INSEAD 2006 MBA Application Toolbox

INSEAD

Official website
http://www.insead.edu/mba/admissions/index.htm

Class Size:
Approximately 880

Admissions
Successful MBA candidates, while displaying a remarkably wide range of backgrounds and experiences, are distinguished by a combination of academic excellence, international awareness, strong interpersonal skills and the potential to succeed as a leader/manager in a competitive business environment.

INSEAD has two intakes per year on each campus (Fontainebleau and Singapore), one in January and the other one in September. In 2006 we will enrol approximately 880 participants to the MBA Programme.

We expect intellectual curiosity coupled with a desire to learn and stretch yourself in a rigorous academic programme, as well as personal qualities to contribute to the many activities of the Institute. If you feel you fulfil all the requirements below but have, as yet, no professional experience, we will also consider your application. We welcome applications from around the world regardless of race, religion, gender, colour or financial status.

What are we looking for ? Admissions Cretia
We expect intellectual curiosity coupled with a desire to learn and stretch yourself in a rigorous academic programme, as well as personal qualities to contribute to the many activities of the Institute. If you feel you fulfil all the requirements below but have, as yet, no professional experience, we will also consider your application. We welcome applications from around the world regardless of race, religion, gender, colour or financial status.

1. Excellent Academic Achievement
The INSEAD MBA is intensive, rigorous and challenging. You must have a sound academic foundation. You should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised college or university (although in exceptional circumstances, we may waive this requirement for otherwise outstanding candidates with substantial professional experience). While many of our applicants have advanced degrees, this is not required. In looking at your academic background, we consider the competitiveness of the academic institution you attended, your specification and your academic performance. Several core courses require a strong grasp of fundamental statistical and mathematical principles, therefore quantitative and analytical skills are very important.

2. Professional Experience and Managerial Potential
In general, INSEAD participants have had several years of professional experience and demonstrate clear managerial potential and a career-oriented focus. However, we do not preclude applications from exceptional younger applicants with little or no work experience, provided they can demonstrate unusual maturity.  

3. International Outlook and Language Skills
The INSEAD MBA equips our alumni to work anywhere in the world. Accordingly, we prefer applicants with cross-cultural sensitivity and an international outlook. Typically, over half the class has already worked or studied outside their native country.

Entry requirement:
You must be fluent in English - levels IV, V or VI. If English is your native language, you must provide proof of your ability in a second language - level III - by the latest four months after the deadline for receipt of applications.
Exit requirement:
You are required to have one further commercially useful language - level III - in order to graduate from the programme. Language instruction is available throughout the year.  

Language Rating Table

• VI Native tongue


• V Ability to interact in a foreign environment with the near-ease of a native speaker


• IV Ability to conduct business in the language


• III Ability to speak,write and understand with structural accuracy and an adequate vocabulary


• II Ability to participate in a conversation about daily life


• I Ability to introduce yourself and talk briefly using the present tense
  
  FOR DETAILS ON CERTIFICATION FOR PARTICULAR LANGUAGES, AND A FULL COPY OF THE INSEAD LANGUAGE POLICY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.insead.edu/mba/admissions/languages.pdf

4. Ability to Contribute to the INSEAD Experience
We look for participants who will contribute proactively as a result of their educational and professional backgrounds as well as their personal achievements. We seek candidates who demonstrate a clear desire for intellectual growth, both in the classroom and through working on group projects. We will choose those who are mature, energetic, highly motivated, well rounded, and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, we try to build an exciting, dynamic and diverse student body representing many countries, backgrounds, styles and aspirations. It is our belief that a substantial part of your INSEAD experience will be shaped by your interaction with your fellow participants and your active participation both in and out of the classroom.

What We Need From You
INSEAD has one centralised admissions office, in Fontainebleau, for all MBA applicants, regardless of campus choice. All applications are online only. To be considered for admission to INSEAD, you must submit a complete portfolio of documents for evaluation:

ONLINE:
· Completed, MBA profile (see online application, pages 1-6)
· Essays (see online application, pages 9-15): five compulsory, one optional
· Job description, including two essay questions (see online application, pages 7-8)
· Two letters of recommendation (see online application, page 16)
· Statement of integrity, including electronic signature (see online application, page 17)
· Photograph
· Application fee of ?00

BY POST:
· Official transcripts of grades and diploma
· GMAT score
· TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) score (where applicable)
· Second language certification (if English is your native/mother language)

MBA Profile
The MBA Profile is a six-page document available online. Please complete it carefully and print two copies for yourself. These copies will be required should you be called for an interview.

