Last visit was: 06 May 2026, 22:10 It is currently 06 May 2026, 22:10
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
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
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
MBADecoder
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Last visit: 06 May 2026
Posts: 2,972
Own Kudos:
801
Given Kudos: 224
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,972
Kudos: 801
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 02 Dec 2019, 12:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ZahidGani
Hi All

Looking for insight as to whether applying during R3 for September 2020 at INSEAD will be a worthwhile application.

Nationality: South African
Gender: Male
Age : 29
GMAT: 760 (V43, Q51)
Other: CA(SA) and CFA charterholder

WE: 6 Years

1st WE: 37 months at Big 4, audit, in Cape Town. Promoted 5 time in 3 years, departed at supervisor level, completed CA(SA) designation.

2nd WE: 12 months at UK based Venture Debt fund (in Cape Town office). Invested funds into technology company in UK space. Involved in the due diligence and investment process. Specific focus on technology companies. - Analyst level role. Obtained CFA charter.

3rd WE: 19 Months in Mezzanine finance in Vancouver, Canada. Relocated for emigration purposes. Involved in funding $22M to date, deal with clients across North America. Worked on developing our venture debt produce as part of product expansion. - Associate Level role

International: (mostly between Canada and South Africa)
Spent a year abroad in Toronto after graduating.
Moved to Cape Town for Big 4,
Worked in a UK based entity for 12 months.
Moved to Vancouver, completing deals across Canada and USA.

GPA: Extremely low, possibly 2.3/4 due to nature of my school. University had a pass/fail approach rather than A/B+ approach.
Regardless of ‘low ‘GPA I was top 15% of university (Golden Key Society)
Also came first for Management Accounting and Finance course in post-graduate diploma (score of 70%)

EC: organize a weekly soccer game and captain of a amateur men’s soccer team with friends. Play twice a week, also used to organize a game in Cape Town until I left.
Provide accounting and finance services for a charity based in Vancouver. Charity works towards providing a soup kitchen in Gabon.

Post MBA: Long term: join a multinational corporate as part of strategy, to develop, guide and execute strategy.
Shot term: MBB, focus on McKinsey. As a strategy consultant, to build out experience with strategy.

Have spent time assessing strategy for investment purposes and want to be more involved with strategy formulation than assessment. Also I believe experience working with multiple companies (audit and investment) provides insight into strategy’s employed.

Why MBA: leverage accounting and finance experience into strategic development. Insead for global outlook and consulting focus.

Concerns:
Low GPA
Big 4 audit is not the most difficult to get into. unknown venture debt/mezz finance employers are relatively unknown brands, not adding brand value to CV
Weak EC’s, have spent a lot of time travelling and exploring rather than on EC’s

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

Hi,

Good profile overall. While the GPA is a concern, you must explain the marking scheme of your college and how you turn out in relative terms compared to the rest of the class. You can also highlight some MBA relevant courses where your marks were top of class. The high GMAT score will further help in admissions.
For your work experience - you had 5 promotions in 3 years at the audit firm and also got your CA/ CFA. That's not a bad record at all. Ultimately your application stands on your strengths and not those of your employer. In larger companies such as the big 4, it can be difficult to stand out, but if you were able to do so (performing better than peers), then you have a strong case in your favour. I will say the same thing about the two smaller companies- you have made good impact at both- bring this out through super-strong resume, essays and recommendations and things will work out well for you.

As for your ECA, I like the fact that you are helping the charity by providing your core skill, that is accounting. You should definitely mention this in your essay. You can also leverage your extensive travels by writing about how it has expanded your mindset and given you a better perspective of the world.

Reach out if you need help with your application writing.
User avatar
MBADecoder
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Last visit: 06 May 2026
Posts: 2,972
Own Kudos:
801
Given Kudos: 224
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,972
Kudos: 801
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 02 Dec 2019, 12:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

Silly question, but I am feeling a little confused. Are you working in your family's business and plan to return to it post MBA (feasible. Also, you will be one person less INSEAD's career services will have to think about for recruitment) or are you working in someone else's family business and plan to return to it (why would you?) ?



NGMATK
Hello everyone,

I am a 26-year-old Lebanese male working for a family business operating in the Energy and Power Industry. I act as the Sales & Business Development Manager and have around 5 years of professional experience. I gained significant experience in project management and had many success stories in developing and growing the business to twice what it was 5 years ago (revenue and staff-wise). To briefly illustrate, I attracted new clients, developed and handled all relationships with international suppliers, managed the company’s daily activities in sales, procurement and logistics, and secured contracts (nationally and regionally) for prestigious projects in both the public and private sector.

In addition, I helped in studying the feasibility of investing in an assembly/manufacturing workshop and in founding it. I also took the initiative to establish an internationally recognized quality management system for the business by working closely with a management consulting company on new policies and procedures.

Post-MBA Goal
Expand the family business (nationally and regionally) and establish a division or a separate company that focuses on the smart grid, the industrial digitalization and the renewable energy sector.

GMAT Score
670 (Q48, V34, IR 5) which I scored a couple of days ago. I was not satisfied with my score so I cancelled it. I'm planning to retake the GMAT in 2-3 weeks. My target score is 720+ to increase my chances at top MBA programs.

Education
- BE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut
- GPA: 3.64/4.00
- Graduated with distinction

Extracurricular Activities
- I played a lot basketball and almost went pro (not going pro was a personal choice). I played for the Youth National Team, University Varsity Team, High School Varsity Team and one of the country’s most prestigious basketball clubs and have been named MVP several times. I won national championships and captained most of the teams that I was part of.
- Private tutoring university students in engineering, sciences and business.
- Scout member and leader for several years
- Volunteered in two NGOs
- Member in several university clubs

Do you think I have a shot at INSEAD with my current score?

