17 декабря на нашем сайте прошел он-лайн чат с представителями одной из ведущих бизнес-школ мира - INSEAD. Общение было посвящено теме процесса поступления на программу MBA. Были оговорены основные этапы поступления и их значимость (особенности) в контексте INSEAD: балл по GMAT, эссе, рекомендации, резюме, интервью в бизнес-школе и т.д. Конечно же, не обошлось общение и без вопросов о нынешнем глобальном кризисе, финансировании обучения и нынешнем напливые студентов на программы MBA. Читайте полный транскрипт чата в этой статье.

 16:01:05 [gridofilla] Dear all! Thank you for joining our chat! Hope this conversation would be usefull for you.
 16:01:27 [gridofilla] Here are some rules of the chat that would make our conversation more efficient
 16:01:36 [gridofilla] 1. You are not allowed to interrupt each other. 2. Answer your question only after the speaker will answer the previous 3. Off-topic posts are not allowed as well. 4. The plan for chat is next
 16:01:49 [gridofilla] A. GMAT score. Is it the main criteria of getting into INSEAD? (15 min)
 16:01:59 [gridofilla] B. Application essays, recommendations, resume. Topics, tips for writing, hints etc. (15 min)
 16:02:08 [gridofilla] C. MBA interview in INSEAD. Possible ways of interview passing, picularities etc. (15 min)
 16:02:19 [gridofilla] D. Other questions considering application process to INSEAD (15 min).

 16:08:02 [gridofilla] I would like to introduce you featured speakers of the chat: Patrick Parker, Assistant Director, MBA&EMBA Marketing, and Andrew Bueno, Marketing Officer, MBA & EMBA Programmes.
 16:08:30 [Andrew_Bueno] Good afternoon everyone, my apologies for the delay due to some technical difficulties.
 16:09:32 [Patrick_Parker] Apologies for being late! Tine zone confusion - Happy to be here
 16:09:57 [Andrew_Bueno] Let us take the first question!

 16:10:41 [jdkster] i will throw the first question into the basket. Sorry, it is rather specific (i guess the gereral stuff can be read on the web). i got one guestion about gmat. i recently took the test and scored 720. q50. v38. while the score is ok, it is imbalanced. How would INSEAD treat my 38 verbal (83 given i`m a non-english speaker? and ofcourse to what extent does INSEAD value q/v balance?
 16:10:52 [jdkster] that was 83 percentile. no smiles
 16:11:31 [Patrick_Parker] 720 is a good score as long as you have reasonably equal quant which you should consider
 16:11:36 [jdkster] (the reason i`m asking is because CIS students are often imbalanced towards the math component. so your answer might be interesting to others as well
 16:11:57 [Andrew_Bueno] INSEAD would much rather see a score that is balanced and in the 70-75% and above.
 16:12:17 [jdkster] what is balanced?
 16:12:35 [jdkster] my math is 94%, verbal is 83%
 16:12:44 [jdkster] no re-taking?
 16:13:03 [Patrick_Parker] This is a decent balance
 16:13:37 [jdkster] thanks. then i throw the books out into the trash can )

 16:14:00 [Marina_L] Good afternoon, I have only one question about GMAT. If I have 630 scores (63 % - q and 69% verbal) overall 75%, have I any chance to be admitted&
 16:14:48 [Andrew_Bueno] Hi Marina, as mentioned in our previous answer, scores need to ideally be in the 70-75% in order to remain competitive.

 16:14:59 [jdkster] other questions. what approximate weight does GMAT have in the overall evaluation of the applicant at INSEAD?
 16:15:41 [Patrick_Parker] It is important, but not everything, you must have a solid application

 16:15:46 [MedetKZ] Good afternoon,what is the min work experience that is needed?

 16:16:04 [tulbassi] and in addition to jdkster`s question, can you tell in more detail what are the criterias of lideship potential and professional experience?
 16:16:19 [Patrick_Parker] Minimum work expereince is 3 years
 16:16:49 [Patrick_Parker] the average work expereince 5.9 years to give you an idea

 16:16:30 [borsh4ik] what is the average GMAT score for the class 2009? Do you have any statistical data according average GMAT for women?

