Calling all INSEAD MBA Applicants: (January 2018 Intake) Class of 2018

I think that should count! Check with your AO once she/he reaches out to you. 3rd language has to be certified only before you graduate so you have some time

And, don't panic on the video questions, they are fun! Show the adcom your personality and just try to be succinct.

First, good luck with your video interviews!

Second, regarding your proof of fluency in French I wouldn't worry about it. You already have the proof of English and being Indian you probably have another native language?
For the third language, you only need to show basic knowledge until graduation. In the worst-case scenario you'll need to take a certified exam but you'll easily be above the required level.

Hey, thanks a lot. Yeah, I speak two Indian languages fluently, 1 my "native", and 1 that I've listed as "fluent".

I wouldn't be too worried about the video. I don't think I did well (sounded super nervous to the point of stutter in the first question and didn't end up finishing the last) - but its all about how well you communicate so INSEAD do not send people who doesn't know how to present themselves to the interview with the alumnus. Happy to be corrected on this point...

Anyways best of luck!

submitted the application yesterday.. just few hours before deadline....
will be taking video interview tomorrow...

anyone any tips for video interviews ?
so far i could gather below questions from the forum. any recent taker got something to add

1. What kind of skills do you want to learn at INSEAD
2. What are the most important drivers of a successful business
3. Tell me about a time you were caught off guard in a different culture
4. How do you lead your colleagues when business priorities change?

1.How do you lead your colleagues to deal with changed business priorities?
2. If you were given unlimited resources, what services or product would your company provide?
3. How do you promote sensitivity and inclusion in the workplace?
4. Please state why INSEAD should give you a seat?

1 - if you were to start your company tomorrow, what would be its 3 core values?
2 - what would you do if you had to work with someone who does not share your ideas?
3 - what sources of information you use to stay up to date with INSEAD news?
4 - give specific examples of the importance of networking to a startup?

GUIDE TO JANUARY BATCH VIDEO QUESTIONS

I have a separate thread for this but just updated it with info provided by my clients @aksgmat8000 and latinoinasuit. Here is everything compiled.
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The video interview is basically (and eerily) similar to the TOEFL Speaking section. You get 45 second to prep, 60 seconds to answer. Record yourself as many times as possible!! I have my candidates record themselves, upload to YouTube and send me the link so I can coach them around it.

For the “give me an example” questions use STAR format https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situation ... on,_Result

The questions are below. Prep a 1-min pitch for each. Eliminate “ums” and stuff – but the key to doing well here is to be as NATURAL as possible.

Do NOT have a script on the screen and “read” from it.
Do NOT sound like a robot who memorized each of the answers.
Do make little grammatical mistakes – it’s charming.
Smile.

And all the basic stuff like dress accordingly, check wifi, be aware of your backdrop. *Do not have posters of naked women on the wall behind you.*

Known Questions from January Batch submitted by my clients

1. What kind of skills do you want to learn at INSEAD
2. What are the most important drivers of a successful business
3. Tell me about a time you were caught off guard in a different culture
4. How do you lead your colleagues when business priorities change?

1.How do you lead your colleagues to deal with changed business priorities?
2. If you were given unlimited resources, what services or product would your company provide?
3. How do you promote sensitivity and inclusion in the workplace?
4. Please state why INSEAD should give you a seat?

1. What kind of skills do you want to learn at INSEAD
2. What are the most important drivers of a successful business
3. Tell me about a time you were caught off guard in a different culture
4. How do you lead your colleagues when business priorities change?

This client didn’t remember them all. Alcohol does that to you.
1. what did you do to adapt and succeed in a culture different than you own?
2. why an MBA ?

Thanks latinoinasuit
1 - if you were to start your company tomorrow, what would be its 3 core values?
2 - what would you do if you had to work with someone who does not share your ideas?
3 - what sources of information you use to stay up to date with INSEAD news?
4 - give specific examples of the importance of networking to a startup?