Thanks!
Show more
avatar
NGMATK
avatar
Joined: 12 Sep 2019
Last visit: 12 Jun 2020
Posts: 12
Given Kudos: 2
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40
Posts: 12
Kudos: 0
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 02 Dec 2019, 12:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

I'm working in my family business and plan to return to it post MBA :)

MBADecoder
Hi,

Silly question, but I am feeling a little confused. Are you working in your family's business and plan to return to it post MBA (feasible. Also, you will be one person less INSEAD's career services will have to think about for recruitment) or are you working in someone else's family business and plan to return to it (why would you?) ?



NGMATK
Hello everyone,

I am a 26-year-old Lebanese male working for a family business operating in the Energy and Power Industry. I act as the Sales & Business Development Manager and have around 5 years of professional experience. I gained significant experience in project management and had many success stories in developing and growing the business to twice what it was 5 years ago (revenue and staff-wise). To briefly illustrate, I attracted new clients, developed and handled all relationships with international suppliers, managed the company’s daily activities in sales, procurement and logistics, and secured contracts (nationally and regionally) for prestigious projects in both the public and private sector.

In addition, I helped in studying the feasibility of investing in an assembly/manufacturing workshop and in founding it. I also took the initiative to establish an internationally recognized quality management system for the business by working closely with a management consulting company on new policies and procedures.

Post-MBA Goal
Expand the family business (nationally and regionally) and establish a division or a separate company that focuses on the smart grid, the industrial digitalization and the renewable energy sector.

GMAT Score
670 (Q48, V34, IR 5) which I scored a couple of days ago. I was not satisfied with my score so I cancelled it. I'm planning to retake the GMAT in 2-3 weeks. My target score is 720+ to increase my chances at top MBA programs.

Education
- BE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut
- GPA: 3.64/4.00
- Graduated with distinction

Extracurricular Activities
- I played a lot basketball and almost went pro (not going pro was a personal choice). I played for the Youth National Team, University Varsity Team, High School Varsity Team and one of the country’s most prestigious basketball clubs and have been named MVP several times. I won national championships and captained most of the teams that I was part of.
- Private tutoring university students in engineering, sciences and business.
- Scout member and leader for several years
- Volunteered in two NGOs
- Member in several university clubs

Do you think I have a shot at INSEAD with my current score?

Thanks!
Show more
avatar
FCSILVAE
avatar
Joined: 02 Dec 2019
Last visit: 04 Sep 2025
Posts: 10
Own Kudos:
1
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
Posts: 10
Kudos: 1
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 04 Dec 2019, 02:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I’d greatly appreciate if my profile could be evaluated. Feedback regarding my chances of getting admitted and tips for improving those odds are welcome. I will try to be brief in order not to take a lot of your time. Thanks in advance.


Personal Info: 25 years old Brazilian (from Salvador).

Education: Undergrad - Law School (not ranked);

UNDERGRADUATE GPA: 7,09/10 (Due to imaturity, since i got into university with 16 years old);
POSTGRADUATE GPA: 9,01/10 (Business Law post grad at the best law school of Brazil);
GMAT: 720 (Q50, V38, IR 7, AWA 5.5);
IELTS: 8.0;

Work Exp: 4 years of exp at matriculation:
2 years as an intern in M&A (boutique law firm);
3 years as an Associate Lawer - M&A (boutique law firm);

Extra Cs: Head of the pro bono practise of the law firm i work;
Member of the Brazilian Bar Business Law Commission;
2 months as an English teacher for AIESEC at Colombia;

Languages: Portuguese (fluent), English (fluent/advanced), Spanish ( intermediate) and French (level c1 - advanced)

Goals: To change my career and break into finance industry (PE or IB).

Best regards,
avatar
GovinSA
avatar
Joined: 21 Oct 2016
Last visit: 18 Jul 2022
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Singapore
Schools: INSEAD Jan'21 Intake (S)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
GPA: 3.8
Schools: INSEAD Jan'21 Intake (S)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
Posts: 11
Kudos: 3
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 04 Dec 2019, 22:49
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello Admins and Coaches,

Kindly review my profile for INSEAD Jan'21

Profile:
Male Indian/ 28YO
GMAT: 720
Education : Engineering Bachelors in India (GPA 4.1/5)/ Masters in Nanyang Technological Uni -Singapore (GPA 3.7/5)

Work Ex: 6 years till date
1. Product Manager for American MNC- Oil and Gas sector in India (2 years), worked with Middle east clients like Saudi Aramco.

2. Global Operation Senior Analyst for American semiconductor mfg firm based in singapore (4 years), I have international assignments in Taiwan and Japan for 6 months each. I lead global team with team members placed in Taiwan and Japan.

Post INSEAD MBA:
Mfg consulting or Supply chain consulting in MBB


What are my chances?
User avatar
Accepted.com
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Last visit: 18 Dec 2022
Posts: 6,466
Own Kudos:
859
Given Kudos: 92
Location: Los Angeles CA
Posts: 6,466
Kudos: 859
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 04 Dec 2019, 23:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
NGMATK
Hello everyone,

I am a 26-year-old Lebanese male working for a family business operating in the Energy and Power Industry. I act as the Sales & Business Development Manager and have around 5 years of professional experience. I gained significant experience in project management and had many success stories in developing and growing the business to twice what it was 5 years ago (revenue and staff-wise). To briefly illustrate, I attracted new clients, developed and handled all relationships with international suppliers, managed the company’s daily activities in sales, procurement and logistics, and secured contracts (nationally and regionally) for prestigious projects in both the public and private sector.

