Picture this scenario, if you’re not already living it: you’re approaching your mid-30’s. Career is going great, and so do your personal finances. But for some reason, you feel a need for change brewing. Maybe it’s that unrelenting relocation dream. Or a vision of a career pivot, shifting industry and role. Or it might just be an appetite for making a broader impact. Whatever fuels your need for change, three elite business schools believe they have figured a solution: the Sloan Fellows programs.
In Between Traditional and Executive MBA
You’ve passed the mark of traditional MBAs that cater for young careerists with ~5 years of experience. An Executive MBA for the silver-haired is too far along the road, and also not geared toward the kind of transformation you are seeking. This is where MIT, Stanford and London Business School’s Sloan Fellows program comes in.
Designed for mid-career professionals with ~15 years of experience, Sloan Fellows blends together aspects of both the traditional and Executive MBA. Like the former, it is residential and full-time, allowing participants to immerse themselves in a fast-paced, high-energy educational environment. Also like an MBA, they do so while studying alongside diverse peers from all over the world, in a program tailored toward recruitment. Like an EMBA, however, it lasts one-year, such that foundational courses fall by the wayside in favor of real-world learning and practical skill building.
Different Locations, Different Approaches
So who does it best, MIT, Stanford or LBS? The answer, as might be expected, depends on one’s profile and preferences.
The US programs definitely share more similarities between themselves, compared to that of the UK. Both Stanford and MIT are nestled in technology and life sciences hubs, putting a premium on innovation and entrepreneurial approach. Their experience threshold is more flexible, with a lower bar for minimum experience. Finally, they have larger cohorts, are costlier, and, of course, appeal to the US-oriented.
In contrast, LBS keeps its cohorts smaller, but much more international. With its strategic location in London, it boasts engagements with not only world-class technology employers but also ones from finance, consumer packaged goods and other industry segments characteristic of a major metropolitan area. Another notable difference is that it is currently the most lenient on standardized tests, accepting applicants with no GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment (EA).
Program comparison (2023 cohorts at MIT & Stanford; 2022 at LBS):
| Feature/School | MIT Sloan | Stanford GSB | London Business School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Name | Sloan Fellows MBA Program | Master of Science and Management for Experienced Leaders (MSx) | Sloan Masters In Leadership & Strategy |
| Required Test | GMAT, GRE or EA | GMAT, GRE or EA | GMAT, GRE or EA are encouraged, not required |
| Minimum Work Experience | 10 Years | 8 Years | 12 Years |
| Average Work Experience | 15 | 13 | 18 |
| Program Length | 12 months, June to May | 12 months, July to June | 12 months, January to December |
| Class Size | 109 students | 84 students | 52 students |
| Tuition Fee | $141,204 | $133,600 | $77,300 (converted from GBP) |
| International Students | 70% | 68% | 94% |
| Women | 37% | 37% | 21% |
| Immigration Benefits | 3 years of working in the US | 3 years of working in the US | 2 years of working in the UK |
In a world where traditional MBAs are like the reliable old sedans and EMBAs are like the luxury SUVs, Sloan Fellows programs are the sporty hybrids that take the best of both worlds. They are designed to accelerate your professional development without taking you out of the job market for too long. Which one is right for you? Detailed research coupled with student feedback can go a long way to helping you decide.