Essays
We advise you to spend a significant amount of time on your application essays, as they are a critical part of our evaluation process. Your responses to our essay questions provide the best opportunity to be creative and tell us about yourself. We would like to get to know you, to find out what motivates you, so avoid repeating information given elsewhere in your application. The essays are not meant to be academic articles or business memos, but rather your personal stories.

Job Description
See the online application.

Letters of Recommendation
The two recommendation forms should provide us with information about your demonstrated leadership and management potential. For this reason, we prefer that at least one recommendation comes from the workplace: Your current supervisor or manager is usually a good choice. The other recommendation is likely to be from someone who has had a chance to evaluate you in a professional setting: A client, a former supervisor or a colleague from your community service or extracurricular activities. If you have a particularly insightful academic recommendation, please feel free to submit it. However, it is less likely to address our priority: Your ability to work with and manage others and your potential for senior management.

Official Transcripts of Grades and Diploma
PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE UNLESS OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED
Academic transcripts (indicating both diploma and grades achieved) from each college or university that you have attended, must be sent by post to the MBA Admissions. We accept transcripts in English and French; All others must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Each transcript must bear the official seal and signature of the institution, and they may send them directly to INSEAD if they wish to do so. Photocopies are not accepted unless officially certified by a public or professional body (solicitor, embassy, town hall, etc).

GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) score
All applicants must take the GMAT, which provides a uniform and standardised way of evaluating candidates. While the GMAT is not used as the sole criterion for admission, it is in your interest to prepare thoroughly and do as well as you can on the test. The average GMAT on campus in January 2005 is 703. GMAT scores are valid for five years (end date refers to the time the candidate applies). Please arrange to have ETS report your test scores directly to INSEAD, code 0970 (a copy is acceptable to begin your evaluation, but please note that no final decision can be taken without your original test score report from yourself or from ETS). The GMAT website address is www.gmat.org

TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Score
The INSEAD MBA is taught exclusively in English and is highly participatory, requiring well-developed written and verbal skills. Accordingly, if your native language is not English you must take a test for English proficiency, unless your university degree is from an institution where the curriculum was also taught exclusively in English. We accept TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS and the Certificate of Proficiency in English test. For INSEAD purposes, scores are valid for two years (end date refers to the time the candidate applies).

Please arrange to have ETS report your test scores directly to INSEAD, code 0970 (a copy is acceptable to begin your evaluation, but please note that no final decision can be taken without your original test score report from yourself or from ETS).

Second Language Certification
This is required if English is your native language. For more details, please check our language policy Please note that the certification must be received no later than 1 June for the September intake, and 1 November for the January intake.

Statement of Integrity
See the online application.

Application Fee of ?00
YOUR APPLICATION WILL REMAIN INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNTIL THE CORRECT FEE IS RECEIVED
A non-refundable application fee of ?00 is required and must be paid online by credit card.

The application process
1. Acknowledgement
Once your application is received, we send you an acknowledgement by e-mail, contact you as soon as decisions are made. If you have not received any acknowledgement that your application has been received within six weeks of sending it to INSEAD, please contact us by e-mail at: mba.candidates@insead.edu

2. Preliminary Review (First Selection)
Your application is not considered complete until all required items being sent directly to INSEAD have arrived. These include your profile, essays, job description, original GMAT score, original TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS or Cambridge proficiency score if appropriate, original or certified transcripts, two recommendation letters and application fee. Once your application is complete, it is reviewed, and the decision taken whether to invite you to interview.

3. Interviews
We are proud of the quality and diversity of our participants, and consider this is the key to a meaningful MBA experience. To maintain this level, we invite a selected number of applicants for an evaluative personal interview with INSEAD alumni, helping us to assess particular candidate strengths. In this case, we will ask you to attend one or two interviews with former INSEAD participants, normally in your country of residence (or as close as possible).

