Seriously, do I have a chance to get into Insead?

Don't really think that it's random as much as luck of the draw in some circumstances.

Have they received several apps yet from somebody who's qualified yet , who have your profile type. I think that's really the deal.

This is why it's best to apply to first round (but that said, a less than dazzling app in R1 is pointless.) However, have helped Indian IT guys in R3. It's about having less competition+ a good application.

The importance of a solid application is generally grossly underestimated by most Indians, and I know this because I do a fair amount of ding analysis.

Babushka84 I would definitely not recommend winging it but laying out a very specific plan with an admissions consultant. If you're going for the gold you need to have a strategy. Maybe you had a different understanding of that expression?

One other thing, would actually advise you to wait until March and apply for j-term 2018 for best odds. Esp if career switcher/ need internship.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com

Hey Farrell,

Thanks a lot for your response and advice.

I am that rare breed of Indian who is not into IT , I actually did both my Undergrad and Masters in Marketing, and am not really looking for a drastic career shift. All of my work experience has been in market research, the experience in the Middle East was with TNS which is one of the best known names in the market research industry. I would say I had as much of an impact as someone at a junior level can have, worked on some pretty big accounts with people from diverse backgrounds, got promoted twice in the time I was there. I also do have 3 months of experience teaching English and Math to 10 year old kids at an NGO. I do speak 3 languages including English, however the other 2 are Hindi (national language) and my state/regional language , however most Indians do speak 3 languages so not sure if that counts.

Going to spend a lot of time on my essays and interviews, because I believe that's when the admissions team can really get to know you as a person which would have a big impact on the final decision.

Finally though, my preference is the Singapore campus. Is that generally easier to get into?

Hi there, you definately should apply. You'll have atleast 4.5 years of experience by matriculation which is fine, you are not IT and your GMAT is solid.
For your GPA, you might want to write about it, then again I am no admissions consultant, but I would absolutely suggest that you get one, as Farrell said, to help your application stand out from the Indian pool.
Goodluck!

Posted from my mobile device

Thanks, look forward to any other replies, any suggestions on how I can beef up my application

Hi Varun

- Could work, but you will need to highlight key examples of your leadership and how an MBA could help you grow further at this stage, especially given the fact that you have a master's in marketing already (if this was the SPJ Dubai/Singapore MBA, then some more explanation needed; INSEAD is open to applicants looking at a second MBA though). A second MBA might need strong justification here, especially given your continued career path in your current domain.
- ECA is quite decent. Which school did you go to for your undergrad? If this was a top bachelor's program, that can help a bit too. ECA matters for INSEAD (as they do for all schools), but it is not as big a determinant as it would be for some other top schools (say Cornell). Your work profile and experience is key for your app.
- Your international experience in the Middle East will be be helpful, and its really the market insights you have from there + the impact you had that will be a major component of the case you make. The quantitative/qualitative research experience may be useful, but not that much leadership there, at least yet. Although you could decide to apply now, you may perhaps consider waiting for an year to two, moving up to a managerial position, and then taking a call. Your work experience (quality/quantity) is below what INSEAD would look for. If you could look into moving to another international office (not India), that would help too.

Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with more queries as needed.

Hi there,

Thanks a lot for your response. k e, I would say I've demonstrated fairly good leadership given the limited work experience I have, I have handled large projects independently plus had two promotions in 2 years while in Dubai (I have senior managers who can write that for me in a reference letter as well). My bachelor's program was a regular program at the University of Pune, so nothing outstanding there. Yes, I did do the SP Jain MGB program, which I'm hoping will also have an impact (international exposure). The main idea of me doing this second MBA is for a career change, would you recommend I mention that?

Hello,


I am an Indian applicant,with 9+ years of work exp across 2 domains-3 years in IT and 6+ years in Power sector.I have a GMAT score of 680(Q 50,V 31).I work in a leading public sector utility in India.I have some decent points related to my work-ex.I have been a part of one of the important pilot projects of the country.
With my work exp,I plan on applying to 1 year MBA programs.

Where should I take my chances?I will be applying to IIM-A PGPX and IIM-C PGPeX(1 year full time programs).

Thanks for sharing.

In addition to the advices above, as you are looking for a career change, be sure to present how your background plus an INSEAD MBA would help you get into your desired role.

Regarding chances of admissions at Singapore campus, choice of campus does not affect your admissions chances.

Good to invest time reflecting on how you have progressed, and what motivates you, these have to come through in your essays.

All the best!