Hi!!
I need some advice regarding one of my INSEAD essays:
Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil, or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. 250 WORDSI had written it, and was somewhat pleased with it, but I spoke to a friend who told me the example I took might not be very relevant...
I had chosen an experience from my last year in college (8 years ago already...
) and she pointed out that this was outdated, which I think is a good point. But the other two examples I can think of are not that great either...
Example 1: While I was studying towards an accounting diploma 4 years ago, I decided to take 2 courses. At the same time, my normal workload was quite heavy, I was asked to work on a demanding project, and was taking Spanish lessons three times a week. I didn't manage to handle all of it, and although my project was a success, I failed one of my accounting exams.
Lessons: better organize myself and know my own limits.
Problem with this essay: I don't want the admission people to think that I am not a good student or that my quant skills are low...
Example 2: A year and a half ago, I needed to go back to France for personal reasons (I was living in Spain at the time). I loved my job at DuPont and told myself that I would only leave once I found a job at least as good. Within a month, GE offered me a job. The job seemed interesting, GE was a company I admired, the salary was much better than what I was earning, and it offered me the possibility to go back to France quickly. But once I got there, I realized that the job was not at all what I had imagined and ended up hating it and resigned a few months later.
Lessons: make sure you know yourself, understand what you want to do, properly do your research before starting something
Problem with this essay: GE is very respected. I don't want to give the impression that I don't fit in this type of culture. I also don't want to give the impression that I am unstable (have worked for 4 different companies in the last 6 years)
So, what should I do? Stick to the college experience? Choose example 1? or example 2?
I would really appreciate any feedback. I've been going over this for the last week and can't seem to be able to make up my mind. I'm worried both experiences make me look "bad"
Thank you so much for your input and have a great day/evening!!