INSEAD MiM – Essays Tips and Deadlines for 2024-25

INSEAD MiM – Essay Writing Tips

Navigating the MiM application process for INSEAD requires crafting essays that showcase your unique story, aspirations, and fit with the school’s culture. INSEAD values leadership, innovation, and a global perspective. Here are essential tips and strategies to help you create standout essays for your INSEAD MiM application.

From showcasing your personal and professional journey to highlighting your fit with INSEAD’s unique culture, these insights will guide you in creating essays that resonate with the admissions committee. Dive in to discover how to effectively convey your experiences, goals, and the impact you aim to make, ensuring your application stands out in the competitive field.

1. How would you describe yourself?

Understand and Reflect on Your Core Traits and Values: When responding to INSEAD’s prompt, start by identifying the core traits and values that best define you. Reflect on personal and professional experiences that have shaped these characteristics. Avoid generic descriptors and aim for specific, impactful traits that make you unique. This approach not only makes your essay personal but also memorable.

Example: Instead of saying, “I am hardworking and dedicated,” you could write, “Resilience and adaptability define me. Growing up in three different countries, I learned to quickly adjust to new environments, turning each challenge into an opportunity for growth.”

Provide Concrete Examples: Illustrate your traits with specific examples from your life. These anecdotes should showcase how your characteristics have been evident in various situations. Whether it’s a challenge you overcame, a project you led, or a personal milestone, ensure your story is concise and highlights your core traits.

Example: During my internship at a tech startup, I spearheaded a project that required me to learn new programming languages within weeks. My ability to adapt and quickly acquire new skills enabled the team to meet our tight deadlines, ultimately contributing to a successful product launch.

Align Your Traits with INSEAD’s Values: Demonstrate how your traits align with INSEAD’s values and how you will contribute to the school’s community. INSEAD values diversity, global perspectives, and leadership. Show how your experiences and characteristics make you a perfect fit for their program. Mention any specific aspects of INSEAD that resonate with you and how you plan to engage with the community.

Example: INSEAD’s emphasis on diversity and global perspectives resonates with my multicultural background. My experience living in diverse environments has taught me the importance of varied viewpoints. At INSEAD, I look forward to contributing to this diversity by sharing my unique insights and collaborating with peers from around the world.

2. Describe all types of extracurricular activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, etc.). How are you enriched by these activities?

• Identify and Categorize Your Activities: Begin by listing the extracurricular activities that you have been involved in for a significant duration. Group them into categories such as sports, arts, clubs, volunteer work, etc. This helps in organizing your thoughts and ensures you cover all areas comprehensively within the word limit. Focus on activities where you have demonstrated commitment and passion.
• Highlight Key Experiences and Skills Gained: For each category, mention the key experiences and skills you have gained. Whether it’s leadership, teamwork, creativity, or discipline, provide a brief overview of how these activities have contributed to your personal development. Highlighting these aspects shows the admissions committee how well-rounded you are and how these experiences have prepared you for the MiM program.
• Connect to INSEAD’s Values and Future Contributions: Explain how these extracurricular activities have enriched you and how they align with INSEAD’s values. Mention how these experiences have shaped your personality and prepared you to contribute to the INSEAD community. Focus on how the skills and perspectives gained from these activities will enable you to engage with and enhance the school’s diverse and dynamic environment.

Example: My involvement in competitive swimming has instilled in me a strong sense of discipline and perseverance. Leading the debate club in college honed my public speaking and leadership skills. Additionally, volunteering at a local NGO taught me empathy and the importance of giving back to the community. These activities have not only enriched my life but have also prepared me to contribute to INSEAD’s collaborative and diverse culture by bringing in varied perspectives and a well-rounded approach to problem-solving.

3. Tell us what you have been doing since graduating from secondary education and what motivated your choices?

• Summarize Your Post-Secondary Education Journey: Begin by providing a brief overview of your educational journey after secondary education. Highlight key milestones such as your major, any specializations, and significant academic achievements. This sets the stage for explaining your choices and how they align with your career aspirations.
• Detail Professional Experiences and Motivations: Describe the professional experiences you’ve had since graduation. Focus on the roles you’ve taken, the industries you’ve worked in, and the skills you’ve acquired. Explain the motivations behind each choice, whether it was a passion for a particular field, a desire to develop certain skills, or a strategic step towards your long-term goals.
• Connect Your Journey to Your Goals and INSEAD: Conclude by linking your experiences and motivations to your future goals and how they have led you to apply for INSEAD’s MiM program. Show how your journey has prepared you for this next step and how INSEAD’s program aligns with your aspirations.

Example: After graduating from secondary education, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration to develop a strong foundation in business principles. During my studies, I interned at a leading consulting firm, where I realized my passion for strategic problem-solving and client interaction. Motivated by a desire to deepen my expertise, I joined a startup post-graduation, taking on diverse roles that honed my leadership and analytical skills. These experiences have shaped my career aspirations and motivated me to apply for INSEAD’s MiM program, where I aim to gain advanced knowledge and a global perspective to drive impactful business solutions.

