INSEAD PROFILE EVALUATION THREAD: Post all Profile Eval Requests Here!

Hi Experts!

I'd like to kindly request you for your feedback on my candidacy for INSEAD. Here goes.

Background:
Indian Male
Age 27
GMAT 720
Industry: Consulting (Front end consulting role in one of the largest HR Consulting organizations in the world, typically held by Tier-1 MBA professionals)

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from IIT Delhi (CGPA – 7.0)

Work Experience: Total 4+ years (in india)
Worked for over 2 years in a social sector consulting startup and 1 year in an election campaign strategy firm (a SuperPAC). Working in the strategic HR consulting for last 1 year.

Extra curriculars – Won international competitions and worked on two international projects in Europe. Worked as Coordinator in various campus festivals and a student association club.

Post MBA Goal – Work in MBB strategy consulting firms

Posted from my mobile device

Hello Sid5050,

Your credentials are impressive.

Find below the analysis:

- International Exposure: Were the projects in your role or outside? Reason I am asking is that you have mentioned working on international projects under EC. For now, I assume projects were under your role
- Academic Capacity: 720 is a good GMAT score. IIT Delhi will certainly help the case. GPA is fine (neither high nor low). What is your GMAT breakdown?
- Leadership: Would like to hear from you on this
- Community Impact: Your work experience in social sector will be very useful
- Work Exp: 5+ years of work experience, if you apply to Sep 2020 intake, is good enough

A lot of people come from consulting background and seek MBB post MBA. Though you have a good profile but you will have to work on showcasing uniqueness in your application. Anecdotes and story line need to be carefully chosen.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
INSEAD Class of December 2017
----------------------------
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I'd like to kindly request you a profile evaluation on my candidacy for INSEAD. Here goes.

Nationality- Moroccan
Residence - France
Gender- Male
Age - 29
Grad- 3,6 GPA (Tier1 engineering school)
GMAT- 700(Q49, V37, IR6, AWA5)

Post MBA Goals:
Short Term : MBB Consulting
Long Term: Founding my own company with a focus on the African market // maybe do politics

Work Exp :
- 5+ years in a big telco company : I have joined the company within a specific an attractive recruitment scheme designed for high-potential graduates from the best international engineering and/or business schools. Rate of admission: 25 among 1500+ candidates (~1%).
- 4 different jobs/promotions in 5 years: deputy technical team manager (+100people), financial controller (~40m€), E-commerce strategist (Reporting to France's B2C E-commerce VP), Transformation program director (my current job).
-> Thanks to this experience, I have a transverse vision of the company that I want to consolidate with a mba from INSEAD (my dream school)
- Intrapreneurship: Since 2016, I devote part of my time to implement a solution that has become a major project: sponsored by an executive and included in the roadmap of the direction to which I belong.

Awards and Recognition :
- Merit scholarship awarded by the Moroccan government to pursue my studies in France
- Part of the high potential pool of my company
- Got promotion to the next level (there remains only one level to become top manager) as one of the youngest to access
- Had the opportunity to present my intrapraneurial project to the CEO and the executive committee.

Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Contribution to the seminaries organization dealing with strategic topics for the development of Morocco (politics has always interested me)
- Created and led, with HR, a think tank (50+ young employees, experts and senior executives ) on youth engagement based on design thinking techniques to empower young people in my company.
- During my studies, Moroccan representative within the “Assembly of Delegates of Residents’ Committee “ of the International University Campus in Paris which is the largest site hosting foreign students and researchers in France and maybe in the world (+12,000 students, researchers, artists and athletes from 127 countries !!!). My task was to represent the residents’ views on all issues to do with living on the International Campus and create bridges with other cultures.

Hi Medstark,

that's a great profile overall and I quite love it. You check a whole number of boxes for several b-schools, including INSEAD. You have international experience, diversity of experience, leadership experience through your initiatives, and excellent career progression. Your ECAs are somewhat differentiated (HR thinktank and Morocco related seminars) and would be more impactful if you have achieved some positive outcomes due to your efforts.

Now its your responsibility to submit a strong application. This includes a resume that shows your achievements, impact and career progression. Use strong, impactful action verbs for every pointer that showed you made a big difference to the activity in question. We see so many disappointing resumes every year even when applicants have excellent profiles otherwise. Along with the resume, your essays and recos need to be solid as well. Reach out f you need help with these.

