Calling all Applicants: INSEAD August 2024 Intake : INSEAD - Page 2

rajatsiwach wrote:2021 batch Undergrad, CGPA: 9.04, GMAT: 720, 6 weeks Aiesec internship in greece (volunteer work), state level Basketball (twice) and Badminton (once), two merit based scholarship during undergrad, internship at Samsung Electronics, 10 months FT at a startup - Koinly (really good relationship with founder for a LOR), 1.5 years at ZS Associates as DAA - coordinating with US clients and other stakeholders and Argentina team members.

@MBAPrepCoach could you please review this profile as well

Hi requesting a profile evaluation- Indian female with 4 years of work ex as a data science consultant at a fortune global 500 company. Have lead teams of 3, so have leadership experience and have worked with international clients throughout my tenure.
Masters and Bachelors in Economics.
Masters GPA- 7.83, Undergrad %age- 78.65%
GMAT- 730(Q48, V42, IR5, AWA-yet to come)
Have some volunteering experience as a teacher volunteer and have held leadership positions in clubs in my undergrad.

Hi requesting a profile evaluation- Indian female with 4 years of work ex as a data science consultant at a fortune global 500 company. Have lead teams of 3, so have leadership experience and have worked with international clients throughout my tenure.
Masters and Bachelors in Economics.
Masters GPA- 7.83, Undergrad %age- 78.65%
GMAT- 730(Q48, V42, IR5, AWA-yet to come)
Have some volunteering experience as a teacher volunteer and have held leadership positions in clubs in my undergrad.

rajatsiwach wrote:@MBAPrepCoach could you please review this profile as well

Hi there, my concern is that you’re just too young or you graduated from college just too recently. INSEAD really prefers seasoned applicants and I really think you need at least three or four years out to be competitive, preferably five or six.
I have helped someone with your level of experience get in, but he had a very impressive track record of impact. They say that they generally require more experience because it takes that long to have that level of impact, which isn’t always the case but it’s the exception. Research the value add/impact/long term value you delivered at ZS, and at a startup you should be prime positioned to show results and evidence of moving the needle.
I do think that you want to bump up your GMAT a little bit or take the GRE if you feel you have maxed out the GMAT. There are so many Indian male engineering applicants and with the country 13% max, they are spoiled for choice when it comes to the GMAT.
I really like the international internship, and I think experience in Greece is somewhat unique. Incidentally I won a scholarship in high school to live in Greece. It was pretty confusing with the Cyrillic alphabet lol. I like that you’re dealing with Argentinian team members. As you know you need to have an exit language and so you might want to start studying Spanish if you haven’t already. This might show more solid intentions with INSEAD.

Hi - you mind be interested in reading this article that INSEAD asked to publish; I had asked people from this thread to provide insight on why they got admitted. Mostly Indians so should be helpful. https://intheknow.insead.edu/blog/insead-admit-stories

sv2023 wrote:Hi requesting a profile evaluation- Indian female with 4 years of work ex as a data science consultant at a fortune global 500 company. Have lead teams of 3, so have leadership experience and have worked with international clients throughout my tenure. Masters and Bachelors in Economics. Masters GPA- 7.83, Undergrad %age- 78.65% GMAT- 730(Q48, V42, IR5, AWA-yet to come) Have some volunteering experience as a teacher volunteer and have held leadership positions in clubs in my undergrad.

@MBAPrepCoach could you please review my profile as well.

sure will do later however

Sure, Thankyou so much for the revert.

Hello sv2023,
I hope you are doing good. Your profile appears strong and well-suited for the INSEAD MBA program, known for its global focus and emphasis on diverse experiences. Your academic background in Economics with strong GPAs for both your Masters's and Bachelor's indicates your academic excellence. Also, a GMAT score of 730 is competitive and meets INSEAD's average GMAT range.

Coming to your work experience, your four years of experience as a data science consultant at a Fortune Global 500 company, including leading teams and collaborating with international clients, demonstrates your ability to thrive in diverse and challenging environments. INSEAD values candidates with international exposure, which you have through your work. Your international client interactions demonstrate your global mindset and ability to collaborate across cultures. Leading teams of 3 showcase your leadership skills and responsibilities. This aligns well with INSEAD's emphasis on leadership potential, which they believe can be developed at various levels.