4. Review and Decision
The Admissions Committee reviews the completed application and takes the decision. Generally this is either an acceptance or a rejection, or being placed on a wait-list. However, in some cases we make a provisional acceptance subject to specific conditions, such as proving your language skills.
You will be advised by mail/e-mail of the final decision of the Admissions Committee.

5. Campus choice
Applications are considered per intake and are non-campus specific. We will do everything we can to accommodate your campus choice, but if your preferred campus is full you will be offered a place on the other one, or the option to stay on wait-list through the other rounds of admission for that intake. If a place on the campus of your choice does not become available before the end of the admissions process for that intake and you refuse a place on the other campus, then you will have to reapply for the next intake, you cannot defer your place. Should a seat become available for your original campus choice during the process, and for some reason you do not accept it, you will have to reapply for the next intake, you cannot defer your place.

6. Deposit
Accepted applicants must make a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the programme fees i.e. ?,350 to confirm their place. You will have approximately three to four weeks to make your decision once you have been offered a place before paying this deposit.
Please note that for 4th round applicants for September intakes, a non-refundable deposit of 70% is required to confirm your place, given the short time period between the final decision (June 24th in 2005) and programme start-date (August 29th in 2005).

Feedback on denied applications
We appreciate the time and effort that our candidates spend on their applications, and we also spend a great deal of time and effort evaluating the thousands of applications to select the best group of participants for each class. With such an outstanding applicant pool, it is inevitable that many well-qualified individuals will be turned down, and we realise how disappointing this can be. We do not give feedback automatically on rejected applications. However, if you have genuine reasons to request feedback, then you may email your admissions contact in order to do so.
If you are not accepted into the intake for which you have applied, you may reapply for a subsequent intake. However, we recommend that you take the necessary time you feel you need to strengthen your candidature before submitting another application.

Deferred entry
We ask that you apply for the particular intake on which you wish to start. Only in exceptional circumstances do we grant requests to defer admission. Should you not be able to take your place on the intake to which you had been admitted, we would ask you to withdraw and reapply for a later intake.

Campus visits
Campus visits are not required. However, you are most welcome (both before and after applying) to visit either campuses to see INSEAD for yourself, and/or to attend an MBA Information Session should you have additional questions.

Staged Admissions
INSEAD is happy to announce a fourth round application deadline for September intakes, starting with September 2005. The new application deadline date for this round is 23rd March 2005.

Staged admissions started at INSEAD about two years ago. Since then, we have been listening to applicants' and prospective applicants' feedback, and have been fine-tuning the process accordingly.

The most common request has been to extend our final deadline or add an additional round to our September intake in order to allow more time to prepare your application.

We are happy to announce that we have added this additional round.

The deadline of 23rd March 2005 will now have two purposes. Firstly, it will be the new fourth round for the September 2005 intake, and secondly, it will remain the first round deadline for the January 2006 intake. Both groups applying for this round will receive their final decision by 24th June 2005.

This change will go into effect for upcoming September intakes. January intakes will keep the current system of three rounds only.

The sole purpose of this change is to allow those of you who need more time to prepare to do so. In terms of your own planning, it goes without saying that the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have your final decision and therefore the more time you have to make pre-MBA preparations. You should continue to apply when you feel you are ready and that your application shows through your fullest potential.

Please be advised that candidates in the fourth round for September intakes will not be eligible to apply for scholarship support from INSEAD.

Please note in addition, that for students who are accepted for the September 2005 intake in the fourth round on 24th June, given the short time-frame between final decision and starting the MBA Programme (two months), we will require a payment of 70% of your fees to secure your place.

In other words, the first two tuition fee payments have been merged: a non-refundable deposit of the programme fees i.e. ?,350 to confirm your place, and a further 60% i.e. ?6,100 one month before the programme commences.

The September 2005 intake starts on Monday 29th August 2005.

The admissions process
We operate a staged admissions process: this implies three (or four) specific stages of application for admission to each class.
You may select your stage according to when you have your complete application pack assembled and ready for submission.

What is staged admissions?
A staged admissions process means that the competition for places is between all of those applicants who have applied within the same stage for the same class.

Why staged admissions?
The staged admissions process allows you greater transparency than was previously available with rolling admissions with regard to when you can expect to hear from us, and allows you to plan your life around the MBA dates supplied.

How strict are all the dates listed?
The deadline for application is the date by which we need your complete application. If we do not receive your complete application by this date, we will process all other applications first, and then may be able to consider your application, but cannot guarantee it.