4. Please give us all the information about your activities and occupation from now until the start of programme.

• Outline Your Current Occupation and Responsibilities: Start by detailing your current job or primary activities. Include your job title, the company you work for, and a brief description of your responsibilities. Highlight any ongoing projects or roles that are particularly relevant to your future studies and career goals.
• Discuss Planned Professional or Personal Development: Next, describe any professional or personal development activities you plan to undertake before the program starts. This could include additional coursework, certifications, or skill-building activities. Explain how these will prepare you for the MiM program and your long-term objectives.
• Mention Involvement in Extracurricular or Volunteering Activities: If applicable, mention any extracurricular or volunteering activities you will continue or start before the program begins. Highlight how these activities will contribute to your personal growth and readiness for the INSEAD MiM program.

Example: Currently, I am working as a Business Analyst at XYZ Consulting, where I manage client projects focused on market entry strategies. I am responsible for data analysis, creating reports, and presenting findings to senior stakeholders. Over the next few months, I plan to complete a certification in Data Science to enhance my analytical skills and stay ahead in the competitive business landscape. Additionally, I will continue volunteering with a local NGO, where I lead a team to develop educational programs for underprivileged children. These activities will not only prepare me academically and professionally for the MiM program but also enrich my understanding of diverse perspectives and social responsibility.

5. Share your short and long-term career aspirations with a MIM from INSEAD.

• Define Your Short-Term Career Goals: Begin by clearly outlining your immediate career goals after completing the MiM program. Specify the industry, role, and type of organization you aim to work for. Highlight how the skills and knowledge gained from INSEAD’s MiM program will help you achieve these goals.
• Explain Your Long-Term Career Vision: Describe your long-term career aspirations, focusing on the impact you hope to make in your chosen field. Discuss the leadership positions you aspire to and the broader contributions you wish to make. Emphasize how INSEAD’s MiM program will serve as a crucial stepping stone towards these ambitions.
• Connect Your Goals to INSEAD’s Offerings: Conclude by explaining why INSEAD is the perfect fit for your career aspirations. Mention specific resources, networks, or unique aspects of the program that align with your goals. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how INSEAD’s MiM will support your journey from short-term objectives to long-term success.

Example: In the short term, I aim to join a top-tier consulting firm as a strategy consultant, focusing on digital transformation projects. INSEAD’s MiM program will equip me with advanced analytical skills and a global business perspective, essential for excelling in this role. Long-term, I aspire to become a Chief Strategy Officer, driving innovative strategies that shape the future of businesses on a global scale. INSEAD’s emphasis on leadership development, coupled with its extensive alumni network, will provide me with the necessary tools and connections to achieve my ambitions and make a significant impact in the business world.

6. Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee?

• Highlight Unique Personal Experiences: Use this opportunity to share any unique personal experiences or aspects of your background that haven’t been covered in other parts of your application. This could include challenges you’ve overcome, significant achievements outside of your professional or academic life, or unique aspects of your identity. Emphasize how these experiences have shaped your character and perspective.
• Discuss Additional Skills or Qualities: Mention any additional skills, qualities, or interests that you believe add value to your application. These could be soft skills like resilience, creativity, or teamwork that you have demonstrated in different contexts. Explain how these attributes will enable you to contribute to the INSEAD community.
• Explain Context or Clarify Details: If there are any aspects of your application that require further context or clarification, address them here. This could include gaps in your resume, changes in career direction, or any other elements that might raise questions. Be honest and concise, focusing on the positive outcomes or learnings from these situations.

Example: One aspect not covered in my application is my passion for mountaineering. Over the past five years, I have summited several peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro and the Alps. This experience has taught me resilience, strategic planning, and the importance of teamwork. Additionally, I have a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, having led initiatives to reduce plastic use in my community. These experiences have enriched my perspective and prepared me to bring a unique, well-rounded approach to the INSEAD MiM program. I am excited to contribute to the school’s diverse community and collaborate with peers who share my passion for impactful leadership.

Things to avoid in your INSEAD Essays

1. Lack of Specificity About INSEAD: Avoid generic statements that could apply to any business school. INSEAD values applicants who have a deep understanding of its unique offerings, such as its strong emphasis on diversity, global exposure, and leadership development. Ensure your essays demonstrate specific knowledge of INSEAD’s programs, faculty, culture, and how these align with your goals.
2. Overemphasizing Technical Skills: While technical skills are important, INSEAD places a strong emphasis on leadership, cultural awareness, and the ability to work in diverse teams. Avoid focusing solely on technical accomplishments and skills without highlighting your soft skills, global mindset, and leadership experiences. Balance your essay to reflect both your technical prowess and your interpersonal abilities.
3. Ignoring Global Perspective: INSEAD prides itself on its global perspective and diverse student body. Avoid writing essays that do not reflect an understanding or appreciation of this aspect. Failing to address how you can contribute to and benefit from INSEAD’s international environment can weaken your application. Highlight your global experiences and how they have prepared you to thrive in INSEAD’s diverse setting.
4. Overlooking Personal Growth and Reflection: INSEAD values introspective candidates who can reflect on their experiences and demonstrate personal growth. Avoid essays that are purely descriptive without showing insights into how these experiences have shaped your values, goals, and perspectives. Make sure to include reflections on your learnings and how they have prepared you for INSEAD.
5. Disregarding Leadership and Teamwork: INSEAD places a significant emphasis on leadership and teamwork skills. Avoid essays that do not showcase your leadership experiences or ability to work effectively in teams. Ensure your essays include examples of how you have led others, collaborated on projects, and contributed to team success.