Speaking about your ECs, your involvement in leadership positions and volunteering during your undergrad shows your well-roundedness and commitment to contributing beyond academics and work. INSEAD places great importance on your application essays and recommendation letters. Use these to convey your personal and professional journey, showcasing your leadership, global perspective, and alignment with INSEAD's values. Highlight instances where you've adapted to new cultures or diverse teams. INSEAD values candidates who can thrive in a multicultural environment. Clearly articulate your post-MBA goals and explain how an INSEAD MBA would help you achieve them. Be specific about the resources and opportunities at INSEAD that are relevant to your aspirations.

Your profile seems to align well with INSEAD's values and what they look for in candidates. Focus on crafting a compelling application that tells your unique story, showcases your leadership and adaptability, and highlights your potential contributions to the program and beyond.

Good luck with your INSEAD MBA application!

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

sv2023 wrote:Hi requesting a profile evaluation- Indian female with 4 years of work ex as a data science consultant at a fortune global 500 company. Have lead teams of 3, so have leadership experience and have worked with international clients throughout my tenure.
Masters and Bachelors in Economics.
Masters GPA- 7.83, Undergrad %age- 78.65%
GMAT- 730(Q48, V42, IR5, AWA-yet to come)
Have some volunteering experience as a teacher volunteer and have held leadership positions in clubs in my undergrad.

Hi requesting a profile evaluation- Indian female with 4 years of work ex as a data science consultant at a fortune global 500 company. Have lead teams of 3, so have leadership experience and have worked with international clients throughout my tenure.
Masters and Bachelors in Economics.
Masters GPA- 7.83, Undergrad %age- 78.65%
GMAT- 730(Q48, V42, IR5, AWA-yet to come)
Have some volunteering experience as a teacher volunteer and have held leadership positions in clubs in my undergrad.

_________________

MBAPrepCoach wrote:Hi there, my concern is that you’re just too young or you graduated from college just too recently. INSEAD really prefers seasoned applicants and I really think you need at least three or four years out to be competitive, preferably five or six. I have helped someone with your level of experience get in, but he had a very impressive track record of impact. They say that they generally require more experience because it takes that long to have that level of impact, which isn’t always the case but it’s the exception. Research the value add/impact/long term value you delivered at ZS, and at a startup you should be prime positioned to show results and evidence of moving the needle. I do think that you want to bump up your GMAT a little bit or take the GRE if you feel you have maxed out the GMAT. There are so many Indian male engineering applicants and with the country 13% max, they are spoiled for choice when it comes to the GMAT. I really like the international internship, and I think experience in Greece is somewhat unique. Incidentally I won a scholarship in high school to live in Greece. It was pretty confusing with the Cyrillic alphabet lol. I like that you’re dealing with Argentinian team members. As you know you need to have an exit language and so you might want to start studying Spanish if you haven’t already. This might show more solid intentions with INSEAD.

Thanks a lot for sharing the link and for the detailed review, really insightful. For the gmat, I am working on it to push it to 740-750. Also, regarding the work ex, I am planning to apply for the batch of 2025-2026 (expecting a promotion before I apply). Insead is dream school for me, as I am currently in consulting and want to pursue consulting (preferably in Middle east) and all these parameters align with Insead the most. I am here early so that I can identify and work upon my weaknesses, not preferring but I am even ready to go for the 2026-27 batch but before I do that I want to know whether I have a realistic chance for Insead (as I am an Indian Engineer Male). Also, hands down, the experience in Greece was great

Round 1 application deadline for the MBA August 2024 intake (Class of July 2025): 12 September 2023 (11:59 pm - Central European Summer Time).

Hi,

Looking for a profile evaluation - target program is INSEAD MBA, not interested at all in any other B-school nor in EMBA.
Applying for R2 (class of J25).
Bunch of friends and family graduated from INSEAD, and pushing strong since ages, so already having tons of insights - and also in desperate need for a 150% independent eye.

Non MBA classical background - European man, 40 yo, 15+ years of work, mixing entrepreneurship, mechanical engineering with a blue chip firm, few years consulting with a B4 firm, and now currently working in a role in between technical expertise and sales development with a global insurance group.

Corporate leadership experience with entrepreneurship (teams up to 10) and consulting (managed 5 junior consultants within the scope of missions), now having a role with dotted line management.

Significant international exposure since 6 years (Europe/South East Asia/Middle East/Latin America), lived abroad years ago, life partner abroad.

