Application Evaluation for INSEAD

[andywid]

Hi.

Thanks for taking the time to Look at my application info. Much appreciated.

I am applying to INSEAD for the September intake and am questioning if application seems strong enough. My main concern is my GMAT. INSEAD states that they look for a balance between Verbal & Quant.

GMAT:
Test Date: 29 March 2006
Verbal: 41 / 92%
Quant: 41 / 58%
Total: 680 / 85%
Writing: 6.0 / 91%

Undergrad. Purdue University. BS in Business - Sales and Sales Management. 2.83 Cum GPA (3.6 cum last 4 semesters)

approximately 9 years work experience. Working as an independent consultant in NYC for last 4 years. Projects include strategy project for Viacom; building operations in India & Philippines for a technology company; building operations and strategy for a Swedish bicycle manufacturer entering the US market, multiple financial systems projects including a long-term financial systems consolidation across 6 countries.

Before consulting, I was on the winning team of the NYU Stern business plan competition and worked in the Stern Incubator. Before this, started and operated my own successful business for 3 years.

While I have many projects, I have limited corporate experience. I will be focusing my essays on going into corporate consulting post-graduation.

Thanks in advance for any comments. They are much appreciated. -Andy

[Tani]

I suspect your quant score will be a concern at INSEAD. The verbal and writing are very strong, but as quant scores approach 50th %ile, schools worry about your ability to handle the classroom work. Your GPA will also be a concern. While I don't find a GPA requirement for INSEAD (undoubtedly because their students are from so many systems, that the grades are not particularly comparable), US schools of the calibre of INSEAD are looking for 3.4 and above GPAs. You will have to have a very convincing explanation for your undergrad record. If my calculations are correct, you must have had a bare 2.0 the first two years, implying that there are a handful of Ds on your transcript. If any of those are in quantitative courses that will weaken your story.

That does not mean you are an automatic reject. You may be able to spin your work experience into something appealing as well as the NYU Stern competition record. European schools tend to look for people somewhat farther along in their careers than do the US schools, which is one reason for their shorter, more-focused programs. Their interest will depend in part on their assessment of the business you started and their evaluation of your independent consulting record. You will probably have to use clients for your recommendations.

While INSEAD is not out of the question, you might want to think about applying to some of the US schools as well. They would provide a more balanced, multi-functional background to compensate for your lack of corporate experience.

One last thought. If you are planning on going into consulting, you need to be specific. What kind of consulting, what field, consulting firm or in-house work. Schools are understandably leery about applicants who simply want to consult. The reasonable question is "about what?". You will need to tie your aspirations to your training, experience and abilities.

Good luck,