Questions from September Batch - if you want to cover all bases

What are you expecting to learn during your INSEAD MBA?
How would your colleagues describe your leadership style? Give an example
How would you fight stereotypes in a work environment?
You are starting a new project with team members coming from different cultures and educational background. How would you make them meet?
What do you do when someone comes to you with a problem?
What was the most interesting project you have worked on? Why was it interesting to you?
What does diversity mean to you?
How do you keep track of your vision? Or that of your company?
Why INSEAD?
How would you establish the foundations of your company?
What is your management style?
How did you build your international experience?
What is diversity according to you?
Describe one situation where you faced ethical dilemma? How did you resolve it? What factors did you consider while resolving it?
What according to you is required to start and run a successful business?
One project which interested you the most and why?
If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be and why?
Tell me what you like most about INSEAD.
Give me an example of how you convinced your other team members.
Give me an example of how you were attracted by culture from other countries.
What are 3 key successful factors to be an entrepreneur.
If you had an extra hour every day, what would you do with it?
What word describes you best and why?
Tell us about the first job you ever had?
What’s the best book you have ever read and why?
When you have a problem, whom do you approach for advice and why?
What accomplishment are you really proud of?
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
If you could witness any event..past present or future-what would it be?
Tell us about an organization or activity in which you have dedicated significant time. Why was it meaningful to you?
What have anyone done good for you and how did you felt about it?
Tell us about the most interesting place you’ve traveled to. What did you enjoy most about it.
What invention during your lifetime has had the biggest impact on you and why?
If money was not a concern, what would you do?
What is the most meaningful thing anyone has done for you in your life?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
What food do you like? Would you be able to eat that food every day?
How have you changed in the last 5 years?
Whom do you respect most, and why?
What is your favorite motto or quote, and why?
What risk have you taken and what did you learn?
What impact do you have on your co-workers?

lol

What?! Like they were drunk when they did the interview? oh my! What was their result?

Had my video interview this evening. I was obsessing about it all through the day yesterday and trying to prepare answers to all the questions on the forum, and my wife said to me "you think well on your feet, just go do it"... so I got back from a trip today, was in a great mood - so I threw on a jacket and fired up my computer.

I think it went quite well... definitely better than my practice sessions yesterday.

1 - If you were to start your company tomorrow, what would be its 3 core values?
2 - Why should INSEAD admit you?
3 - Most significant experience of traveling, living, or studying in a new country. How did it impact you and what did you learn?
4 - How do you generate new ideas?

That's great! I am happy for you!
Man, this wait is going to be tough...

Here's the questions I got. I think I did fairly okay

1. If a colleague came to you for career advice, how would you support/help them

2. What would you most like to learn from your time at INSEAD that you feel would help you in the future?

3. Would you say that you are aware of your own biases? How and why they affect your thinking?

4. How do you generate ideas?

i see How do you lead your colleagues when business priorities change? was there in video interview
what do they look for ?
is it the business crashed (lehman) or perhaps a new big deal came or is it about one's personal promotion
can someone put up more perspective to this question pls

I was so nervous, I could barely remember the questions after I was done. Plus the practice and the actual questions are kinda blurring in my mind. My language was fine, but I may not have been as neat and direct in the answer as I would have liked.

The questions were (paraphrased)
1. How would you characterize a successful INSEAD MBA/What would you qualify as a successful INSEAD MBA? What results do you hope to achieve?
2. Is there a company or business that you admire? Which and why?
3. Give an example of a positive experience you had in a different culture. What impact did it have on you?
4. How would your colleagues/team members define your leadership style? Give an example.

Round 1 applicant, completed both my alumni interviews a few days ago. Fingers crossed now! Anyone other Round 1 applicants who have completed their interviews? Anyone heard back with final decision yet?

lpetroski latinoinasuit

I sincerely hope not, but it's a distinct possibility. French national, submitted the app in NYC, but didn't get the link right away, and was forced to tape the videos with janky internet while on vacation in the Virgin Islands, wearing a shirt and tie with swim trunks. Shared with me that he enjoyed quite a few drinks that evening. He was invited to interview, which is a mild triumph given he had 2 years of WE, French, and a 650 GMAT. However we submitted to INSEAD as kind of a plan B, he really wanted a 2-year program experience, and was accepted to the Lauder program at Wharton, among other admits, and started his stint at the Lauder Institute on Monday.

One of my clients finished his second alumni interview two weeks ago and has not heard anything yet - and both interviewees said he was a good fit for INSEAD. So if anyone would hear by now I think it would be him.

Find a project to immerse yourself in for the next 3 weeks, would be my recommendation, or it will feel like waiting for water to boil.

Thanks, no shortage of projects to immerse myself in! Also, feels more like waiting for grass to grow...

YEAAAh that's the spirit! I'm thinking they just want to see that you're personable / that you're not going to scare the alumni in an interview.