INSEAD - English and Second Language requirement. Confused!

[surajgarg]

Hi,

I was going through the INSEAD website on the admission criteria and these are the two which confused me.

1. English - It says 2 points regarding taking an English proficiency test, one is if your medium of instruction has not been in English during graduation. And two, it says that if you are not from a native English speaking country.

Now it is not clear whether it is an 'OR' for the above points or it is an 'AND'. My graduation has been in English medium (in fact whole of my education has been in English). But I am not from an English speaking (India, though I use English in all of my official communication - written and verbal both).

Do I still have to appear for and English test like TOEFL, IELTS, etc.?

2. Second language - INSEAD talks about practical knowledge of atleast another language. I know another language which is my native language (Hindi). INSEAD talks about submission of a documented proof of proficiency. What kind of proof they would be looking for?

Pls help me with the above two queries as it will help me in my decision for applying at INSEAD for MBA program beginning in 2011.

Thanks,
Suraj

[asamaverick]

Hi Suraj,

Based on what I know it is an 'OR' for the English proficiency test requirements. So if you have English as your native language or if you have had your graduation with English as the medium of instruction it should be enough and you need not take any proficiency tests.

In your case since you mentioned Hindi as your second language here is how you should proceed for your Entry language requirements.
- You should declare Hindi as your native language. There is no proof required for this.
- You should mention English as the second language. The university degree that you submit with your application should be enough to support this. (You must check with the adcom if they explicitly need some proof from your college about the medium of instruction)

Here is a document that has detailed information about the INSEAD policy. You might find some answers here. This is for the 2009 admission but I am sure it still applies.
https://mba.insead.edu/admissions/docume ... policy.pdf

Hope this helps.
Arun Anand

[surajgarg]

Hi Arun,

Thanks for your response, it was quite helpful. I went through the FAQs in the language policy document and its clear that fluency in English can be demonstrated by university degree (which applies to me).

And for practical knowledge of second language I can declare that to be my native language.

So I guess I am pretty well placed in terms of language

Suraj

[albeitmaybe]

hI,

aPPLYING TO INSEAD jaN 2011

Are we expected to write an essay to the question below?? I mean should it be one liner or how many words, one paragraph....need some insight pls

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE
Please list your most significant experiences growing up, living, studying, working or travelling outside
your own country