Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) MSc in International Business 2016

Question

Hi! Is anyone applying for SSE's 2016 intake as well? I applied for the MSc in International Business (CEMS MiM).

I am a little bit concerned because they "recommend" an AWA score of at least 4.5 and mine was only 4. Is SSE flexible with this? My GMAT score was 760 (Q49/V44) and my IR score was 8, so hopefully my AWA score will be offset.

I look forward to meet my fellow applicants!

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey there,

I would not worry much about your AWA, you have a great GMAT score which more than offsets the low AWA.
Just make sure you write really great essays highlighting the work as well as extra curricular experience you have.

The AWA is all about testing your writing skills, so if you write good essays then the school will be content enough that you have sufficient writing abilities.
You can get some tips on how to write a great Essay for the MiM at https://www.mim-essay.com/mim-essay-help.html

With a good essay and this GMAT score, you should be able to bag a scholarship too.

Dane · Answer

Hi mtcalvarenga I have applied for the 2016 intake, but for the MSc in Business and Management instead. I applied before the early application deadline, so I might get an answer already by late December. I don't think you should worry about the low AWA score. I think they mainly look at the GMAT score, and with 760, it shouldn't be a problem

What does the rest of your profile consist of? My profile is a bit weird. I am 24 years old and from Denmark. I have a BA in Political Science but supplemented with courses in business economics and management accounting. My GPA is not the best (2,83/4), but the reason is (probably) that I have worked 60-70 hours a week during my BA. In total, I have 5 years of work experience - most of it related to communications, negotiations, strategy, management, etc. I scored 720 on the GMAT and 116/120 on the TOEFL. The latter not relevant to you I assume, since you are from the US. Fingers crossed I will get in, although my academic background is a bit weird and with a low GPA.

maddicus · Answer

Hi! I'm applying for the 2016 intake for the MSc in International Business as well

Here's my profile: Bachelor's in Economics and Management with a 3,5/4 GPA from a fairly good (but probably unknown to SSE) italian university TOEFL: 108 GMAT: 720 (Q47, V41, yet to receive my AWA score) Erasmus exchange semester in Stockholm 3 months internship in a project management company in Slovakia Other not relevant working experience I still don't know what my chances are and if I'll get an invitation to the assessment center, but if that's the case, do you guys know how it works?

mtcalvarenga · Answer

Hi maddicus,

I applied before November 15th and on December 9th I received an invitation to the AC that will take place in late February. The invitation e-mail explains what will be evaluated and how.

My profile:
Bachelor in Economics at a top 5 Brazilian university (current in senior year) with a GPA 6.3/10 (a bit low, but a GPA above 7.5 in Economics is very rare here).
GMAT 760 (Q49/V44/IR 8/AWA 4)
TOEFL 107
1-year exchange in New Zealand
13-month internship in a leading Nordic bank (and ongoing)

Good luck, and hopefully we will meet next summer!

noopurthatte · Answer

Hello guys,

I am also applying for CEMS MIM at SSE for the January intake. Here is my profile:

Bachelors Degree: BSc Business Administration with Human Resources Honours from University of London.
Gpa: 3.38/4.00
Ielts: exempt
Gmat: Due January
Lived and studied in Sweden, UK and India
Languages: Swedish, English, German, Hindi and Marathi.
Work Experience: Currently working as a recruiter with Teach for India.
Previously worked: Diehl Metal India (German MNC), Brandon Trust (Uk). And a few more internships in UK and Sweden.

I dont know what my chances are, hope to get the interview. Fingers Crossed

maddicus · Answer

Wow guys, your profiles are so strong! Good luck to all of you

MiMEssay · Answer

I think most of you guys have a pretty good profile and should not worry about your chances at SSE.

From past experience i can say that SSE takes up students if they like their profile & achievements, even if their GMAT score is not particularly high.

Usually if you have an assortment of extra curricular activities, good academics & tangible work experience, you will not have a problem.
Having International experience is a super plus point.

If you would like a more comprehensive review, you can take the Free profile evaluation at  https://mim-essay.com/profile-evaluation?gcf

It will help me to give you a better assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.

dsv · Answer

Hi guys, I'm not applying this year, but I'm planning on applying some time in the future. I plan on applying for the MSc Economics (with a possible 2nd choice of either International Business or Business & Management) and was wondering if anyone could give me (and of course other people as well) some advice as to how to maximize the chance of getting in. For instance what is the main thing they look at? My GPA is currently probably average(or maybe even just below that) and I think I can get it to a max of about 7.5/10(not sure how that number would exactly translate to an international GPA standard...). Thing is that I'm pretty sure I can get a pretty good GMAT score (my GPA is most likely a result of lack in motivation, not lack in skill, but I doubt that will do any good in my motivation letter

) so I'm hoping that they'll look mostly at that. I also read that I get to choose between either GMAT or GRE for testing my knowledge; is either better or worse than the other, or will doing both be useful? Also does somebody have any tips on relevant work experience and/or extracurricular activities. I currently got a job which is not really relevant but I hear a lot that work and extra activities can really improve your chances and I still got some time, so I would love to hear some advice. Any other relevant info or tips are of course also very welcome. EDIT: perhaps useful to know; I'm currently doing my Bachelor Economics & Business-economics on a 'decent' university in Europe(decent as in not top tier, but not bad either), and I'm thinking of doing a minor in computer science.

zheka · Answer

I am applying for Accounting & Financial Management. Just got the same AWA – 4.0 only. However, my total score is lower – 730 (Q49 V40 IR8). I can't retake as there is no seats available during the next week, and only a week left to apply.

Does the invitation to the assessment center mean you got admitted? On SSE website it looks like all those who apply for International Business have to visit the AC.

mtcalvarenga · Answer

Hi zheka,

The AC is a requirement to be accepted in the CEMS MiM program. As the International Business students in SSE are also automatically enrolled in the CEMS program, the AC takes place prior to admission. I'm not sure of how many people are invited to the AC, but there is definitely the possibility to be rejected in this stage.

Anyone here has detailed information on the AC?

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey zheka with a GMAT of 730 i really don't think you need to worry about low AWA's.
Just make sure you cover in your application SOP/essays the reason for your low scores and what you bring to the student body instead, and you should be just fine.
A well framed application can really do wonders in such tricky situations.
Check out https://www.mim-essay.com/mim-essay-help.html for some tips on writing the essays.

Also the invitation may be a step in the right direction meaning that you have crossed the preliminary round.

hamzakb · Answer

Hey guys, i just got the invite for the MIB program, with Rotterdam as the exchange university. It was my first preference.

Anyone else got the invite? We could make a whatsapp/facebook page

mtcalvarenga · Answer

I got in as well!!

maddicus · Answer

Me too <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" />

Schdeve · Answer

Hey guys, I am applying for the 2017 intake for the CEMS/IB program at SSE, can anyone of you give me any information about the assessment centre and what to expect, would really appreciate any advice.

Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) MSc in International Business 2016

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