Ways to Learn More about MIT LGO Engineering/MBA Program

By Leah Schouten
LGO Admissions and Career Development Coordinator

As fall is swiftly approaching, applicants are beginning to gear-up for graduate admissions season. Though the application process may seem daunting, at MIT LGO we strive to make things as smooth and transparent as possible. I hope that the rest of this blog will help you find ways to learn more about MIT LGO as well as answer some basic questions about the admissions process.

How can I learn more about the LGO program?

The new MIT LGO brochure: We are excited to release our new LGO brochure. Download the brochure here to uncover the history and mission of LGO, learn about the academic program, read alumni profiles, explore internship opportunities, and discover what sets MIT LGO apart from all other programs.


To learn more about LGO, download our new brochure!

LGO Ambassadors program: We invite you to participate in our student-run Ambassadors Program. While hosted by current LGOs, you will attend classes, enjoy lunch, walk around campus, and have the opportunity to interact with LGO students, faculty, and staff. The Ambassadors Program is scheduled in the fall semester and will provide the chance to experience a day in the life of an LGO. To schedule your visit, please email visit-lgo@mit.edu.

Ambassador Day & Information Evening: Our annual Ambassador Day & Information Evening has been scheduled for October 25th, 2010. During this highly interactive day and night session, you will attend classes, tour MIT, listen to student and alumni panels, hear a presentation from the program director, and get all your questions answered. To RSVP, please email lgo@mit.edu.

Student Blogs: We are thrilled to introduce a new group of LGO student bloggers from the newly admitted Class of 2012. Reading first and second year blogs will give you a fun and informal inside view of what LGO is all about. We encourage you to connect with our student bloggers, http://lgo-blog.mit.edu/.

LGO/MBA Online Chat: Join MIT Sloan and an LGO admissions representative on the next MBA online chat on August 25th, 2010 at 12 noon. Visit the MIT Sloan MBA website for more details.

What are the application basics?

Submit your application to LGO through either the MIT Sloan School of Management or the MIT School of Engineering by December 15, 2010. The application must include:

• Cover letter (if applying through MIT Sloan) or Statement of Objectives (if applying through MIT School of Engineering)


• Five essays


• Resume


• Three letters of recommendation


• Transcripts


• Test scores

For complete details, be sure to visit our Admissions Process section.

Interviews

LGO interviews are conducted by invitation only. We will send interview invitations beginning in January.

Stay in the Loop

Would you like to receive regular updates from LGO? Be sure to fill out a student profile.

Other Resources

For more details on the MIT LGO admissions process:

• Visit our comprehensive FAQ section.


• Email us at lgo@mit.edu.

International Operations Learning & Leadership: Bridging the Gap Between Shanghai and Cambridge

By Dan O’Sullivan

For one week in July, the MIT Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program had an even stronger international flavor than usual. The occasion: LGO-CLGO Cross-Cultural Week, which featured a visit from 18 students from the China Leaders for Global Operations (CLGO) program.

This marked the first time LGO had hosted CLGO students. The Boston leg of the trip, which took place July 9-16, included a cross-cultural norms workshop, plant treks and social activities. Students from both sides hailed the visit as a success.

"Not only did we get a better understanding about the U.S., MIT and LGO, but we also learned about cross-cultural differences, international cooperation and leadership," said Tim Hu, CLGO '12, who helped organize the trip on the CLGO side. "Above all, we developed friendships with LGO '12 students."

"The visit opened a new line of communication between the CLGO and LGO groups that will create opportunities in both business and friendship — both of which we will be able to foster during our academic careers and beyond" added CLGO Visit Committee co-chair Pam Chuang, LGO '12.

Gaining Cross-Cultural Insights
One of the week's highlights was the cross-cultural communication session led by instructor Leigh Hafrey. The workshop allowed LGO and CLGO students to share insights into the business traditions and practices of their respective countries.


Cross-cultural workshop led by Professor Leigh Halfrey

"The session introduced our LGO class to perspectives we would never have encountered otherwise," said CLGO Visit Committee co-chair Ethan Xu, LGO '12. "In the future, it will be even more important for the LGO class to experience global perspectives firsthand. The LGO-CLGO Cross-Cultural Week, Lion Team projects and our class' planned visit to China will play a large part in facilitating further understanding."


LGO and CLGO students engage in case discussion

On the morning of July 13, CLGO students sat in on classes with LGO students. That afternoon, all students were split into two groups for plant treks to the Staples Fulfillment Center in Putnam, Conn., and Gorton's of Gloucester. Three days later, CLGO students participated in a leadership class with LGO students, followed by a plant trek to the Amazon facility in Nashua, N.H.

Throughout the week, LGO and CLGO students bonded during meals, a Boston Duck Tour, whale watch, Blue Man Group show and other outings. Before heading home, CLGO students also spent time sightseeing in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Establishing an Annual Tradition
For Hu and his classmates, LGO-CLGO Cross-Cultural Week was a memorable experience. "We learned a lot from and about LGO '12 students," said Hu, who was part of a team that welcomed LGO '11 students to Shanghai in March. "They are definitely smart, diligent and passionate about what they are doing — the best MBA students on the planet.

"This visit to the U.S. was a milestone for both the CLGO program and CLGO students personally. We look forward to further interactions with LGO."

Moving forward, it is expected that CLGO summer visits to MIT will become an annual tradition.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University established CLGO with the academic support of MIT and LGO in 2005. Just like their LGO counterparts, CLGO students earn master's degrees in engineering and management, and complete a six-month internship.