INSEAD - September '09 intake

Thanks Virflo!

I ended up accepting to be on the waitlist. We will see how things turn out, and should an admit come through, then I will revisit my dilemma again. Better to have loved and lost, and so forth...

I wonder if I should let them know I have a pending offer -- would it help accelerate their final decision?

Wharton vs INSEAD will be a tough one, too -- although at least the exchange between both will be available regardless of choice (a childhood friend in London is a Wharton alum who exchanged at INSEAD). Keep me updated on what you decide!

So, if I go to Wharton, I will be giving up my place at INSEAD, which might then be offered to you!

But we would not end up meeting...

Well, if i attended INSEAD, I would also try for the Wharton exchange for sure. So as long as you don't leave for INSEAD during that same term...

could anyone please post the INSEAD essay questions for this year? i could no find them here. thanks

Sure:

Oski, thanks a lot

I had a question for the people who got into INSEAD. I am a prospective applicant for the full time MBA program and I am planning to submit my application for the Jan 2010 intake. I am getting stuck on the essays and I am not exactly sure as to how to get this resolved. I am also applying at Notre Dame and Emory (2 Yr programs) in USA.

I work as an IT consultant and most of my experience has been in the health insurance industry in USA. My goal after the MBA is to join a management rotation program in the US health insurance industry and eventually move into product development.

My concern is that would INSEAD frown upon a goals essay that talks about joining the industry in a specific country? I am not sure about the health insurance practices in other countries.

I am probably not the best example (since I'm still on the waitlist), but my goals essay mentioned a specific industry (and two example companies) in a specific region, and I don't think it hurt me.

IMO, a specific goal is not really an issue if you can convince the adcom that it is feasible -- and it may even help you if it shows you are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about it. For example, you could mention how INSEAD in particular will prepare you for a job in the American industry (over universities in the US). Also, will most insurance companies in the US recognize/know the school?

Given INSEAD's international focus and the frequent debates about the need for health-care reform in the United States, you could take the angle that having international experience from the school will allow you to better understand and study the health insurance systems in other countries (and potential upsides), which you could then use to help bring about innovation in the US healthcare industry.

There are still private health insurance companies in many countries (even those with single-payer and other types of systems) as well, so you can always take that route, too. They tend to be part of larger general insurance companies, so they may even have MBA management programs.

Prashok - thanks a lot for your comments. My plans were to modify my essays to include the international aspect of an education in INSEAD. As for INSEAD being a familiar MBA program for the payers - I hope to fall back on my network after school.

Things have been a little quiet lately -- is anyone going for Round 3?

As for me, the avatar probably gives it away. I'm officially moving off the waitlist, as I just sent my withdrawal to the adcom this week. It was definitely great to learn more about the INSEAD program, which is truly outstanding!

Good luck to anyone else submitting applications -- and to Virflo, Oski and anyone else joining -- hope we get to meet at some point! Even if it may be for MBAT...

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Thanks apshma! I don't think the GMAT is an issue (as long as it has the 80/80 split), but the length of work experience might make it tougher in R3. On the other hand, being in IB/PE and having strong international experience offsets that.

Personally, I would probably lean towards R1 for January '10, given that the later rounds may likely be much more competitive -- though I'm not 100% sure if R3 at INSEAD is as intensely competitive as the late rounds are for the M7 programs (my guess is that it is, though).

Looks like the campus placement really sucks this year. Below is the email from this year graduate from INSEAD.

Hi XXXX,


Thanks.


1. There are a few banks in France that will provide loans to INSEAD students. But being a foreigner you will need to have SBI stand as a guarantor to avail this facility. You will be able to find the bank details on the INSEAD website itself.

2. Placements this year was pretty bad. Official stats project a placement of ~65%, but a major chunk of this are people who went back to their old companies.



Hope this helps. Good luck with the app process.

thanks...