 16:16:57 [Andrew_Bueno] We do not have these statistics yet, as our "class" includes the January and September intake.
 16:17:09 [Andrew_Bueno] This being said, it is normally around 700

 16:17:21 [KZ] I also have rather specific issue. I`ve taken GMAT twice. The second time I improved my verbal significantly, but damaged quantitative. Is there a chance you will look at both scores and take into account highest on quant and highest on verbal?

 16:18:10 [Andrew_Bueno] No, we unfortunately will not pick the scores apart. We will however, alwasy consider the highest score you have acheived, regardless of the order taken.

 16:20:15 [jdkster] Andrew and Patrick, GMAT, should a successful applicant score as high as possible in order to contribute to a well-packed application? Or INSEAD has a certain score threshold?
 16:21:17 [Patrick_Parker] It ranges from 620 to 790, but please remember that it is only a part of the application
 16:21:57 [Patrick_Parker] you can have an amazing score and it doesn`t mean you will be automatically accepted

 16:22:24 [jdkster] yes. sure. I understand that. recommendations. it the status/ position of the recommendation writer important?
 16:23:20 [Andrew_Bueno] No it is not, this is not a time to name drop  The best kind of recommendation is one written by somebody that truely knows the applicant, regardless of their position.

 16:23:13 [Marina_L] Can you briefly summarize what are the most important features of good essays.

 16:23:43 [Patrick_Parker] The essays are a means of conveying your personality, so be honest, more info on the application via this link http://www.insead.edu/mba/admissions/requirements.cfm
 16:24:16 [Patrick_Parker] Get feedback from people you trust on your essays
 16:24:26 [Andrew_Bueno] Also, be sure to include information about, family, history, ethnic origin, travel, personal hobbies and community involvement in your essays.
 16:24:57 [Andrew_Bueno] Think of the essays as a canvass and you the artist - you are painting a picture for us, so make it pretty!

 16:25:20 [jdkster] application. in which "waive" would you recommend to apply? is there any difference between rounds 1 and 2?
 16:26:01 [jdkster] like quotas, for instance?

 16:26:18 [Patrick_Parker] The earlier the better for you to be organised and for you to get scholarships, but equal oppoertunity to get accepted on each round

 16:26:27 [KZ] what can compensate low community involvement?
 16:27:22 [Andrew_Bueno] Things, such as extra curricular activities, clubs with in work and personal spheres, sports, music, etc... The goal is to see that you have a life outside of your work and what you are doing with it.

 16:27:37 [gridofilla] should be the recommendation person apllicant`s manager, or colleague or somebody else?
 16:28:38 [Patrick_Parker] they should be superiors, be that present or previous managers

 16:28:14 [jdkster] and back to the essays. i see you named a number of "personal" things (vs. professionssional). like family, history, travel and stuff. is that really important in the apps essays?
 16:29:23 [Andrew_Bueno] jdkster: Yes, it is very important, as we it gives us a better idea of who you really are and your personality - something that cannot be necessarily found in an essay regarding your work experience.
 16:30:09 [jdkster] interesting. thanks for input

 16:29:19 [DiMaBo] Andrew, what usually applicant can do to fill in field about "extracurricular activiy" if applicant was not involved in any of it? it`s common situation in eastern europe to spend frist 5 years doing your job 16 hours per a day!!

16:31:02 [Andrew_Bueno] DiMaBo - I understand your predicament, however, I am sure that you out of 24 hours, you musn`t just work and sleep. The reason I mentioned extra curricular - is to have an idea of what you do in your spare time.

 16:31:04 [DiMaBo] one more question: is optional essay very impornt ot write or only when i feel that I do have something to tell?
 16:31:53 [Andrew_Bueno] DiMaBo - it is option, but it is filled in more often than not. Think of it as an extra opportunity to "sell yourself"!

