[backbencher]

Honestly guys, take it easy. With INSEAD you never know till its over. And based on my experience & observations, Indian applicants are the last of the lot to get the news.

For GMAT, it really is no big deal. If your profile is top notch, then it doesnt matter even if you are on the lower side of their median range.

And lastly, this wait is nothing when compared to the emotions you go through while waiting for the final decision.

Chill out !

Originally Posted by srivpa

lordoftherings... thanks... I went to the BW forum...

one thing though, if you read the msg from konfused, you have to be optimistic...

I am keeping my fingers crossed... best of luck..

[backbencher]

Hi Maurice,

IMHO your chances of getting in at INSEAD will largely depend on your future goals. You have strong academics, interesting profile and you will do well on the diversity factor.

If you say you want to switch to Consulting post MBA then it might raise certain questions. INSEAD is a feeder school and most recruitment is at Associate level. Those with prior consulting experience do have an opportunity to move up to Engagement Manager kind of roles but its rare. So if I were you, I would really think hard about what you want to get out of this MBA.

If you want to continue in this industry, one possible concern could be over academics. Typical people in VC/PE that I know of, were either deal makers at IBanks or successful entrepreneurs themselves. As you might know, importance is given to deliverable skills in any area of VC activity. Your prior degree in business wont matter that much as long as you are able to justify it.

In my view, if you want to do something on your own then go for INSEAD. If you want to continue in your industry then consider EMBA (which gets you a much stronger network) and continue adding on to your experience.

All the best.

Originally Posted by maurice123

Dear INSEAD alumni,

Some info:
bachelors degree information engineering (dutch university)
master degree management science (dutch university)
phd industrial engineering & management science (top 3 technical
university in the netherlands)
(almost finished the phd in parttime)

workexperience:

- 2 years university full time researcher
- 2 years research analyst at an prestigious international private equity firm (my manager was an INSEAD alumnus), EUR 200 mln enterprise value deals
- now working as an business analyst at a small venture capital firm (almost one year), EUR 10 mln enterprise value deals, lots of exposure with portfolio CEO's, doing strategic analysis of firms, company valuations, business model analysis, looking for exit opportunities. I can illustrate that my advice/analysis has had major impact on some deals and the strategy of portfolio firms.

Age: 32

leadership experience:
- co founder alumni organization of my masters programme

I haven't taken a GMAT yet, so I don't know the score. My PHD could be an indication of my academics. I also published some articles in academic journals & received some awards.

My questions:
- I am considering applying for INSEAD in a year. Would me age
then (33) would be an disadvantage?
- my previous degrees did contain business related courses, but more academically then MBA like. would this be an disadvantage for my application? (=overkill?)
- from your point of view, how would an MBA be helpful for my career?
or would my resume look like 'too much academic/theory/'?

Many thanks for your feedback.

Kind regards

Maurice

[maurice123]

Dear Backbencher,

Thank you very much for your fast response. Really appreciate it. Very insightful. One of the key reasons for considering the INSEAD MBA would be the broadening of my options in vc world. However, just as you describe, career progression in vc firms is often based on (succesful) outside entrepreneurial experience or private equity/investment banking experience. I do have to admit that the elements of prestige of carring such a brandname (INSEAD) and the possibility of accessing a top notch network sound very appealing...

Out of curiosity, what are the advantages you experience from holding the prestigious INSEAD brand (and network) on your resume?

Many thanks, again, for your input.

Kind regards,

Maurice

ps: based on your feedback, the EMBA is an option I will definitely investigate

[abhishek1151]

Hi INSEAD Alumini,

Pls vet my profile.

B.Com - Graduate.

Total Exp - 6+Yrs.

I have around 5 yrs of exp working with a Market Development Consulting Firm with focus on IT products.We take up assignments for developing -markets for start up IT firms and those who want to venture into India.We undertake the design and execution of go to market strategies for our clients and hand hold them to set their imprints in India.

