Calling all INSEAD MBA Applicants: (Sept 2018 Intake) Class of 2019!!

Hi Icecream87,

Thanks for the useful post. I am also planning to apply to INSEAD in Round 1. I actually happen to be visiting Singapore in August (only for a couple of days though) and was wondering if I could visit the campus and interact with students and professors. You mentioned that you paid a couple of visits to the campus yourself, so my question is whether that was part of a formal event or completely ad-hoc. In case of the latter, how would one go about it exactly? I am assuming you would have to get in touch with the adcom in advance?

My second question is for the larger group - till now I don't see the application link for Sep 2018 intake on the website, which is surprising given the deadline is less than 2 months away now. Is it safe to assume that the essay topics will not change significantly from the Jan 2018 intake application? That way we could at least start thinking about our answers.

Hi All,

Im planning to apply during R2. Have scheduled my GMAT exam in Mid-October.(i know its a bit late, but i like doing things in the nick of time)

Any leads on what are the essay topics for Sep-2018 intake?

TIA

Hi Roony2311, they're the same as last time.

Job Description Essays
Job Essay #1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (short answer)
Job Essay #2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer)
Job Essay #3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (short answer)
Job Essay #4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with or without an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer)
Optional: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.

Motivation Essays
Motivation Essay #1: Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (approximately 500 words).
Motivation Essay #2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned(approximately 400 words).
Motivation Essay #3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Optional Motivation Essay: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (approximately 300 words)

As a waitlisted reapplicant from last year, I have been asked to resubmit the entire application. since there is virtually no difference in required essays is there any reapplicant here who has been told something else? Or an expert that can help with what INSEAD is looking for?

Hi guys,
I am one of the bloggers for the INSEAD 18J batch. Here is what my pre-MBA experience looks like: https://blogs.insead.edu/mbaexperience/ ... -into-two/
Don't hesitate to get in touch and ask questions about INSEAD!
Cheers and good luck with applications!

Hi there,
Sorry I took such a long time to answer, I guess you already had a couple of opportunities to meet with INSEAD students and alums since. I basically met with them during In House Events and conferences. My last meeting was after I submitted my application. Just felt like it was the best time to say "hi, this is me, just submitted, really want to come here, please remember when you review candidates ";
When you go to In house events you don't need to get in touch with ad-coms in advance as they will be there. They are pretty much part of the people telling you what applications are all about.
When you go to conferences however, you don't get to meet them. Going is still a great way to show your interest in the school though. And it's also a great opportunity to network.
Let me know how it goes for you.

Hi all, with regards to the INSEAD application process, are there any conditions under which the application fees may be waived off? If so, what are the conditions to be satisfied? I was unable to find anything related to the fee waiver on INSEAD's site, hence posting the query here..

Thanks in advance!!

In the Job Description essays, how many words are acceptable? In the admissions section, it only says "short answer"

Also, is crossing the word limit damaging?

Interesting article: Do American companies hire from one-year MBA programs?

https://www.orieladmissions.com/single- ... A-programs

Hello there,

I am applying to INSEAD Sept 2018 start in the 1st round and would appreciate if I could get my profile evaluated here. Thanks much in advance!

Back ground: 27 Male from India. Canadian citizen
Education: B.Fashion Tech from NIFT Mumbai
CGPA: 7.2 on 10 scale. Have taken MBAmath program online with above average passing grades for each subject to boost my quant.
GMAT Score:700
Profession: Retail
Experience: 5 years

Current role:
I work with lululemon athletic in Vancouver on the R&D Product Development team as a Developer. My job includes working directly with Design in creating and managing the entire fashion line for a season from Sketch to Production. I travel internationally about 4 times a year and work everyday with vendors all across the globe. Have been on the team responsible for creating designs that contribute to multiple quarter over quarter comp increase.

Previous role:
Worked in the Quality and Development departments for other global vertical retailers based out of Vancouver, Canada.

Other work involvements:
Starting an independent apparel business in the luxury wear space by introducing a new fabric to the North American market.

Professional Achievements:
1) Designs I have worked on have bee implemented across the Design Line for my business unit and have contributed towards comp growth on specific categories: shorts, running jackets.
2. Mentored a young developer on my team for 6 months now. Considerable performance improvement in year end review has been attributed to my spending time with her on projects.

Extracurricular:
I have mentored grade 12 students for 2 consecutive years now on Entrepreneurship in a 6 city Venture challenge. This year, the team have made it to the semi finalist stage.
Have been on the Board for a Not for Profit Documentary film society managing Guest retention and helped plan the event structure for 2017.
I play the Sitar and am a road cyclist competing in local gran fondos.

International Exposure:
I have studied in India and worked mostly in Canada with 3-4 intention work ravel trips every year to Asia (China, Vietnam, Taiwan) and Middle East.
I have travelled to Shanghai and across multiple major cities in North America on personal trips. Have attended major International conferences on Tech.

Being from India I can speak/read/write Hindi and am plan on taking classes in French before the start of the program if admitted.

POST MBA: I plan on getting in a Strategy Merchandising role at either Nike or LVMH as both have good relationship with INSEAD. With my background in product creation, I see this as good fit and low risk for the career service department for the school.

What are the benefits/drawbacks, if any, of the two campuses of INSEAD? I am confused about the choice between the two and don't have much information to make the decision.

Hi, has anyone submitted his application already?
I was wondering if the questions of the video essays are the same as the ones for previous intakes.
Thanks!

I think they are the same questions.


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Can anyone advice me what should be the word count for the short answer questions, is there any word or character limit to the job and motivational essays.
Also can someone advice on how to proceed with the letters of recommendation, are there any good formats/ structure for this. I would like like to debrief my recommender before hand so that he has the time to prepare a well thought out description of me

Although I am not applying, but this is the advice that I got last year. Short answer should definitely be reasonably shorter than job and motivation essays. In terms of a ballpark, I'd recommend 200-250 words maximum.

thanks for the input Souvik!

Hello, I don't know how bad your average academic record is but I doubt it's worse than mine . I applied in R2 to the class of 18D, and got in. I did not mention or explain my poor undergraduate CGPA at all. I focused on highlighting my other strengths, made sure my essays and references were rock-solid, and used the Optional Upload to provide perspective on my performance as a Manager of Others.

As I got in, and then got a pretty good scholarship, I don't think it will hold you back. Focus on the other parts of the application, and best wishes!

I had exactly the same strategy. I'm no MBA Admissions expert but I think it makes sense given that you're very sure you want to attend INSEAD. If things don't work out with INSEAD, you will still have R2 to apply to other schools - and the work you have put in for INSEAD will not be wasted; the thinking you put into your essays will come in handy for your other applications.