Hello Everyone, I have made this thread for all the people who are applying to IMD for the January 2020 intake. Deadlines February 1,2019 May 1, 2019 August 1, 2019 October 1, 2019 Essays Questions Describe a situation in which you failed as a leader. What did you learn from it? (Word limit 300) Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? (i.e. re-application, health, grades, etc.) (Word limit 50) How do you intend to finance your MBA at IMD? How much of your total budget estimate will you be able to provide without loans or scholarships? (Word limit 50) What other programs are you considering? Of the programs you are considering, what can IMD bring to you as a differentiator? (Word limit 100) Here's an expert's advice on how to handle this essay. IMD CV Guide I am applying in R1. Looking forward to speaking with other candidates

Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 00:24

It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 00:24

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

MBA Archive

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Back to Forum

Create Topic

Calling all IMD Applicants (Entry January 2020) Class of Dec 2020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Leadership

Retired Moderator

Joined: 17 Dec 2018

Last visit: 21 Jun 2023

Posts: 930

Own Kudos:

526

[5]

Given Kudos: 73

Status:WHU MBA 2022 candidate

Location: Germany

Concentration: Leadership, Operations

GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29 Verified score

WE:Engineering (Manufacturing)

Products:

GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29 Verified score

Posts: 930

Kudos: 526

[5]

Updated on: 23 Dec 2019, 08:36

Originally posted by Leadership on 02 Jan 2019, 22:05.
Last edited by Leadership on 23 Dec 2019, 08:36, edited 6 times in total.

Added data table

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hello Everyone, I have made this thread for all the people who are applying to IMD for the January 2020 intake.

Deadlines

February 1,2019
May 1, 2019
August 1, 2019
October 1, 2019

Essays Questions

Describe a situation in which you failed as a leader. What did you learn from it? (Word limit 300)
Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? (i.e. re-application, health, grades, etc.) (Word limit 50)
How do you intend to finance your MBA at IMD? How much of your total budget estimate will you be able to provide without loans or scholarships? (Word limit 50)
What other programs are you considering? Of the programs you are considering, what can IMD bring to you as a differentiator? (Word limit 100) Here's an expert's advice on how to handle this essay.

IMD CV Guide

I am applying in R1. Looking forward to speaking with other candidates

Archived 'Calling All IMD Applicants' Topic

Hi there,

You've reached an old 'Calling All IMD 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 IMD Applicants Discussion for the most recent conversations on this topic.

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

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

weightedaverage

Joined: 13 Jul 2014

Last visit: 27 Dec 2020

Posts: 25

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 8

Location: India

Schools: CBS J-Term'22 (A$) Kellogg '23 (I) Johnson (Cornell) (A$)

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41 Verified score

GRE 1: Q165 V165 Verified score

Schools: CBS J-Term'22 (A$) Kellogg '23 (I) Johnson (Cornell) (A$)

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41 Verified score

GRE 1: Q165 V165 Verified score

Posts: 25

Kudos: 12

[1]

23 Apr 2019, 06:09

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi,

I gave my Gmat today(690 - Q49, V35) - My mocks averaged 720.

Profile :
1. Indian, MBA(top 5 bschool in India) + Engineer
2. Work ex - 5 years post MBA, 7 years in Total
3. Currently a senior Manager in a healthcare/LS company (also the largest recruiter in IMD) - Good leadership experience
4. 31 years old

Should I apply in R2(May 1) or improve my score to 720/730 and then apply in R3? Please suggest.

Leadership

Retired Moderator

Joined: 17 Dec 2018

Last visit: 21 Jun 2023

Posts: 930

Own Kudos:

526

[1]

Given Kudos: 73

Status:WHU MBA 2022 candidate

Location: Germany

Concentration: Leadership, Operations

GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29 Verified score

WE:Engineering (Manufacturing)

Products:

GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29 Verified score

Posts: 930

Kudos: 526

[1]

23 Apr 2019, 06:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi,
690 score is little above average for IMD (not a problem). You should definitely apply for R2 if you are ready with the application, otherwise apply in R3 (August 1). Take your time in best explaining the need for second MBA (considering MBA from top college in India). I have visited IMD for an open day and I got highly positive reviews. I hope to apply in R3. All the very best for your application.

