In addition to the cover letter, you are also required to prepare a video statement and an organizational chart.
Video Statement, prompt:
“Please introduce yourself to your future classmates, and let us know why the Sloan Fellows MBA program (SFMBA) program is a great match for you.
Videos should be a single take (no editing) lasting no more than one minute and consisting of you speaking directly to the camera.”
The goal of this video statement is to make sure that you have strong communication skills and for international candidates, that you have a business level grasp of English. You should also be enthusiastic about the program. Make sure to smile and look excited to be making the video. Excitement is always more engaging than a monotone recording.
Consider this statement to be a mini-interview. Therefore, you should plan to wear business attire and look well groomed. Make sure that your background is neutral with no photographs, mirrors, or other distracting objects. Take the video in a well-lit area so that you are clearly visible.
In answering the two questions, try to allocate 30 seconds to your introduction and 30 seconds to Why Sloan Fellows? In introducing yourself, I suggest including where you are from, your professional background, and something personal (either a fun fact or a hobby).
For the question of why you want to participate in the program, you probably will only have time for two reasons, maybe three if you can maintain a good pace. I would give high-level reasons in your video and not worry about specifics of the Sloan Fellows program because you may trip yourself up with remembering the specific names of the various aspects of the curriculum and take longer to complete the video. What is most important is that the video reflects your personality but is professional.
Organizational Chart
“Please upload an organizational chart which outlines the internal structure of your department and company. Limit to two pages.
Note: You may choose to create your own document or redact individuals’ names. However, please provide as much information as possible.
We should be able to see your line of reporting to the top of your organization, and to easily find you, your peers, your supervisor, their peers, and your direct reports, as well as any as well as any recommender or references from your current organization.”
There are several templates offered in the online application so if you are concerned about how to format this chart, I advise that you use one of those templates. While the organizational chart should be neat and clear, it is not an exercise in art or in creativity. You do not need to stress out about making the chart look very pretty.
The goal of the organizational chart is to show where you are having impact. Make sure to clearly demonstrate who are you working with on a daily basis and where you sit in relation to senior leadership/decision makers in your company. Another important characteristic to highlight is if you are in a management position and who you are leading within that position. The explanation in the organizational chart should clearly compliment the information that you are sharing on your resume.
Rona Aydin has multiple years of experience advising clients on their MBA applications, both in the United States and internationally. As a full-time admissions consultant, Rona provides highly personalized services that fit into your busy schedule. She is a graduate of Oxford Said’s MBA program.
The Oriel Admissions team also includes Lauren Levine, a former NYU Stern admissions officer with over ten years of experience. Lauren has read over a thousand MBA applications for NYU Stern and has interviewed hundreds of candidates.
For more information about Oriel Admissions services and how we can help you with your applications, please contact Rona at rona@orieladmissions.com.