Graduated in France - Master's in engineering from top-3 college (graduated as a full time working student with a 3.5 GPA), and Master's in management with a major in quantitative finance from one of the top 3 French business schools, both with Honors.

GMAT : 710

MBA goals :
Strong achievements and demonstrated adaptability and ability to manage complexity, but always in quant stuff or organizational challenges, and unfortunately sticking to that for too long now.
Three targets : (i) break the dual 'quant and organization expert' paradigm for good, (ii) reposition to sales/business development and/or strategy in financial services and get access to general management positions, (iii) change geography.
Too late for aiming non realistic MBB or IB goals, but quite open to any interesting opportunities anyway - who knows ?

Thx!

FrenchyQuant

I am not stating whether you will be accepted or not. I am merely recognizing that schools have valid concerns about older applicants, including potential issues such as being too set in their ways, incompatibility with a younger cohort, post-MBA salary expectations, challenges in finding suitable and age and experience appropriate opportunities through the placement process, opportunity cost, and similar factors.

It never hurts to have a frank conversation with the adcoms office and show your genuine interest in understanding what is expected of more experienced applicants. INSEAD takes note of serious applicants with strong profiles who try to build a connection with the school. If anything, this increases the chances of admission. The MBA cohorts are super selective when it comes to very young or very old applicants, and the conversion rate decreases with age in the full-time MBA cohort (this is a fact and the reason why schools offer Executive MBA as an alternative).

Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hello,
I am requesting a profile evaluation. Did the GMAT online today and did not go as expected so now I am a bit worried about that and asking for advice.
I was planning on applying for round 1, application is basically done with the help of an admission consultant and was just waiting for the GMAT.

Target program: INSEAD MBA
Italian, Male, 29, 3 years of work experience in Finance for a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas company

Undergraduate in Development Economics and International cooperation with 106/110
Msc in Business Administration with 108/110
Both of them from an italian public university - not strong international recognition unfortunately

Very strong international exposure, half of my team is around the world, and I work everyday with international teams. I have won a company award for the "Care" Value and one for enhancing my soft skills through a leadership course. Not much formal leadership experience, some informal leadership experience (managed some important projects and mentored 2 people)

GMAT: 670 (Q49, V33, IR 5)
IELTS 8.0 (Reading 9.0 Listening 8.5 Speaking 7.5 Writing 7.0)

On my application I'm stressing the diversity of my profile (coming from a humanistic background in high school, studied mixed topics in undergrad). Interested in switching to the tech sector. Very reflective and self-improving. Former competitive gymnast.
I have good recommendation letters from 2 Senior Finance Managers.

Thanks to everyone who will help me

P.S. just for knowledge I got a stronger than expected mark in Quant, and a much weaker than expected in Verbal. Usually ranging aroung Q46 V42. Wondering if I should wait for Round 2 or later and focus in improving the GMAT score

Kudron wrote:Hello,
I am requesting a profile evaluation. Did the GMAT online today and did not go as expected so now I am a bit worried about that and asking for advice.
I was planning on applying for round 1, application is basically done with the help of an admission consultant and was just waiting for the GMAT.

Target program: INSEAD MBA
Italian, Male, 29, 3 years of work experience in Finance for a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas company

Undergraduate in Development Economics and International cooperation with 106/110
Msc in Business Administration with 108/110
Both of them from an italian public university - not strong international recognition unfortunately

Very strong international exposure, half of my team is around the world, and I work everyday with international teams. I have won a company award for the "Care" Value and one for enhancing my soft skills through a leadership course. Not much formal leadership experience, some informal leadership experience (managed some important projects and mentored 2 people)

GMAT: 670 (Q49, V33, IR 5)
IELTS 8.0 (Reading 9.0 Listening 8.5 Speaking 7.5 Writing 7.0)

On my application I'm stressing the diversity of my profile (coming from a humanistic background in high school, studied mixed topics in undergrad). Interested in switching to the tech sector. Very reflective and self-improving. Former competitive gymnast.
I have good recommendation letters from 2 Senior Finance Managers.

Thanks to everyone who will help me

P.S. just for knowledge I got a stronger than expected mark in Quant, and a much weaker than expected in Verbal. Usually ranging aroung Q46 V42. Wondering if I should wait for Round 2 or later and focus in improving the GMAT score

Kudron hope you are doing well

I am an INSEAD graduate and ex-INSEAD MBA interviewer.

