Profile Evaluation, Insead Jan 2017 intake, GMAT 720

Launched August 9, 2011
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 3:33 am
Hi there,

I'm planning to apply for the third round INSEAD Jan 2017 intake and wondering if you could help look at my profile! Greatly appreciated!

Age:30
Gender: Female
Nationality: Chinese (and permanent resident of UK)
Undergraduate: top 10 University in China, majored in Journalism, GPA 4.1-4.2 on a scale of 5
Postgraduate: top 5 University in UK, MSc in Communications, Pass (Do I try to explain the bad grade? I think I struggled a bit first time relocating to a different country, getting a tough one year MSc and trying to do internships and secure a job and visa)
GMAT: 720 (Q50, V37, IR5, AWA5)
Work experience: 7.5 years, Sales&Marketing Manager in UK TV company based in London, working with top TV networks across Asia, solely responsible for individual deal negotiation and field trips 3-5 countries every year. I have trained up coordinators for the team and supervised them for short period. No experience in managing team.
Activities: co-founded an alumni startup community and sits on a committee of a small non-profit and responsible for PR.
International exposure: Lived in China, Hong Kong &UK and worked with clients from 20+ countries
Recommenders: my line manager and a director from the company
Motivation for MBA: I felt my background and experience is limiting me into a particular sector/function while I want to progress and learn other perspectives of business and management. Short term plan is to switch career to consultancy to learn strategy and management hopefully with a focus on media&creative industry, long term to come back to industry to senior management at multinational media conglomerate.

I wonder if my profile is strong enough for INSEAD and if there anything I should work on in particular? And with my age and work experience whether worth considering a EMBA?

Many thanks for your advice!!

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Thu May 26, 2016 11:55 pm
Hey there,
Thanks for writing!

And great to hear from you.

So first of all, I like your profile and find it very interesting. You work in media, which is a very interesting and often underrepresented industry in B-school, and that with being a female, will put you in an interesting demographic, even from China applicants.

The main thing I think you need to do is think through your goals all the way through down to the last detail, so that you can convince the Adcom that it makes sense for you to attend an MBA.

I think you should have a good shot at INSEAD. Are you also considering other schools? Like UK schools? Other schools in Europe? What about the US?

The one thing I would advise though, is hold off on your application till R1 next year. It's only a difference of half a year for matriculation, and this will allow you to apply to a larger range of MBA programs across a variety of countries, which will get you the best results in terms of admission and scholarship.

If you have any other questions, do not hesitate.

Best,
Jon
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 3:33 am

by insead2017 » Fri May 27, 2016 2:28 am
Hi Jon,

Many thanks for your reply!

You're straight to the point! I think I struggle a bit explaining my motivation clearly but let me try. Since I'm the non-traditional applicant the MBA would actually teach me the knowledge that's completely new to me. And I want to switch career to consulting post MBA with a focus on the creative sector and see how I progress. I feel consultancy will place me into a fast paced environment, push me to grow quickly and learn from the C-Suits. Then I want to find the right opportunity to come back to the industry. I think the media industry lack of top management talents who can combine solid hands on experience and knowledge in management, finance, strategy. My ambition is to lead a media conglomerate to grow internationally and I felt my industry background combined with MBA, consulting will help me to get to that point.

I'm applying to INSEAD for its reputation in both Europe and Asia, as I'm willing to work in either locations post MBA. I couldn't find many 1 year programmes in US and if i'm not planning to relocate to US perhaps the networks will be less valuable? The reason I'm pushing for the 3rd round is because I don't feel I'm adding further value to my career staying at the current position and though my boss is supportive on the recommendation letters it does create a bit of awkwardness as he know for sure I intend to leave the company.

I'm willing to trade scholarship opportunity to getting out of the school a bit earlier! Do you think 3rd round will hurt my chance though? I know Chinese is a large pool but I'm also applying to become a British citizen at the same time not too sure that would help.

Thank you very much for your advise and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Best, Viv

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Jun 01, 2016 5:46 am
Hey there!
So your motivation is great! And makes sense. Now you have to make sure it makes sense on the job market too. Meaning: what sort of posts are media firms looking for MBA folks to fill?

The story needs work, but I'm sure you can hone it.

R.e. INSEAD, a few thoughts: First as you know R3 is not the easiest round to get into, so you are reducing your chances somewhat. Secondly, I know you want to go to INSEAD, but given your goals I would say you likely have plenty of other options, both one year and two year programs. If you have no interest in working in the US then no, US programs do not make sense (even if there are a few very good 1 year programs, and excellent media programs). If you focus on Europe you have many schools in England and France and Spain that might be good for you.

You CAN of course apply to one school this R3, because it does seem better for you, but you should be asking yourself: what do I do if I don't get in? Do I apply to other European schools? Do I open my mind up about the US? About 2 year programs? etc. etc.

My main advice to you know is keep your eye on the long-term goal.

I hope this helps and if you have follow-up questions, feel free to write!
Best,
JF
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 3:33 am

by insead2017 » Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:11 am
Many thanks Jon! I'll keep you posted!

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Jun 08, 2016 3:12 am
I'll be waiting for it!
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.