Application advice for INSEAD and HEC Paris?

Question

Hello Club, 
I intend to apply to INSEAD and HEC Paris for upcoming January Intake. I have obtained a decent GMAT FE score already and intend to work on my profile now on in such a way that my profile stands out. Can someone help with a structured process to help out from profile building to essays to interview preparation. !

WA@lzf20 · Answer

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Charlotte825 · Answer

Both universities offer help. You can talk to a student ambassador at HEC through their website, I felt like they had valuable insights. And INSEAD also offers similar help, not with students but with somebody working there.

kingbucky · Answer

It’s great that you already have a strong GMAT score! Could you tell us your score to understand your profile better.

For profile building, focus on leadership experiences, impactful projects, and global exposure. Start by crafting a compelling story about your career goals and what makes you unique. For essays, reflect on personal and professional experiences that highlight leadership, adaptability, and international mindset—qualities highly valued by INSEAD and HEC. Networking with alumni can provide great insights.

As for interviews, practice structured storytelling (STAR method) and prepare for behavioral questions. Consider working with an admissions consultant if you want structured guidance. Best of luck!

shishimaru · Answer

Applying to INSEAD and HEC Paris requires more than just strong academics.

Build your profile by taking leadership initiatives at work, expanding international exposure, and contributing to communities. Structure your essays with a strong personal and professional narrative, showing growth and alignment with each school’s values. Create an achievements-based CV emphasizing leadership and cross-cultural experiences. For interviews, focus on behavioral questions and storytelling. Consider mock interviews with current students or professionals. If you need extra help, working with a consultant could provide a structured plan to guide you through this process.

supremekai · Answer

With the GMAT done, we have crossed half of the river.. Congrats!

Now, start by identifying gaps in your profile—do you need more leadership exposure, global experiences, or extracurricular activities? Work on strengthening those areas while drafting your essays.

INSEAD values international outlook, while HEC Paris appreciates strong analytical and leadership skills, so tailor accordingly. Join school events, connect with alumni, and attend webinars to understand program expectations. Mock interviews are crucial—structure responses clearly, and practice fluency in discussing career goals and experiences. The earlier you start, the better your chances of making a lasting impression!

lordbeerus · Answer

Since you already have a good GMAT score, use this time to build a standout application.

First, refine your career narrative—why MBA, why now, and why INSEAD/HEC? Ensure your CV clearly highlights leadership, impact, and international experience. For essays, focus on authenticity—adcoms value self-awareness and clear career goals. Join networking events or reach out to alumni to gain insights into program culture. For interviews, practice with peers or a mentor who understands MBA admissions. A structured approach and early preparation will give you a great edge!

MBAGuide · Answer

Shahshreyans007 If you haven't already started, you may just barely make it for INSEAD's next deadline with high quality essays. LORs and resume. HEC has rolling calls but still the bar for the application quality increases as the days go by.

You may find my tips on INSEAD Essays and HEC interviews useful and they should give you a broad direction for how you could build your case. In any case feel free to discuss should you want my guidance

INSEAD January 2026 Intake:Key Essay Changes & Debriefs : INSEAD

How to ace the HEC Paris presentation + Sample ppt : HEC Paris (see the attachment too)

Others

INSEAD January 2026 Intake:Major Essay Changes & What They Mean : The B-School Applications

INSEAD INTERVIEW- Tips That Winners Dont Tell
My Top 5 Tips As a Former INSEAD Interviewer
Important KIRA Strategies Which Will Also Apply to INSEAD Interview
What You Should Ask Alumni Before The Interviews
Challenge The Common Stereotypes That Adcoms Will Have
Prepare For MBA Goals Achievement Questions
Guide For Persuasive INSEAD Waitlist Letters

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Shahshreyans007

Hello Club,
I intend to apply to INSEAD and HEC Paris for upcoming January Intake. I have obtained a decent GMAT FE score already and intend to work on my profile now on in such a way that my profile stands out. Can someone help with a structured process to help out from profile building to essays to interview preparation. !

MBADecoder · Answer

Make sure to show career progression, leadership, international orientation ( for INSEAD), maturity and clarity on career goals.
European bschools like to see that you are realistic about goals and are aware of possibilities with regards to job opportunities.
Feel free to reach out for a free consultation and if you are seeking help on your application.

