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5 years
France
2026
Male
Score: 635 GMAT Focus
Pre-MBA industry: Consulting
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
INSEAD
August Intake
August Intake
Round 2,
2026
Invited to interviewNov 17, 25
1 day ago
17 Nov 2025 06:11
18 days ago
31 Oct 2025 03:10
Hello everyone,
I’m currently preparing my application for the INSEAD MBA January 2026 intake (Round 2) and would love to get your thoughts on my profile and overall positioning.
I’m a French consultant with five years of experience at EY, where I specialize in Digital Transformation and Data Analytics projects within the Public Sector and Defense practice. My role involves helping large government agencies (OECD, Ministry of Defense, ...) improve operational efficiency through automation and data-driven solutions. Over the years, I’ve learned to balance technical expertise with strategic advisory — ensuring that technology genuinely supports mission outcomes.
During my time at EY, I spent one year in London, working in the EMEIA Defense Team, working with clients like NATO and European Defense Agency. This experience significantly strengthened my adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. It also gave me a deeper appreciation of how leadership and collaboration can vary across cultures — something I find particularly exciting about INSEAD’s international learning environment.
Academically, I hold a Master’s degree in Engineering from French institution. I recently scored 635 on the GMAT Focus and 83 on the PTE Academic. Outside of work, I’m passionate about horseback riding, a sport I’ve practiced since childhood. I find that it perfectly combines discipline, strategy, and emotional connection — qualities that have also shaped my approach to leadership.
Looking ahead, my short-term goal is to transition into strategy consulting where I can drive large-scale transformation programs.
I’m currently preparing my application for the INSEAD MBA January 2026 intake (Round 2) and would love to get your thoughts on my profile and overall positioning.
I’m a French consultant with five years of experience at EY, where I specialize in Digital Transformation and Data Analytics projects within the Public Sector and Defense practice. My role involves helping large government agencies (OECD, Ministry of Defense, ...) improve operational efficiency through automation and data-driven solutions. Over the years, I’ve learned to balance technical expertise with strategic advisory — ensuring that technology genuinely supports mission outcomes.
During my time at EY, I spent one year in London, working in the EMEIA Defense Team, working with clients like NATO and European Defense Agency. This experience significantly strengthened my adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. It also gave me a deeper appreciation of how leadership and collaboration can vary across cultures — something I find particularly exciting about INSEAD’s international learning environment.
Academically, I hold a Master’s degree in Engineering from French institution. I recently scored 635 on the GMAT Focus and 83 on the PTE Academic. Outside of work, I’m passionate about horseback riding, a sport I’ve practiced since childhood. I find that it perfectly combines discipline, strategy, and emotional connection — qualities that have also shaped my approach to leadership.
Looking ahead, my short-term goal is to transition into strategy consulting where I can drive large-scale transformation programs.
However, 2 key areas can be strengthened: Your GMAT FE score and your post-MBA clarity: your short-term goal (Strategy Consulting) is logical, but needs to show how it builds from your defense/public-sector background and leads toward a long-term mission. If you can articulate those points and bring your professional stories to life through strong essays and recommendations, you’ll still be in the competitive pool, especially as a European female consultant.
Strengths to highlight: Cross-border consulting exposure: One year in London, collaboration with OECD, NATO, and EDA, demonstrates adaptability, cultural fluency, and experience in international teams. Public sector + defense specialization, a niche that can differentiate you from generalist consultants. You bring mission-driven consulting experience that few peers have. Data + Strategy hybrid, you’re not just technical; you’ve linked analytics to strategic decision-making.
Female leader in a male-dominated industry, subtly positioning your trajectory in defense and analytics can resonate with INSEAD’s gender-diversity emphasis.
Clarify post-MBA goals story, currently: “Transition into strategy consulting" is logical but generic. INSEAD will want to know: why strategy, why now, and how does it connect to your past?
Questions for you to reflect upon:
1) What inspired your initial interest in digital transformation, and how do you define impact in your current projects?
2) Have you had any direct exposure to strategy consulting (vs implementation/tech)?
3) What kind of strategy consulting do you hope to move into (MBB, Tier-2, or public-sector-focused firms)?
4) What’s your long-term vision after consulting? (like Leadership in global institutions, entrepreneurship, or government policy roles?)
5) How do you define leadership in your current role?
Register for our Upcoming ESSAY WORKSHOP on Fuqua, Darden, & Ross. Craft essays that shine: pick powerful stories, match your goals with each school, and showcase authentic leadership. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
All the best!
Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
The GMAT score is alright, but was it in line with your mocks/ expectations? If you feel you can improve, it's worth going for a retake and potentially looking at Round 3, or Round 1 (for Jan intake).
I also like your focus within the public sector and defense, which can potentially help present transferable skills to your post-MBA goals. Make sure to have a robust narrative covering your experiences, career goals, and how / why INSEAD fits in at this juncture.
Feel free to reach out for a discussion!
Regards,
Arvind (Founder, admitStreet)
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