HelpStructuring Your Responses to the MIT Sloan Video Essay
The challenge with Sloan’s video essay is that you have two very different tasks:
- One you can prepare in advance.
- One you can’t.
Both need to show authenticity, presence, and Sloan’s values — but the way you structure each response makes all the difference.
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Prompt 1: “Introduce Yourself to Your Future Classmates”
Think of this like your first day in class — not a corporate elevator pitch. In 60 seconds, you need to be personable, authentic, and memorable.
Framework for Prompt 1 (Prepared Intro):
- Hook (5–10 seconds) → A quick personal fact or story that makes you stand out.
- Core Identity (20–25 seconds) → Who you are, what drives you, and how it connects to Sloan’s culture.
- Future Connection (20–25 seconds) → Why Sloan excites you and how you’ll contribute to classmates.
Example Strong Opening:
“I grew up in a family business where every decision mattered — if we didn’t innovate, we didn’t survive. That taught me to be resourceful, and it’s why Sloan’s action-learning culture feels like home.”
⚠️ Common Pitfall: Too many applicants recite a résumé. Sloan already has your transcripts and work history — they want the person behind the application.
Prompt 2: Random Question (10 Seconds Prep + 60 Seconds Response)
This is where Sloan tests if you can think — and communicate — under pressure. You don’t have time for perfection. You need a clear framework you can lean on.
Framework for Prompt 2 (On-the-Spot Response):
- Pause & Breathe (2 seconds) → Don’t rush. Collect yourself.
- Set the Scene (15–20 seconds) → Briefly outline the situation or context.
- Action (20–25 seconds) → What you did — highlight problem-solving or collaboration.
- Takeaway (15 seconds) → What you learned and why it matters to Sloan’s values.
Example Strong Response (to “What’s an achievement you’re proud of?”):
“When my team missed a key deadline, I invited the struggling teammate to lunch. We split the toughest tasks, and the project finished on time. It taught me leadership is about lifting others, not doing more yourself — a mindset I hope to bring to Sloan.”
⚠️ Common Pitfall: Rambling. With only 60 seconds, if you don’t anchor your story, you risk sounding scattered and unpolished.
Why This Matters
Most applicants think they’ll be fine on camera — until the random prompt comes up, and the nerves take over. The good news? You can practice with real frameworks, feedback, and mock questions to build fluency. That’s the difference between a response that fades into the pile and one that admissions officers remember.
Examples of Effective MIT Sloan Video Essay Responses
Sometimes the easiest way to understand what Sloan is looking for is to see the contrast. Below are short samples — not full scripts — that show how tone, structure, and presence can make or break your 60 seconds.
Prompt 1: Introduce Yourself to Your Future Classmates
Weak Response:
“Hi, my name is John, I’m 27 years old, and I’ve worked in consulting for the past four years. I’m hardworking, passionate, and excited to join Sloan.”
❌ Problem: Generic, résumé recap, zero personality.
Stronger Response:
“I’m John — I once spent six months living on a boat, where I learned how to solve problems with duct tape and persistence. That resourceful mindset is why I’m excited by Sloan’s action-learning labs and the chance to tackle real challenges with classmates.”
✅ Notice how it connects personal story → Sloan culture.
Prompt 2: Random Open-Ended Question
Weak Response (Q: ‘Tell us about a challenge you overcame’):
“I face challenges every day, but I try to stay positive and keep working hard.”
❌ Problem: Vague, cliché, tells nothing about you.
Stronger Response:
“In my first job, I had to present a project to senior leaders — and I froze halfway through. A mentor coached me on storytelling, and I learned how to structure ideas under pressure. Since then, I’ve leaned on that skill to lead client workshops — and it’s a mindset I’d bring to Sloan.”
✅ Clear story, action, takeaway — and it speaks to adaptability.
The Takeaway
The difference isn’t about perfect cinematography or sounding like a TED Talk. It’s about clarity, personality, and alignment with Sloan’s values. And while examples help, the truth is: most applicants can’t see their own blind spots until it’s too late.
Don’t Risk a Generic Sloan Video Essay
You get one shot, in one take. I’ll help you refine your story, practice under real conditions, and make your 60 seconds count.
Work With Me on Your Sloan ApplicationCommon Mistakes Applicants Make on the MIT Sloan Video Essay
Even strong candidates get tripped up by Sloan’s video essay. Here are some of the most common ways applicants go wrong:
- Treating Prompt 1 Like a Résumé Recap
Sloan already knows where you worked. Listing job titles or GMAT scores makes you sound stiff and forgettable. - Over-Scripting the Intro
Reading lines off a script kills authenticity. You might think you sound polished, but to the committee you’ll look rehearsed and unnatural. - Freezing on the Random Prompt
Ten seconds feels like nothing. Without a simple structure in mind, many applicants ramble, cut themselves off, or end without a clear takeaway. - Forgetting Sloan’s Core Values
Applicants talk about themselves in isolation — but Sloan is listening for hints of collaboration, adaptability, and “doer” energy. Miss those, and your answer can fall flat even if it’s fluent.
Why This Matters
The Sloan video essay is short, but the margin for error is huge. With one chance and no retakes, even small mistakes stand out. That’s why applicants who prepare strategically — not just by practicing answers, but by learning how to project Sloan’s values naturally — are the ones who leave a lasting impression.
FAQs About the MIT Sloan Video Essay
How long is the MIT Sloan video essay and how many prompts are there?
The Sloan MBA video essay includes two required prompts: a 60-second self-introduction and a second 60-second response to a random question. Both are single take recordings, and you’ll only have 10 seconds to prepare for the second one. This format makes the MIT Sloan video essay more demanding than most peer schools.
Can you re-record or redo the MIT Sloan MBA video essay if you make a mistake?
No — Sloan’s policy is strict: no retakes. Once you hit record, that’s your one and only submission. Unlike schools such as Kellogg that allow a little prep buffer, Sloan wants to see your authentic delivery, even if it’s not perfect. That’s why preparation and practice are key.
What does MIT Sloan look for in the video essay answers?
Beyond clarity and fluency, Sloan is listening for qualities that reflect its culture: authenticity, collaboration, adaptability, and the “true doer” mindset. The video essay is less about memorized polish and more about whether you sound like someone they’d want in a team room. Many applicants miss this by focusing only on achievements.
How should I prepare for the random MIT Sloan video essay question?
Since you only have 10 seconds to think, preparation isn’t about scripting — it’s about learning a simple response structure you can apply to any question. Practice with a timer and real feedback so you build fluency under pressure. Most applicants underestimate this, which is why they stumble when it matters most.
Final Thoughts on the MIT Sloan Video Essay
The MIT Sloan video essay may only last two minutes across two prompts, but don’t underestimate its weight. With no retakes and only 10 seconds to think on your feet, this is the moment where even strong applicants stumble. It’s also the moment where Sloan gets to see beyond your transcript and résumé — the real person behind the application.
If you approach the video essay with clarity, authentic energy, and a structure that reflects Sloan’s values, you’ll stand out in a pool full of highly qualified peers. But if you try to wing it, you risk sounding scattered, over-rehearsed, or forgettable.
That’s why the smartest applicants treat this as seriously as their written essays — and they seek feedback before hitting record.
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With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab. A former professor and admissions committee insider at UNC–Chapel Hill, he spent over a decade in academia before turning to full-time consulting.
Now a graduate school admissions consultant with over ten years of experience, Dr. Barr has helped hundreds of applicants gain admission to top PhD, MBA, and master’s programs worldwide — while staying in control of their goals, their story, and their future.
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