 16:28:20 [Marina_L] Do you see any problem if a woman with two children and significant work experience wants to apply for MBA?
 16:31:16 [Patrick_Parker] Marina, there have been participant`s in this situation, so it is possible, But if you have more than 7 years work experience, you need to be sensitive to this

 16:32:09 [tulbassi] regarding recommendation, does it have to be in English? and what should be done in cases, when recommending person does not speak English?
 16:32:43 [Patrick_Parker] The recommendation must be in English

 16:32:51 [Dmytro_VB] I`m afraid my current employer would be against my MBA-education, so I cannot expect to get recommendations from him and his collegues. Instead I could rely on my univercity teachers and research supervisor. Would be valid such a letter of recommendation? Thanks.
 16:33:06 [Patrick_Parker] You will need to find a way of getting the reco letter in English
 16:33:53 [Andrew_Bueno] Yes, however do your best to get at least one recommendation from the work environment. There must be somebody you work with that is aware of your intentions to do an MBA.

 16:33:53 [gin] Andrew, Patrick, do you see any changes in the bank`s loan policy for MBA education in context of the global fin.crisis?
 16:35:05 [Patrick_Parker] Not so far as long as the bank has solid foundations, this should not be an issue.
 16:35:54 [Patrick_Parker] for more on loans and recommended banks - http://www.insead.edu/mba/financing/financing_loans.cfm

 16:36:24 [Michael] Can we receive the loans in France banks for MBA in INSEAD
 16:37:09 [Patrick_Parker] as long as you have guarantor based in France, or your bank, then it is possible

 16:37:26 [KZ] application to INSEAD is one of few, that asks the sources for financing MBA. Do you take the answers in consideration?
 16:38:25 [Patrick_Parker] We want to make sure that you will not have issues funding your programme once accepted

 16:39:03 [DiMaBo] has number of applicants increased this application year? if yes, why? what was the mane change comparing to previous year? do you see still a lot of investment bankers/consultants?
 16:40:20 [Andrew_Bueno] The financial crisis is affecting business schools all over the world and applications are going up. It would be logical that more former bankers and consultants apply to business school in such a time of difficulty.

 16:41:02 [elmiras] what are criterias of assessing the resume: for career progress, etc? why it was mentioned that one needs to be sensitive if has more than 7 years of work exp?

 16:44:17 [Patrick_Parker] As the average work exp is 5.9 years, participants with over 7 might hold higher positions and could find their feedback and reaction to certain challenges not at the same level as a person with less experience. a person that night have alot of work experience (7 years and more) should consider an EMBA http://www.insead.edu/emba/

 16:41:27 [Michael] How many recomendations do we need and what level of the person who recommends?
 16:42:26 [Andrew_Bueno] Michael - there are 2 required recommendations and a 3rd optional one which can be submitted in paper format. The recommender needs to be either a former manager or superior colleague.

 16:42:19 [Marina_L] Should the person who gives recommendation speak English?

 16:42:46 [Andrew_Bueno] Yes, all recommendation letters must be in English.

 16:44:11 [DiMaBo] what recomendations you consider to be excelent and what to be good or average?
 16:45:38 [Andrew_Bueno] Hi DiMaBo, it has nothing to do with excellent or good or average. You have the responsibility of choosing people who will speak openly and honestly about you and who will in turn say positive things about you.
 16:46:22 [Patrick_Parker] So, interviews are as cose to you geographically as possible as we rely on Alumni to do this

 16:46:28 [DiMaBo] do you prefer life interview or phone? both these options has the same "weight" during consideration process?
 16:46:47 [Andrew_Bueno] All interviews are done in person by our alumni.

 16:47:33 [DiMaBo] how many alumni for interview do you have in Ukraine, Russia, Kazahstan?
 16:48:32 [Patrick_Parker] We have 18 000 MBA alum in over 100 different countries, so we have Alums avaiable
 16:49:13 [Andrew_Bueno] DiMaBo, we had 35 people from the 3 countries you mentioned, so that can give you an idea of how many took place.

 16:48:40 [Zigmood] Dear Andrew, if the people who recommend don`t speak English. How they confirm recommendations by phone etc?
 16:50:11 [Andrew_Bueno] Hi Zigmood, if the person does not speak English, than they will need to find someone honest and reliable to assist them with the process. As these letters of recommendation cannot be confirmed by phone.

 16:51:37 [Marina_L] What are the main topics discussed on interviews?
 16:52:26 [Andrew_Bueno] Work experience, career progression, international motivation and general questions about you as a person.

