Hello September batch aspirants! Eager to provide guidance and answers. Good luck to all! Add INSEAD to your profile Recent MBA Grad - Ask Me Anything | INSEAD Decision Tracker & Historical Admit Data INSEAD Sept 2019-2020 Deadlines Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Application Deadline Sep 19, 18 Nov 14, 18 Jan 9, 19 Mar 6, 19 Interview Decision Notification Oct 19, 18 Dec 14, 18 Feb 8, 19 Apr 5, 19 Final Decision Notification Nov 23, 18 Jan 25, 19 Mar 15, 19 May 10, 19 INSEAD Essay Analysis by: mbaMission Need a INSEAD profile Evaluation? Post it here > Highlights from the recent INSEAD alum chat MBA Insights from INSEAD students, faculty, and alumni Admission Trends at INSEAD: Analysis of GMATClub Applicant Data Attend an INSEAD Event in Your City INSEAD Class Profile: Average GMAT: 709 GMAT Range: 570-780 Average Age: 29 Years Average WE: 72 months Non-European Students: 59%; Women: 33%

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Calling all Applicants: INSEAD Sept 2019 Intake !

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MBAPrepCoach

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Updated on: 14 Nov 2018, 20:24

Originally posted by MBAPrepCoach on 10 Jul 2018, 19:50.
Last edited by bb on 14 Nov 2018, 20:24, edited 4 times in total.

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Hello September batch aspirants! Eager to provide guidance and answers. Good luck to all!

Add INSEAD to your profile

Recent MBA Grad - Ask Me Anything | INSEAD Decision Tracker & Historical Admit Data

INSEAD Sept 2019-2020 Deadlines
	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4
Application Deadline	Sep 19, 18	Nov 14, 18	Jan 9, 19	Mar 6, 19
Interview Decision Notification	Oct 19, 18	Dec 14, 18	Feb 8, 19	Apr 5, 19
Final Decision Notification	Nov 23, 18	Jan 25, 19	Mar 15, 19	May 10, 19

INSEAD Class Profile:

Average GMAT: 709
GMAT Range: 570-780
Average Age: 29 Years
Average WE: 72 months
Non-European Students: 59%; Women: 33%

Archived 'Calling All INSEAD Applicants' Topic

Hi there,

You've reached an old 'Calling All INSEAD Applicants' discussion which is now outdated and has been archived. No more replies are possible here.

Looking for the latest discussion? Check out this up-to-date Calling All INSEAD Applicants Discussion for the most recent conversations on this topic.

Interested in more from this school? Visit our dedicated INSEAD Forum to dive into all things related to INSEAD's MBA program.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

Hideto

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[1]

Updated on: 16 Nov 2018, 01:31

Originally posted by Hideto on 05 Nov 2018, 02:27.
Last edited by Hideto on 16 Nov 2018, 01:31, edited 2 times in total.

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Hi all,

I have been a long time lurker of this forum and I am glad to say that I finally feel ready to set up an account and start my journey towards getting the INSEAD MBA. I will be submitting my application in R2 for the September 2019 intake and I wish everyone here all the best for their applications!

MBAPrepCoach

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05 Nov 2018, 05:18

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Hideto

Hi there Hideto, welcome welcome welcome. Thanks for introducing yourself. You have great stats, so now it's a matter of nailing the application. Job essays, motivation essays, recommendations, CV and video interview responses. I suggest you begin with introspection - see attached for the first step I work on with clients.

Start NOW - very long application that requires a lot of reflection. Good luck and feel free to ask questions. I will help time permitting.

Cheers
Farrell

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Brag Sheet.docx [16.62 KiB]
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MBAPrepCoach

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05 Nov 2018, 06:07

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agalgotia

Hi all,

Thanks for all the helpful information on this forum!

I have a few questions as I apply for Round 2, any advice is appreciated.

Sorry for the late response~ hope this is still helpful @agalgotia

1) For my motivation essays, I have chosen to discuss personal experiences vs work experiences based on what is meaningful to me. Do you think I should make it a point to switch out one of the examples in my achievement/failure essay to a work experience?

The main thrust here is to help them get to know you as a person. So much of the application is based on work - they are kicking the tires to make sure you are solid, but that is rarely *memorable* for the AdCom. Elect to discuss what is memorable. I encourage applications to take advantage of the motivation essays for personal experiences - this helps AdCom see you as a real person instead of a set of papers. When they resonate with that you write, it builds an emotional connection, which makes you memorable. Keep this as the forefront. If a work example helps build an emotional connection, that is OK.