Also, consider applying to LBS- great program for those have international orientation and its also top of the ranking charts.

Hello MBADecoder,

Thank you a lot for your evaluation. What do you think about my GMAT score ?

Hey MedStark,

Looking at your profile, if you apply in R1, your GMAT score is competitive.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
INSEAD Class of December 2017
----------------------------
Applying to INSEAD R1 Sep 2020?
Is your admission consultant from INSEAD?
MBA and Beyond Consulting
Schedule a free Profile Evaluation Session here.

Hey!

I would like you to kindly review my profile and possibly comment on its quality.

Age: 30 , Gender: Male , Nationality : Indian

GMAT : 750

Bachelor's : Symbiosis International University
Bachelor in Accounts & Finance , graduated with 3.10/4 in 2010

MBA : Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi (considered one of the best college's in Asia for Trade)
MBA in International Business (specialisation Trade) , graduated with 2.62/4.33 in 2016

Certifications: CFA LvL 3 & FRM LvL 2

Languages : English, Hindi & French

Work ex Post - MBA:

- 3 years(current) as a Trade manager responsible for procuring, transporting and importing dry bulk commodity into 14 African countries(biggest importer of clinker in African continent & handling traders in excess of $100million independently) based out of Middle East with constant travel to all 14 country's.

Work ex Pre - MBA:

- 2 years with Lloyd's London working in Maritime Insurance with one of the biggest Property & Casualty Insurance Brokers.

- 2 years entrepreneurial venture(business development) - expansion of existing family business in setting up educational institute (K+10) which unfortunately had to be wound down dude to sanction and licensing legalities.

Post MBA: would like to be involved in operations role of European energy trading firms(very briefly).

I wanted to know, in particular, whether I am have a competitive profile for INSEAD, keeping in mind this would be my second MBA and how much of a factor would my low MBA gpa play?

Please comment.

Thanks in advance,

Hey Second MBA11,

You have competitive profile for INSEAD. Your low GPA can be compensated by other factors in your application, ex. 750 GMAT. As I have mentioned earlier in posts, my GPA was also low. There are a lot of factors considered in your application. Having said that, you can address low GPA in optional essays.

I have met Second MBAs at INSEAD, so second MBA is entertained by school. Your entrepreneurial journey and Post MBA exp (showing leadership) would definitely be cherry on top. I am currently working with Second MBA candidates and the only advice is that your story should be strong enough to justify another MBA, don't leave it hanging in the dark.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
INSEAD Class of December 2017
----------------------------
Applying to INSEAD R1 Sep 2020?
Is your admission consultant from INSEAD? Damn!
MBA and Beyond Consulting
Schedule a 45 min Session here.

Hi,

Can anyone give feedback on my chances to INSEAD?

Want to shift career into Management Consulting. So, hopeful that MBA would be a trampoline for this.

Asian, currently working in UAE.
Age: 30
Diploma of Electronics Engineering, 2010, 3.2/4.0
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, 2010, 3.0/4.0
Work Experience: 6 years
Job: Researcher in University
GMAT: 710
Can speak 3 foreign languages apart from my native language.
Have been living abroad for the past 8 years.
Interned in big tech plant in Europe 5 years ago.

many thanks in advance.

Hello Experts

I request your views and advice on my profile.

Background:
Indian Female, 28 yrs
Doctor (MBBS)
GMAT (yet-to-give) target 710

Education:
Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery

Work Experience: Total 5 years
Job 1 - Medical Officer (6m)
Job 2 - Medical Officer and Co-ordinator of medical unit (9m)
Job 3 - Founding member of healthcare startup. The start-up did not take off due to multiple operational reasons. (1y)
Job 4 - Program Manager of an international academic Masters program in Asia brought in collaboration with a UL university. 2 years into the program has more than 70 surgeons from 7 nationalities across Asia. Laid the foundation of the program. Was in-charge of medical operations as well as the NGO associated with the same organisation in multiple community activities including fund-raising. (1.5y)
Job 5 - Currently the founder of a social start-up for the elderly (1y)
Overall a slightly more intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial resume. The journey has come with its fair share of learning.

Extra curriculars - Teaching underprivileged students, part of an NGO
Post MBA Goal -
Short term - to get into social impact sector either in foundations such as Bill & Mellinda Gates or social businesses or social impact consulting
Long term - Drive my own social venture and get into social impact investment

Why Insead? - I want to work with organisations across the world with deep community engagement. Heavy interest in relocation to experience the best of social impact.

