The INSEAD MBA application for the August 2025 intake is now open, with some changes to the essay prompts.
This summer, Personal MBA Coach was fortunate to visit the beautiful INSEAD campus during the 2024 Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) conference. There, we met with the entire Admissions Committee in both formal and informal settings and spoke with both current students and alumni to learn more about what sets the school apart, what INSEAD is looking for in its applicants and more! INSEAD can be a great option for applicants looking for a shorter, intense MBA program and/or those interested in studying or working internationally.
If you are applying to INSEAD, visit our INSEAD school page for more program-specific information or reach out to learn more!
2024-2025 INSEAD MBA Deadlines
Round 1: September 10, 2024
Round 2: November 5, 2024
Round 3: January 14, 2025
Round 4: March 4, 2025
Tips for Tackling the INSEAD MBA Essay Questions
Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (500 words maximum)
This is your chance to show INSEAD how you will add uniquely to the school’s diverse and international student body.
With such a broad question, it is tempting to tell your life story: We recommend not doing so. Instead, think about your personal story and which elements of your profile truly make you unique, and focus only on those characteristics. As with all strong MBA applications, show, do not tell. Instead of listing your characteristics, let the reader see how you have demonstrated them in action. A strong essay will then take this a step further, letting the reader know why these characteristics are important to you.
While most applicants will focus on their strengths, do not forget to candidly discuss your weaknesses. MBA applicants have plenty to learn, so this is your chance to show your humility. Avoid false weaknesses such as “I work too much” or “I am a perfectionist.”
Essay 2: Consider a situation where you failed to achieve your objective(s). How did you handle failure? What did you learn about yourself and/or your interactions with others from this situation? (400 words maximum)
While last year INSEAD gave applicants the chance to talk about both a success and a failure, this year the school is asking students to home in on one failure. This change shows that INSEAD is looking to bring in a cohort of students who are capable of humility and have the self-awareness necessary to come to Fontainebleau with a growth mindset. So be sure to pick a failure that offer rich takeaways.
When writing this essay, describe the failure concisely and clearly. Do not waste half of your essay explaining a complicated situation. Be honest when outlining the mistakes you made in this situation. Remember, this essay is your chance to show growth, not perfection.
Next, share what you did when you realized you had failed. Finally, and most importantly, tell INSEAD admissions what you learned from this situation. How did this experience affect your relationships with others? How have you acted differently since? Be sure that as you write this essay you show your ability to draw improvement from a situation.
Optional Essay: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words maximum)
The optional INSEAD essay should only be answered by those with extenuating circumstances. Read more on our approach to optional essays here.
Maximize Your Admissions Success with Personal MBA Coach
If you are applying to INSEAD, visit our INSEAD school page for more program-specific information. If you are looking to maximize your chances of success, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you through our comprehensive packages.
