Experience during the program

The program is intense. Like really intense. The pace hits you from week one—assignments, group work, networking, career prep—all at once. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming if you’re not mentally ready.

Academically, it’s strong. Professors are solid, and classes are practical rather than just theoretical. A lot of case-based learning, which keeps things engaging. But honestly, the real learning comes from your peers. The diversity is insane—people from different countries, backgrounds, and experiences. That’s probably the biggest value.

Career-wise, INSEAD’s brand definitely opens doors. Recruiters take it seriously, especially in consulting. But here’s the catch: nothing is handed to you. You have to hustle a lot—networking, coffee chats, applications. If you sit back, you’ll fall behind quickly.

Social life is surprisingly active despite the workload. There are events, trips, and parties, but you’ll constantly feel like you’re choosing between sleep, studying, or socializing.

Overall BSchool experience (4.0)
Schools contribution (5.0)
Classmates rating (4.0)

Strengths of the program:

Curriculum, Classes, Professors
Student body, diversity
Alumni Network

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Investment Banking

Can be improved:

Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Location

Read More

Experience during the program

With a GMAT of 660, I was able to secure admits from INSEAD, Michigan Ross, Bocconi, and IMD.

My journey started in 2021, when I applied only to top US schools with a 650 GMAT. That cycle was humbling: I was waitlisted at NYU Stern, rejected by Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, and ultimately realized that ambition alone isn’t enough without the right strategy.

Determined to improve my odds, I studied hard and managed to increase my GMAT to 660. In the next Round 1 cycle, I reapplied to the same schools and added Michigan Ross. This time, I converted Ross, though Stern once again placed me on the waitlist. Unfortunately, my Prodigy loan approval didn’t work out, which forced me to reconsider my US options and broaden my perspective.

While applying to a few additional US schools in Round 2, I simultaneously began researching European programs—and that’s when INSEAD truly stood out. Its uniquely international cohort, intense 1-year format, and strong placement across geographies immediately resonated with my goals.

What differentiates INSEAD most is its application process. Unlike many US schools that claim to evaluate candidates holistically but provide limited space to explain one’s journey, INSEAD gives you the room to tell your story in depth. Through multiple essays and reflections, I was able to present my background, motivations, and career narrative from diverse angles. That freedom made a real difference—I ultimately received an INSEAD admit with a 20% scholarship.

Beyond admissions, INSEAD also proved its strength during recruiting. Despite my non-traditional background and experience largely in developing markets, I was shortlisted for interviews across 6+ sectors and 9+ geographies, including consulting, private equity, venture capital, investment banking, tech, CPG, retail, manufacturing, and startups. This reinforced a key lesson: while a strong school brand helps, outcomes are driven by how well you craft and position your story, particularly through your resume and narrative.

My experience at INSEAD further reinforced why it is truly a one-of-a-kind program. With 77 nationalities across two campuses, the classroom experience is intensely global and professionally mature. Even in a challenging year for consulting, 35%+ of the class entered consulting, reaffirming INSEAD’s position as a global consulting powerhouse. At the same time, INSEAD founders are highly sought after in the VC ecosystem, and several of my classmates are pursuing search funds, successfully closing their search rounds. What truly sets INSEAD apart is its cultural fabric—people from politically conflicted regions such as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, UAE, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, and India learning, traveling, and building lifelong friendships together under a shared INSEAD DNA. The program’s “work hard, enjoy hard, travel-savvy” culture builds resilience, cultural intelligence, and confidence, preparing you for a truly global career.

In parallel, I also received 50% scholarships from both Bocconi and IMD.
All in, I applied to 14 schools in that year and spent close to $10k on admissions consultants. Through this process, I gained first-hand insight into what actually works when it comes to storytelling, positioning, and admissions strategy, especially for candidates with non-perfect GMAT scores.

