INSEAD is a world-renowned business school with campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. The school’s MBA program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of just over 10%.
How to Apply
The INSEAD MBA application process is relatively straightforward. Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Resume
- 3 Essays
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Test Scores
- Kira Talent Interview
Resume
The resume should highlight your academic achievements, work experience, and extracurricular activities. It should be concise and well-organized, and it should be tailored to the INSEAD MBA program.
Essays
INSEAD requires applicants to submit three essays:
- Why INSEAD? This essay should explain why you are interested in attending INSEAD and how the school will help you achieve your career goals.
- Achievement Essay This essay should describe a significant achievement in your life.
- Leadership Essay This essay should discuss a leadership experience you have had.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who know you professionally or academically. The letters should provide insight into your character, skills, and potential for success.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended must be submitted.
Test Scores
The GMAT or GRE is required for admission to the INSEAD MBA program. The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE is also required for applicants whose native language is not English.
Kira Talent Interview
INSEAD uses Kira Talent to conduct video interviews with applicants. The interview consists of a series of questions that assess your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and communication skills.
Timeline
The INSEAD MBA application deadline is September 15th. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to give themselves the best chance of admission.
Conclusion
The INSEAD MBA application process is challenging, but it is also an opportunity to showcase your skills and achievements. By carefully following the application instructions and submitting high-quality materials, you can increase your chances of being accepted to one of the world’s leading business schools.
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Videos: Info, Application tips
We share several links on different tips for applying to Insead. The first link talks about How to Get Into INSEAD. In addition, it discusses the following topics: Origin Story, What makes INSEAD Unique, Job Placement and Application Tips.
The second link talks about All you need to know about INSEAD. In addition, it discusses the following topics: Aringo MBA Admissions consulting, Is Insead right for me?, Academics students life and Career Dev, Alumni Employment sectors, What is Insead looking for?, What do i need to apply to Insead?, The Insead MBA resume, The Insead Essays-Job Description and The Insead Essays – Motivation Essays.
The third link talks about How to Apply for the INSEAD MBA Programme. n this video, Virginie Fougea, head of INSEAD’s MBA Recruitment and Admissions, talks about what the school looks for in an MBA candidate.
The fourth link talks about INSEAD MBA Admissions.
The fifth link is about Q&A with INSEAD AdCom & Alumni. In addition, it discusses the following topics: Singapore Campus, Abu Dhabi Campus, Portfolio of programs, MBA Stats, Program overview, Video Interview, Scholarships, Deadlines, Panelists, Study Groups, Duration, Why INSEAD and What can students expect.
The sixth link talks about Secrets To Getting Into INSEAD. In addition, it discusses the following topics: Introduction, Get to know the school, International experience, Academic requirements, Work experience and Pet peeve.
The seventh link talks about The INSEAD MBA. In addition, it discusses the following topics: History of INSEAD, Campus Locations, The INSEAD MBA journey, Programme overview, The INSEAD community, Advancing your career, Admissions process and What’s your next step?.
Essays
- Job Essays:
- Briefly summarize your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words, maximum)
- This essay asks you to provide a snapshot of your current job, including the main responsibilities and results achieved.
- It is important to be specific and to provide concrete examples to illustrate your points.
- What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words, maximum)
- This essay asks you to think about your career goals and what you would do next if you did not go to business school.
- It is important to be realistic and to show that you have a plan for your future.
- Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words, maximum)
- This essay asks you to provide a detailed overview of your career to date.
- It is important to explain the reasons for your choices and to show how your career has progressed over time.
- Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words, maximum)
- This essay asks you to discuss your career goals after graduating from INSEAD.
- It is important to be specific and to show how an MBA from INSEAD will help you achieve your goals.
- Optional Job Essay:
- If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
- This essay is optional, but it can be a good opportunity to explain what you have been doing since you left your job or if you are planning to leave your job soon.
- It is important to be honest and to show that you are still actively developing your skills and experience.
- Briefly summarize your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words, maximum)
- Motivation Essays:
- Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (500 words, maximum)
- This essay asks you to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and to discuss your personal characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and experiences.
- It is important to be honest and to show that you are aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
- Essay 2: This essay asks applicants to describe their proudest achievement and a situation where they failed. They must also discuss how these experiences impacted their relationships with others and what they learned from them.
- Essay 3: This essay asks applicants to describe their extra-professional activities and how they have been enriched by them.
- Optional Essay: This essay is optional and allows applicants to share any additional information that they feel would add value to their application.
- Here are some additional tips for writing these essays:
- Be honest and authentic. The admissions committee wants to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your personal stories and experiences.
- Be specific and provide examples. Don’t just tell the admissions committee what you did, show them. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
- Be concise. Each essay has a word limit, so make sure you use your words wisely.
- Proofread carefully. Typos and grammatical errors will make you look unprofessional.
- Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (500 words, maximum)
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Letter of recommendation questions
- The application requires two letters of recommendation, one from a direct supervisor and one from someone else who can evaluate you in a professional setting.
- The recommender should specify their relationship to the applicant (professional, educational, or personal), how long they have known the applicant, and the circumstances under which they met.
- The recommender should rate the applicant on a scale of 1-5 (Outstanding, Very Good, Above Average, Average, Below Average) for each of the following criteria:
- Competence in their field
- Professionalism
- Focus on the task at hand
- Readiness to use opportunities for achievement
- Creativity and resourcefulness
- Intellectual curiosity
- Energy and drive
- Personal integrity
- Ability to work in a team
- Organizational ability
- Oral communication skills
- Written communication skills
- The recommender should also rate the applicant’s potential for becoming a responsible and successful manager in international business compared to other students or employees they have known in a similar capacity.
Here is a more detailed explanation of each of the questions:
- Relationship to Candidate: The recommender should specify their relationship to the applicant in order to give INSEAD a better understanding of the context in which they are evaluating the applicant. For example, a direct supervisor will have a different perspective than a former classmate or a colleague from a volunteer organization.
- How long have you known the candidate?: The recommender should indicate how long they have known the applicant in order to give INSEAD a sense of the applicant’s track record. A longer relationship is generally considered to be more valuable, as it provides the recommender with more data points to draw from.
- Candidate Rating: The recommender should rate the applicant on each of the criteria listed above. This will give INSEAD a better understanding of the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Potential for Becoming a Responsible and Successful Manager in International Business: This question is designed to assess the applicant’s leadership potential and their ability to succeed in a global business environment. The recommender should draw on their own experiences with the applicant to answer this question.
- Comment on the candidate’s career progress to date and his/her career focus.
The candidate has a strong track record of career progress. They have consistently exceeded expectations in their roles, and they have been promoted several times. They are currently a manager at a leading technology company, and they are responsible for a team of 10 people. They are passionate about their work, and they are always looking for ways to improve their skills and knowledge. They are also very ambitious, and they have a clear vision for their future career.
- What do you consider to be the candidate’s major strengths? Comment on the factors that distinguish the candidate from other individuals at his/her level.
The candidate’s major strengths are their intelligence, their work ethic, and their leadership skills. They are a quick learner, and they are always willing to take on new challenges. They are also very detail-oriented, and they are always looking for ways to improve efficiency. They are also natural leaders, and they are able to motivate and inspire others.
Some of the factors that distinguish the candidate from other individuals at their level include their:
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to think strategically
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to build relationships
- Strong work ethic
- Drive and ambition
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Admissions events in your area
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If invited for an interview this resource is useful: Interview reports submitted by interviewees
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