Profile Evaluation for INSEAD

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Profile Evaluation for INSEAD

by HumbleMe » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:45 am
Hi,

I am planning to apply in INSEAD for December 2010 session. I took my GMAT and scored 710 with 80+ percentile in both quantitative and verbal.

I have a PhD degree in electronics engineering from France. I did my bachelors from Pakistan and masters from France. My GPA for undergrad was just OK but in MS and PhD, I did well enough to compensate for that.

I have been working for AMD in Canada for about three years now. Other than AMD, I do have one more year of experience in smaller software houses in Pakistan. My current job title is senior engineer and I am functional lead for one of the video chip IP, we are developing. Functional lead roles involves 20 percent time managing 4/5 people and 80 % of the time working on technical aspects of the project.

After an MBA, I plan to pursue my career in some venture capital firm investing in hi-tech start-ups. I have browsed through several VC firms websites and seen several people with PhD + MBA doing the type of work I plan to do... (What other career switches do you think are suitable for PhDs with an MBA degree.)

So, how do you rate my chances to get into INSEAD. Is 710 in GMAT a reasonable score for schools like iNSEAD? What should be the tone of my essays : novel, poetic, technical, humble, aggressive , emotional ? As INSEAD admits 1/10 of its applicants every year, Can I say that I have a 50 % chances of being among those 10 % lucky people.

For the next year, I plan to do something that demonstrates my leadership skills. Should I join an NGO or even start my own small NGO ? Should I write articles in newspapers on specific issues ?

In terms of references, I was told that stronger references should come from VP/CEOs from industry. Should I try to be friend with my VP or a reference from my manager should be good enough...

I know I am asking a lot of questions. I will sincerely appreciate your feedback.
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by HumbleMe » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:54 am
One more question:

I have dual nationality: Candian/Pakistani. On which nationality should i emphasize in order to have better chances at INSEAD...

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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:37 pm
Hello and thanks for your question. It sounds like you have a great pakcage of credentials, scores, and work experience. Let me offer a few thoughts in response to your questions:
So, how do you rate my chances to get into INSEAD. Is 710 in GMAT a reasonable score for schools like iNSEAD? What should be the tone of my essays : novel, poetic, technical, humble, aggressive , emotional ? As INSEAD admits 1/10 of its applicants every year, Can I say that I have a 50 % chances of being among those 10 % lucky people.
I think you are a legitimate candidate for INSEAD and I hope you don't interpret that as discouraging. INSEAD is very tough to get into and it is simply impossible to predict who will get in and who will not. I think you have as good a chance as anybody.

As for your essays, I wouldn't strike a tone with the goal of pleasing the admissions committee. I think you will have much greater success striking a tone that is sincere, genuine, and excited about the school. All you want to produce is an expository essay that answers the question and tells the committee about you.
For the next year, I plan to do something that demonstrates my leadership skills. Should I join an NGO or even start my own small NGO ? Should I write articles in newspapers on specific issues ?
Well...hopefully, your work shows your leadership experience. But, obviously involvement in something like an NGO is terrific, too, to show that you are more than just your job. So, to answer your question as written, I wouldn't start an NGO but I would get involved with one while continuing to do well in your present position.
In terms of references, I was told that stronger references should come from VP/CEOs from industry. Should I try to be friend with my VP or a reference from my manager should be good enough...
Your manager is going to be your best reference; after that, anybody that you have worked for or worked with (clients, people in other departments, etc.) are all good, too. The main criterion is that they know you and know your work. There is a time and place to bring in bigshots but this ain't it.
I know I am asking a lot of questions. I will sincerely appreciate your feedback.
You're welcome! Please keep me in the loop about how your thinking evolves and if you have other questions.

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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by HumbleMe » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:00 pm
Paxton, Thank you very much for the detailed response. I really appreciate it.

I will keep you updated during my application process. (Which will spane from now until Dec.2010. :))

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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:27 am
It's my pleasure. I'm glad that it was helpful.
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html