If you’re looking to discuss your profile, get honest feedback, or learn how to craft a compelling MBA narrative, feel free to reach out:
LinkedIn: M Mobeen Ayub - Linkedin/mobeen711

About job placement process

INSEAD Brand is very strong across all industries and geographies, however, there is tailwind in consulting that helps you crack interviews. in IB, PE, its harder compared to LBS/ Harvard/ Wharton but INSEAD name is still quite strong in these too. It's just that the CDC is not well connected into the sector.
I was still able to make a rare switch into Buy-Side M&A in Saudi Arabia and I am very happy with my post-MBA career upgrade.

Overall BSchool experience (5.0)
Schools contribution (4.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Brand/Ranking
Admissions Team
Consulting

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Tech
Entrepreneurship
Management

Can be improved:

Career opportunities provided by school

Read More

Experience during the program

Please know that this institution is a money-making machine that shows absolutely no support to its students
The career office: “employment engagement specialists” for tech have absolutely no experience in tech, give extremely poor guidance (you’d get better guidance from ChatGPT) and have low social competence preventing meaningful alumni engagement. The ones for consulting are better, but if you’re trying to look in another field you are completely on your own.

The administration shows absolutely no support toward students for any matters of consequence. A good example is the visa office - a lady who acts like she works for the French government. If you’re lucky enough to ever get an email response from her it’s cold and unhelpful. If you’re coming here on a visa and especially if you want to work in a country where you will need a visa - specifically ask current and former students about their experience with the school’’s visa office.

Finally, they seem to be trying to get away with relying solely on their ranking as a means to attract applicants. Most of the core classes were beyond atrocious in teaching quality. Professors with literally no teaching experience (fresh PHD grads) and couldn’t convey basic concepts. They gave half the class on the France campus poor quality professors so depending on who you speak to you may hear otherwise. Classes like accounting that you expect will be good in a 90k B-school will leave you exactly where you were before the program.

Overall, if you’re financing this yourself, think twice.

Overall BSchool experience (1.0)
Schools contribution (2.0)
Classmates rating (4.0)

Strengths of the program:

Alumni Network

Best fit at this program:

Consulting

Can be improved:

Curriculum, Classes, Professors
Career opportunities provided by school
Culture & Student Support
Facilities

Read More

Experience during the program

INSEAD does an incredible job at curating a diverse student body, and one that is very supportive of each other’s interests. The student body and alumni network are by far the schools greatest strengths. Points for improvement would be curriculum and career services. Curriculum because they try to condense a number of standard and elective courses that would come as part of a 2 year program into 1 year, which makes certain courses a bit rushed. Career services needs some work in the sense that it’s very consulting focused, and other sectors don’t get much support. I’d recommend that future applicants emphasize their international experience and inclinations in their application, and focus primarily on what they can contribute to the student body.

Overall BSchool experience (4.0)
Schools contribution (2.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Location

Best fit at this program:

Consulting

Can be improved:

Curriculum, Classes, Professors
Career opportunities provided by school
Specialization in a particular area (e.g. Finance, Consulting, Healthcare, etc)

Read More

Experience during the program

I recently completed my MBA at INSEAD. I'd like to share some pointers:

Suggestions while applying (Before INSEAD):
- the school lays a lot of emphasis on providing a global perspective to its students. As such, try to show how you have experienced any international exposure. Although most people in the class would have lived in multiple countries before coming to INSEAD, it is not necessary. Try to show your international experience through travels, working with teams from different countries, and working with global clients.

During the program:
- Like any other B-school, time at INSEAD flies! There will always be a choice of what you want to attend and what you want to miss. For example, attending an extra tutorial VS celebrating your friend's birthday VS travelling to a new city VS attending a networking session. Be clear about what is important to you and be honest with your self and your friends. For reference, for most people at INSEAD the priority is this:
1. Recruiting/Jobs
2. Social events/travelling
3. Academics

Overall BSchool experience (4.0)
Schools contribution (2.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Alumni Network
Brand/Ranking
Culture & Student Support

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Entrepreneurship

Can be improved:

Career Services

Read More

Experience during the program

INSEAD was an amazing experience. For an American who didn't get a chance to travel to Europe, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East prior to my MBA, it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.Academics is great and the professors are truly world class. The student body is very diverse and your peers are driven, intelligent, and fun!

