INSEAD request reapply: Should I apply in next round or next intake?

Question

Hi guys,

I have applied to INSEAD in Jan'24 R3 and just got the announcement that my current GMAT test scores do not correlate well with the overall quality of my application, and they encouraged me to retake GMAT and apply again with better scores. They even provided me a GMAT fee waiver so I guessed they really want to me reapply.

Just a quick brief on my profile: from Vietnam, 6y experience in Marketing for MNCs (Unilever, Samsung, Abbott), 2y experience in Manager role and now want to transition to Consulting. I aim to MBB, especially McKinsey.

Now I have two choices with several pros and cons:
1/ Reapply in R4 of Jan'24 Intake: 
Pros: I prefer to join Jan intake to leverage the summer internship to build my experience in new sector before graduation. 
Cons: Risk in diversity and scholarship. 
I heard around that in R4 INSEAD mostly focused on application with diversity, which I am not much confident. And scholarship only opens for R1-3 only, but my friend at INSEAD said they still reserve scholarship for R4.

2/ Apply for R1 of Sep'24 Intake:
Pros: More time to retake GMAT, prepare finance and less risk when applying in R1
Cons: No internship for Sep Intake.

Please help to share your thoughts and advices. Thank you guys all!

Karan0912 · Answer

What is your current GMAT score? What is Quant and Verbal split?

minmin2511 · Answer

I got 650 with V-32, Q-48, and IR-6

minhhoangvo · Answer

Hi em, also Vietnamese, ex-U, MKT background + got into INSEAD here

Probably you might need to provide more info on your extracurriculum and leadership role, since INSEAD def. values diversity. Anyhow, based on the school's feedback, I presume they def. have got certain interest in your pro5 and hence insisted you improve your GMAT so that they can make their admission decision easier. 650 is not bad for INSEAD, it's just not competitive and an advantage edge for you if this batch has the same or better score than yours. Henceforth, def. recommending you to retake the test; an improvement of 30-40 score is decent AND it's def. not hard to get near to 700. It's, however, HARD to get from 700 upwards though (like my case), but you don't need that much rigorous score if somehow your pro5 has already compensated for the academic setback. About the timing: if you want to get the summer internship, you may want to wait another year while preparing for the test (it doesn't hurt, tbh, to wait because INSEAD is basically just 1y and you'll get back in no time). It'll be better for you in terms of both admission and the chance to get decent scholarship from the school.

All in all, best of luck! Posted from my mobile device

Karan0912 · Answer

It is strange the college something like that. I have seen people get in with 630 at INSEAD if they have good profile .

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  minmin2511 ,

Thanks for writing in.

If INSEAD has indicated that your test scores do not do justice to your overall profile, you should consider retaking the GMAT. Schools do provide waivers at times; however, we would suggest you apply with a score.

Having said the above, internships are immensely value-adding; hence, it might actually be worthwhile to wait even longer (i.e. if you can). If you do not think you wish to wait, we would suggest that you apply with a higher GMAT score; it will also let INSEAD know that you have religiously worked on the feedback offered by them.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

INSEAD request reapply: Should I apply in next round or next intake?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards