Hi all, would like to find out more about where my current profile stands and how I can improve my profile for a MBA in INSEAD.
General Info
28 Years Old, Chinese, Male
Singaporean
Fluent in Mandarin and English
Taking Japanese classes
Academic
University of London International Programmes
2:1 in Banking and Finance, graduated in 2013
Was in a martial arts club as captain while pursuing my undergrad studies and won several silver and bronze awards in inter-college competitions.
Passed CFA level 2, have not attempted CFA level 3.
Military
Completed my 2 years conscript as a commissioned infantry officer.
Was platoon commander where I constantly have more than 40 people directly under my charge.
In the reserve force, I am a key appointment holder within the battalion.
Work Experience
First Job
M&A analyst in a listed mining company. Based in Singapore. Worked there for 1 year.
Completed several deals while being involved from deal sourcing to deal execution.
Left due to change in company's strategy and acquisition was no longer a priority.
Second Job
Team Leader in transaction advisory within one of the top 5 accounting firm in Singapore.
Worked there for ~1.5 years.
Joined as a 1st year associate, promoted directly to Team Leader within my first promotion cycle due to excellent performance. My promotion was unprecedented within the history of the firm. I skipped all other associate and senior associate ranks.
Dealt mainly with valuations project, also some M&A deals and pre-IPO advisory.
As a team leader, have 6-7 other associates I worked with in the department, and I take charge of projects assigned to me. On my projects, I either worked with the junior associates or was on my own and report directly to directors and partners.
Some other achievements includes assisting my director in creation of new vertical within the firm. Appointed directly by CEO to be in a task force, as the only personnel below director level, to set up new initiative within the firm.
Current Job
Investment Associate in early stage venture capital. Based in Singapore, but travel around Asia frequently. Travel to at least 1-2 countries a month.
Worked for 2 VC firm under different mandate, a prominent and reputable early stage VC based in Japan and a relatively new early stage VC based in SG.
Responsible for deal sourcing in some countries. Responsible for managing all our inbound deal flow.
Also largely in charge of deal executions.
In charge of managing some of our portfolio companies, and all portfolio companies reporting.
Have an full-time analyst under my charge. In charge of hiring and managing interns.
As the Japan-based VC's only associate based outside of Japan, I am assisting my partner in the firm's international expansion.
As part of my job, I have judged in events and given talks in co-working spaces and universities around the region.
Future plans
I am planning to stay in current VC role for the next 1-2 years before MBA. I am studying GMAT now and I aim to obtain a minimal score of 720 next year.
My top choice is INSEAD Singapore as I wish to continue pursuing a career in VC in Asia, and INSEAD has a strong network in Asia. As a VC, network is paramount for either fund raising or deal sourcing. Moreover, my current undergrad school is definitely not ideal, and if I ever hope to raise up to partner within any fund in future, a MBA from a reputable business school is essential.
Herein lies my concern. INSEAD is looking at candidates with international experience, armed with undergrad degrees from good school. Unfortunately, I do not possess both. I can't change my undergrad degree at this point. However, does frequent travel and heavy involvement in the startup ecosystem outside of Singapore count as international experience?
Dear experts, what else can I do to strengthen my profile for INSEAD Singapore within the next 1-2 years?
Where does my profile stand currently?
And in my case, does good GMAT score help cover for my not so ideal undergrad academic credentials? If I did not complete my CFA level 3 while applying for B-school, would it hurt my profile?
Thank you very much!
General Info
28 Years Old, Chinese, Male
Singaporean
Fluent in Mandarin and English
Taking Japanese classes
Academic
University of London International Programmes
2:1 in Banking and Finance, graduated in 2013
Was in a martial arts club as captain while pursuing my undergrad studies and won several silver and bronze awards in inter-college competitions.
Passed CFA level 2, have not attempted CFA level 3.
Military
Completed my 2 years conscript as a commissioned infantry officer.
Was platoon commander where I constantly have more than 40 people directly under my charge.
In the reserve force, I am a key appointment holder within the battalion.
Work Experience
First Job
M&A analyst in a listed mining company. Based in Singapore. Worked there for 1 year.
Completed several deals while being involved from deal sourcing to deal execution.
Left due to change in company's strategy and acquisition was no longer a priority.
Second Job
Team Leader in transaction advisory within one of the top 5 accounting firm in Singapore.
Worked there for ~1.5 years.
Joined as a 1st year associate, promoted directly to Team Leader within my first promotion cycle due to excellent performance. My promotion was unprecedented within the history of the firm. I skipped all other associate and senior associate ranks.
Dealt mainly with valuations project, also some M&A deals and pre-IPO advisory.
As a team leader, have 6-7 other associates I worked with in the department, and I take charge of projects assigned to me. On my projects, I either worked with the junior associates or was on my own and report directly to directors and partners.
Some other achievements includes assisting my director in creation of new vertical within the firm. Appointed directly by CEO to be in a task force, as the only personnel below director level, to set up new initiative within the firm.
Current Job
Investment Associate in early stage venture capital. Based in Singapore, but travel around Asia frequently. Travel to at least 1-2 countries a month.
Worked for 2 VC firm under different mandate, a prominent and reputable early stage VC based in Japan and a relatively new early stage VC based in SG.
Responsible for deal sourcing in some countries. Responsible for managing all our inbound deal flow.
Also largely in charge of deal executions.
In charge of managing some of our portfolio companies, and all portfolio companies reporting.
Have an full-time analyst under my charge. In charge of hiring and managing interns.
As the Japan-based VC's only associate based outside of Japan, I am assisting my partner in the firm's international expansion.
As part of my job, I have judged in events and given talks in co-working spaces and universities around the region.
Future plans
I am planning to stay in current VC role for the next 1-2 years before MBA. I am studying GMAT now and I aim to obtain a minimal score of 720 next year.
My top choice is INSEAD Singapore as I wish to continue pursuing a career in VC in Asia, and INSEAD has a strong network in Asia. As a VC, network is paramount for either fund raising or deal sourcing. Moreover, my current undergrad school is definitely not ideal, and if I ever hope to raise up to partner within any fund in future, a MBA from a reputable business school is essential.
Herein lies my concern. INSEAD is looking at candidates with international experience, armed with undergrad degrees from good school. Unfortunately, I do not possess both. I can't change my undergrad degree at this point. However, does frequent travel and heavy involvement in the startup ecosystem outside of Singapore count as international experience?
Dear experts, what else can I do to strengthen my profile for INSEAD Singapore within the next 1-2 years?
Where does my profile stand currently?
And in my case, does good GMAT score help cover for my not so ideal undergrad academic credentials? If I did not complete my CFA level 3 while applying for B-school, would it hurt my profile?
Thank you very much!
