How To Get Into INSEAD

Update: This article was originally posted on August 1, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

As an internationally-minded school with a number of locations across the globe, INSEAD is one of the best places to prepare for a global career and gain a wide network. Considering that INSEAD offers one of the best-ranked MBAs out there, earning a spot at this school requires you to really stand out among the competition. 

In this guide, we will go through how to get into INSEAD. While many applicants think that simply marketing themselves well is enough to gain admission, successful applicants are the ones who understand a) who INSEAD is looking for, b) how INSEAD’s MBA program, community, and opportunities fit their profile and goals, and c) how to prepare an INSEAD-specific essay and interview. Read on for our expert advice on how to master these three things.

 

1. Understand who INSEAD is looking for

(Photo courtesy of @insead on Instagram)

“The accelerated full-time MBA programme curriculum develops successful, thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs who create value for their organisations and their communities, and we are looking for smart, well-rounded candidates who believe that business can be a force for good.” Minh Huy Lai, Managing Director of the INSEAD MBA Program

Every year, INSEAD searches the globe for outstanding, globally-minded professionals. More than 75 countries are represented in INSEAD’s MBA class. With a strong emphasis on diversity, collaboration, and global mindset, there is a lot of variation in the INSEAD class, with previous work experience ranging from 3 to 8 years. 

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, INSEAD is a highly values-driven community that values diversity, adaptability and teamwork — and professionals who are adept at putting these values into practice in their daily lives. 

According to INSEAD’s admissions committee:

 “The MBA Admissions team are looking for people with intellectual curiosity, personal qualities to contribute to the many INSEAD activities and a desire to stretch themselves in a rigorous academic programme. We welcome applications from around the world regardless of race, religion, gender, colour or financial status. Our aim is to build an exciting, dynamic and diverse student body.​”

So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of INSEAD’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with a value for diversity, curiosity, and the desire to create positive change. 

 

2. Know INSEAD’s program and how you can use it

The second thing you must do to get into INSEAD is to know the MBA program and how it applies to your career goals. If you want to get into INSEAD, you really need to show the admissions committee why it’s a good fit for you (and why you’re a good fit for the community too)!

While you will have to do your own research to find the specifics of what aligns specifically with your goals and profile, below we are highlighting some of the main aspects of INSEAD’s MBA program so you can be informed about what makes it unique in comparison to other business schools.

INSEAD’s diversity

Adhering to its brand of internationalism, the first six core courses of INSEAD’s MBA curriculum are all globally-minded and allow students to broaden their international perspectives. With a vast majority of its student body being international and three different locations across the world, INSEAD offers its students the opportunity to create a uniquely global network of professional and personal connections. Additionally, with four locations, applicants have multiple choices for the kind of network and opportunities they want to pursue.

Cutting-edge knowledge

INSEAD’s world-class faculty, constantly evolving courses and activities, and vast number of research initiatives all demonstrate the school’s commitment to staying on top of the latest trends in business and addressing the most pressing global challenges. INSEAD’s innovative curriculum combines all three instruction styles (lecture-based, case study, and experiential), leveraging the approach most appropriate for the course content and the professor’s skills. Approaches that professors employ include business simulations, tailored case studies, role-plays, group projects, and study tours.

INSEAD also has 17 centers and research initiatives that allow students to pursue projects in their particular areas of interest during their MBA studies and promote cutting-edge ideas in urgent areas related to business and beyond.

An expansive alumni network

In addition to experiencing INSEAD’s diverse community, MBA students and grads have access to the school’s expansive alumni network. INSEAD’s alumni network has around 69,000 members across nearly 200 countries, and there are almost 50 alumni groups that help keep the INSEAD culture alive for students and alumni alike.

Looking for more than just a summary of the INSEAD MBA? 

Luckily, we’ve created a complete guide on INSEAD, including program specifics, MBA class profile, and INSEAD post-MBA salary and employment information. 

Additionally, we have dozens of sample INSEAD MBA essays that got our past clients into INSEAD, plus essays for numerous other top schools, all in one place. Click to join!

3. Prepare a winning application

Last but certainly not least is knowing how to write an outstanding essay and prepare for a successful interview. Below are our top tips on succeeding at both of these key aspects of your INSEAD application!

Write an outstanding essay

Your admissions essays are one of the most critical components of your INSEAD application. They’re your chance to share your unique perspective, demonstrate your values, and show how you align with the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society. These essays aren’t just about recounting experiences. They’re about weaving a narrative that highlights who you are at your core and the impact you aim to create.

That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to navigating INSEAD’s MBA essay questions, complete with actionable advice and examples. 

Remember that authenticity, reflection, and clarity are your most powerful tools as you approach this section of your application.

Prepare a winning interview

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will wait for your invitation to interview. Once you receive this, congratulations! Landing an interview with INSEAD is an exceptional achievement.

INSEAD has a rich tradition of alumni conducting admissions interviews. You will have to complete two interviews, each with a different alumnus or alumna, in order to finish the interview portion of the INSEAD application. Each interview typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

The interviewer will have access to your application and thus may ask you questions related to your responses therein. Keep in mind, however, that your interviewer will not have seen your video essay responses.

INSEAD interviews, since they are conducted by alumni, tend to be slightly friendlier than interviews conducted by the admissions committee. Nonetheless, the interviewer is still trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the INSEAD program, and if you fit well with the program’s global community. 

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test how well you handle diversity and conflict. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with INSEAD in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers. For some clients, questions were far more personal in nature, covering topics like their childhood and family upbringing. Other clients reported their interview was strictly professional, so make sure you’re ready for anything when you interview with INSEAD.

Worried you won’t get into your dream school? 

Our expert consultants will work with you to develop a strategy tailored to your goals, ensuring every part of yourYou’ve built an impressive career and worked hard to get to this point, but now you’re facing the daunting task of pulling together a compelling MBA application. The pressure to choose which stories best sell your profile, write essays that reflect your achievements, prepare for interviews, and manage multiple deadlines can feel overwhelming. Are you doing enough to be noticed by admissions committees at top business schools? 

At Ellin Lolis Consulting, we understand the stakes. With a 98.9% success rate, we’ve helped countless applicants just like you secure spots at their dream schools. application—from essays to interviews—tells a cohesive, compelling story that gets you in.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Learn more about working with us and take the first step toward a successful MBA application journey.