INSEAD JANUARY 2011 INTAKE

I totally agree!

same here!

Have you guys started to research INSEAD??

I started a while ago. Never visited campus but attended an info. session.

I am going for the on-campus event later in a few hours time.

I have not done a ton of research into the INSEAD program. But overall feeling is that it is gonna be one very tough year to attend INSEAD with heavy workload and job seach. Talking about squeezing an MBA program AND an internship into 10 months... It's not gonna be a life-changing experience life those 2-year US MBA programs (where you have a lot of time to try out new things and do soul searching), but it's gonna be a career changing experience, which is good enough for me.

INSEAD placement is very impressive: it place around 40% of student body into MC and quite a number into top consulting firms (compared to LBS and other US programs). Of course the location is different, but still very impressive.

A couple of things I learned during their info session:

i) The admission committee evaluate candidates on four criteria that are weighed equally (a) Academic performance, (b) Leadership, (c) Diversity/International outlook, and (d) Contribution to class.

ii) Group work is an integral part of the INSEAD experience. Study groups of 5-6 consist of students with unique career background. No more than 2 students can be of the same nationality.

iii) Students start working with careers services in the second period. So, not much time to think.

iv) Students like to have a fair share of fun. Chateau parties are regular social events at the Fontainebleau campus.

Below are a couple of youtube videos they showed us:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blw_rvU-XfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIiEulq3oRY

Seems like we get bonus points for bashing HBS.

Thanks very much for info!

yes i'm also thinking about it... gunning for Round 1 if decided...

I'm shooting for RD1.

Same thing I got form the info session. Also if you go to signapore, people rent out an island for a week right before finals to party.

seems like alot more partying than any other school advertises. BTW, they did say because of the condense class schedule, you're expected to work 70-80 per week (inclusive of social events)

I am not sure if the partying is more or that the students are more open about it!

seriously considering INSEAD actually.
maybe start in Singapore as I moved here earlier this year.

Am thinking of applying as well.

Have you guys heard anything about recent grad recruitment? Have heard that quite a few INSEAD grads have been without jobs in 2008/09 even 4-5 months after graduation. I'm trying to see if INSEAD has been hit harder relatively, particularly in Asia.

For 2008 - the numbers are available on the website. IIRC - 92% were employed.

I cant speak for 2009 since the data isnt out yet (will be out in May-June timeframe).

with the current economic climate... it is possible that job-hunting is going to be tough...

heard that the INSEAD career services are below-par compared to those of other top b-schools...

Need advice on essay #1:

If I were to lump the sub-questions together >>
Are we supposed to write on how we develop the strengths and weakness?

Its strange to me how we could develop weakness....??

Thanks.

Haven't really gotten into the essays as yet.

For placements, I've heard that several consulting firms send their analysts to INSEAD with the intention of recruiting them back after the MBA - this apparently drives the high consulting recruitment at the school. That's great but could also mean that we ought to take the stats with a pinch of salt.