Is age a deal breaker for INSEAD?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I am panning to apply for Sept 2021 intake for INSEAD full time MBA. I understand that the average age for MBA program is 29 years with 6 years of work experience. I am  33 years  old (I know I am late, but my personal situation wasn't the best) and would like to understand if it is going to be a deal breaker. Here is my profile:

Nationality: Indian (working in Singapore since 6 years)
Qualification: Chartered Accountant (India), CFA Level 2 candidate
Work Profile: International Taxation, Ernst & Young Singapore

rajatchopra1994 · Answer

Dear  Algebra2prob  ,

I don't think so, age matters in INSEAD. You can check the Batch Profile of INSEAD. 
25-30% of Batch is around 32+.

The main thing which matters a lot in Successful admission in INSEAD is a Very High Score 730+ (as Incase of ASIAN Applicant) and a good Profile with relevant Experience.

Regards,
Rajat Chopra

swimcaptain · Answer

I'm 32 and will be 33 when starting, assuming I am accepted. I've just finished my alumni interviews earlier this week. So if my age was an issue, I assume they would've already rejected my application at an earlier stage.

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Posted from my mobile device

GyanOne · Answer

Hi  Algebra2prob

How much work experience do you have total? Is it just the 6 years in Singapore?

fredlaurent · Answer

Hey  Algebra2prob ,

Valid question, I had the same one when I saw the 27 age average.
I am 32 and just got in for next year (21D) so I agree with  swimcaptain  and would not worry about it!

Admissionado · Answer

Many Wharton students who study abroad through the Wharton-INSEAD alliance are surprised by the number of older students there. Indeed, INSEAD’s average age is higher than top-10 US schools of similar caliber and the age range is definitely wider - there are many more students in their mid-30s there and there are far fewer of the 24-year-old 2+2 type candidates that are increasingly turning up at top US schools. Recruiters come to INSEAD to tap into PROVEN talent. They don’t want somebody who is too young to be promoted. Similar to Oxford and Cambridge, INSEAD’s AdCom is looking for people who have managed teams and been promoted several times - this is the differentiated value they offer recruiters.

All things being equal, you’ll be less penalized for your age at INSEAD than a similar caliber US school. That said, you’ll still be on the older side for INSEAD, so you’ll want to justify your work experience with as much LEADERSHIP as possible in your essays and resume. INSEAD’s app is one of (if not the most) thorough app -- it will take you about 6 pages to answer all of the prompts. So make sure to have something to show for your years both at work from a managerial perspective (leading teams across functions and geographies even if you didn’t have direct reports) and outside of work (civic engagement, non-profit work, hobbies and passions, etc.).

I don’t have to tell you that you come from a very competitive demographic. Perhaps unfoundedly, accountants are sometimes stereotyped as “not strategic” by AdComs. If you are espousing an interest in management consulting or some other strategy-oriented post-MBA goal, make sure to focus on projects in your essays in which you added value outside of your International Taxation accounting skill set.

bb · Answer

Is age a deal breaker for INSEAD?

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