In addition, I helped in studying the feasibility of investing in an assembly/manufacturing workshop and in founding it. I also took the initiative to establish an internationally recognized quality management system for the business by working closely with a management consulting company on new policies and procedures.

Post-MBA Goal
Expand the family business (nationally and regionally) and establish a division or a separate company that focuses on the smart grid, the industrial digitalization and the renewable energy sector.

GMAT Score
670 (Q48, V34, IR 5) which I scored a couple of days ago. I was not satisfied with my score so I cancelled it. I'm planning to retake the GMAT in 2-3 weeks. My target score is 720+ to increase my chances at top MBA programs.

Education
- BE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut
- GPA: 3.64/4.00
- Graduated with distinction

Extracurricular Activities
- I played a lot basketball and almost went pro (not going pro was a personal choice). I played for the Youth National Team, University Varsity Team, High School Varsity Team and one of the country’s most prestigious basketball clubs and have been named MVP several times. I won national championships and captained most of the teams that I was part of.
- Private tutoring university students in engineering, sciences and business.
- Scout member and leader for several years
- Volunteered in two NGOs
- Member in several university clubs

Do you think I have a shot at INSEAD with my current score?

Thanks!
Show more

You have competitive grades and work experience. Your current GMAT is a little below average. While I think it would be better if you raise your score, I don't think that your current score automatically knocks you out of consideration given everything else you have going for you. My advice would be for you to retake and hopefully get a better score. If you get a 670 again with the same breakdown, I'd recommend against cancelling again and give it a try. Were you doing better on practice exams?

Linda
avatar
carrotwit
avatar
Joined: 03 Dec 2019
Last visit: 14 Jan 2020
Posts: 1
Location: India
Schools: ISB '21 (S)
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
Schools: ISB '21 (S)
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 06 Dec 2019, 21:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi

Thanks for all the support being given on this thread. Really appreciate all the moderators who are taking the time to do this. Request an eval of my profile for Insead as well.

Nationality: Indian
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Education: Undergraduate - Engineering
GMAT: 690 (Q47 V38)

Work-Experience:
2010-2019 - Entrepreneur (not family business)
Co-founded, scaled and sold my digital marketing company to US based private equity firm. The 9 years has been a massive roller coaster ride. The company was bootstrapped till sale. Company won awards for creative work as well as "Best Startup Workplaces". The time as an entrepreneur has been very enriching, and can share so many stories of massive cash crunches, to marque client's turnarounds, to hiring, to handling issues of sexual harassment at the workplace etc.

Prior to being an entrepreneur, was working in the Management Consulting domain.


Other Aspects of profile
I'm a Yoga Teacher, spent 1.5 years training as a yoga teacher. Applied Yoga not just in personal life, but the tools of Yoga Sutra in designing the award winning work culture.

Been a volunteer in one place or another all my adult life. From AIESEC & founding an entrepreneurship club in college, to being part of the National Social Media core team of a main stream political party. From organizing entrepreneurship events to an event where 5000 volunteers worked from midnight to sunset to build 18 toilets in government schools.


Post MBA - Goal
To go back to being an Entrepreneur. Possibly in the space of digital skilling in vernacular languages, an estimated $3-5 billion market. A lot of research done already.

Thanks in advance
avatar
cozuysal
avatar
Joined: 30 Jun 2018
Last visit: 05 May 2020
Posts: 4
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 4
Kudos: 0
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 09 Dec 2019, 04:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Background and Nationality : Turkish, 25 years old
Under-graduate Information :Business Studies- Cardiff Metropolitan University ( High 2:2 from 58)
GMAT : 720
Work Experience & Leadership : 1 Year at the best local investment bank in Turkey as an ECM analyst, 1 year at the VC backed startup as a co-founder in San Francisco, 1 year at BNP Paribas Asset Management as an Investment Analyst
Extra-Curricular Activities : Played professional basketball untill University and played Lacrosse during university also played in Turkish national team
Post MBA Goals : I am currenty teaching myself quantitative trading and my post mba goal is to get in to a hedge fund or asset management company in London. Work there for several years and comeback to Turkey to start my own quant fund. I want to start my fund in Turkey beacuse I see that demand towards the quant funds has picked up here but there are not many people who is good at it.
User avatar
MBADecoder
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Last visit: 06 May 2026
Posts: 2,972
Own Kudos:
801
Given Kudos: 224
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,972
Kudos: 801
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 09 Dec 2019, 22:32
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi NGMATK

Good profile overall. The family business, the growth you have already achieved and further plans to grow it - all bode well for the MBA application. B-schools love achievers with big, realistic dreams. If you can convince them you have these big dreams and a serious intent to make them happen with help from INSEAD, that would work in your favour

I am concerned about the GMAT score as well, and would ask you to retake. Why leave any stone unturned to make your application strong on every front.


MBADecoder
Hi,

Silly question, but I am feeling a little confused. Are you working in your family's business and plan to return to it post MBA (feasible. Also, you will be one person less INSEAD's career services will have to think about for recruitment) or are you working in someone else's family business and plan to return to it (why would you?) ?