Regards

Posted from my mobile device

JOSECANO

Joined: 10 Jun 2018

Last visit: 29 Jul 2019

Posts: 3

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 5

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (S) IMD '21

Posts: 3

Kudos: 3

27 Apr 2019, 17:43

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hello, do you know if I have to send the official score report of toefl and gmat to school through webpages of ETS and MBA? or for application it's enough to attach the official score reports in the documents
Thank you!

sammit

Joined: 22 May 2014

Last visit: 05 Oct 2019

Posts: 18

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 3

Location: India

Schools: NTU '20 (A)

Posts: 18

Kudos: 2

Updated on: 30 Apr 2019, 07:14

Originally posted by sammit on 29 Apr 2019, 01:56.
Last edited by sammit on 30 Apr 2019, 07:14, edited 1 time in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

Any wassaap group for the applicants?

tnsl6212

Joined: 08 Oct 2018

Last visit: 06 Apr 2020

Posts: 21

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Location: United States (TX)

Concentration: Healthcare, Leadership

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.74

Products:

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

Posts: 21

Kudos: 10

29 Apr 2019, 13:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

sammit

Any wassaap group for the admits?

Posted from my mobile device

Hey Sammit,

PM me your phone number, and I'll add you to a group that we started. There's only a few of us so far, all guys I met on my assessment day thatw ere admitted. But I've sent the info to the adcom team and think it may turn into the official whatsapp group for admits.

Tyler

Narenn

Major Poster

Joined: 22 Feb 2012

Last visit: 24 Apr 2026

Posts: 9,293

Own Kudos:

11,304

Given Kudos: 4,711

Affiliations: GMAT Club

Test: Test

Posts: 9,293

Kudos: 11,304

02 May 2019, 22:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

JOSECANO

Curious what did you do? Sent official report through GMAC or in application documents?

Narenn

Major Poster

Joined: 22 Feb 2012

Last visit: 24 Apr 2026

Posts: 9,293

Own Kudos:

11,304

Given Kudos: 4,711

Affiliations: GMAT Club

Test: Test

Posts: 9,293

Kudos: 11,304

02 May 2019, 22:13

Kudos

Bookmarks

Good luck to all who applied in May round. Keep us posted as your progress through the next phases.

MBAPrepCoach

MBA Admissions Consultant

Joined: 24 Mar 2015

Last visit: 03 Dec 2025

Posts: 3,936

Own Kudos:

1,545

Given Kudos: 634

Status:MBA Admissions Consultant

Affiliations: MBA Prep Coach

Location: United States

Farrell Nelson: MBA

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,936

Kudos: 1,545

02 May 2019, 23:43

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi IMD applicants, sorry I have been a bit MIA for the past few weeks. I have been feeling a bit sour about IMD lately; my dear client traveled from the Middle East to Switzerland for AD and was cut. What really galls me is that apparently only 2 out of his group of 9 were accepted. He did feel shaky about the case analysis part of the process, they no longer give you the topic in advance and so hard to prepare him for that part. He felt very outclassed by the strategy consultants. However he felt great about all other parts of the process.

Anyways, I pushed him to attend the IESE AD in Barcelona – 5 days after getting back from Lausanne – even though he was very tired, behind at work, etc. It was worth it because YAY he was ADMITTED. Will find out scholarship shiz next month. Even cancelled his HEC interviews.

Anyways, in Lausanne, he did the hotel thing, ordered a $20 burger – it was just a letdown given the investment, applying R1, etc. But he is thrilled with IESE and it’s a great fit all around.

Nonetheless, IMD is indeed an incredible leadership development program for the elite 90 chosen to take part in it, so please advance with optimism for R3. The application is relatively simple as compared most other January term programs – so well worth throwing your hat in the ring.

If you are shortlisted, and it applies, make sure to submit your Emerging Markets scholarship essay and financials – this is a new scholarship opportunity at IMD. https://www.imd.org/mba/admissions/one-y ... ncial-aid/

JOSECANO

Joined: 10 Jun 2018

Last visit: 29 Jul 2019

Posts: 3

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 5

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (S) IMD '21

Posts: 3

Kudos: 3

[1]

03 May 2019, 16:20

Kudos

Bookmarks

Narenn

JOSECANO

Curious what did you do? Sent official report through GMAC or in application documents?

