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9 years
India
2027
Female
Score: 645 GMAT Focus
GPA: 8.8
Pre-MBA industry: Technology
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
INSEAD
January Intake
January Intake
Round 2,
2027
28 days ago
25 Mar 2026 09:03
1 year ago
8 Jan 2025 10:01
Hello Experts,
I’m planning to apply to INSEAD (Jan ’27 intake, Round 2, deadline April 21; interview decisions on May 29). I’ve already resigned from my current role, and my last working day is April 3.
Post my last working day, I plan to pursue a consulting internship aligned with my short-term goals.
I’d appreciate advice on how to present this in my application, especially where they ask about my last working day and my plans afterward. How can I communicate this clearly without creating the wrong impression?
Also, could this be perceived as an irresponsible decision? Any guidance would be really helpful.
Below is my profile detail :
Work experience:
I have 8+ years of experience in Leading Automotive OEMs in Research and Development and briefly in Manufacturing.
Handled strategic projects and led project teams.
Have International work experience (as Job transfer) to USA and Germany.
Mutiple reward and recognitions received -
(I) Engineering Achievement award 2020 for successful implementation of Euro 6 vehicles on the market.
(II) Hackathon winner - Data-driven customer insight developed for electric vehicles
(III) Department Award 2024 for Global Product owner
Academics:
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering. Among top 5% in the class of undergrad.
Certification:
Six Sigma certified
Outside work:
Trained classical singer
Play Badminton
Post-MBA Short-term Goal:
Transitioning to consulting role focusing Automotive or Technology industry.
I’m planning to apply to INSEAD (Jan ’27 intake, Round 2, deadline April 21; interview decisions on May 29). I’ve already resigned from my current role, and my last working day is April 3.
Post my last working day, I plan to pursue a consulting internship aligned with my short-term goals.
I’d appreciate advice on how to present this in my application, especially where they ask about my last working day and my plans afterward. How can I communicate this clearly without creating the wrong impression?
Also, could this be perceived as an irresponsible decision? Any guidance would be really helpful.
Below is my profile detail :
Work experience:
I have 8+ years of experience in Leading Automotive OEMs in Research and Development and briefly in Manufacturing.
Handled strategic projects and led project teams.
Have International work experience (as Job transfer) to USA and Germany.
Mutiple reward and recognitions received -
(I) Engineering Achievement award 2020 for successful implementation of Euro 6 vehicles on the market.
(II) Hackathon winner - Data-driven customer insight developed for electric vehicles
(III) Department Award 2024 for Global Product owner
Academics:
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering. Among top 5% in the class of undergrad.
Certification:
Six Sigma certified
Outside work:
Trained classical singer
Play Badminton
Post-MBA Short-term Goal:
Transitioning to consulting role focusing Automotive or Technology industry.
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, it shows a solid background in engineering and leadership experience in the automotive industry. Apart from that your international exposure and awards show your ability to deliver results in a global setting—qualities that top schools value. Retaking the GMAT is a must, as your current score is way below average for the schools you are targeting. You should aim for a score close to 695-700. I would also recommend that you add a few safe schools to your list. In order to further boost your chances, you should consider certifications in areas like data analytics or digital transformation. Additionally, taking on leadership roles outside of work, like mentoring or organizing a community activity, can help you stand out. Also, are there particular leadership achievements you'd like to highlight in your applications?
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Yes, I would add leadership achievements from work.
However, your GMAT score of 595 will limit your options at highly competitive schools, so focusing on improving it would be beneficial, especially to match the expectations of top-tier programs. Retaking the GMAT to push your score to around 700+ would enhance your profile significantly.
In terms of work experience, your leadership in strategic projects and cross-functional collaboration is a great asset, but you may want to highlight more examples of impactful leadership and team dynamics. Since you’re looking to transition into consulting, it would help to showcase how your current experience can translate into a consulting context, emphasizing your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex challenges.
For extracurriculars, you could consider getting involved in activities that demonstrate leadership and teamwork outside of work, like joining a consulting or industry-specific club, or taking on mentoring or volunteer roles that show a well-rounded profile. If possible, certifications in consulting or management (like PMP or strategy-related courses) could further boost your profile.
To better align with your target schools, consider expanding your network by attending events or webinars hosted by schools you're interested in, engaging with their alumni, and seeking informational interviews with consultants to gain insights into the industry. This can also help you refine your post-MBA goals.
If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to discuss your profile in detail. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience.
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Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Any suggestion would be highly appreciated!
I’m planning to apply to INSEAD (Jan ’27 intake, Round 2, deadline April 21; interview decisions on May 29). I’ve already resigned from my current role, and my last working day is April 3.
Post my last working day, I plan to pursue a consulting internship aligned with my short-term goals.
I’d appreciate advice on how to present this in my application, especially where they ask about my last working day and my plans afterward. How can I communicate this clearly without creating the wrong impression?
Also, could this be perceived as an irresponsible decision? Any guidance would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance!
You have 8 years of substantial experience (i presume , without breaks) and taking one for a few months to transition into a new role is not a red flag.
You should, however, explain it via the optional essay because if your resume says that your employment has terminated in April '26, then you dont want the adcom second guessing the reason. Tell the reason as you have mentioned here- you are taking up an internship role that aligns with your future goal and this is a strategic move towards your future path. IMO, it shows self awareness and a strong desire to shape your career path, which adcoms always appreciate. So don't worry about this.
Also, there is no harm in applying for an MBA in the midst of a job transition. As I said earlier, you have 8 years of solid experience that speaks to your career success.
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
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