Q: What would you do to make a positive global impact in the latter half your career?
A: Turn to a program that peaks my innovation and makes me a future leader.
Sloan Fellows is such a program, a Master’s designed to push the potential of high achieving, deeply motivated, mid-career professionals, with over 10 years of work experience.
Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary General), Sir Howard Davies (an Economist and the Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland), Sir John Southwood Jennings (former Chairman of Shell Transport and Trading and Chancellor of Loughborough University), Carly Florina (former CEO of Hewlett-Packard), Lord John Browne ( Chairman of BP and Member of the British House of Lords) and a multitude of other movers and shakers have been Sloan Fellows before venturing into the world, doing great works with massive business and social influence.
The Sloan Fellows Program originated at MIT, in the 1930s, as the MIT Sponsored Fellowship Program, after the then General Motors Chairman, Alfred P. Sloan, and his foundation, granted MIT the funds to begin a well-regimented management training curriculum for gifted engineers.
It was later renamed the MIT Sloan Fellows Program and expanded to include a Sloan Master’s at Stanford and London Business School by the late 1960s. In 2014, Stanford GSB rebranded its Sloan Fellows Program and changed its name to Stanford MSx Program (Read Stanford MSx Review), while the program at LBS is called the LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy. Each is a rigorous year-long immersive and residential degree. There is no internship and no placement assistance, since many are company sponsored students. Any job hunting you do will have to be your own initiative.
Goals of the Sloan Fellows Program
Sloan Fellows are an elite group of individuals with outstanding accomplishments in their 10+ years of work experience, and have clear career accomplishment goals for the future. In some sense, the candidates have already established themselves as innovative leaders. The MIT Sloan Fellow and Stanford MSx admits, actually undergo a leadership assessment before they even break into the coursework.
The aim of the Sloan Fellows Program is to not to introduce the foundations of business education, but rather take the education to another level where the focus is on developing the candidate’s innovative, strategic, enterprising, risk taking, and most importantly leadership skills. And the experience, brought in by the participants enrich the peer learning process, opening up doors to a sea of networking possibilities. If you’re considering an MBA after 30, these might be a good fit for your age and experience.
Though the three participating Sloan Fellow schools collaborate in the interest of the program, there are certain emphasized agenda that are independently pursued.
- MIT Sloan Fellows Program: Focusses on building a foundation of management, innovation, and global leadership
- LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy: Focusses on enhancing leadership, strategic, and business fundamentals
- Stanford MSx Program: Also focusses on accelerating growth potential through innovation, management, and leadership
Sloan Fellows vs MBA / EMBA Programs
Here are a few observations based on adcom and alumni perspectives.
- The Sloan Fellows curriculum is far more advanced than the typical MBA programs, with the latter serving as a stepping stone towards an introduction to the world of business while the former targets experienced senior professionals towards higher executive roles with a lot more leadership responsibilities.
- It is also one of the very few full-time degree programs available to professionals beyond their 30s and 40s. Hence its popularity among candidates looking to advance their management skills over their already established technological careers, candidates desiring to move into CxO positions beyond their current management roles, and entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses into more profitable and impactful ventures.
- The Sloan Fellows are also a much smaller cohort, than the typical MBA class sizes, making for a far more involved interactive learning process.
- The rigorous residential nature of the Sloan Fellows program makes it more intense and effective than the other part time/weekend style Executive MBA programs which are also targeted at mid-career professionals (Read Is an EMBA worth it?).
- The Fellows are taught by Tenured Faculty members and exposed to a wealth of information from industry experts.
- These programs are among a chosen few that organize leadership seminars, to gain insights from some of the big players in the corporate world.
- The curriculum also involves trips to financial, technological, and leadership, centers like Silicon Valley, New York, Washington DC, or other international business hubs, affording the candidates invaluable exposure for developing their managerial, executive, and entrepreneurial visions.
- The Fellows program has higher international student participation as compared to the traditional MBA paving the way for a global perspective in their training.
- Though most candidates pay for the degree themselves, there is still a significant number with corporate sponsorship.
Even with all the positives, it would be wise to be aware of the risks involved in the pursuit of this elite business Master’s degree.
- The program is residential and immersive, requiring candidates to take a break from employment for a full 12 months. This is often financially and emotionally taxing for the candidates and their families, given their advanced age and hence the possibility of dependents and responsibilities. However, this is also reflective of their commitment, which often plays in their favor while being headhunted.
- The price tag is generally higher than MBA degrees and given the career juncture of these candidates, their decision to fork out the heavy tuition needs to be backed by a clear career vision beyond this Master’s degree.
