![\"What](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/What-is-INSEAD-Looking-For-Academic-Capacity.jpg\")
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This is the third\u00a0post in a\u00a04-part series<\/a>\u00a0that examines INSEAD MBA\u2019s 4 admission criteria.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The operative word in this criterion is capacity. This word conveys the adcom\u2019s perspective on the academic component of the application: it\u2019s dynamic, focusing on how you can grow and perform and achieve academically going forward. The only way for the adcom to determine this is to draw conclusions based on your existing academic record. (Professional accomplishment does not indicate academic capacity, sorry to say.)<\/p>\n There are two core components of that academic record:<\/p>\n The adcom is quite specific about its preference for standardized test: the GMAT is required<\/a>; the GRE is not an option except in 2 specific cases (dual degree applicants and where the GMAT is not offered). Unlike many programs, INSEAD recommends minimums for test scores: GMAT verbal and quant 70-75% each. That\u2019s that.<\/p>\n The case of the undergraduate record is a bit more nuanced. The adcom looks at both the performance (grades, GPA) and competitiveness of the school. So, a 3.5 isn\u2019t just a 3.5; it\u2019s 3.5 relative to the rigor of the undergrad school and program. There are additional considerations in evaluating your undergrad record that are relevant for academic capacity, including:<\/p>\n Even if it\u2019s great, if it drops a lot in the last year or semester, it\u2019s not a great signal for academic capacity<\/a> \u2013 and vice versa, a rising trend over 4 years even if the overall GPA is so-so, is helpful.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Those grades should be solid at least. There should be no doubt about academic capacity in quant.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n (If so, make sure the adcom knows it<\/a>.) The ability to perform well (or even pretty well) while working indicates academic capacity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The rigors of graduate work plus the tenacity graduate level study requires show academic capacity, even though a grad degree is not required.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n And how does your GPA relate to that?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n With these factors in mind, evaluate your own academic capacity, trying to see it from the adcom\u2019s view:<\/p>\n What story or impression will the adcom see behind the numbers and percentiles?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Again, what will the adcom see behind the grades and the course names? Does it see broad or narrow interests? A global perspective? Growth? Curiosity? What\u2019s the story and the academic personality that emerge?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n What\u2019s the holistic academic picture that develops and what does it tell the adcom about your academic capacity?This evaluation process may simply clarify that everything is fine on the academic front and you can focus your application efforts into other topics and considerations. Or, it may reveal that, while you are qualified for INSEAD academically, there is room to strengthen the impression of academic capacity. In that case, look for opportunities in the essays<\/a>, resume, and (fingers-crossed) interview to fill in that gap through the examples, anecdotes, and details you include.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n I am always thrilled when I get an \u201cI\u2019m in at INSEAD!\u201d email. I welcome the chance to help you show you belong at INSEAD<\/a> and receive such an email from you in the future.<\/p>\n Looking for more INSEAD info?\u00a0Register for our upcoming webinar,\u00a0Get Accepted to INSEAD<\/i>, airing live on February 13, 2019<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n For personalized assistance that will help you get accepted to INSEAD,\u00a0check out our MBA Application Packages<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0How to Get Accepted to Top B-Schools with Low Stats<\/a>, a free webinar <\/p>\n This article<\/a> originally appeared on blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
Evaluating your undergraduate record<\/h2>\n
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Evaluating your academic capacity<\/h2>\n
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![\"Register](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Get-Accepted-to-INSEAD-Blog-Register.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Cindy](\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/cindy.jpg\" "\\"Cindy")
<\/a><\/em>Cindy Tokumitsu\u00a0has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too.\u00a0Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 What to Do About a Low GPA<\/a>, a podcast episode
\n\u2022 Low GMAT Score? Don\u2019t Panic\u2026Yet.<\/a><\/p>\n