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MBAGuide
Joined: 24 Jul 2019
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,358
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 28
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
02 Apr 2026, 05:06
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Over time, through working closely with applicants and interacting with the admissions process at INSEAD, I have noticed a few common patterns that tend to hold people back. Sharing these in the hope that it helps you avoid some of the same pitfalls:
1. Not providing enough context in the Motivation Essays – Most unsuccessful applications have this mistake in common, where applicants are quick to jump into a professional success story without really giving insight into “who they are as people.”
The primary objective of INSEAD's Motivation Essays is to understand the applicant’s background, gain context regarding their formative years, and identify the influences that led to their intrinsic personality development and motivation to pursue their current path (or the MBA path). I cannot emphasize enough the importance of covering all the aforementioned points in reasonable proportions across the three motivation essays. Well-crafted narratives use these points to help you stand out from the crowd.
Read more: Vulnerability: Secret Element Wielded by Winning MBA Candidates : INSEAD
How to score full points on INSEAD(or any) KIRA Video Essay questions? : INSEAD
2. Lack of clarity in event timelines – Many applications do not have a narrative that makes it easier for the AdCom to understand the applicant’s progression over the years. Incoherent stories are put together to create an impression of leadership skills (but they actually reflect the applicant’s poor organizational skills!).
Successful applications present stories in chronological order, with timelines clearly mentioned, complemented by increasing responsibilities and results year on year, showing a clear and consistent growth pattern to the AdCom.
3. Failing to communicate the impact of your work – Unsuccessful applications do not offer much in terms of the value created by the applicants for their employers or their community. This may be interpreted as a lack of business acumen.
Successful applicants are clearly able to understand and communicate the impact their work generated in terms of monetary value, cost savings, time efficiency, client satisfaction, and so on.
4. Lack of vision when defining goals – Unsuccessful applications do not clearly convey a passion for the applicant’s long-term goals. An example would be an applicant from the healthcare industry who wants to continue in the same industry in both the short term and long term but does not mention what ignites their passion for healthcare. During the COVID period, for example, such oversight on the part of INSEAD applicants was not acceptable. Successful INSEAD applicants evaluate their passion objectively, aspire to be a force for good, and take the necessary steps to achieve their vision.
Read more- Why Your Work Experience Sounds the Same as Everyone Elses : INSEAD
Suggested Read- INSEAD January 2026 Intake:Key Essay Changes & Debriefs : INSEAD
Wondering how your profile stacks up? Get a free evaluation and discuss a tailored MBA plan that aligns with your goals.
Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]
1. Not providing enough context in the Motivation Essays – Most unsuccessful applications have this mistake in common, where applicants are quick to jump into a professional success story without really giving insight into “who they are as people.”
The primary objective of INSEAD's Motivation Essays is to understand the applicant’s background, gain context regarding their formative years, and identify the influences that led to their intrinsic personality development and motivation to pursue their current path (or the MBA path). I cannot emphasize enough the importance of covering all the aforementioned points in reasonable proportions across the three motivation essays. Well-crafted narratives use these points to help you stand out from the crowd.
Read more: Vulnerability: Secret Element Wielded by Winning MBA Candidates : INSEAD
How to score full points on INSEAD(or any) KIRA Video Essay questions? : INSEAD
2. Lack of clarity in event timelines – Many applications do not have a narrative that makes it easier for the AdCom to understand the applicant’s progression over the years. Incoherent stories are put together to create an impression of leadership skills (but they actually reflect the applicant’s poor organizational skills!).
Successful applications present stories in chronological order, with timelines clearly mentioned, complemented by increasing responsibilities and results year on year, showing a clear and consistent growth pattern to the AdCom.
3. Failing to communicate the impact of your work – Unsuccessful applications do not offer much in terms of the value created by the applicants for their employers or their community. This may be interpreted as a lack of business acumen.
Successful applicants are clearly able to understand and communicate the impact their work generated in terms of monetary value, cost savings, time efficiency, client satisfaction, and so on.
4. Lack of vision when defining goals – Unsuccessful applications do not clearly convey a passion for the applicant’s long-term goals. An example would be an applicant from the healthcare industry who wants to continue in the same industry in both the short term and long term but does not mention what ignites their passion for healthcare. During the COVID period, for example, such oversight on the part of INSEAD applicants was not acceptable. Successful INSEAD applicants evaluate their passion objectively, aspire to be a force for good, and take the necessary steps to achieve their vision.
Read more- Why Your Work Experience Sounds the Same as Everyone Elses : INSEAD
Suggested Read- INSEAD January 2026 Intake:Key Essay Changes & Debriefs : INSEAD
Wondering how your profile stacks up? Get a free evaluation and discuss a tailored MBA plan that aligns with your goals.
Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]
