Question regarding Work Experience - Please advise

[gaurav8dl]

Hi,

I would really appreciate if you can advise me on the work experience and give your opinion about my chances of getting admission in INSEAD.

Brief background:

I have worked as 2 1/2 years as a full time research assitant where I got paid by my advisor during my Masters in Chemical Engineering. After that I joined a strategy consulting company where I would be completing my 2 years experience in July 08.

Masters GPA: 3.8
Undergrad GPA: 3.7 (scaled to 4.0 scale)
GMAT: 710

Question:
I wish to apply to INSEAD for January 09 session and on reading the forums I have realised that INSEAD lays a lot of emphasis on work experience.

Can you please tell me whether my work as a research assistant would count towards the work experience. If it does not count towards work experience how should I put the time I worked as research assistant in the essays.

Thanks for your time.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear gaurav8dl:

Your experience as a research assistant "counts" in that you will want to show it on your resume, highlight your accomplishments, etc. You can absolutely use examples from that experience in your essays/interview if it makes sense.

However, if it was not a full-time job (which these positions usually are not), then it would not count in your years of work experience that you report on your application. Since INSEAD emphasizes work experience, it is imperative you communicate why you feel you are ready now and what you bring to the program in your application. The onus is on you to present a solid rationale for being one of the folks admitted on the lower end of work experience.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[gaurav8dl]

Thank you very much Lisa for your feedback. It was very helpful.