As an admissions consulting firm specialized in international applicants, we know the many obstacles international students have to overcome in order to be accepted into a top-ranked business school.
For couples, however, attending an MBA together presents a unique set of challenges (and advantages!) that are important to consider when developing an application strategy.
Given it’s shorter length and global perspective, INSEAD has become an increasingly popular choice for couples looking to do their MBAs together. In fact, nearly 30% of all INSEAD students bring partners along!
That’s why we sat down with Lucas Dolabela and Patricia Barbosa, two married MBA candidates in INSEAD’s Class 18D, to get insider information on what it’s been like to pursue an elite degree together.
(Lucas Dolabela and Patricia Barbosa, Members of the INSEAD Class of 18D)
EL: First of all, congratulations on your admittance to INSEAD! How did you choose to attend this university?
LD&PB: There were a few reasons that made us choose this university. First was the one year program. We wanted something that was fast paced and that we would not be too much time out of the market.
(The global composition of the INSEAD MBA in 2018. Courtesy INSEAD)
Second was the composition of the class. INSEAD is a truly international business school. Just to give you an idea, the largest group represented only 8% of the class and we had more than 70 nationalities present.
Third, the group was on average closer to us in terms of age and working experience. On average people at Insead has already been working for a while and this makes difference in class discussion, for example.
And finally, in our opinion, INSEAD is the only school that truly gives a global perspective. The possibility of studying in Europe, Asia, and Middle East (for people starting in the middle of the year) is unique.
EL: What was most surprising to you immediately after arriving on campus?
LD&PB: We were surprised with the level of our colleagues. They were even better than what we expected and most of them had many international experiences, something that made us very humble.
EL: What have classes been like? Did you feel you were prepared before arriving? If not, what do you wish you had done differently to prepare?
LD&PB: As INSEAD is a shorter program and it aims to cover around 80% of what 2-year programs cover, the classes are really fast paced. I (Lucas) was already a CFA Charterholder but I was impressed with the number of topics that were covered in the first Finance class. It can be even overwhelming for people that do not have the basics on finance, accounting, and some business. We would definitely suggest people to do some quant preparation before coming to the MBA program.
(Photo courtesy GMAT Club)
Another topic is the language requirement. To graduate at INSEAD, you must have a business level proficiency in three languages (English plus two others). This is something that candidates should sort out before the MBA, as you don’t have time to study languages during your time at the course.
EL: What was the process to obtain your summer internship like? Any surprises there?
LD&PB: We decided to take a different road during the summer, but most people were able to find an internship. There are two kind of process. The first is really organized. Companies have a specific process, they come to campus and you know what to expect. The consulting companies and Investment banks are in this bucket.
The other is the unstructured one. Most startups, medium companies, or even larger companies do not have a formal process, and so it takes a lot on the student to focus and search for alumni or people inside the company to network. The career department does try to help, but honestly it depends a lot on the student. This is really something to have in mind.
One thing we forgot to stress is the selection process of IB and Consulting firms. The recruiting process for Goldman Sachs and others start really early, even before class starts. So if the student is looking for internship in this field it needs to start preparing asap.
As for Consulting, they have the famous case interviews. Some people do well while others need a lot of time to prepare. If this is something interesting for a student, we recommend the reading of the case books before starting the program.
EL: How have you managed to balance classes and extracurricular activities during the MBA? What did you prioritize?
LD&PB: We think that this is one of the hardest part of the MBA.
(Photo courtesy of the couple)
There is always something going on: company presentations, speeches, parties, trips, sports, dinners, etc. But at the same time there is a lot of pressure to study and deliver numerous assignments.
For us it took more than a month to find the right balance between all the things happening. We always thought that we wanted to come and get to know people but not forgetting the academics. So we tried to split our time in a manner that could leave enough time for both. But we will stress, it is not an easy thing and the FOMO (fear of missing out) hits students all the time.