Sloan Fellows Program Review: MIT, LBS, Stanford
Sloan Fellows Program Format, Curriculum and Cost
Here is a quick peek at their individual formats, and curriculum.
| MIT | LBS | Stanford | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Name | MIT Sloan Fellows | LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy | Stanford MSx |
| Degree | MBA or MS (with thesis)in Management or Management Technology | MSc in Leadership and Strategy | MS in Management |
| Curriculum | – 3600 Leadership Assessment – Core courses on Business Fundamentals, Innovation and Global Leadership – Electives (8-12 courses) – Leadership, Innovation and Global Perspectives Module |
– Core Courses on Leadership, Strategy and Business Fundamentals – Electives (5-8 courses) from a choice of 65 courses – Global Business Assignment |
– 3600 Leadership Assessment – Core Courses on Business Fundamentals – Electives (>50% of curriculum) – Leadership Development activities – Study Trips |
| Tuition | $132,500 (including cost of study trips) | $92,444 (not including trips) | $129,900(including study trips) |
Eligibility for a Sloan Fellows Program
The Fellows program follows an immersive, interactive format with an exclusive group of carefully chosen admits. Class sizes are generally smaller than the usual MBA programs. MIT admits approximately 110 students, LBS about 60, and Stanford takes in around 80 students for its Master’s. The participants are senior executives, experienced leaders and mid-career professionals. The table below classifies the expected eligibility criteria, and other requirements for the three schools under the Sloan Fellows legacy.
MIT
| LBS
| Stanford
| | |
Work Experience
| >10 years with leadership achievements |
Average Class Profile: >18 years with high achieving career |
>8 years
|
Preferably >5 years Management Exp. |
| GMAT
/GRE
(GMAT Waivers available) | |||
Admission Requirements
| – Transcripts |
– Resume – Cover Letter – Essay – Video Statement – 2 LORs – Organizational Chart – App. Fee: $250 – Interview – Transcripts
|
– TOEFL/IELTS/PTE and Cambridge – Transcripts. No min. GPA |
– TOEFL(>100 iBT & 600 PBT)/IELTS(>7)/ PTE (>68) – Resume – 3 LORs – Essay – Interview – App. Fee: $275 |
Deadlines
| R1: September |
R2: December R3: February R1: March |
R2: May R3: July (Final deadline for non UK/EU candidates) R4: September R1: September |
R2: January R3: March |
So, if you are looking to reinvent your career, using your accomplishments for the bigger and better, we urge you to explore this program and see how it paves the path towards fulfilling your vision.
MBA Crystal Ball has helped several applicants over 30 – 35 years get into the Sloan Fellows program. Here are a couple of stories:
– Stanford MSx admission story: GMAT, essay tips for one-year MBA at Stanford
– Second MBA degree abroad (USA) with scholarship after 30 from Sloan Fellows
We’ve also helped senior applicants (around 40 years of age) get into the Nanyang Fellows MBA in Singapore. That’s another option to consider if you’re looking for a more affordable program in Asia.
Drop us a line if you need help with your Sloan Fellows application: info [at] mbacrystalball [dot] com
Sources: 1,2,3,4
Hi Sameer,
I have almost 7.5 years for IT experience which includes a short Onsite experience in Kuala Lumpur. I had appeared for CAT last year but didnt fair well. My Career includes 10th – 89.8% , 12th – 78.8 %, B.Tech(Computer Science) – 9.04 & even was adjudged as the best Student of my BTech batch.Apart from my job, i have spend quite sometime contributing the society via Educare etc. I am willingly to complete MBA from a good B-School but need guidance on proper preparation for GMAT .
What would be the future implications after completing this degree?
Regards,
Rajib
Hi Sameer,
I stumbled upon your site while looking for GMAT material , by looking at your post and replies to each question couldn’t stop myself from acknowledging your efforts and willingness to share knowledge. I am also in dilemma over doing MBA , I have 19 years of IT /software engineering experience and I am currently at mid-level managerial position. I am not sure whether I should opt for 1 year full time MBA at this point in my career , I am looking forward to move from software service to software product management hierarchy. Do you think MBA degree will be beneficial in this case and is it worth to do 1 year full time MBA from good school at this time.
Thanks
Sameer.
Hi! I’m a BBA graduate. I’m planning on giving GRE over GMAT to pursue my MBA in the US a few years from now. Will GRE do? If so what would be its advantages and disadvantages over GMAT?
Also, would GRE be enough in case I only want to do Msc in marketing in the US?
Dear Sameer,
i am a big fan of your site. I am following your site from last 6 months continuously.
I am in a confusion.
I am a 8 years experience Software Developer (.Net, C#, Oracle, Sql Server, JavaScript etc.).
in IT industry.
Currently i am in CMMI level V company in Kolkata location from last two years.
My designation is Associate IT Consultant.
But In My current company, from last two year i am working on old version of microsoft(Asp.Net 2.0) where
in the market there are new versions came like 3.0, 3.5,4.0,4.5….
So i am lacking the current market trend.
Also i have been feeling from last three years that i am not comfortable in Dot net. I am interested in management. For this reason i have given MAT and joined PGDBM course in IISWBM kolkata.
Could you please help me …To become a Sr. management role. How would go further..