2) For my achievement essay, the achievement is about my experience/results as a Director of a club in my last year of university. I think it's quite impactful, but it is 6 years old. Do you think I should select a more recent achievement?

Normally, I would urge for you to discuss things that are recent, but for this particular essay, they give you the leeway to look across the span of your whole life.
Consider if it fits into the criteria I establish in your previous question. Make sure it is not a boring data dump. To give it focus, think about if it how it will fulfill their 4 criteria of academics, contribution, international orientation and leadership.

3) My 2 selected recommenders are my current Director (boss' boss) and my previous Director. I've worked for the same company since grad, but in 2 distinct roles, so I think this paints a full picture. However, my previous Director worked with me from Aug 2015 to Oct 2017. Given this is not recent, I'm debating asking my current boss to write a 3rd optional letter. It may be a little repetitive though, do you think this will hurt or help my chances?

I encourage you to think about how certain recommenders will tell stories that illustrate qualities that distinguish you from your peers and speak to the 4 criteria for INSEAD. Recent recommendations are great but #1 is that THEY CAN TELL STORIES ABOUT YOU DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. I am always worried when people find someone "high up" in the company to do these recommendations. The best ones come from those who are a friend, champion you, see your best and highest. I've attached my recommendation guidelines; my standards are below.

Letters of recommendation: The recommender can “see” you – see the uniqueness of you – and articulate that eloquently. The letter is comprised chiefly of clear, specific anecdotes that point to your talents in the area of problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, communication and innovation. The reader is emotionally moved by the content and, ideally, wants to champion you to the adcom in quite the same way as the writer.

Thanks!

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romac89

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05 Nov 2018, 12:05

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Has anyone applied for the scholarships? I've been travelling so have left it very late (deadline is in 4 hours...)

The word count maximums on the essays are a bit alarming after the actual application forms very tight restrictions. They all have 4,000 word count max - which I know doesn't have to be met but still seems extreme.

Plan is to draft what I can and submit, and hope that the admissions panel and scholarships panel don't compare notes as the quality of these essays is not going to be great!

KK1029

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06 Nov 2018, 11:10

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I'm applying to INSEAD - want to continue in the Tech Industry (90%)but would want a change in geography (Currently in Middle East)

What is the forums opinion on Sept 2019 Vs Jan 2020?

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MBAPrepCoach

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08 Nov 2018, 02:45

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Hi KK1029
I don't know the specifics of your profile - specifically - if you are overrepresented (Chinese, Indian) then I would lean towards January so you can apply in Round 1. If that doesn't apply, it still is advantageous to apply R1 but less so. 1000 open seats makes it easier to snag one.

The natural question is, would you need an internship or not? A lot of people think they must have one but if that were true, half of INSEADs graduates would be jobless.

Some September batch peeps like not having to fuss over an internship and instead take things in a bit before having to look for a job (however I firmly believe that b-school is for execution NOT exploration.)

Internships don't require a visa and so it presents a unique opportunity to work abroad in a new location and if you dont like it, rerecruit when you return
If you do like it, you might snag a job offer.

Those are the pros and cons as I see it, would love for others to chime in.
Cheers
Farrell

KK1029

I'm applying to INSEAD - want to continue in the Tech Industry (90%)but would want a change in geography (Currently in Middle East)
.
What is the forums opinion on Sept 2019 Vs Jan 2020?

Posted from my mobile device

ssxdots

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11 Nov 2018, 07:37

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Any R2 applicants here?

Just completed my application. And now the wait.

subirroy

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11 Nov 2018, 21:33

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romac89

I submitted mine a few days ago - and don't worry your essays couldn't possibly have been worse than mine ! After almost 6 months of writing and rewriting essays, CVs and what not for 3 different schools I barely had the motivation to string through a few sentences to ask for a scholarship.

The wait has already been agonizing, I can't imagine what it'll be like by next week.

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12 Nov 2018, 08:54

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Hi all!

Best of luck to everyone on their applications.
I am currently finishing my application and I intend to upload it tomorrow (one day before the deadline). I understand that you have 48 hours after the deadline to submit your video essays, would it look bad for the admissions committee to upload the video essays after the deadline, let's say thursday morning (one day after)?

Thanks for your time!

Jurassic

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13 Nov 2018, 07:26

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Hi,

Needed a quick clarification. In case of multiple GMAT attempts, how is the evaluation done; does the admission committe select the highest score for each section?

Regards.

juralvesf

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13 Nov 2018, 07:30

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Hi Jurassic,

To my understanding, that is kind of what the adcom does - it considers all scores, placing a higher weight in the highest score. In case you came short in one of the sections, it takes into consideration an improvement in that section in your second attempt - that is, of course, unless the "better" section is not considerably weaker in the second attempt.

hope this helps!