The dates for TOEFL and GMAT are guideline dates, which we have had to generalise for a global audience. We recommend that you abide by these dates, as we cannot be sure to have your scores on time if you do not.

In general, you will hear from us the week of the interview decision deadline, and the week of the final decision deadline.

Is one stage more competitive than another?
There are approximately the same number of places allocated to stages one and two. However, there are fewer places allocated to stage three (or four).
The most important thing is to ensure that you submit a complete, well-prepared application, irrespective of within which stage you are applying.

Within a stage, there is no difference if you apply early or late.

Is one class more competitive than another for places? Is one campus more competitive than the other?
We receive almost identical numbers of applications for both intakes, so neither intake is more competitive than the other.

There is a centralised admissions process, with applications considered purely on the basis of merit. As such, campus choice only becomes relevant once a candidate has been admitted to the programme overall - we then assign campus according to preference, class mix and places available within that stage.

Can I defer admission?
If you change your mind about the class for which you wish to apply, you must reapply - we do not defer applications with staged admissions except in truly exceptional circumstances. The Admissions Committee examines requests on an individual basis.

Can I reapply if I've been turned down?
Unless specifically communicated to you, INSEAD does not encourage reapplications.

Do interviews take place on campus?
Interviews take place, as much as possible, in your country of residence, or as close as possible. Our interviewers are INSEAD Alumni.

Deadlines

All applications to the INSEAD MBA are now online
To access our online application, you simply need to click on the link at the bottom of this page. If you do not have Adobe Reader Version 6 or above, you will be given the chance to download it in order to access the application. This PDF document has been enhanced to enable write access, so you can download it and fill it in electronically at your leisure. When your application is complete, you click on SUBMIT when online and it will be uploaded and submitted to the INSEAD MBA Admissions Office.

Once your application has been submitted, you will automatically receive your Application ID. This allows you to check on the status of your application at any time.

Your online application contains the following:

• Profile
– Personal information, test results, academic background, professional background, international exposure and activities and interests.
• Job Description including two short essays.
• Essays - Five compulsory and one optional
• Two Personal Recommendations
• Statement of Integrity with electronic signature

• On receipt of your Application ID

– Photograph in jpeg or gif format
– Application Fee of ?00 and proof of payment

For your application to be complete, the following material should be posted directly to the Admissions Office to arrive by the application deadline for which you are applying:

• Official Transcripts of Grades and Diploma with certified translation in English where applicable.
Photocopies are not acceptable unless officially certified.
• Original GMAT score report sent by ETS
• Original TOEFL/TOEIC/CPE/IELTS score report (where applicable) sent by ETS
• Second language certification (if English is your native language). If you are unable to supply certification at the time of your application, then you should supply this proof no later than June 1st for the September intake and November 1st for the January intake.

INSEAD
MBA Admissions Office
Boulevard de Constance
F-77305 Fontainebleau Cedex
France

Essays
Job Description
1. Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where
relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved.
(250 words)

2. Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your
present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)

Personal Essays
1. Give a candid description of yourself, 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. (400 words approx.)

2. Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view
them as such. (400 words approx.)

3. Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal
objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)

4. Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they
contribute to your professional career. (500 words approx.)

5. Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.), or
b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)

6. Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions
Committee to know? (200 words approx.) This essay is optional.

FAQ-Information about the programme
How long is the MBA Programme?
One year (10 months). INSEAD has two intakes each year, one starting in January and finishing in December, and the other starting in late August and finishing in early July of the following year.

What’s the difference between a January and a September start?
Both programmes are identical academically, and are offered on our two campuses (Fontainebleau and Singapore). The January start also offers you the option of taking an internship during the seven-week summer break. The exchange option between the two campuses is available for any intake.

Do you have an Executive MBA Programme or anything other than a full-time MBA Programme?
Yes, the INSEAD Executive MBA programme runs over 14 months. The next session starts in November 2005 and finishes by December 2006. The programme is offered simultaneously on the INSEAD Asia campus in Singapore as well as on the European campus in Fontainebleau, France. For more information please visit www.insead.edu/EMBA or email mba.executives@insead.edu

I am particularly interested in Entrepreneurship. Can I tailor my MBA?
As well as the 13.5 compulsory core courses, the Programme also comprises a minimum of 10 electives which you can choose from a portfolio of over 80 courses. The choice of electives varies each year as faculty respond to the needs of a changing business environment. This will enable you to tailor part of the course to your particular interests.