NGMATK
Hello everyone,

I am a 26-year-old Lebanese male working for a family business operating in the Energy and Power Industry. I act as the Sales & Business Development Manager and have around 5 years of professional experience. I gained significant experience in project management and had many success stories in developing and growing the business to twice what it was 5 years ago (revenue and staff-wise). To briefly illustrate, I attracted new clients, developed and handled all relationships with international suppliers, managed the company’s daily activities in sales, procurement and logistics, and secured contracts (nationally and regionally) for prestigious projects in both the public and private sector.

In addition, I helped in studying the feasibility of investing in an assembly/manufacturing workshop and in founding it. I also took the initiative to establish an internationally recognized quality management system for the business by working closely with a management consulting company on new policies and procedures.

Post-MBA Goal
Expand the family business (nationally and regionally) and establish a division or a separate company that focuses on the smart grid, the industrial digitalization and the renewable energy sector.

GMAT Score
670 (Q48, V34, IR 5) which I scored a couple of days ago. I was not satisfied with my score so I cancelled it. I'm planning to retake the GMAT in 2-3 weeks. My target score is 720+ to increase my chances at top MBA programs.

Education
- BE in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut
- GPA: 3.64/4.00
- Graduated with distinction

Extracurricular Activities
- I played a lot basketball and almost went pro (not going pro was a personal choice). I played for the Youth National Team, University Varsity Team, High School Varsity Team and one of the country’s most prestigious basketball clubs and have been named MVP several times. I won national championships and captained most of the teams that I was part of.
- Private tutoring university students in engineering, sciences and business.
- Scout member and leader for several years
- Volunteered in two NGOs
- Member in several university clubs

Do you think I have a shot at INSEAD with my current score?

Thanks!
Show more
User avatar
ARLeeConsulting
User avatar
ARLee Consulting
Joined: 19 Dec 2017
Last visit: 18 Mar 2026
Posts: 496
Own Kudos:
217
Status:MBA Admissions and Career Coaching by INSEAD alum and former Samsung HR Head.
Affiliations: INSEAD MBA'11D (experience as admissions interviewer), SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
Read our Verified Client Reviews on GMAT Club:
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 496
Kudos: 217
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 10 Dec 2019, 14:11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi cozuysal,

thanks for sharing your profile.

You haven't included much detail, but I like what I see. You seem to have extensive international experience, which INSEAD loves, and your short-term goals involve working in London, therefore you'll have no issues meeting the International Motivation admissions criterion.

Your undergraduate grades could have been better, but your GMAT score is above INSEAD's average, therefore it shouldn't really be an issue.

I like your past as a professional sports player. This will help you set yourself apart and probably will help you justify your academic performance during college.

I would love to see your resume to have more detail about your 3 years of professional experience. Feel free to share it with me via PM or at [email protected].

Thank you very much.

Warm regards
Alex
avatar
chetansood
avatar
Joined: 02 Jun 2014
Last visit: 24 Apr 2020
Posts: 58
Own Kudos:
25
Given Kudos: 39
Location: India
Schools: Simon '22 (II) ISB '21 (S) INSEAD Jan'21 Intake (S)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
Schools: Simon '22 (II) ISB '21 (S) INSEAD Jan'21 Intake (S)
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
Posts: 58
Kudos: 25
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 10 Dec 2019, 14:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello,

I am trying to see if its worthwhile to attempt getting into insead.

My information is as follows.

Experience : 120 months. ( 24 months Telecommunication Job as an engineer, Rest in family owned, later owned only by me manufacturing business ( handling sales / manufacturing ).

GMAT 720 , v40, q49 , ir 4

Undergraduate : GPA 3 / 4 bachelors of technology ( Electronics & Communications )

School both 10th & 12th Grades 85% +

International exposure: Started exports of my manufactured product outside India. Also worked in USA for 3 months while working in telecom.

Retaking GMAT is a possibility, With chances of improvement in quant.

Well travelled, only extracurricular is photography and table tennis, interests nothing substantial..


Thanks
User avatar
Admissionado
User avatar
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 9,229
Own Kudos:
2,075
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 11 Dec 2019, 11:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
cozuysal
Background and Nationality : Turkish, 25 years old
Under-graduate Information :Business Studies- Cardiff Metropolitan University ( High 2:2 from 58)
GMAT : 720
Work Experience & Leadership : 1 Year at the best local investment bank in Turkey as an ECM analyst, 1 year at the VC backed startup as a co-founder in San Francisco, 1 year at BNP Paribas Asset Management as an Investment Analyst
Extra-Curricular Activities : Played professional basketball untill University and played Lacrosse during university also played in Turkish national team
Post MBA Goals : I am currenty teaching myself quantitative trading and my post mba goal is to get in to a hedge fund or asset management company in London. Work there for several years and comeback to Turkey to start my own quant fund. I want to start my fund in Turkey beacuse I see that demand towards the quant funds has picked up here but there are not many people who is good at it.
Show more

Congratulations on a solid GMAT score for INSEAD - you are already above their average. Your work experience, while impressive (co-founding a venture-venture backed start-up, Paribas) are also very impressive. However, you'll be a bit young for INSEAD if you are applying at 25. Most INSEAD students are around 29-31 when the start. You age bracket is more represented at the top American schools, similar caliber to INSEAD, such as the G7. The average GMAT scores for these schools are higher than INSEAD, and the bar will be higher for you as an international student (top US schools target about 40% for the international student population), so it would be great if you get your score up a bit if you apply to those.

