What are my chances for INSEAD GMAT730

Hi Alden651 INSEAD alumna here. Hope I can add some value

I see you have an academic background in business and accountancy. That makes me feel better already. A 730 will do just fine to top up your acads. I see that you work at Apple Singapore in the accelerated program so basically like 300 metres from the INSEAD campus Apple is a feeder brand at INSEAD and a key recruiter, so with that on the resume, you are already getting on the positive side of INSEAD.

What I like the most about your profile, and something you should highlight in your application and interview is that despite being with one company, you have likely touched all the legs of Apple's business, atleast from the Operations and Business Development perspective. Infact the kind of role you are in is a sought-after track by many after they graduate from MBA, so for me this makes you a top tier kind of pre-MBA profile, even for INSEAD.

Your international experience is equally interesting and checks all the boxes for INSEAD. I dont know what campus you might be targeting but show how you have grown at the intersection of multiple cultures and not restricted yourself to the Chinese diaspora in Singapore or elsewhere. Your military exercise experience in Brunei and Thailand can add some more interesting element to the personal narrative so make use of that.

Plan After Graduation
Now, here I would say, you need to be very careful. While it is alright to aspire to enroll in a strategy acceleration program again, you must genuinely showcase thorough research and highlight the kind of companies or industries you would like to target. Communicate what motivates you beyond just seeking an accelerated program and a desire to swiftly climb the corporate ladder. Demonstrate the depth of your planning. I also perceive a potential risk in that the admissions committee may infer that you have had short stints in each position and haven't delved deeply into projects, possibly assuming a role akin to that of a trainee with limited autonomy. Addressing these potential gaps is crucial in crafting your INSEAD application.

Other questions
- I know INSEAD requires students to have a balance score, will a Q47 look lacklustre to the team?

I would not worry with an overall score of 730. INSEAD is looking for folks with strong profiles and SGP PRs to feed into the SGP job market, so I only see things going in the positive direction for you.

- What are the magical ingredients that INSEAD is looking for that I don't yet possess?
This is not going to be a breaking point in your application, but I would like to see a focus area in terms of your future goals strategy.
I know the INSEAD goals essay is very short but expect to be grilled about this in your interview.



Starting you application or interview preparation with the right strategy is half the battle won. Should you want to prepare for your B school applications or interviews with me, reach out.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hello Alden651,

I hope you are doing well. Your second attempt at the GMAT shows significant improvement, especially in verbal. A 730 score places you in a competitive range for INSEAD. While your GPAs are generally good, if you have any exceptional academic achievements or can highlight how your coursework relates to your MBA and career goals, it would strengthen your application.

Your international exposure, including growing up in mainland China, studying in Singapore, and participating in international internships and exchange programs, showcases your global perspective and cultural adaptability. This is highly valued at INSEAD, which prides itself on its diverse and international student body.

Your 4.5 years of work experience, including roles at Apple and Salesforce, demonstrate a progression in your career. The variety of roles within Apple and your diverse responsibilities at Salesforce reflect a breadth of experience. The fact that you hold a Real Estate License can be an additional asset, especially if you can tie it into your career goals or how it complements your business and accountancy background.

Use the essays to provide a more nuanced understanding of your experiences, especially the international exposure and how it has shaped your perspective. Explain your career progression and how it aligns with your post-MBA goals. Choose recommenders who can provide specific examples of your leadership, teamwork, and impact. Make sure they understand your MBA and career goals.

Connect with current INSEAD students and alumni to gain insights into the program. This can also help you tailor your application to the specific strengths and values of the school..

Remember, INSEAD looks for well-rounded individuals with strong leadership potential, diverse experiences, and the ability to contribute to class discussions. Highlight your unique experiences and perspectives to stand out.

Lastly, the "magical ingredients" that INSEAD looks for can vary, but generally, they seek candidates who are academically strong, have demonstrated leadership potential, and can contribute actively to the classroom environment. Your ability to work in diverse teams, your global exposure, and your career progression all align well with INSEAD's values.

Click here to book a free profile evaluation call now with Alums and Current students of INSEAD.

Good luck with your application!

Alden651 - interesting profile overall. Adding a few points:

1. INSEAD evaluates profiles holistically (i.e. CV/ work-ex, GMAT/ GRE, international exposure, leadership, motivation etc). If your quant score isn't exceptional, highlighting analytical-oriented work that you've carried out can help, or quant courses you took at undergrad i.e. if any dimension of your profile isn't stellar, overcompensating for it across other dimensions helps.

2. It'd be crucial to have a strong narrative overarching your skills/ experiences, what your post-MBA goals are and how an MBA (and particularly) INSEAD fits in the picture.

3. While you haven't mentioned (recent) ECs, these would be important: there's even an essay that INSEAD dedicates to this. Aim to balance your analytical and professional angle with an introspective and personal one, and don't be afraid to showcase your weaknesses/ failures. The more honest and authentic you are, the stronger the application will turn out to be. You could check out here for some insights from an INSEAD admit.

Hope this helps a bit. Feel free to reach out through the link(s) below for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet
W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com