Request a profile evaluation for INSEAD

[bhatius]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply to INSEAD for the Sept 2015 intake. I hope you can give some feedback on my profile and where I need to improve.

GMAT score - 700 (2nd attempt, got a 690 earlier)

Qualification - BBA, Symbiosis International University, Pune, India

Work experience - nearly 6 years in the editorial team of India's largest selling automotive magazine. I write for the magazine and website and have also started doing video reviews (one just clocked 60,000 hits!).

Awards - Was awarded performer of the year in 2013.

Career goal - I want to make a switch to the automotive industry and want to work at a car manufacturer. While I don't want to come across as uni-dimensional, cars have been a life-long passion and I believe I'd be happiest involved in the industry in some way. Marketing and strategy interest me most.

Why INSEAD - For starters, the automotive industry is as global as they come. That's also what got me interested in INSEAD - few schools have such a diverse student pool. I'm sure that would, in some way, help me in my planned career at a global car manufacturer. Thanks to my job,I have also got the opportunity to travel a fair bit. My travels, no matter how short, have always helped me gain an insight into the culture of a place. This zest to know more and see more is also one of the factors that is driving me to apply to INSEAD.

Extra-curriculars - I'll be honest, I wasn't too involved in such activities right till I started working. But today, I do run marathons (well, half marathons!), and am learning to play the drums and also to play tennis. I don't have any accomplishments to my name for any of the above but I have experienced how these activities have made me more confident as an individual.

Volunteer work - I worked for an NGO way back in 2006 for a month. The NGO, Pratham, is involved in primary education and is one of India's most recognised non-profit organisations. As part of my job, I drafted a detailed report for the particular centre I was assigned to. The report was further presented to donors.

It would be really nice if you could have a look and tell me what you think of my profile. INSEAD is my priority school but do let me know other schools you think I should apply to.

Thanks in advance,

Nikhil

[Jon@Admissionado]

Hey there Nikhil,
So first of all your goals seem good, and they make sense, and INSEAD is definitely one of those places where you can do that (you might also want to look at HEC number two in France). Now although your switch to the automotive industry seems to me totally reasonable given your experience I'd ask myself (and you) WHAT do you want to do in the automotive industry? On the surface based on what you have written here, it makes sense to me that you might want to seek something out in the marketing side of things. But maybe you are interested in something else?

Now as far as your chances at INSEAD - your work experience is a biiiit nontraditional, but I do think you can make a good case. Tougher is your applicant pool (Indian Male) and your lack of any real volunteer work, as well as a non-Top Indian university. Sooo all of these together will make INSEAD a bit of a long shot. But take it anyways. The only question is where ELSE will you apply? I mean you should apply to at least 5-6 schools if you hope to get accepted,


Best,
JF