Hi
AhmedBI like to evaluate profiles based on their 4 criteria.
Academics: not sure about your undergrad institution or grades, but the GMAT score is decent. A bit lower than the class average, and applicants from francophone countries are a bit overrepresented at INSEAD. So the rest of the app needs to be good. However I like that you have a very solid quant score, and a balanced score. They require 70%-75% for each section. Would be helpful to know more about your academic background.
Leadership: this is what needs more fleshing out. I like that you are leading 3 engineers, how can you get across that you are doing so effectively? Consider anecdotes you can share in job essays and recommendations (and via your CV) that will help establish how you have made a positive impact on your team, your reports and the organization.
I like to ask the question, how did you help them make money, save money, save time or achieve greater ease/efficiency? These tap into universal motivators. Consider how you can demonstrate teamwork, leadership and problem solving skills. Think not about the whole job as an aggregate but specific stories and instances you can share that the reader can visualize.
Contribution: you do have substantive work experience to share, from the
vantage point a part of the world that is becoming increasingly relevant. They will be trying to assess how you will or won't be an active student and active alum. Were you an active student in undergrad, and what have you done to contribute outside of work since then? Think broadly about this, it doesn't necessarily have to be super "official" but show you as engaged and well-rounded.
International orientation: it seems you have spent 5.5 years working outside of Morocco, which is great. What did you learn from that, which you could pass on to members in your small group? What perspective have you obtained working in MENA for a US consulting company? How will you need a UN style business school experience to fulfill your goals?
One note - it is a plus that you work for a big company and prestigious clients but INSEAD is looking primarily for proof of positive impact more than status.
I really like that you have recommenders with an INSEAD EMBA; not necessary but definitely a plus. Not only can they speak to how you would benefit from an MBA but also how you would fit with the culture and benefit from what INSEAD offers uniquely.
INSEAD is a really long application and a huge investment; to leverage that, I encourage Francophone applicants to hedge their bets by also applying to HEC and IMD if applying to January term.
Cheers,
Farrell
AhmedB
Hi All,
I would appreciate your thoughts about my application, I'm planning to apply for Jan'21 intake for INSEAD, because i would like to change carrer after the MBA.
Moroccan, 30 yo with 6 years of experience.
GMAT: 700 (Q49, V36)
International exposure : i worked in middle east (Qatar, Dubai and Abdhabi for the last 5,5 years) for a big US corporate consultant company in the construction, for major clients across MEA and on iconic projets.
Work : currently working as lead of section, managing 3 Engineers.
Recommendations: two very good ones, one from an INSEAD EMBA alumni.
Thanks in advance and i will really appreciate your thoughts on my chances to get in.