INSEAD 2013 JAN - Calling All Applicants

Thanks for this post vrindasingh . I just found the ClearAdmit page https://www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=InseadInterview and I will be spending some time there. Got my interviewers details and now this whole process is getting real.

In the email I got , there was a comment that "Upon receipt of your interview reports, your file will be presented to the MBA Admissions Committee". Does this mean that the adcoms have not even seen our applications at this point and that a good interview is not a guarantee for admission?

Well I'm not AdCom so take my reply with a pinch of salt - but what they mean most likely is that the AdCom post the interview will compare the 'paper you' (from your app) and the 'real you' (from interviewer feedback) and then take a call on the admission if you come out true-blue.
They would have obviously seen your file earlier in order to shortlist you, but this round could be different people or different questions scanning both sets of reports.
This is also the stage at which 'class diversity' plays an important part. For example, I've spent 3.5 years in consulting and INSEAD is a very consulting heavy school. So I was told by my interviewer at the end of my first interview that 'I think your values and those of INSEAD are generally aligned but now it remains to be seen how you can differentiate yourself from the huge consulting applicant pool'. Another example is that INSEAD usually limits students from any one nationality to 10% of the total class size in order to maintain the international diversity. This means that Indians and Chinese face tougher competition. Again, this is where they would weed out some candidates.
I'm 24, Indian, with 710 GMAT and consulting - those things may have worked against me because they're not strong differentiators (age is in fact much lower than the average 29).
But what probably worked for me is that I'm a woman (sorry guys!) and that I really passionately wanted to go to INSEAD because I like the school and what it stands for.
I don't think you should worry too much about how they are going to perceive you - stick true to your value system, and what you can do for INSEAD. It'll all work out for the best.

Got it...thanks for your response.

Got interview invite few days back, no details regarding interview yet. Male, 28, Indonesian, working in middle east, energy. admin: JS.

are there any R2 applicants invited to interview whose coordinator is SH?..pls let me know when you recd your invite and do share your profile, geography etc..thanks!

Received the email for interview this morning (the ansiety of checking the mailbox every 10 min is gone!!!). Profile: portuguese, 30, energy/utilities background, 680 gmat. Gonna start perusing later posts for interviewing tips. All the best luck to everyone who is waiting news.

Hey Guys,

Has anyone received an interview invite from VM?

Cheers

just got an email invite from JS.

located in Singapore. I'm American... 7.5 yrs of consulting (investments, not management consulting) experience.

Just received an invitation 5 minutes ago from VM.
Canadian/accounting + finance/GMAT 710.

Good luck to all waiting for news!

....

Just received an invitation from VM It took few minutes for me to open the email...
French-Algerian, chemist in Pharma company, experience 7years, 30years old, London,

Good luck to everyone waiting for the email!!!:-)

Cheers

Still waiting to hear - I applied 2 days before the Round 2 deadline. Do the interview invites usually get sent over a few days?

Which country/company?

I am based in UAE/Oil and gas services industry!

PhD/healthcare consultant in the US

received interview invite yesterday evening, JS, based in SE Asia

Hi All - I don't want to make your over prepare or anxious but I applied to Sept 12 intake in R3 and thanks to the negative review by one my Interviewer I was wait listed and then rejected. When I put myself in the place of the Interviewer I find it hard to disconnect personal bias/likeability from the profile of the interviewee and this fact was confirmed by interviewer, in his/her own words, when I called to get feedback post rejection. I was told that even though I may believe my story it didn't come across as believable - I find that so hard to believe and so subjective. The interview is not to sell our story it should be a personal display that is in sync with what your paper application says.

Any ways, nothing I say can change the decision but here's my head's up for all of you who are preparing, especially the ones in India because the bias here seems more personal. I don't know how you can avoid it but be aware of it and improvise in the interview.

Good Luck!

Saudi, blue coverall oilfield services co.

I got both interviewer details yesterday but both not replying my email. Going to call them tonight. Any tips on reaching out to interviewers?