Yes, admissions told me to send the official reports through the webpages.

tnsl6212

Joined: 08 Oct 2018

Last visit: 06 Apr 2020

Posts: 21

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Location: United States (TX)

Concentration: Healthcare, Leadership

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.74

Products:

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

Posts: 21

Kudos: 10

06 May 2019, 10:58

Kudos

Bookmarks

MBAPrepCoach

Hi MBA PrepCoach,

Was your client there on the March 22nd admit day?

MBAPrepCoach

MBA Admissions Consultant

Joined: 24 Mar 2015

Last visit: 03 Dec 2025

Posts: 3,936

Own Kudos:

1,545

Given Kudos: 634

Status:MBA Admissions Consultant

Affiliations: MBA Prep Coach

Location: United States

Farrell Nelson: MBA

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,936

Kudos: 1,545

07 May 2019, 02:31

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi tnsl6212 yes, that's the one. it's called assessment day however not admit day that is pretty wishful thinking. I made a joke about it and call it IM-Ding he enjoys that a lot. Why do you ask? Where you there?

tnsl6212

MBAPrepCoach

Hi MBA PrepCoach,

Was your client there on the March 22nd admit day?

tnsl6212

Joined: 08 Oct 2018

Last visit: 06 Apr 2020

Posts: 21

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Location: United States (TX)

Concentration: Healthcare, Leadership

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.74

Products:

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

Posts: 21

Kudos: 10

07 May 2019, 04:32

Kudos

Bookmarks

MBAPrepCoach

tnsl6212

MBAPrepCoach

Hi MBA PrepCoach,

Was your client there on the March 22nd admit day?

Yes, I was there on that day, and I think I know who your client is (only one Middle Eastern guy there). Tell him to keep his chin up and that he did a great job. There were a lot of great people there that day, but I really enjoyed my time with him specifically. It was actually one of the hallmarks/highlights of my experience that after the interviews we all went out and got a beer by the lake, and I spent most of my time talking with him and an Israeli guy about the geopolitics of the Gaza Strip (a conversation that I had nothing to contribute to but appreciated being a part of). It was the culmination of my experience at IMD- smart people from all over the world coming together in a beautiful setting and putting boundaries aside. It was really cool, and he may not remember it, but it meant a lot to me.

Also, just to clarify, there were actually 4 out of our 9 admitted.

I think a good piece of advice for others going into an assessment day is to be confident and make your voice heard without being arrogant or obnoxious. The people that I saw do well also did a good job of inviting others to speak and contribute, rather than trying to force their viewpoints on the group. Listen to what others are saying and then respond- probably a better way to get your thoughts in than to just state your opinion. Not to say that your client was in this group- he was very humble and, if anything, probably got railroaded by some of the more assertive candidates, but I wasn't in his case study group, so I didn't see the dynamic. It can be a hard balance of trying to get your opinion in when you have an overly-assertive person in the group, but from what I see, they didn't let in the domineering candidates.

MBAPrepCoach

MBA Admissions Consultant

Joined: 24 Mar 2015

Last visit: 03 Dec 2025

Posts: 3,936

Own Kudos:

1,545

Given Kudos: 634

Status:MBA Admissions Consultant

Affiliations: MBA Prep Coach

Location: United States

Farrell Nelson: MBA

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,936

Kudos: 1,545

07 May 2019, 04:42

Kudos

Bookmarks

tnsl6212, thank you for the kind words. HE IS A VERY GOOD PERSON, A SOLID CITIZEN. RARE. are you American? I think he mentioned you. He enjoyed your conversation. Where did you get the stat about 4/9? He had mentioned it was 2 is why I ask. He was pretty angry about it, but honestly it ended up GREAT - if he had been admitted there is a good chance he would not have gone to AD for IESE. Which he feels is a much better fit, more friendly, he really loved it. Could not even talk him into moving forward with HEC interviews and he speaks French. Waiting on scholarship information but no matter what he's headed to Barcelona in a couple months.

tnsl6212

Joined: 08 Oct 2018

Last visit: 06 Apr 2020

Posts: 21

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Location: United States (TX)

Concentration: Healthcare, Leadership

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.74

Products:

Schools: HBS '21 (D) Wharton '21 (D) Rice PMBA '21 (A) Kellogg 1YR '20 (A$) Marshall '21 (A$) IMD '20 (A) INSEAD Jan '20 (M$)

GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47 Verified score

Posts: 21

Kudos: 10

07 May 2019, 04:48

Kudos

Bookmarks

MBAPrepCoach

Yes, I'm American. Texan. There was one other American from Tennessee.