Jurassic

Hi,

Needed a quick clarification. In case of multiple GMAT attempts, how is the evaluation done; does the admission committe select the highest score for each section?

Regards.

zee1222

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13 Nov 2018, 08:12

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Hi all,

I've just submitted my R2 application and now waiting for the video essay link. Good luck to all of us!

Jurassic

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13 Nov 2018, 08:36

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tsuxinhah

Jurassic

Hi,

Needed a quick clarification. In case of multiple GMAT attempts, how is the evaluation done; does the admission committe select the highest score for each section?

Regards.

Thanks Tsuxinhah, that helps.

MBAPrepCoach

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14 Nov 2018, 04:34

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Hi FAE0811 sorry I didn't get to this yesterday. Do not concern yourself about submitting this app close to midnight and taking the full 48 hours. I sincerely do not think they are tracking this across 1000 applicants in the batch, matching that against other criteria. I have never heard of adcom dinging applicants for this.

I would instead encourage you to use that time for preparation. I have been tracking all the video questions for you to use for preparation. The hardest part is getting a rhythm for preparing in 45 seconds and speaking for one minute.

I recommend that you record yourself and review for practice.
https://mbaessaycoaching.com/2017/03/07 ... ions-tips/

FAE0811

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14 Nov 2018, 06:21

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Good luck~ I just updated the list of video questions on my blog generously reported to me from applicants.
https://mbaessaycoaching.com/2017/03/07 ... ions-tips/

Would be great if you could give a penny take a penny

zee1222

Hi all,

I've just submitted my R2 application and now waiting for the video essay link. Good luck to all of us!

MBAPrepCoach

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14 Nov 2018, 06:46

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Hello Round 2 applicants, sending good vibes your way and I hope you all get interviews.

Feel free to refer to the previous video essay questions linked below to prep. It is updated; they are listed in chronological order so you might consider starting from the bottom of the list.

https://mbaessaycoaching.com/2017/03/07 ... ions-tips/

If you could be so kind, please "pay it forward" by sharing your video questions in this forum!

Cheers
Farrell

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14 Nov 2018, 06:48

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MBAPrepCoach

zee1222

Hi all,

I've just submitted my R2 application and now waiting for the video essay link. Good luck to all of us!

Thanks for sharing the link Farrell, will definitely do!

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14 Nov 2018, 14:18

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Hi everyone,

I've submitted my application for R2 today and just finished my video interviews. These are the questions I got:

1. What do you do when someone comes to you with a problem?
2. What's your understanding of the INSEAD's MBA programme you are applying to?
3. Describe a time when understanding someone's culture helped you understand their perspective better
4. How would your colleagues describe your leadership style? Give an example.

You should prepare well for the interviews, but don't prep too much or you'll end up trying to answer exactly what you had planned and might sound too stuffy or get nervous if you forget something (happened to me). Most of all, if one question doesn't go the way you wanted, don't freak out, keep calm and just continue. You got this! Essays are much more difficult

Good luck to us all, I hope I'll get to meet you at INSEAD in September 2019!

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14 Nov 2018, 23:52

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Hi everyone,
I too have submitted my application for R2. Fingers crossed now!!

Here are my four video essay questions:
1. What do you do when someone comes to you with a problem?
2. What is your take on a meaningful life?
3. Your new boss from a different culture is being offensive in the local culture. What will you do?
4. Have you been criticized for a job you thought you did well? How did it make you feel?

Cheers and best of luck to everyone who is applying in this round or subsequent rounds.

MBAPrepCoach

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15 Nov 2018, 00:32

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Hi Greenfield, good luck!! and thank you kindly for sharing your questions.
I have amended my main post on INSEAD video questions to address the issue you mentioned about forgetting your script
https://gmatclub.com/forum/insead-video ... l#p1815818
For those reading this post, this is the process I have found works best for preparation.

I recommend that you review the questions, and come up with an idea for each one.

DON'T write out a detailed script that you have to memorize.

However DO brainstorm content for each question, and sketch out the main points. For example, write out something like, "discuss Napal story and (fill in blank thing you did) to keep my travel group safe in a blizzard."

Once you have brainstormed ideas for each question, put it to the test. Record yourself several times; iterate. One of the most difficult things is getting into a rhythm of the timing; what 60 seconds feels like. I have my candidates record themselves, upload to YouTube and send me the link so I can coach them around it.

greenfield

Good luck to us all, I hope I'll get to meet you at INSEAD in September 2019!

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