It's great that you did so much better than expected on the quantitative section. From my conversations with INSEAD teams when I was a student there, INSEAD pays special attention to the Quant score (as the curriculum is extremely rigorous and analytical) and compares it to your demographic average. INSEAD is much more lenient in the verbal section for non-native speakers (like you) as long as you can convince the school that the score does not reflect on your ability to participate in classroom discussions which are a significant part of your INSEAD grade.

That being said, your profile is solid, especially your background in finance and business (easy to sail through 1st 2 terms) and global exposure. Since you are already done with the application, I hope you have thoroughly addressed the aspects INSEAD seeks.

My advice would be to go ahead if you are very confident about your application.

Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hello MBAGuide, thanks for your kind reply.

The point of the clarification about the admission consultant was that the rest of my application is as good as it can get for my profile at the present moment, I don't see any major improvement coming in the next few months, and already worked a lot to perfection it. The thought of a lower-than-average GMAT however is holding me off since I'm afraid of burning my chance.

Thanks for your reassurance though, much appreciated

Has anyone got a rejection mail yet? Or do you just assume?

MBAGuide Hi, and thanks for your reply.

Actually, I see things the other way: why wouldn't they accept?

FrenchyQuant wrote:

MBAGuide wrote:

FrenchyQuant INSEAD Alumna here. Your profile is solid for INSEAD. But since you mentioned that you are not interested in EMBA/GEMBA, its better you block sometime with the INSEAD admissions office to get firsthand clarity on whether they would even entertain a profile of a 40+ student in the regular MBA class. If you get a positive read, surely go ahead and apply, but for all I can say, any advice that you receive on this forum is all speculation due to your very specific requirements. Otherwise, you check all the boxes for getting an admit, so you would be a good fit. --- Hi, thanks for your reply. Actually, I see things the other way: in 2023, why wouldn’t they accept?

@FrenchyQuant

I am not stating whether you will be accepted or not. I am merely recognizing that schools have valid concerns about older applicants, including potential issues such as being too set in their ways, incompatibility with a younger cohort, post-MBA salary expectations, challenges in finding suitable and age and experience appropriate opportunities through the placement process, opportunity cost, and similar factors.

It never hurts to have a frank conversation with the adcoms office and show your genuine interest in understanding what is expected of more experienced applicants. INSEAD takes note of serious applicants with strong profiles who try to build a connection with the school. If anything, this increases the chances of admission. The MBA cohorts are super selective when it comes to very young or very old applicants, and the conversion rate decreases with age in the full-time MBA cohort (this is a fact and the reason why schools offer Executive MBA as an alternative).

Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hey FrenchyQuant,

I hope you are doing good. Your profile looks good on the surface. You have a strong and diverse background that can be an asset when applying to INSEAD's MBA program. Graduating from a top engineering college and a leading French business school with honors is a strong academic foundation. Your quantitative finance major could be particularly valuable if you're looking to transition into roles in financial services. While a GMAT score of 710 is competitive enough to meet their admissions standards. Your other strengths may help to add to this.

Your combination of entrepreneurship, mechanical engineering, consulting, and sales development roles demonstrates your versatility and adaptability in different professional settings. This diversity can be a valuable asset in a top-tier MBA program like INSEAD. Your significant international experience aligns well with INSEAD's global focus. Your ability to work across various regions and cultures can contribute to the program's diverse and collaborative environment.

Your well-defined post-MBA goals, including shifting from a "quant and organization expert" role to sales/business development or strategy in financial services, are specific and realistic. Additionally, your desire to change geography aligns with INSEAD's international perspective. At 40 years old, you are on the older end of the MBA applicant spectrum. While INSEAD does admit applicants with more experience, they tend to prefer candidates with 5-10 years of experience. However, your extensive experience can bring a unique perspective to the class.

Given your unique background and clear goals, you have a compelling case for admission to INSEAD's MBA program. It's essential to craft a strong application that highlights your accomplishments, international exposure, and ability to contribute to the program's diverse and collaborative community. Additionally, consider how you can address any concerns about your age and GMAT score in your application and interviews.

Good luck with your application to INSEAD!

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

FrenchyQuant wrote:Hi,

Looking for a profile evaluation - target program is INSEAD MBA, not interested at all in any other B-school nor in EMBA.
Applying for R2 (class of J25).
Bunch of friends and family graduated from INSEAD, and pushing strong since ages, so already having tons of insights - and also in desperate need for a 150% independent eye.

