Alden651 wrote:
Hi, hoping to understand my strength and get some tips for admission into INSEAD Jan25 (Class of Dec 25) and how I can add value to my application. Thank you!
Local Chinese Male - 29 - Singapore Citizen
Education:
Nanyang Technological University 2020 Double Degree in Business and Accountancy
Business: 3.66
Accountancy: 3.38
Real Estate License Holder
GMAT:
1st Attempt 20th Dec 2023: 630 (58%) / V31 (58%) / Q46 (50%) / IR8 (90%) / AWA5 (54%)
2nd Attempt 27th Jan 2024: 730 (95%) /.V42 (96%) / Q47 (54%) / IR8 (90%) / AWA6 (86%)
Work Experience by Jan25: - Total Full Time - 4.5 Years
2020 Jul - 2021 Oct (15 months)
Apple South Asia Supply Demand Planner Accelerated Programme
- Allocation Execution Specialist (6 months)
- Delivery Execution Management Specialist (4 months)
- Iphone Supply Planner (5 months)
2021 Oct - 2025 Jan (3 years 3 months)
- Business Development Associate (9 months)
- Sales Development Representative (12 months)
- Associate Renewals Manager (13 months)
- (Future Possible) Renewals Manager (5 months)
International Experience
- Childhood - Grew up in mainland China for 5 years
- 6 years old onwards in Singapore
- University International Internship for 3 months in Osaka, Japan
- University Exchange programme for 5 months in Hong Kong
- Military exercise for a few weeks/months between 2014-2016 to Brunei and Thailand
Plan after graduation
- Strategy and MBA rotation programme into management
Other questions
- I know INSEAD requires students to have a balance score, will a Q47 look lacklustre to the team?
- What are the magical ingredients that INSEAD is looking for that I don't yet possess?
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 GraduationNow, 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
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