I started my career as a Marketing Associate -and within couple of years time i was assigned to handle clients indepently,conceptualisng and executing go to market strategies,defining and conceptualsing revenue models etc..

Have designed global partner model , new product lines , launced products nationally etc...

Primarily focussing on Marketing,Business Development and Channel Management.

Post then i moved on to service industry

Currently i am working with Country's Leading BPO managing Business Development and Managing P&L of clients for one of its centers and overseeing multi million dollar business.

On the other hand:-
Have been associated with providing education for underpriviledged for past 8 yrs.

Been associated with NGO for various Fund Raising activities for past several years managing design and execution of numerous fund raising activities.

Over the years i have always wanted to explore enterpreneurial venture.

My experience has always been foremost into Marketing , Business Development , Product Management etc.. but going ahead i want to understand the holistic picture of business before taking my step independently.

For that purpose i have looked at INSEAD as with its strong entrepreneurial focus , diversity and its two campuses giving me best of knowledge , networking etc for both the worlds.Will be aptly suited for my requirement.

Planning to apply for Jan intake next year.

Warm Regards
Abhishek

[satishneni]

Hi INSEAD Alumini,
I am planning to apply for MBA program at INSEAD for Jan 2009 semester.

I have decent acads (Masters in Civil Engineering - 3.74/4 GPA) at Louisiana State University, USA
BE - Osmania University, India - 74 %
pre-university 81%
GMAT Score -720

I have an International work experience (USA) over 3 years and research assitantship exp - 2 yrs

Currently, I have quit my job in the pursuit of my MBA n returned to India. I have applied for few prominent B-schools in India and also intend to apply for MBA program at Insead. Does this gap in work experience work against my application? Could you suggest how can i make my application strong despite this weak point in my application

Kindly advice

[arunsdevine]

Hi!

Can you evaluate my chances at INSEAD for Jan '10?

My Profile:
Indian/IT/Male/23
GMAT 700. AWA: 4.5
GPA: 3.8/4.0
NIT Surathkal (Top 10 institute in India)
2.5 years (current) in Samsung's R&D center, Bangalore.
Details:
- Evolved an idea from scratch to reality by co-ordinating with multiple teams in India and South Korea.
- Initiated a process to develop my team's ability to innovate, and the 8 months from the start of the program have produced 14 patents
- Mentoring of 2 new recruits leading to their induction into the team.
- 8 months in South Korea

Extras:
- Conducted a voter registration drive across Bangalore, already covered an audience of 7500 people, promising to cross 20k by end of February.
- I ve written articles that got published in major web sites.
- Lots of organizing activities while in college. Lead teams of 6/7 people on more than one occassion.
- Graphic design. Output: about 30 posters, 5 brochures, 7 newspaper ads etc.

[prabhu84]

Hi

Iam basically looking for a college which has project management as specialization..Does Insead offer this?If not is there any good univ in singapore which has Project mgmt as sepcialization?About my background,i an BE,MBA graduate with 3 years of experience in power sector....can anybody help me out??

[vikaspratap]

Originally Posted by insead.alum07

Hi Folks,

I am a graduate of INSEAD Class of Dec 07. If anyone has any questions on the INSEAD experience or admission process, please feel free to raise them. I would try to answer them as best as I can.

In terms of my profile, I am a career changer. I was working in IT and Risk Management before INSEAD and now moving into Management Consulting.

Hi INSEAD alum,

Following is my profile.

GMAT: 710 (Q49 V39 AWA 5)
Work ex 4 years as of now as a Sr R&D engg (a little sofisticated name for Sr software engineer) at Telecom industry.
Extra curricular: 3 papers presented at international conferences in Sweden and china. Also debates and all in college. Also served as president of debate committee that I founded in college.
International exp: worked in Germany for 6 months/ have worked in cross cultural team including members from Germany, china, finland
Community service: No comments

I want to apply for Fall 2010 session.

I just want to know where do I stand in the big pool of INDIAN IT MALE applicants of INSEAD?

Thanks in advance,
Vikas