What MIT Sloan Is Known For
Learning by doing. The MIT Sloan approach to management education can be summarized with the Institute’s motto: “mens et manus,” or “mind and hand.” More than just a token motto, this is a way of thinking that permeates the culture across all programs at MIT. Both in and out of the classroom, “learning by doing” is very much a part of the MIT Sloan culture. Called “Action Learning,” this philosophy is best evidenced in the wide offering of lab courses in which students conduct consulting projects for real companies and organizations.
A challenging curriculum. The first semester at MIT Sloan is notoriously challenging—more so even than at other top schools. All students take the same set of five required core courses in that first term, and it’s known to be grueling. Most schools have a fixed core that extends over two semesters and, while challenging, it typically isn’t quite as brutal as the one-semester core at MIT Sloan.
Collaboration. A lesser-known fact among many potential applicants is that MIT Sloan enjoys a deeply collaborative culture. From the first moments of the intense “One-Semester Core” experience, to the launch of fledgling startups upon graduation, the desire to work with and help fellow students is shared by most Sloan students throughout their MBA experience. MIT Sloan views the art of developing high-performing teams as crucial to addressing today’s business challenges, and strives to cultivate effective teams and leaders through action-based learning in the field.
