Entrepreneurial journey will affect Insead application?

Question

Dear Fellow applicants and Consultants,

Wanted to know if leaving a full-time job and starting an entrepreneurial will affect my application at Insead MBA below highlights of my profile. 
Planning to apply in September 2019 for 2020 September intake, I will have 3 months exactly to create an impact. (Any recommendations)

Indian Male age 26, 
Total experience 4.5 years

-International Sales and Marketing Latam Regions.
-Well travelled across Latam regions for projects. 
-Spanish Advanced proficiency.
-Currently based in UAE (since last 2years), Planning to go back to India and Start my own business development consulting company. 
-Yet to take Gmat eyeing 740 SCORE.

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

Well, the first question the admission committee would ask: why would you want to venture into a completely new venture less than 6 months before the application. You should consult an admission consultant; however, no one would advise you to start something new at this crucial stage, given the application process is extremely challenging.

GyanOne · Answer

Hi  shankur1592

Starting a new venture can send signals of confusion to the Admissions Committee. They might wonder why you decided to apply to an MBA so soon after beginning an entrepreneurial venture. This might create a perception of insincerity with respect to the venture, and you should avoid that at all costs. Would suggest you stay put in your role before applying. If you have entrepreneurial ambitions, you can express them in the application (as post-MBA aims).

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

TheJaffeAdvantage · Answer

While it is generally admirable (and well received) to start an entrepreneurial journey I don't think it is the right time (or business)

1) It is very difficult to make a true impact in three months
2) Starting a new business prior to applying for an MBA will lead to the question - why? If the business does well how will you manage to keep it goingwhile you are studying? Who will take care of your Clients? (The MBA is VERY time consuming and schools do now want you working on a pre-existing business at the same time)
3) There are a lot of business consulting practices and it takes a long time to build a good Client base. It is a multi year journey and starting it now might show a lack of forethought to the AdCom.
4) The admissions process itself is time consuming - I don't recommend starting a new company, studying for the GMAT, and preparing the application all at the same time

That said - every situation is different. Is there a specific reason you need to start it now? (e.g. a Client lead you may lose later?) Is it that you want to show an entrepreneurial side? If so you could start a small fun side business while keeping your day job.

In short - I don't advise it, but as with everything context matters.

Pamela Jaffe
MBA Admissions Consultant
The Jaffe Advantage

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

if I can be so bold  shankur1592  this is a terrible idea - for all the reasons others have cited.

This would flag concerns, undermine your credibility and in sum make you look like a flake. Would make it hard for INSEAD to shop your CV as employers would not look upon this move kindly. Sort of like WTF is this guy thinking 3 months before going to b-school. So very important for your CV to look good to employers; no internship with September batch.

Please do whatever you need to do to stay in your job, get good recommendations, and continue with a steady income. If this is a high stakes situation, ie you hate your job, nightmare boss etc, partner with a consultant to maximize your profile to improve your odds.

Really encourage you to apply to IESE as well given your background and language abilities, esp if you have any ambitions with LATAM or Europe.

bb · Answer

Entrepreneurial journey will affect Insead application?

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