I wish the career development center could do more for people that want to recruit in the US. I went to INSEAD knowing full well that i will be facing an uphill battle against the M7s for consulting and banking, given the off-cycle recruiting and the fact that there is enough talent in the US as is. The big firms, MBB, FAANG, BBs do recruit at INSEAD and hire a lot (I think my class sent about 55 to 60% into consulting), but expect to be placed outside of the US.

Overall BSchool experience (5.0)
Schools contribution (4.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Curriculum, Classes, Professors
Student body, diversity
Culture & Student Support

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Finance
Investment Banking
Tech
Entrepreneurship

Can be improved:

Alumni Network
Career opportunities provided by school

Read More

Experience during the program

INSEAD is an amazing school with an incredible diverse pool of students and impressive Professors, whose classes are nothing but fun. With these Professor it's hard not to stay focused and engaged during the whole session, as they have real life experience and share their own learning with students.
Your peer will come from all over the world and there will be no dominant nationality, which makes the program an amazing experience in terms of personal growth. Be prepared to make tons of new friends and to travel a lot, which is considered a must if you really want to bond with new friends

Overall BSchool experience (5.0)
Schools contribution (4.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Curriculum, Classes, Professors
Student body, diversity
Brand/Ranking

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Entrepreneurship
Management

Can be improved:

Career opportunities provided by school
Location
Facilities

Read More

Experience during the program

I loved my INSEAD experience. It was great to get a global perspective. Challenge myself to try new ventures and make lifelong friendships. I studied in 3 continents and traveled to more than 15 countries. For me, INSEAD was a life experience than just an MBA.

Professors were world class. Students were from 80+ countries and open-minded. The Wharton exchange was useful in helping me find a job in the US and I also had job offers in Singapore, London via INSEAD. The student clubs are growing in impact and France is becoming a powerful tech hub under new Leadership.

I would highly recommend INSEAD to anyone who is looking for a fast-track MBA program and ready to be a global leader of the world.

Overall BSchool experience (5.0)
Schools contribution (5.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Location

Best fit at this program:

Consulting

Can be improved:

Career opportunities provided by school

Read More

Experience during the program

INSEAD has a great pool of diverse and talented students/alumni, where you could learn a lot from. There are a couple of areas that INSEAD has been specialised and hence you can leverage as a springboard. Those are Consulting, Entrepreneurs, and Tech. There are decent consulting firms, including big 3 or 4 firms, visiting and hiring a lot at INSEAD. For tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Google, they also hire many, but not at their HQ in US, but typically at their regional HQ in Asia and Europe. And oviously, there is big vibe and momentum around entrepreneurship at INSEAD, providing an stella envirionment to collaborate among students/alumni interested in running their own companies with brilliant ideas.
Personally, I was able to get into one of tech companies above at my P4, and now really enjoy the work and career progression.

Overall BSchool experience (5.0)
Schools contribution (5.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Student body, diversity
Brand/Ranking
Specialization in a particular area (e.g. Finance, Consulting, Healthcare, etc)

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Entrepreneurship
Management

Can be improved:

Career opportunities provided by school
Facilities

Read More

Experience during the program

At just 10 months, the INSEAD MBA flies by. Looking back, so much was compressed into this time that it is incredibly intense. One of the main challenges is learning to prioritise, since there is not enough time to take advantage of even half the opportunities the school has to offer.
I was surprised and delighted to find the other students so switched on and intelligent, but without the aggressive competitiveness I had previously expected. with a few exceptions, the teaching standard was outstanding.
Recruitment is largely focused on consulting, but there are opportunities for all segments.
With the two campuses there were many people coming and going, so the environment was in a constant state of change.

Overall BSchool experience (4.0)
Schools contribution (4.0)
Classmates rating (5.0)

Strengths of the program:

Student body, diversity
Alumni Network
Brand/Ranking

Best fit at this program:

Consulting
Finance
Entrepreneurship

Can be improved:

Career opportunities provided by school

Read More