How to get into INSEAD, IESE and HEC Paris with GMAT 590?Why only 590?Honestly, I didn’t prepare as well as I should have. I used a product called TargetTest Prep, a product I really value, and still somewhat neglected the Verbal aspect. Getting only 28 in Verbal affected me a bit, but I was interested in experiencing the process and later applied for
HEC Paris, IESE and INSEAD MBA.Allow me to state my opinion in clear terms: I firmly believe that the organization behind the GMAT has been a very practical approach. Funding is maintained through multiple streams, such as learning materials and other score reports. Economically, this is a tough business model. To me, however, the GMAT is not an indicator of a person’s entire personality. I have noticed that many individuals in GmatClub feel the pressure of this test. Sure, this may give a boost to those with less professional experience or less interesting profiles, but does it really reflect the qualities, intelligence, or professional ability of a team player? It makes sense but it could just as well not be the case.
Coming back to my story: within three months, I was involved in study. The first month focused on the quantitative section, followed by my first practice test. After that, I maintained the pace by taking one practice test a week, scoring satisfactorily from 630 to 710. After this time, I took the actual test and scored 590, mainly because of the Verbal section. If I could give any advice, it would be this: Do not focus only on the quantitative part when preparing. Give more time to the Verbal part, especially reading comprehension. It can make or break your overall score!
For the essay part, although people write here on GmatClub that you shouldn’t leave it until the end, I wrote a total of only two essays and ended up with a perfect 6/6. Basically, all you have to do is know the structure of the essay by heart, use it 100% of the time on the exam, and just write a basic essay without any mistakes on the exam. Search on google: "How to get a 6.0 in AWA" and hit the GmatClub link. By "simple essay", I mean that it doesn't require high-flown language or intricate details. Just generate 2-3 straightforward arguments that resonate with you, and articulate them in a few sentences.
What is the process to get into a Top B-School?1. Before applying, I touched base with the admissions team, sharing my CV to gauge my fit for their program. This initial interaction can cast a favorable impression and allows you to tweak your CV if needed. I received positive responses due to my strong profile - I was an entrepreneur during my Bachelor's degree and have experience in the finance industry and government sector. However, they still required my GMAT score.
HEC and IESE have dedicated platforms to connect with their admissions team.
For INSEAD, there's no such option. I contacted their admission manager (found online), asking for CV feedback. Within a day, I received insightful tips from another team member via a Teams Conversation.
For INSEAD, keep your CV to ONE PAGE, it's crucial! Also, include quantitative details like
"Managed a portfolio of x large-scale IT projects with a budget of $x million, hitting 90% of milestones within 10% of schedule variance." Invest time in crafting your CV. Use tools like Novoresume to make it stand out!
2. With the encouraging feedback, I felt confident about my suitability for the programs. I began filling out forms and jotting down preliminary answers for the essay questions. These questions need thoughtful responses, so take your time. Use online templates as inspiration but be creative as your unique answers will make you stand out. While I'm unsure of the weightage the admission committee gives to essays, I suspect your CV and essays are key factors in determining your fit for the program. For any essay-related queries, feel free to comment.
It's also beneficial to get feedback from a recent alumnus, especially for INSEAD. They can review your answers and suggest ways to provide the most information.
Use the 'Other' or 'Comments' section to address any weaknesses, like a low GMAT score. Be honest, highlight your language skills, and express gratitude towards the admissions managers or alumni you've interacted with. Despite a 590 GMAT score, I focused more on my CV and essays and opted for GRE, scoring 310 (150V, 160Q). This was to show my commitment to taking another test.
(Remark: it is written on the Internet that INSEAD is not considering GMAT from countries where GMAT is offered: this is nonsense!!)(Second Remark: the GRE is much easier in the Quant section than the GMAT. However, the verbal section as a non-native is a tough one and it‘s much more of a gambling game if you do not learn for it.)After submitting my complete application, I awaited responses from each school, typically within 2-4 weeks. The next stage was INTERVIEWS.
3. The
interviews are fairly straightforward, with an attempt to pair you with interviewers of similar geography or background. I had one interviewer from my country and another from a different background. The first interview was conversational, while the second was more detailed. Be prepared to answer questions like: Why MBA? Why this B-School? Why now? What are your post-MBA goals? How can an MBA help you achieve these goals? What's your strength? What makes you unique? Connect with recent alumni or current students through LinkedIn for insights into the interview process.
In addition to this, IESE invites you to their
"IESE Admission Day", an optional yet highly recommended event. It's a valuable opportunity to understand other schools, network with students, and explore Barcelona. You'll participate in a group Case Study which is quite enlightening! In my case, we received 3 failed ideas from Kickstarter and you had 1,5 hours to analyze the ideas, select one and pitch your presentation in front of the other groups and the committee about why the idea failed and what you would do different.
4. Between Mid-April and Mid-June, I received
acceptances from all three programs. I had 4-6 weeks to decide, but since I was waiting on multiple responses, I requested an extended decision period of 7 weeks. Don't hesitate to ask for what you need. You're not just competing for a place, the schools are competing too!
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Key takeaway: The GMAT score isn't everything. Your experience and profile are more crucial. High GMAT scores don't necessarily mean better team skills or open-mindedness. If something doesn't work for you, don't hesitate to ask. No one will reject you for asking questions. Be true to yourself!
P.S. many people will probably ask themselves what
my Profile is, and here you have it:
- Bachelor in Economics (2 different universities in Europe)
- Master in International Business (UK&US)
- Started a small business during my Bachelor studies
- Worked for 5 years in the financial sector and government sector managing projects in digitalization
- Speaking 4 Languages
- Volunteering in 2 clubs and I am also part of the board
- Traveled over 25 countries so I was exposed to different culturesIf you have any questions, leave them down below or just hit me a message!