Hey Joloochu,

Here you go,

By the time you will start program, you will have work exp of 7+ years. Combination of work exp and GMAT (710) is decent. Your international exposure is pretty good with living 8 years abroad and speaking 3 languages, adding to diversity.

About your post mba goal of Management consulting, a lot of applicants write the same in application. Need to figure out how are you different, showing UNIQUENESS. I can't comment on other important factors - Leadership and Giving to learning community, need more inputs from you.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
INSEAD Class of December 2017
----------------------------
Applying to INSEAD R1 Sep 2020?
Is your admission consultant from INSEAD? Damn!
MBA and Beyond Consulting
Schedule a 45 min Session here.

Hello Experts

I request your views and advice on my profile.

Background:
Indian Female, 28 yrs
Doctor (MBBS)
GMAT (yet-to-give) target 710

Education:
Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery

Work Experience: Total 5 years
Job 1 - Medical Officer (6m)
Job 2 - Medical Officer and Co-ordinator of medical unit (9m)
Job 3 - Founding member of healthcare startup. The start-up did not take off due to multiple operational reasons. (1y)
Job 4 - Program Manager of an international academic Masters program in Asia brought in collaboration with a UK university. Currently, the program has more than 70 surgeons representing 7 nationalities across Asia. Additionally was in-charge of operations at the NGO associated with the same organisation including fund-raising activities. Was the intern co-ordinator for international students coming to the NGO for summer internships.(1.5y)
Job 5 - Currently the founder of a social start-up for the elderly (1y)
Overall a slightly more intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial resume. The journey has come with its fair share of learning.

Extra curriculars - Teaching underprivileged students, part of an NGO
Post MBA Goal
Short term - to get into social impact sector either in foundations such as Bill & Mellinda Gates or social businesses or social impact consulting. I want to work with organisations across the world with deep community engagement. Heavy interest in relocation abroad to work at renowned social impact organisations with a focus on healthcare.
Long term - Drive my own social venture and get into social impact investment

Hi, Can you please help me in evaluating my profile for INSEAD MBA, Class of 2021

Nationality: Indian, Female, 24 years

Graduation(B.Tech.) - Tier 2 college-7.5 CGPA

GMAT:710(Q49,V36)

Work-Ex: 4 years in Data Analytics and Business Analysis field
2 years: ZS Associates
2 years: BCG

Extra Curricular:
-Leading the CSR group (60 people) at BCG and managing their monthly activities
-Active member of Robinhood army
-Core member of Women Leadership Initiatives at BCG, Events Team at BCG


Post MBA goals: Front end Consulting

Anything else:
12th - 91.4%
10th - 89%

Posted from my mobile device

Hi SG,

Doctors applying for an MBA program is certainly a differentiated category. They apply every year but in few numbers. Here are a few thing's I'd like to say:
1. You've changed 5 jobs in 5 years. That can be a problem with the admissions team as they value depth of experience
2. You've just started a new venture, so I'd like to understand how an MBA fits in at this point in time. This could also raise alarm bells during your application, and make the adcom wonder whether you are job hopping and the MBA is part of that urge to change a job.
I'd not be able to comment on your career goals until I understand some of your past background. Feel free to schedule a call for an in-depth discussion.

Hi,

Could you please be more specific about your work experience? Exactly what did you do at these two companies? Did you get promotions? what were your achievements? Did you gain some international experience?

Hi,

I would like you to kindly review my profile.

Age: 29 , Gender: Male , Nationality : Indian

GMAT : 700 - will retake once again in August

Bachelor's : Anna University, Computer Science, graduated with distinction in 2012

Post graduate Diploma in mgmt (similar to an MBA but not exactly an MBA degree) : MDI, Gurgaon, graduated with 6.5/10 in 2016 (its a decent enough brand in India but not outside)

Certifications: Certified FRM

WE Post - MBA:

- 3 years Consultant (Technology) at a Fortune 500 company (top 200)
- do not have international experience but have worked across projects with international clients based out of UK, US and Canada

WE Pre - MBA:

- 2 years as a developer in a Fortune 500 company

Post MBA goal: would like to get into Product Management in technology.
Reason for another MBA - 1. It was a diploma in mgmt so not a proper MBA degree
2. It has not really helped me to crack into Product Mgmt
3. Would like to have an MBA from a top tier univ recognized globally

Kindly let me know if my profile is competitive for INSEAD and what parts of my profile I need to focus on to improve my chances.

