INSEAD Sept 2008 batch

[jeeves sunil]

hey can anybody throw light on the distribution of seats at insead in different rounds of admission,

i mean how many people get admitted in r1,r2 and r3.viz a viz applicants, a ratio of number of seats and appliacnt will help me to decide between r2 and r3.

even a shred of info will help me to do this decision better

[civ_ad]

I went to the INSEAD info. session @ the BCG office in downtown Chicago on Friday Nov. 30th. I am not sure if I want to apply to the program, but I did jot down some notes - hopefully someone will find them useful. these are in no particular order, and most of the numbers, etc. I am mentioning are also available on their website.

**mbabuster, feel free to add your comments. I am sorry we did not coordinate well- maybe we could have exchanged notes over a beer after the info. session!)

1. Overall, I was pretty impressed by the program's potential - you get to choose between two campuses, and take classes across three continents (incl. Wharton). The alumni were very friendly, down to earth and informative.

2.The downside- the budget/cost of living is going to shoot up significantly.(They recommend 2,000 Euros/month, and another 2,500 euros if you are planning to change campuses. Makes the budget @ 22,500 euros!! Add air fare, etc. from India (say) and you are looking at at 25,000 euro budget. At 49,000 Euros in fees, I am not sure if many Indian banks would be willing to provide loans. Maybe others could chip in on this aspect?
**Though it appears most graduates are able to repay the loans in approx. 3 years.

3. Large representation by Indians. 14% Indians in class of 2007, next highest (IIRC) is French - 12% or so. For a class of 900 students, that is a big number of Indians. Looking at the career statistics, 85% of Indinas chose jobs outside India - I think for obvious reasons...

4. The info. session had approx. 50 people, about 12-15 Indians, same number of East/SE Asian origin, rest from elsewhere.

5.The big focus is on leadership potential. And people are discouraged from reapplying. <--make a note of that. Better chances for people with 4-5 plus yrs' work experience. <-- look at the students' profiles.

6. For people looking at a career in finance/IB, consider January intake. Look for summer internships (2 months) in that area. The post-MBA career split was almost 33% each for consulting. finance and other industries.
Most placements were in Europe (@40%, approx. 20% in Asia Pacific)

7. Second language requirement: applicants: think about taking courses in Spanish/French, etc. from now on if you can.

8. Approx. 255 each weightage given to academics, leadership potential, international motivation (and forgot the fourth criterion).

9. Applications for scholarships after acceptance to the program.

10. The "class" by Dr. Cool was great. But I spent half the time trying to figure out his nationality. His clothing, accent and overall body language was throwing me off.A google search revealed that he is Belgian.

Note:
Per the alum. I talked to, INSEAD has a brand identity problem in the US.Even the admin. marketing lady mentioned that INSEAD is NOT for those who are considering a career in the US after MBA.

HTH.

good luck people!

btw: the info. session started with a video of the INSEAD dash which was pretty hillarious.

Note:
One thing that struck me: Indians and SE Asian folks *must* take some etiquette training.
I noticed a LOT of no-nos during the "cocktail hour". I was playing a dumb observer, because it was my first ever info. session, I was just trying to see how others behaved.
*A group of 10-12 people surrounded one alum.
*Nobody asked him/offered to get him a drink. He had to excuse himself to get a drink.
*2 people started a conversation between themselves when the alum. was answering someone's question.
*People interrupted him several times when he was answering, guys, let him speak... he is the one who went to that school not you!
*One person (Indian) asked many visa related questions to the alum (who was Indian also). This was a MBA info. session, NOT a visa info. session. Also, a lot of questions were very personal, I don't think N. Americans would have even entertained them!
*FABREEZE or any other de-odorizing spray for coats, jackets, etc. It is a very important 3 or 4 dollar investment that you CANNOT ignore. I do not want to elaborate what I am alluding to. Enough said.

[mr_vats]

Hi All,

Any idea if INSEAD conducts one or two interviews per candidate? One of my friends has been interviewed once (last week), but hasn't got any communication about a second interview. Any information will be helpful.

Regards

[civ_ad]

Originally Posted by mr_vats

Hi All,

Any idea if INSEAD conducts one or two interviews per candidate? One of my friends has been interviewed once (last week), but hasn't got any communication about a second interview. Any information will be helpful.

Regards

INSEAD - MBA - Application Process

[jeremyc]

INSEAD generally conducts 2 interviews. I got my first interviewer details, then got another mail saying that the second interviewer details will be arriving soon which arrived after one week. If your friend has not got any communication saying that he will have a second iterview, then probably he will have only one interview. However, if in doubt it is always better to ask the admissions. They generally reply within a day or two.

Cheers.

[ausdia]

Hi Folks,

I have a small doubt regarding the INSEAD application PDF. One of my essays, 'the culture shock' one is exceeding by 15 words. The application pdf is showing "counting 265 words" in red, whereas in all other essays, the "counting x words" is in blue. Will it not allow me to submit the application if i cross the word limit? I heard that normally there is a cushion of +- 10%. Please guide whether I should trim down the essay or I can submit it as it is.

Thanks,

[absolutearoma]

Originally Posted by ausdia

Hi Folks,

I have a small doubt regarding the INSEAD application PDF. One of my essays, 'the culture shock' one is exceeding by 15 words. The application pdf is showing "counting 265 words" in red, whereas in all other essays, the "counting x words" is in blue. Will it not allow me to submit the application if i cross the word limit? I heard that normally there is a cushion of +- 10%. Please guide whether I should trim down the essay or I can submit it as it is.

Thanks,

All of my essays show " counting in red" even when i was only a couple of words over. Won't be any problem. I have submitted the application.

On a side note, i submitted my app yesterday but got a receipt just now, only after this receipt can you proceed with payment. I talked to INSEAD, and they said it can happen due to system overload. So try and submit as quickly as possible. Taking some hours leeway

[caco]

Hi, I had a word with the adcom, the results are going to start this week onwards. I think people who were interviewed early will get the response this week. others early next week. Any one who got the result?

[absolutearoma]

Originally Posted by caco

Hi, I had a word with the adcom, the results are going to start this week onwards. I think people who were interviewed early will get the response this week. others early next week. Any one who got the result?

People at business week have started getting the final result.

[mr_vats]

Hi All,

I completed my interview with an INSEAD alumni last week. It was concentrated around my current profession, what was the motivation behind applying for an MBA, and how I can make a difference in the industry I wish to join. There was some discussion around my schooling, graduation, and family background. The interviewer allowed me ample time to explain my reasons for getting an MBA; there was no grilling involved. It was a completely relaxed setting.

The interviewer was very professional in the approach. Now, I am eagerly awaiting the result. All the best to everyone!

Regards