We had a Whatsapp group with all the candidates from our round. We got in touch before the assessment day and met up for dinner the night before the assessment, which REALLY helped break the ice and I think it made the atmosphere so much more casual and chummy the next day. I'd highly recommend anyone going to future assessment dates do the same if possible. Anyways, we all kept in touch after the assessment. Four of us have...admitted to being admitted haha. One was wait-listed.

I'm glad he found another good fit. IESE is a great program, and he'll be an asset wherever he is. I was looking forward to playing guitar with him in Switzerland!

mbaman20

Joined: 04 Aug 2018

Last visit: 11 Jun 2020

Posts: 3

Given Kudos: 9

Location: Singapore

Schools: Ross '21 (D) Insead Sept19 Intake (D) Booth '21 (D) Duke '21 (D) IMD '21 (S)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40 Verified score

GRE 1: Q164 V158 Verified score

GPA: 2.7

Products:

Schools: Ross '21 (D) Insead Sept19 Intake (D) Booth '21 (D) Duke '21 (D) IMD '21 (S)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40 Verified score

GRE 1: Q164 V158 Verified score

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

08 May 2019, 03:32

Kudos

Bookmarks

Any replies yet for people who applied in Round 2?

JMMadison

European Schools Moderator

Joined: 28 Sep 2018

Last visit: 08 Oct 2023

Posts: 77

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 26

Posts: 77

Kudos: 33

08 May 2019, 03:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

ashishtyl

Any replies yet for people who applied in Round 2?

I am wondering the same. I have not heard anything yet.

Posted from my mobile device

steteto

Joined: 03 Nov 2018

Last visit: 16 Jul 2019

Posts: 5

Own Kudos:

Location: Italy

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (WL) IMD '21 (WL)

GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.64

Products:

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (WL) IMD '21 (WL)

GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V41 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 1

08 May 2019, 04:42

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hey guys,
is there anyone in the wait list like me?

Cheers

mbaman20

Joined: 04 Aug 2018

Last visit: 11 Jun 2020

Posts: 3

Given Kudos: 9

Location: Singapore

Schools: Ross '21 (D) Insead Sept19 Intake (D) Booth '21 (D) Duke '21 (D) IMD '21 (S)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40 Verified score

GRE 1: Q164 V158 Verified score

GPA: 2.7

Products:

Schools: Ross '21 (D) Insead Sept19 Intake (D) Booth '21 (D) Duke '21 (D) IMD '21 (S)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40 Verified score

GRE 1: Q164 V158 Verified score

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

08 May 2019, 07:05

Kudos

Bookmarks

steteto

Hey guys,
is there anyone in the wait list like me?

Cheers

steteto: how did you find out about the status change? Email or Portal?

steteto

Joined: 03 Nov 2018

Last visit: 16 Jul 2019

Posts: 5

Own Kudos:

[1]

Location: Italy

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (WL) IMD '21 (WL)

GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.64

Products:

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (WL) IMD '21 (WL)

GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V41 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 1

[1]

09 May 2019, 00:45

Kudos

Bookmarks

ashishtyl

steteto

Hey guys,
is there anyone in the wait list like me?

Cheers

steteto: how did you find out about the status change? Email or Portal?

By e-mail, I'm a R1 applicant.

Mahanshu

Joined: 18 Oct 2015

Last visit: 26 Jun 2019

Posts: 7

Own Kudos:

[1]

Given Kudos: 4

Location: Aruba

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (S) IMD '21 (II)

GPA: 3.5

Schools: INSEAD Jan '20 (S) IMD '21 (II)

Posts: 7

Kudos: 2

[1]

10 May 2019, 08:46

Kudos

Bookmarks

Guys,

I have been invited for the assessment day after applying in R2. I would like to know is it ok if I chose singapore as my location because it will be easier to travel from where I am situated.