I am writing this post to share my experience of applying for IMD, getting waitlisted and then finally being rejected last year. The experience was worth it. However; looking back last year, I could have managed it better and avoided some mistakes. I hope my posting will help others to avoid same mistakes. IMD is still my dream school. Unfortunately, I could not make the cut for IMD.
1- Like me, a number of applicants only apply to IMD. It’s understandable. Most of such applicants tend to be in late 20’s and early 30’s and they have very limited school options left. Don’t do that. There are other EU schools which are “old age” friendly. If you have followed GMAT club closely, you’d notice a number of applicants looked for other options after being waitlisted from IMD. For most, it’s late for that year. Considering they are already on borderline when come to age, such scenario put them at great disadvantage. If they were young, they could have gotten admission in INSEAD or other US schools.
2- A number of slightly younger applicants apply to both IMD and INSEAD. I have not heard of any one who was accepted by IMD but rejected by INSEAD (other way round is possible). So plan carefully if you fall into that category.
3- Although IMD claims that it does not make a difference if you get an early interview call in a particular round, in experience it does. If you have read last years forum postings, you’ll notice the clear pattern. Earlier the better.
4- IMD seems to be obsessed with collection of nationalities in the class makeup and rightly so. However; this put applicants from certain nationalities at clear disadvantage. Most affected are Indians followed by Chinese and Russians. If you’re from Hong Kong, that’s great.
5- It seems IMD hardly rejects the applicants upfront and keeps them in waiting list till the last moment and finally rejecting them in November. This strategy works for IMD but gives false hope to number of applicants. Based on my information gathered, it’s rare for a waitlist applicant of one round to be admitted in subsequent rounds. I only know of two such cases where a waitlist of one round was accepted in subsequent round. In most cases, IMD fills in the student from that particular round. If someone declines the offer, the replacement is from that round only(I could be wrong)
6- Your nationality matters specially if you are from an over-representative nationality. In that case, if you have dual nationality or EU residence permit, it will be great. It’s also understandable. A lot of 3rd world countries admitted applicants seems to have either dual nationality or resident permits in a developed country. It looks good on IMD and lowers the risk for IMD as compared to admitting an applicant from 3rd world country who will need to go back after finishing. It will be near impossible to have CHF 125,000 if you hail from that part of the world. Even if you get loan, you cannot pay back that amount working in your “3rd world” country. It’s specially important considering visa restriction in Switzerland and EU. You cannot blame school for that. It needs to protect its reputation.
7- If you’re waitlisted, you can have a personalized feedback from IMD. In most cases, IMD will ask you to provide an additional essay. But it hardly makes an impact (based on personal experience and information gathered from others).
8- If you are a female working for NGO, IMD would love you. So go for it. Sorry guys.
In summary,
a- Have backup schools
b- If you’re an Indian, it sucks. Don’t have too much hope. It’s hopeless case if you have anything to do with IT
c- Being US citizen will give you extra push (see last years posting for reference)
d- Waitlist in IMD context is very different as compared to other schools
e- Age matters.
f- Your passport matters a lot. It helps in your post-MBA career (and paying back the loan if applicable).
g- Dual nationality is a boon. It helps IMD boast class diversity without the risk of admitting a person who cannot work in a developed country after MBA due to work visa restriction. It will tarnish the brand name of IMD.
I wish all the best to IMD 2014 applicants. You can go through previous years posts to find out what to expect during interview, and what to do and what not to do during assessment day. Most importantly don’t be an a$$h0l3 on that day.
From this year forum postings, I can see some re-applicants. To you guys, my hats off and Lisa will be nice this year
01 Mar 2013, 14:12
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