Jan 2021 vs Sep 2021. Kindly suggest which is better and makes sense.

Question

I have about 25 days to prepare for Insead Round 2 for Jan 2021 intake. Profile is 30+ female with CFA.
 My GMAT is not good (630 last time I took it) yet but I am hoping that I can push it to 50 points by May 20. 
My worries is should I wait for another intake for Sep 2021 since my GMAT is not ready yet and essays is still in draft. Appreciate your inputs.

Jan 2021
Essays Not Ready
GMAT not ready 
GPA is low
Chance of getting in is low but still want to try
After Covid, will there be job opportunity after graduation in Dec 2021.

Sep 2021
Essays will be ready
GMAT is ensured
However, no internship opportunity
I need to stay in current job for another 6 months

What do you think I should do? Apply in Round 3? Will there be less scholarship opportunities?

MBA2023applicant · Answer

I think you know the answer to this -- just wait and submit a stronger application for September 2021 start, as it seems like your current application would have a lot of weaknesses in it.

kalynguyen · Answer

I can't say which intake is better for you but I suggest that you should consider other factors 
Do you want to change your industry? 
 -> If yes, I do agree that summer internship is important. However, I know several INSEAD Alumni who can change their working industries post MBA even they join Sep intake
 -> If no, maybe you don't need to rush 
Do you need scholarship?
 -> If yes, July 2020 is R3 deadline for Jan intake and INSEAD claims that there are some scholarship they save for R3 candidates. It means that you should have better GMAT score by then. 2 months to finish your essays is not a bad timing
 -> If no, you can wait until R4 to apply if you still want to join Jan intake. 
For your case, I think GMAT is extremely important as GPA is not too high (as you said). I am not sure how impactful CFA is with an MBA program, so maybe you can check with the experts in this forum

Just my 2 cents

pabpinor · Answer

Hey  seojun

I believe it is up to you, just remember that you can send GMAT later than the 20th of May.
In case you prefer Jan intake (because of the summer internship, etc) you could focus now on the essays and take the GMAT later in May.

From my understanding, CFA is a strong point for INSEAD, they have a strong connection with CFA Institute and they value it.

Did you take already the GMAT? What is the range you are aiming for?

If you are concerned with Dec 2021 job opportunities I do not think it would be a major problem (if it is the whole world will be upside down).
And if you want to leave your job, you could change jobs before the MBA, it won't be easy to find something for a short period, but maybe some startup experience would be possible. If you are based in Myanmar definitely you have plenty of opportunities.

Regards,
Pablo

Zingaro · Answer

Apply in R3, you are still in for the scolarships. I would stick to the Jan intake given your age and the internship opportunity if you want to change industry, and you have 3 months to finalize your application before the R3 deadline.
Spend all May studying hard for the GMAT, take it at the end of the month. If you are satisfied move on to the essays. If you aren't split your work 80-20 Gmat-essays.
Don't forget the english certificate, and that you need to order your university transcript of records because you need to provide a scan when you apply.
Spend a lot of time on the essays, they are by far the most important part of your application because they tell the school a whole story about who you are. The video questions are ok if you prepare a little bit (you have to record them by 2 days post application deadline). Work hard on your recommendations too, make sure the people doing them know what to write (you find the questions online - discuss with them what you want to highlight of yourself). 
The alumni interviews are nothing terrible, you find good reports on this site.

bb · Answer

Jan 2021 vs Sep 2021. Kindly suggest which is better and makes sense.

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