INSEAD January 2021 deferral/deposit

Question

Hi GMAT club community

Just got accepted into INSEAD's program for the January 21 intake. I'm thinking about deferring by either 6 months or 1 year, because I really do not want to do my MBA virtually due to COVID. They are also asking for a 10K euro deposits within the next month, and I feel like it's too early to say what's going to happen with COVID 6 months from now. I am wondering:

- what would be the best way to approach deferral with the school?
- is there any room of negotiation if I try to talk to them about deposit amount/due date?
- they mentionned that the Sep2020 intake will be delayed by 2 months. Did anyone hear about delays for those starting in Jan2021?

Asking for a friend

Thanks!

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Thanks!

nikhildas · Answer

Congratulations and welcome! So you can tell your ahem friend that yes a deadline extension of 10 to 15 days is possible on the deposit (one time) if you have extenuating circumstances.

For deferral, you need a solid reason to defer. Deferrals are being accepted but on a case to case basis depending on each applicant's unique pressing circumstances. However, as my personal opinion, avoiding online courses by itself may not deem a satisfactory reason as many others have financial constraints limiting their ability to join and only so many deferrals can be granted.

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pabpinor · Answer

Your friend N will have a hard time avoiding the 10k deposit I guess, from my experience with CEIBS the school may be flexible for you to defer in a later time if the teaching experience is going to be online, but they surely will ask you to commit with the 10k or else your spot will be awarded to someone else. I'm not sure wich % is in INSEAD now but many schools award many more spots thay what they can actually fit because they expect a 20-30% drop before or after the deposit, they also have revenues from some of those that do not end up becoming alumns.

I think 10k is the price you have to pay to have time to think, it may be that they do not grant deferrals bsded on the teaching difference (I think they should at least offer a discount then), but I do not know the current policy and capabilities.

Regards,
Pablo

mike6789 · Answer

Congratulations on the admit. You have to give a solid reason for your deferral

kalynguyen · Answer

Pls send my congrats to your friend for the admittance. Next Tuesday, there will be a Firechat between INSEAD and 21D cohort. I highly recommend your friend to join as some questions will be addressed in that webinar, especially hybrid vs online course and starting time of 21D class. So far, INSEAD hasn't confirmed anything about this. In our final document for visa, it is stated that the program will start on 4th Jan. In my opinion, I don't think there will be any delays for 21D class.

INSEAD is quite accommodating for deferral cases, but a good reason is required for them to make the decision. Here are some reason I observed. One of admitted students expressed that he requested to defer because he is a healthcare worker and he thinks his country needs his skillset at the moment. Some 21J deferred students shared that they couldn't get the visa on time.

Your friend can extend the deadline for deposit settlement about 15-30days, but, agree with Pablo, the deposit should be made now although your friend wants to defer to next year cohorts. Furthermore, all deferred students from 21J have to pay 5K on top of 10K deposit.