Keep in mind that buy-side finance post-MBA is *INCREDIBLY* competitive. A large number of people who want HF, VC, PE at Harvard and Wharton don't actually get it (many do, but a large number settle on Asset Management, Investment Management, Investment Banking as a way to get some credible experience to ultimately break in where they really want). Those who are successful with HF recruiting often have experience working at a HF or working with HF clients. If you have that experience, you should definitely say so in your application essays, because AdComs also know how competitive HF are and they primarily want candidates who are employable in their chosen fields. They are trying to de-risk the chance of their graduates being unemployed several months out of school and therefore reflecting poorly on their employment and salary number (which of course also impacts ranking, about which they care tremendously).

Talking about school choice and strategic positioning (e.g., your near term and long term professional goals, how your prior work experience prepares you to achieve these goals, your personal values, and your extracurricular leadership) with an admissions consultant might be helpful to you. If you are interested in doing that, feel free to sign up for a free consultation here: https://admissionado.com/free-consultat ... sultation/
User avatar
Admissionado
User avatar
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 9,229
Own Kudos:
2,075
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 11 Dec 2019, 11:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
carrotwit
Hi

Thanks for all the support being given on this thread. Really appreciate all the moderators who are taking the time to do this. Request an eval of my profile for Insead as well.

Nationality: Indian
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Education: Undergraduate - Engineering
GMAT: 690 (Q47 V38)

Work-Experience:
2010-2019 - Entrepreneur (not family business)
Co-founded, scaled and sold my digital marketing company to US based private equity firm. The 9 years has been a massive roller coaster ride. The company was bootstrapped till sale. Company won awards for creative work as well as "Best Startup Workplaces". The time as an entrepreneur has been very enriching, and can share so many stories of massive cash crunches, to marque client's turnarounds, to hiring, to handling issues of sexual harassment at the workplace etc.

Prior to being an entrepreneur, was working in the Management Consulting domain.


Other Aspects of profile
I'm a Yoga Teacher, spent 1.5 years training as a yoga teacher. Applied Yoga not just in personal life, but the tools of Yoga Sutra in designing the award winning work culture.

Been a volunteer in one place or another all my adult life. From AIESEC & founding an entrepreneurship club in college, to being part of the National Social Media core team of a main stream political party. From organizing entrepreneurship events to an event where 5000 volunteers worked from midnight to sunset to build 18 toilets in government schools.


Post MBA - Goal
To go back to being an Entrepreneur. Possibly in the space of digital skilling in vernacular languages, an estimated $3-5 billion market. A lot of research done already.

Thanks in advance
Show more

You seem to have a lot going for your candidacy - proven entrepreneurial chops if your company was valuable enough to be sold to a US PE firm, community activism/involvement (politics), cool extracurriculars (master yogi). You are the right age and the right place in your career arc for a INSEAD MBA (perhaps a tiny bit over their average age but I wouldn't worry about that). Your GMAT is a bit low for INSEAD, especially given your over-represented geographic demographic. I think if you sell your work experience and future ambitions the right way this may matter less.

It sounds like you have leadership chops beyond the typical INSEAD applicant. The INSEAD application is one of the longest b-school applications and should give you a lot of real estate to expand on what you learned in your 9 years founding and scaling your business. That's where you can shine and can potentially overcome your lower GMAT score.

If you decide to apply to schools other than INSEAD, another thing that you can do is try the GRE (this won't work for INSEAD since it prefers the GMAT). If you do well on the GRE, there are other excellent European schools who accept it that might be a great fit for your age and achievement - Cambridge, Oxford, HEC, among others.

What will matter most in your case is your strategic positioning - the personal brand that you use to differentiate yourself from the large number of Indian applicants who apply to INSEAD. Your strategic positioning guides what you emphasize on your resume and especially your essays. You want stories that resonate with good examples that show (rather than tell) who you are and how you are going to make INSEAD proud to have you as an alum. If you are applying with the objective of being an entrepreneur after school, a good way to de-risk your candidacy is emphasize all the entrepreneurial success you have already had, and the challenges you have overcome in that realm. It may help to talk to an admissions consultant about which stories to use in your essays and how to overcome the demographic headwinds associated with your candidacy through unique strategic positioning. If you are interested in that, feel free to sign up for a free consultation here: https://admissionado.com/free-consultat ... sultation/
avatar
weightedaverage
avatar
Joined: 13 Jul 2014
Last visit: 27 Dec 2020
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
12
 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: India
Schools: CBS J-Term'22 (A$) Kellogg '23 (I) Johnson (Cornell) (A$)
GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41
GRE 1: Q165 V165
Schools: CBS J-Term'22 (A$) Kellogg '23 (I) Johnson (Cornell) (A$)
GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41
GRE 1: Q165 V165
Posts: 25
Kudos: 12
 [1]
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 15 Dec 2019, 06:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks for all the support given here, really appreciate the time and effort. I request a profile eval

Nationality: Indian
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Education: Undergraduate - Engineering Post Grad : MBA(Top 5 B school in India)
GMAT: 700 (Q49 V37) - My mocks were in the 740 range, can do a 740 with Q50, V40 if I retake it but the deadlines are tight.

Work-Experience:
2 years a computer science engineer, 5 years in management of a fortune 150 Healthcare company(also one of the top recruiter in Insead)

Worked across the value chain in healthcare & pharma - currently manage a business of about 15 mill USD with P&L responsibility and regional reportees.

International exposure : Work cross functional with diff geographies, have travelled extensively for work & to meet clients (mainly in the EU) - visited more than 10 times in the last three years. I am elaborating since this seems to be an important aspect for Insead.