Non MBA classical background - European man, 40 yo, 15+ years of work, mixing entrepreneurship, mechanical engineering with a blue chip firm, few years consulting with a B4 firm, and now currently working in a role in between technical expertise and sales development with a global insurance group.

Corporate leadership experience with entrepreneurship (teams up to 10) and consulting (managed 5 junior consultants within the scope of missions), now having a role with dotted line management.

Significant international exposure since 6 years (Europe/South East Asia/Middle East/Latin America), lived abroad years ago, life partner abroad.

Graduated in France - Master's in engineering from top-3 college (graduated as a full time working student with a 3.5 GPA), and Master's in management with a major in quantitative finance from one of the top 3 French business schools, both with Honors.

GMAT : 710

MBA goals :
Strong achievements and demonstrated adaptability and ability to manage complexity, but always in quant stuff or organizational challenges, and unfortunately sticking to that for too long now.
Three targets : (i) break the dual 'quant and organization expert' paradigm for good, (ii) reposition to sales/business development and/or strategy in financial services and get access to general management positions, (iii) change geography.
Too late for aiming non realistic MBB or IB goals, but quite open to any interesting opportunities anyway - who knows ?

Thx!

_________________

Hello Kudron,

I hope you are doing good. Your profile has several strengths that can make you a competitive applicant for INSEAD's MBA program. Your undergraduate and master's degrees are from an Italian public university and your international exposure and the diverse nature of your academic background (Development Economics to Business Administration) demonstrate your adaptability and a broad skill set. Your GMAT score of 670 is slightly below INSEAD's average GMAT score, which is typically around 710-720. Your Quant score is solid, but the Verbal score is lower than desired. It's great that you recognize that Verbal is your weaker area. Improving your Verbal score could significantly boost your overall GMAT score and make your application more competitive.

Your experience working with international teams aligns well with INSEAD's global perspective and diverse student body. Winning company awards is a positive indication of your contributions and commitment to your organization's values. While you may not have formal leadership titles, your experience managing important projects and mentoring individuals showcases your leadership potential. Your journey from a humanistic background to finance and your interest in transitioning to the tech sector can make you stand out as a unique candidate. Strong recommendations from Senior Finance Managers will add credibility to your application.

Considering your profile and aspirations, waiting to apply in Round 2 or later to improve your GMAT score could be a prudent decision. Applying in Round 2 or Round 3 with a stronger GMAT score can improve your chances of admission. However, ensure that you submit a well-prepared application with a compelling story and showcase how INSEAD aligns with your goals.

Taking the time to improve your GMAT score and applying in a later round with a stronger application can enhance your chances of securing a spot in INSEAD's MBA program. Remember that the admissions committee looks at your entire application, so make sure your essays, recommendations, and interview performance are all strong as well.

Good luck!

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

Kudron wrote:Hello,
I am requesting a profile evaluation. Did the GMAT online today and did not go as expected so now I am a bit worried about that and asking for advice.
I was planning on applying for round 1, application is basically done with the help of an admission consultant and was just waiting for the GMAT.

Target program: INSEAD MBA
Italian, Male, 29, 3 years of work experience in Finance for a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas company

Undergraduate in Development Economics and International cooperation with 106/110
Msc in Business Administration with 108/110
Both of them from an italian public university - not strong international recognition unfortunately

Very strong international exposure, half of my team is around the world, and I work everyday with international teams. I have won a company award for the "Care" Value and one for enhancing my soft skills through a leadership course. Not much formal leadership experience, some informal leadership experience (managed some important projects and mentored 2 people)

GMAT: 670 (Q49, V33, IR 5)
IELTS 8.0 (Reading 9.0 Listening 8.5 Speaking 7.5 Writing 7.0)

On my application I'm stressing the diversity of my profile (coming from a humanistic background in high school, studied mixed topics in undergrad). Interested in switching to the tech sector. Very reflective and self-improving. Former competitive gymnast.
I have good recommendation letters from 2 Senior Finance Managers.

Thanks to everyone who will help me

P.S. just for knowledge I got a stronger than expected mark in Quant, and a much weaker than expected in Verbal. Usually ranging aroung Q46 V42. Wondering if I should wait for Round 2 or later and focus in improving the GMAT score

_________________

FYI, INSEAD’s Aug intake Round 1 application deadline is September 12th