Namita Garg
Founder,
Www.mbadecoder.com

TheRedPen · Answer

Hi  Shahshreyans007 ,
Great to hear about your plans for INSEAD and HEC Paris! Since you already have a strong GMAT FE score, the next step is to focus on strengthening your profile and crafting compelling applications. Here’s a structured approach:

Profile Building – Enhance key aspects like leadership, impact at work, extracurricular involvement, and unique experiences that differentiate you. INSEAD, in particular, values international exposure. 
 School Research & Networking – Connect with alumni and current students to gain insights and tailor your application accordingly. 
 Essays & Resume – Craft a strong narrative that highlights your achievements, motivations, and fit for each program. 
 LORs – Choose recommenders who can provide specific, impactful insights into your professional growth. 
 Interview Prep – Practice with mock interviews, focusing on behavioral questions and school-specific themes.

Both schools also offer opportunities to connect with admissions representatives for tailored guidance—I'd highly recommend signing up for these sessions!

Feel free to  schedule a complimentary call  with our MBA consultants for a more detailed discussion. You can also connect with them via call or WhatsApp at +91 7780769732.

ARINGO · Answer

Hi Shahshreyans007
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Could you share your GMAT score?
About securing a spot at INSEAD/HEC Paris, it requires a focused and strategic approach. It will be important for you to adequately highlight your achievements, leadership qualities, and the impact you made at work.

Next step would be to scrutinize your ECs. They shouldn't merely be a list of involvements but moreover be able to demonstrate your abilities to lead, contribute, and make a difference.

Then comes your essays, another important aspect which needs to have authenticity and clarity. Show a genuine understanding of INSEAD and HEC Paris and articulate how they align with your career goals. You should have in-depth information about these two schools and be able to answer the adcoms on why INSEAD/HEC.

FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION
Click here to connect.
You can also email me at: priyankak@aringo.com

admitStreet · Answer

Shahshreyans007 - given that R2 for INSEAD Jan intake is less than a month away, it'd be important to pace things up, if you're aiming for it. HEC has a deadline almost every month.

You could check out these links for details of the application process, rounds and more insights:

INSEAD MBA January 2026 Intake: Everything you need to know

HEC Paris MBA January 2026 Intake: Everything you need to know

Here are some debriefs from my recent candidates who made it to these programs:

Shantanu’s journey to the INSEAD MBA with scholarship: Insights & Takeaways

Indraneel’s success journey to the HEC Paris MBA: Insights & Takeaways

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Request a free profile evaluation
W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn

Shahshreyans007

Hello Club,
I intend to apply to INSEAD and HEC Paris for upcoming January Intake. I have obtained a decent GMAT FE score already and intend to work on my profile now on in such a way that my profile stands out. Can someone help with a structured process to help out from profile building to essays to interview preparation. !

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hey! good to know that you already have a decent GMAT score, can you please share your score. Also, we would love to know more about your profile like work experience, challenges, impact, extracurriculars and international experience, for a detailed evaluation and assess your chances for both INSEAD and HEC. We have a great consultant panel who have guided many applicants get into their dream B-schools.

You have a strong starting point with a GMAT FE score, which establishes your academic readiness for top MBA programs. Now, the key is to differentiate yourself by crafting a compelling narrative that highlights your unique experiences, leadership potential, and global perspective.

Start by clearly defining your career trajectory, where you are now, why an MBA is the right move at this stage, and your post-MBA goals. Be specific about the industry, function, and geography you’re targeting, and show how each school fits into your journey. Beyond academics, admissions committees value well-rounded candidates who bring diverse experiences, whether through cross-functional work, international exposure, or leadership roles. Even if you haven’t worked abroad, emphasize multicultural collaboration, global clients, or language skills that reflect your adaptability.

Leadership and impact are crucial differentiators. Provide concrete examples of where you’ve led teams, driven significant change, or contributed beyond your formal role, whether at work, in the community, or through extracurriculars. Choose recommenders who can offer detailed, narrative-based insights into your leadership growth and contributions.

Your application strategy should be structured and thoughtful. Start with deep school research to refine your positioning, then craft a sharp resume and LinkedIn profile. We can help you to prepare thoroughly for interviews, keeping in mind that INSEAD typically involves two behavioral interviews with alumni, while HEC may require a presentation component.

Ultimately, your application should tell a cohesive, values-driven story that aligns with what each school is looking for. Happy to help!

Please feel free to book a profile evaluation call with INSEAD alumni. 
Checkout:  SUCCESS STORIES |  YOUTUBE |  BLOGS

Cheers, 
Shantanu Sharma
 Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello Shahshreyans007 , As you navigate the applications process, we believe the following videos will help with both profile building and interview prep: https://www.expertsglobal.com/mba-appli ... elp-videos https://www.expertsglobal.com/mba-interview-prep-videos All the best!

tuktukauto · Answer

How much did you score?

MBAandBeyond · Answer

We'd invite you to take a look at this Youtube session on  "INSEAD & HEC MBA Application Hacks: Mistakes You MUST Avoid"

Application advice for INSEAD and HEC Paris?

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