Other Aspects of profile
Long distance runner - have completed a few full marathons, My dad has adopted a school in a village & I am actively involved in the admin, I lead the Diversity & Inclusion council for my org in India.

Post MBA - Goal
A general manager dev program in healthcare(I have a few companies in Mind).

Please let me know of my chances, and do I need to take the GMAT? I can probably score between 720 and 740 if I retake it.
avatar
Zingaro
avatar
Joined: 29 Sep 2019
Last visit: 29 Jun 2020
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
10
 [1]
Concentration: Strategy, Finance
Schools: Instead Sept 20 Intake (M) IESE '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42
WE:Project Management (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: Instead Sept 20 Intake (M) IESE '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42
Posts: 9
Kudos: 10
 [1]
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 15 Dec 2019, 13:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi, I hope you can take some time to read through my profile. My main concerns are my age (32 at the time of semester start) and that I already make 100k+ and hence A) the added value of a post-MBA salary would not be so huge and B) missed income factor has a big impact (I tend to have 2.5-3k left every month after all expenses). On the other hand I am not satisfied with my career at all, and I want to move into more relevant positions (e.g. strategy), ideally by staying in a BB bank.

Background

Work experience: bit short of six years at time of class start:
[*]Home country (Europe): 3 months internship + 1 year full time in consulting (think Accenture) doing PMO on post-acquisition IT infrastructure integration and some IT strategy during the last 3 months.
[*]Foreign country #1 (Europe): 3 years for a BB bank in secondary location (not my home country), working under a Divisional COO. Did lots of cost control, forecasts, cost modelling etc, was promoted after 2 years, and de-facto became #2 of the team (in charge for interns, juniors, etc).
[*]Foreign country #2 (Europe): 1 year and counting for another BB bank in its primary location (not home country nor country of my prev job) , working close to the Group COO, steering bank-wide change projects. Starting this job I came in one rank up than what I was before. I am an Associate.
Pro: Both my last 2 jobs had me work in very multicultural teams and to deal with offices all over the world on a daily basis.
Con: All the front office / client exposure came with my first job, last 4 years (where I grew the most obv) I've had a lot of very senior mgt exposure but all internal.

Extra curriculars
[*] Basically nothing relevant. In my old job I lead regular training session and I participated an invitation only talent program (5% employees invited). This year I collaborated with a no-profit (as part of a program promoted by my bank) to help with fundraising. Used to be a toastmaster speaker.

Undergrad school/major
[*]Bachelor in Statistics from an average public university, CGPA would be 80% (which is considered very bad in my country)
[*]Masters degree in Finance from the same university, CGPA 91% (which is about average)
[*]One year abroad during my Masters (Erasmus)


Race/nationality: white / EU citizen / 31yo (32 at semester start)


Stats

GMAT: 730 (Q48 V42 IR8 AWA5)
TOEFL: 108

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: How to put this. I've always done back office work, and for as much as you can be good at it it's still second-class. I want to matter. I want make an impact on the company. I would prefer to stay in banking and in-house rather than consulting, but I would take the chance if given, and definitely I would apply to consulting firms. I would like to work in Asia, as in Singapore, HK, or China. (ofc I would not phrase the whole thing like this to the admission committee but I'm confident on this - I can sell myself pretty good).

Target schools: INSEAD, LBS. Secondary but probably would not take: IE, IESE, SDA Bocconi

School wise the only one I would be really sure I want is INSEAD. I know it's consulting oriented but it's the only 10 months program with a really good name, also since I would like to transition to Asia the Singapore campus would be a good place to start.

Dilemma

As stated at the beginning: I will turn 32 in less than half year. I make good money and already am an associate at a BB bank. I could hardly justify the ~130k I would need for tuition and living, plus the in missed earnings. Maybe a better use of my time would be to perform the best possible in my current position (which I don't particularly like), push to be promoted VP at the end of 2021. Not going for the MBA I would probably get myself a CFA starting 2020, which at best would get me the charter in 2022 at 34 years old - also pretty late for a complete career change.
Other downside is that I likely do not qualify for any scolarship, and funding the full price out of my pocket would cost me everything I have (if not more).
I'm also kinda worried about the rec letters - I can get two Executive Directors from my old bank to do it (plus others if needed but probably no MDs), but I would rather not tell anybody at my current job (also I don't think they hold me in such high consideration as in my old one) - there is no winning in letting them know I plan on leaving in summer (especially right before bonus season), and that if I don't it means I was rejected and staying in my position is anyway a secondary choice.
avatar
Bhavz10
avatar
Joined: 07 Sep 2019
Last visit: 11 Nov 2020
Posts: 56
Own Kudos:
49
Given Kudos: 44
Location: India
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22 (A) ISB'22 IIMB EPGP'22 LBS '22
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22 (A) ISB'22 IIMB EPGP'22 LBS '22
Posts: 56
Kudos: 49
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 23 Dec 2019, 22:44
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Please evaluate my profile for top 20 MBA programs in India, USA and Europe, in that order.

Indian female
Age 28
Chartered accountant
X std 93% (GPA 4)
XII std 88% (GPA 4)
Graduation 86% (GPA 4)

Best article award during first year of articleship in top 5 accounting firms in india

2 years work experience in EY in corporate and international taxation where I was extensively involved in restructuring taxation models for Indian counterparts of telecom companies abroad and did lot of tax compliance and litigation related work.

1 year 8 months as taxation manager in another company- compliance, litigation and tax advisory role.
Left it to pursue a job in government sector.