Please comment.

Thanks in advance,
Prashanth

Hi prashanths,

Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. Your profile could yield an admit to INSEAD, should you successfully speak to your (i) professional experiences, (ii) your need for an MBA, and (iii) how you intend to use your time at INSEAD to help you grow. A few comments on the different components of your profile below:

Academics: Your academics are good, but you do need to show INSEAD that you are able to handle the rigor of their degree, and an increased GMAT will work in your favor.

Professional Experience: Your professional experience is good. I recommend you address your international-client-facing exposure and how it has helped you see your need for an MBA. Also, speak to why you need an MBA to pivot your career.

Community Engagement/ECs: You did not mention any community engagement in your post. Are you/have you been involved in your community via volunteer work, extracurricular, etc.?


I would love to learn your story and see how we can help you with your career ambitions. When you are ready, please reach out.



_________________

Hi,

I'd like a review of my profile.

26 y/o male, Indian. Living in Singapore for the past 7 years - 4 for undergrad, 3 for work. 3+ years of experience at ExxonMobil Singapore (will be 4 by the time I start).

GMAT 2nd attempt 720 (Q48, V40). 1st attempt 650 - took 3 months before 2nd.

B. Eng. Mechanical engineering;
GPA 4.43 / 5.0 (translates to 3.63 / 4.0 with equivalent module weightages)
NTU, Singapore (QS rank 12)
Several societies and clubs.
NTU research scholar award recipient

Experience:
3+ years at ExxonMobil, Singapore, under Project Management job family.

Lead cost and controls engineer (current; 2 months)
- dual role
- lead cost engineer for a USD 100m project. Multicultural team in different time zones
- project controls engineer stewarding project performances
- mentor interns and new hires
- lead improvements in work processes, created tools to aid peers
- recipient of several recognition awards

Cost and schedule engineer (1.5 years)
- awarded recognitions
- trained new hires overseas
- lead coordinator for capital efficiency initiatives in AP

Project engineer (1.5 years)
- led diverse teams and managed small scale projects up to USD 1m
- recipient of several recognitions
- avoided major safety incident which could have affected my team

Extracurriculars and achievements:
- volunteer at red cross
- captained high school swimming team to several awards. Intra-university athlete
- competitive corporate dragon-boat rower. Led department team to 3 consecutive podium finishes in intra-company meets
- guitar and bass player; occasional band performer
- Spartan race trifecta finisher
- traveller; 30+ countries
- PADI certified diver; 70+ dives
- INSPIRE times higher education scholarship, India - given to top 1% performers in the ISC exams, India

Penta-lingual; basic competency in 2 languages

Post-MBA aspirations: lead projects in a global capacity in major energy companies.

Thanks in advance!
Sayan

Hi Sayan,

I like your profile. At this point, I see nothing amiss and think you have a fair chance at INSEAD. Needless to say, you still have to submit a strong application and present your experiences in an impressive way. Reach out if you'd like to take help.

Hi, would appreciate your thoughts on the profile below:

Background
25 year old male, Canadian citizen born in Pakistan

Academics
GMAT 750 / 8 IR / 6 AWA
Finance undergrad, 3.4 / 4.0 GPA from a semi well-known but not top-tier Canadian school

Work Experience
3 years work experience (4 by matriculation)
- Started in strategy consulting at a tier two firm (think Oliver Wyman, Deloitte S&O, etc) for ~1.5 years, including an accelerated promotion at the end of first year and support from leadership to manage workstreams not typically assigned to individuals at that level
- Moved into the private equity arm of a large Canadian pension plan - top bucket rating in first year and on track for promotion at end of year 2 (vs. typical 3 year track), two board observer seats (including one international portfolio company), and leading intern recruiting for the group
- Could also mention investment banking internship at a global bulge bracket if you think that would be helpful (I appreciate that 3-4 years experience could be considered "light")

Other Activities
- Competed in several international case competitions in university, including multiple 1st / 2nd place finishes
- Have since transitioned into a coach for alma mater case teams and have coached teams to multiple podium finishes
- Mentor for alma mater student investment club and leadership center
- Significant international travel for both work and personal (> 30 countries)
- Various leisure activities (i.e. rec league sports, boxing, etc.)

Would appreciate any high level views on my chances