EL: What has it been like to do the MBA together?
LD&PB: It has been a great journey. For us it was a time to support each other as each one of us was stronger in specific subjects.
(Photo courtesy of the couple)
We had very demanding work schedules before coming to INSEAD. Therefore, the MBA has also given us the opportunity to spend a lot of time together and learn even more about each other.
EL: How are you approaching the job search process for your post-MBA position? How much is career services helping you?
LD&PB: The best piece of advice we can give candidates is to know what you like and what you do not like before joining the MBA. We have our preferences and we are sticking to it.
Once you join the course there will be a lot of pressure to start recruiting for firms that you don’t like that much but as your friends are joining the recruitment process you may go with the herd. Over here also there are infinite possibilities of jobs, things sometimes you can’t even imagine.
The career services helps you give guidance but don’t expect it to hold your hand and take you around. You need to spend energy to find your dream job. This is something that frustrates some colleagues, so it is important to have it in mind before coming.
On top of everything, if we were to go back, we would try to contact people even before starting the MBA. Some alumni are really opened to talk and help you find a place for you in the company they are working for.
EL: Did you try to apply for a work visa? How did that process go for you?
LD&PB: So far we haven’t tried to go on this direction, but we know that this is not easy, especially in the US and some countries in Europe. On the other hand, there are countries that are very friendly like Canada.
EL: What was the best experience you have had during your MBA thus far?
LD&PB: The best experience we had was definitely meeting people from all over the world and learning from them.
We can say that we significantly broadened the way we see the world, and even changed the way we see some things. The more you get to spend time with people from different nationalities, the more you grow and become a more complete person.
(Photo courtesy of the couple)
One of the reasons, for example, is the prejudice we have from some regions and religions. Once you meet people you see how the media can distort things.
EL: Overall, what has surprised you the most about your MBA experience?
LD&PB: The people around us. There are phenomenal people out in the world, and it is a great lesson to be in a place where you become average.
We could not understand that before coming to INSEAD, and it may be hard to get the concept, but even the most brilliant people does not shine that much here because people there are 500 others that are as smart as him/her.
EL: Do you have any final advice for recently admitted or prospective MBA students?
LD&PB: For the prospective, we would highly recommend coming to visit the school to understand it better. There is nothing better than feeling the vibe and seeing if it matches what you are looking for. We personally visited the majority of the business schools that we were interested and it made a big difference.
For the admitted ones, most of the advice we already said above, but it is important to repeat:
Get the basics on finance, accounting, and strategy. It will reduce your pain during the core classes.
Finish the language requirements before coming to the MBA. You will probably regret for not doing so.
If you have background in subjects that can be exempted, try to get an exemption for them. This will give you extra time to work on other subjects.
(Photo courtesy of the couple)
Be prepared to have a very, very, very hectic time here. I (Lucas) was having to work much more than in my job, being very honest.
Save money because you are going to spend much more than you can think, especially in Singapore!
EL: Thank you so much for your time! You’ve definitely helped us learn more about what it’s like to navigate INSEAD, especially as a couple. I hope you enjoy the rest of your experience!
Back in the end of 2015, I met Lucas and Patricia for the first time. From that point forward, it was an honor to play a role in helping them navigate the admissions process, and was an incredible honor to see two such talented professionals secure spots in one of the world’s best business schools.
In the words of Lucas,
Like we were with Lucas and Patricia, my team and I pride ourselves on being with you at every stage of the process as you apply to an elite program. We dedicate all of our energy and expertise to give you the confidence that you are taking the right steps toward your future with the information you need to make the best decisions. That’s why I truly enjoyed talking with Lucas and Patricia and bringing this information about life after the admissions process ends to you.
If you need help putting the final touches on your INSEAD essay, preparing for INSEAD’s notoriously challenging video essay, or even if you’re just starting the application process and aren’t sure exactly what to do next, my team and I can help! Schedule your free consultation with us today.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