Now working as an administrative officer accounts specialist in one of the 4 general insurance PSUs in India since a year.I am handling the coinsurance business of more than $50 million for my regional office.

On extra curricular front, I have been one of the few Indian delegates at the Harvard Project for Asian and International relations (HPAIR) held in Hongkong in 2016 in the Humanitarian tracks.
I have learnt lot of different dance styles and had my own belly dance classes for a while.

I want to apply for the one year MBA programs next year as my experience would be almost 5 years and I would like to move out of government sector to core strategy roles.

Would love some insights on my profile and my chances at IIMA, IIMB, IIMC, IIML, SPJIMR, ISB and some European schools like LBS, Oxford , INSEAD etc.

Planning to take GMAT early next year with expected score 700+ and will only apply if I get 720+. I had scored 700 in 2016 GMAT
User avatar
Admissionado
User avatar
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 9,229
Own Kudos:
2,075
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 28 Dec 2019, 10:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Zingaro
Hi, I hope you can take some time to read through my profile. My main concerns are my age (32 at the time of semester start) and that I already make 100k+ and hence A) the added value of a post-MBA salary would not be so huge and B) missed income factor has a big impact (I tend to have 2.5-3k left every month after all expenses). On the other hand I am not satisfied with my career at all, and I want to move into more relevant positions (e.g. strategy), ideally by staying in a BB bank.

Background

Work experience: bit short of six years at time of class start:
[*]Home country (Europe): 3 months internship + 1 year full time in consulting (think Accenture) doing PMO on post-acquisition IT infrastructure integration and some IT strategy during the last 3 months.
[*]Foreign country #1 (Europe): 3 years for a BB bank in secondary location (not my home country), working under a Divisional COO. Did lots of cost control, forecasts, cost modelling etc, was promoted after 2 years, and de-facto became #2 of the team (in charge for interns, juniors, etc).
[*]Foreign country #2 (Europe): 1 year and counting for another BB bank in its primary location (not home country nor country of my prev job) , working close to the Group COO, steering bank-wide change projects. Starting this job I came in one rank up than what I was before. I am an Associate.
Pro: Both my last 2 jobs had me work in very multicultural teams and to deal with offices all over the world on a daily basis.
Con: All the front office / client exposure came with my first job, last 4 years (where I grew the most obv) I've had a lot of very senior mgt exposure but all internal.

Extra curriculars
[*] Basically nothing relevant. In my old job I lead regular training session and I participated an invitation only talent program (5% employees invited). This year I collaborated with a no-profit (as part of a program promoted by my bank) to help with fundraising. Used to be a toastmaster speaker.

Undergrad school/major
[*]Bachelor in Statistics from an average public university, CGPA would be 80% (which is considered very bad in my country)
[*]Masters degree in Finance from the same university, CGPA 91% (which is about average)
[*]One year abroad during my Masters (Erasmus)


Race/nationality: white / EU citizen / 31yo (32 at semester start)


Stats

GMAT: 730 (Q48 V42 IR8 AWA5)
TOEFL: 108

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: How to put this. I've always done back office work, and for as much as you can be good at it it's still second-class. I want to matter. I want make an impact on the company. I would prefer to stay in banking and in-house rather than consulting, but I would take the chance if given, and definitely I would apply to consulting firms. I would like to work in Asia, as in Singapore, HK, or China. (ofc I would not phrase the whole thing like this to the admission committee but I'm confident on this - I can sell myself pretty good).

Target schools: INSEAD, LBS. Secondary but probably would not take: IE, IESE, SDA Bocconi

School wise the only one I would be really sure I want is INSEAD. I know it's consulting oriented but it's the only 10 months program with a really good name, also since I would like to transition to Asia the Singapore campus would be a good place to start.

Dilemma

As stated at the beginning: I will turn 32 in less than half year. I make good money and already am an associate at a BB bank. I could hardly justify the ~130k I would need for tuition and living, plus the in missed earnings. Maybe a better use of my time would be to perform the best possible in my current position (which I don't particularly like), push to be promoted VP at the end of 2021. Not going for the MBA I would probably get myself a CFA starting 2020, which at best would get me the charter in 2022 at 34 years old - also pretty late for a complete career change.
Other downside is that I likely do not qualify for any scolarship, and funding the full price out of my pocket would cost me everything I have (if not more).
I'm also kinda worried about the rec letters - I can get two Executive Directors from my old bank to do it (plus others if needed but probably no MDs), but I would rather not tell anybody at my current job (also I don't think they hold me in such high consideration as in my old one) - there is no winning in letting them know I plan on leaving in summer (especially right before bonus season), and that if I don't it means I was rejected and staying in my position is anyway a secondary choice.
Show more

This is a comprehensive profile for eval purposes -- thank you for the detail! Although you are on the older side for most schools (even European programs, whose students tend to be older on average than U.S. schools), I think an MBA could make sense for you professionally, intellectually and from a networking perspective. It will be hard to for you to move to the "front office" from where you are without a top tier MBA or a CFA. The increase in earnings from such a career switch would probably help cash-flow your student loan payments. As you probably already know, the schools you identified have a lower price-tag than similarly-ranked American programs.

Your lower GPA won't hurt you as much as it possibly could since you have a higher-than-average GMAT score for European scores of 730. Passing even one round of CFA will also help demonstrate that you can handle academically demanding coursework if you'd like to try to attempt that in June before applying (which many not be possible - I'm not sure which deadline you are targeting).