 16:52:50 [Andrew_Bueno] The goal of this interview, is for the alumnus to see if you "fit" the programme and that the programme fits you.

 16:52:43 [KZ] does the interviewer read application package of the candidate?
 16:52:50 [Andrew_Bueno] KZ: You will forward your interviewer (at the appropriate time) a summary of your application, but not the full document.

 16:52:44 [tulbassi] what is meant by international motivation?

 16:54:37 [Patrick_Parker] Tulbassi, as this is a very diverse school, we are keen to see whether you have worked, lived, studied abroad, or worked for an international company. We appreciate candidates that have an open mind set and speak several languages

 16:55:21 [tulbassi] I see, so we need to show that we have international backgroun.
 16:56:00 [Patrick_Parker] Yes, or at least mention why you are internationally motivated

 16:56:10 [gridofilla] Earlier we were talking about the rising of appication to business schools this year. do you already have any statistics on applications` volume this year?
 16:57:06 [Andrew_Bueno] We do not communicate our application figures, however, as previously mentioned - applications in general are going up due to the financial crisis.
 16:59:12 [Patrick_Parker] we want you to apply for the right reasons, not for example the strength of a currency, etc

 17:00:00 [gridofilla] do you plan to enlarge your classes according to the rising of application`s volume?
 17:00:20 [gridofilla] as some schools do so
 17:00:54 [Andrew_Bueno] A third section will open on the Singapore campus to accommodate the increase in the student population, and the section size in Singapore will change from 75 to 60 students. Overall, the school’s student body will remain at 480 per intake

 17:01:22 [maria_g] A question regarding loans: how easy is it to get loans for international applicants?
 17:02:12 [gridofilla » maria_g] see the disscussion beginning from the 16:33
 17:02:19 [Andrew_Bueno] Well, keep in mind that all our students are international. So it really depends on your nationality and country of residence. We advise that you start off with talking to your local bank to see what they offer.

 17:03:46 [maria_g] thanks. and what about scholarships? are they all merit-based or also need-based?are there any special schoalrship for Italian women?
 17:04:55 [Andrew_Bueno] Hi Maria, all our scholarships are listed at the following site: http://www.insead.edu/mba/schlmgmt/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_list_schl there you will see that they are merit and need based. We do have several scholarships for women.
 17:05:08 [Andrew_Bueno] Italian women, I am not exactly sure - you`ll have to check it out.

 17:05:46 [maria_g] since you mentioned applications are up due to the economic crisis, what exactly do you mean? Does this also apply to the EMBA course?
 17:06:45 [Andrew_Bueno] Maria_G: Well it means that we are seeing more people apply to our programme. This does not presently apply to our EMBA course, as they are normally company sponsored.

 17:05:20 [Dmytro_VB] A question on a background: I`m a PhD of mechanical engineering, I work in general management of our scientific production company. But I didn`t study economic disciplines in univercity . Is it reasonable for me to admit MBA without economical background?

 17:07:11 [Patrick_Parker] Regarding backgrounds, we enjoy diverse backgrounds as long as you are able to meet the admissions criteria
 17:07:44 [Patrick_Parker] we have had military and sports personalities in the past, for example

 17:10:42 [elmiras] do usually the alums from CIS stay in Europe or come back home?
 17:11:22 [Andrew_Bueno] Elmiras - they normally stay abroad.

 17:12:02 [Patrick_Parker] This has been a real pleasure and look forward to doing this again in the future and possibly meeting you the next time I am in Ukraine! Wishing you all the best over the festive period
 17:12:32 [gridofilla] Thank you! We look forward to meeting you in Ukraine!
 17:12:48 [Andrew_Bueno] Like wise, we have really enjoyed this. We wish you all the best of luck with your applications.
 17:12:58 [Patrick_Parker] And a big thank you to MBA Strategy!
 17:13:04 [gridofilla] Dear Participants! Thank you for your questions and interest to INSEAD!
 17:13:57 [gridofilla] We wish you to reach your goals and built your successfull professional future!
 17:13:59 [Andrew_Bueno] For further questions, please send us an email at: mba.info@insead.edu or visit our website at: www.insead.edu/mba. Many thanks and good evening.
 17:14:27 [gridofilla] Thanks to everybody and have a nice evening!