I am not in hurry.. I want to go step by step…
Now first target is to get a job of Manager… So what skill sets are required ….means how do i skill myself for this level.
Also I am a average student with B.sc General from CU (Year 2002), MCA from IGNOU (Year 2007).
My current package is 7 lac.
Please advise….
i am waiting for your reply….
Thanks & Regards
Arup S
Hi,
I have 8 years of Experience Semiconductors Industry(Integrated Circuit Design And Verification), Currently working with Qualcomm Inc, Sandiego on H1b.I hold Btech degree with 8.0 Cgpa. Currently i am planning to switch towards Program Management in Same Platform which i am working. I am in dilemma whether to go for Online MEM or FlexMBA preferably recognized Universities. Can you please guide me what would better option for me? Considering i need to work aswell study part-time.
@Rajib: Not sure what you mean by ‘implications’. As a general rule, your bank balance will go down in the short term, but hopefully your career graph will go up in the long run. But only if you choose the right school and for the right reasons. Read up on the articles we’ve published on this site. Also, talk to folks who’ve gone through the experience.
@Sameer: You’ve moved away from the typical profile that one year MBA programs attract. The options we’ve listed in the article above may fit you better, since you’ll have mature classmates with a lot of experience.
@Nivedan: For an MBA, most bschools have started accepting both – GRE and GMAT. For MS programs, GRE is still the preferred option.
@Arup: The ideal approach would’ve been for you to do the research before enrolling in any course. I’d assume the program you’ve joined doesn’t get folks with your profile and experience. Start networking with managers in the industry to understand what skills are needed to excel in that role. And find ways to build those skills.
@Prasad: Talk to the HR at Qualcomm to understand if they’d value either of the degrees you’re planning to join. If they don’t sound too enthusiastic, the signs are clear that the degree won’t help you in your vertical ascent.
@Sameer Kamat:
I have 8.5 years of work experience as Software Engineer with multiple onsite experiences at united Kingdom, Australia and west Indies. I am looking forward to apply for MBA and would want to know what kind of courses would be better for me. I have always been an individual contributor.
And I would like to accelerate my career with MBA from a good B school. Could you please suggest some good programs.
What could a self sponsored mid career (aged 40, salary presently around usd 130,000) expect to gain from mit sloan fellow mba? I know they say no placement assistance but does that mean noone would hire an mit sfmba right after program?
I couldnt find the salary figures of the sfmba at all. Any help would help me prepare for next year intake. Thanks a lot
Very interesting article. I would be interested to know more about the differences with the EMBA programs though.
I would appreciate having the opportunity to talk to the MBA Crystal Ball Directly. Possible?
Stanford does accept the EA. You might want to add that. Thx!
Hi,
Very organized piece of information in one page. I am looking for more info on whether placements of MIT Fellows or other two school fellows. Are they treated same like full time MBA while applying for jobs in campus. What is the first hand report on that please.
Hi
I am an engineering graduate, having 16 years of experience, working in technical project management domain.
I am looking forward for MBA, however after reading this information, I am bit confused about which course to pursue.
I want a career shift and found this interesting. However the fees looks unaffordable and have family commitments as a mother too.
Can you please guide me further on suitable MBA.
Hi Sir,
I completed my Graduation in 2017 and have been working since. Currently with Standard Chartered Bank with an overall experience of 5 years now.
I am looking to study MBA or MSc Business in the UK, what would you recommend strongly, and which universities I can look at for the Jan’23 intake?
Is Uni of Strathclyde or Dundee good ?
Hi Sameer,
I read your book “Beyond the MBA Hype” in the year 2012 when I was about to take a plunge to a Tier-3 MBA program in the US. Your book changed my mind to not pursue that program even though I was offered 50% tuition waiver and a chance to start as a Graduate Assistant with 100% tuition waiver.
It has been a long while now and I have progressed in my career. I am having 16.5 years of experience in ICT industry mainly in offshore Techno-commercial roles such as pre-sales and business consulting for Telecom, IT Infra Services.
I still feel that missing element in my profile and think what would I have achieved if only I would have taken the plunge to do that MBA.
Could you please suggest any program for me that can help me elevate my career and start afresh at more senior roles in different geographies?
I am looking for a program which is affordable but effective and can help me move to other geographies such as North America or Europe.
Thanks & Regards.
Good decision in 2012. Skipping a low-value degree is better than falling for a discount and paying 50% for it.
Coming to your query, I assume you’ve already considered the Sloan Fellows. The branding is topnotch, the fit would be good, but the expenses are high.
Other than those, we’ve also helped senior professionals for the Nanyang Fellows program. It’s in Singapore, so the costs are lower. But again, it won’t give you access to American and European opportunities.
One-year MBA programs in Europe might also be worth looking at.
Thanks for your quick response Sameer.
I would love to be a Sloan Fellow. Other than the unmatched experience it can provide, I am also looking at the ROI and payback time of this program, specifically the one offered by LBS.
Also, would you please recommend any specific one-year European MBA programs with good ROI?