If you are applying to INSEAD and you are especially interested in maximizing your chances (vs. say, having a longer/more fun experience or making sure to have a summer internship), I do suggest you apply to the September start if you are trying to maximize your chances as the acceptance rate is higher: https://www.mbadataguru.com/blog/insead/ ... ance-rate/. It's important that you emphasize your global lens and any international experience that you have in your application as INSEAD is considered to be THE global business school and with a campus in Singapore it is probably well suited for your desire to work in Singapore, HK or China.

Strategic positioning will be very important to your candidacy (e.g., how your extracurricular will inform your student involvement at school, your near term and long term career plans and how the MBA + your prior professional success uniquely qualify you to achieve your dreams, etc.). If strategic positioning is something you might benefit from talking to an MBA admissions consultant about, feel free to sign up for a free consultation here: https://admissionado.com/free-consultat ... sultation/
avatar
blee007
avatar
Joined: 15 Dec 2019
Last visit: 28 Apr 2020
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 02 Jan 2020, 19:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi there! I'd appreciate any feedback on my profile and how i can improve my chances at INSEAD!

Personal Info: 27 (28 in 2020) Male; Canadian-Chinese

Education: University of Waterloo - Undergrad: Accounting/Finance; Master: Accounting

Designations: CPA, CFA


UNDERGRADUATE GPA: 3.6
POSTGRADUATE GPA: 3.3
GMAT: targeting 750+

Work Exp:
Deloitte Consulting 1.5 years
Analyst, Asset Management (Strategy/Ops/M&A) at Small Cap Renewable Energy Company ~2 years
Senior Analyst, Investments in Infrastructure Private Equity (can I swing this as promotion within same industry considering my last company was also in 'infrastructure'?) ~1 year now

EC: Not a whole lot due to busy work schedules...VP of Chinese Student Association in uni, team leader of a rec league billiards team lol, lived in 3 cities since I was born (HK 10 years (worked as intern for a summer here); Toronto 16 years; Calgary 2 years)

Languages: Cantonese (fluent), English (fluent), Mandarin (intermediate)

Goals: To break into Clean Tech VC/Growth Equity/Start-up/Impact Investing; I am tired of working in Finance where everyone is simply there for the money and chasing returns. What got me interested in the renewables to begin with was the impact these assets bring to the world. In a capitalist society, there is a strong disconnect between public interest and the capital markets. I want to dedicate my career to bridging this gap and funneling more capital towards impactful technologies. I want to establish a global network and gain management skills to manage CleanTech companies towards a bright future.
User avatar
ARLeeConsulting
User avatar
ARLee Consulting
Joined: 19 Dec 2017
Last visit: 18 Mar 2026
Posts: 496
Own Kudos:
217
Status:MBA Admissions and Career Coaching by INSEAD alum and former Samsung HR Head.
Affiliations: INSEAD MBA'11D (experience as admissions interviewer), SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
Read our Verified Client Reviews on GMAT Club:
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 496
Kudos: 217
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 03 Jan 2020, 05:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi blee007,

thank you for sharing your profile.

Overall, you have a strong profile for INSEAD. Just a few observations.

a. As you know, GMAT is an important element of your application and, ideally, having an official score would allow assessing your profile more accurately.

b. It would be good to know more details about each of your experiences. For example, key accomplishments, budget under control, employees under supervision, international assignments...

c. More than extra-curriculars, INSEAD is interested in extra-professional activities. These include hobbies, personal interests, affiliations to clubs... In general, INSEAD is interested in applicants with active lives outside of work.

d. I like your goals, and given your background, they seem achievable and realistic. Though, it would be good if you broke them down into short (immediate post-MBA) and long-term goals.

Regarding your question, strictly speaking, you can only get promoted within the same company. But in any case, you could use your transition from Analyst to Sr. Analyst to show career progression, which from an admissions perspective, it is really valuable.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to share your latest resume ([email protected]) for a more detailed evaluation of your profile.

Thank you very much.

Warm regards
Alex
User avatar
aksantana
User avatar
Joined: 13 Aug 2014
Last visit: 02 Mar 2020
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 3
Location: Brazil
Posts: 11
Kudos: 12
INSEAD Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation 04 Jan 2020, 18:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi everyone!

Ok, let's try this...

Personal info: Brazilian male. Caucasian. 33 years old (will be 34 at intake). 1 child.

Career and extra-curricular activities

Before college: I had several other jobs, ranging from waiter to entrepreneur.
During college: President of Junior Enterprise (student-run consulting firm providing business advice to local small businesses.
Undergrad degree: Business - at age 28 (I come from a modest family so it took me longer to be able to go to college). Avg. graduation score 82% (we don't use GPA).
After college: 3 years in consulting (2 of them at MBB) + ~2.5 years in large tech companies (current)

Motivations
Why MBA: [short version] Become a more well-rounded professional, developing the skills (hard, soft and interpersonal) that I need in order to build a successful path to senior management.
Post-MBA paths: Go back to tech, preferably a FinTech, or go back to consulting for a few more years.

GMAT: 700 (Q46, V40)

A few more details... As I mentioned, I come from a very modest family. I started working when I was 12 and moved by myself when I was 15. I always studied in public schools (in Brazil, that means lower quality education, unfortunately). I had many ups and down in life, until eventually I managed to set a clear course. Applied to MBB for the first time on my senior year in college. Didn't pass. Went to a boutique firm for 1 year. Applied to MBB again. Passed! Spent 2 years there. Moved to tech industry (working at a Uber competitor) and currently work at a FinTech.

Thanks in advance!

AB
   1  ...  33   34   35   36   37  ...  70