In addition we have a new Advanced Entrepreneurship Programme, which is available on the Asia campus after you have completed your MBA. This programme runs for 11 weeks: 8 weeks on internships and 3 weeks on campus. Click here for more information.

Do I need a laptop?
Although not a requirement, this is highly recommended. However, INSEAD has approximately 150 PCs available throughout the Fontainebleau and Singapore campuses for MBA students and a further 150 network ports.

Is there an age limit for entry to your programme?
There is no age limit, but in general the MBA is a qualification which you would expect to take early on in your career. To this effect, the average age of INSEAD participants in 2005 is 29. For example, the age ranges from 23 to 36.

FAQ-Academic Background
Do you accept credit transfers from previous schools?
We do not accept credit transfers from previous schools.

I do not have an academic degree. Will you still consider me?
In exceptional circumstances we may waive this requirement for otherwise outstanding candidates with substantial professional experience.

FAQ- Application Process
What are the application deadlines?
INSEAD operates a staged admissions process.

- January 2006 intake (class of December 2006):
1st round: 23 March 2005 (GMAT to be taken by 16 March 2005, and TOEFL by 25 February 2005)
2nd round: 18 May 2005 (GMAT to be taken by 11 May 2005, and TOEFL by 23 April 2005)
3rd round: 29 June 2005 (GMAT to be taken by 22 June 2005, and TOEFL by 27 May 2005)

- September 2006 intake (class of July 2007):
1st round: 5 October 2005 (GMAT to be taken by 28 September 2005, and TOEFL by 9 September 2005)
2nd round: 7 December 2005 (GMAT to be taken by 30 November 2005, and TOEFL by 11 November 2005)
3rd round: 1 February 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 25 January 2006, and TOEFL by 6 January 2006)
4th round: 22 March 2006 ((GMAT to be taken by 22 March 2006, and TOEFL by 1 March 2006)

- January 2007 intake (class of December 2007):
1st round: 22 March 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 22 March 2006, and TOEFL by 1 March 2006)
2nd round: 10 May 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 10 May 2006, and TOEFL by 19 April 2006)
3rd round: 5 July 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 5 July 2006, and TOEFL by 14 June 2006)

- September 2007 intake (class of July 2008):
1st round: 18 October 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 18 October 2006, and TOEFL by 27 September 2006)
2nd round: 6 December 2006 (GMAT to be taken by 6 December 2006, and TOEFL by 15 November 2006)
3rd round: 31 January 2007 (GMAT to be taken by 31 January 2007, and TOEFL by 10 January 2007)
4th round: 28 March 2007 (GMAT to be taken by 28 March 2007, and TOEFL by 7 March 2007)

What happens if I am admitted and my preferred campus is already full?
You will be offered a place on the other campus, or the option to stay on waitlist through the other rounds of admission for that intake.

And what happens if the seat on my preferred campus does not become available before the end of the admissions process and I refuse the seat on the other campus?
You will then have to reapply for the next intake, you cannot defer your place.

What happens if I did not submit a complete application before the deadline, and if I sent the remaining items after the deadline? Will my file still be reviewed?
It is always better to submit an application once it is complete, but we also accept separate items. However, if you do not meet the above deadlines, your file will be considered for the next round. Your file will be reviewed only when it is complete.

Can I contact INSEAD to check receipt of my application ?
It is INSEAD policy not to answer requests about the status of applications. We will acknowledge receipt of your application and contact you in writing as soon as decisions are made.

Will you consider my application if I have not yet taken my GMAT or TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS/Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)?
We will only start processing your application when all supporting documents have been received. As far as GMAT and TOEFL are concerned, if you don't meet the above deadlines, your file will be considered for the next round. A copy of your GMAT test is acceptable to begin your evaluation, but please note that no decision can be taken without your original test score report.

Can I print out the pdf application and fill it in by hand and send it in?
The pdf application is an online tool, therefore we request that you submit it electronically. This allows us to process you application more quickly, and will give you access to check the status of your application during the course of the application process.

The application form checklist mentions second language certification. What does that mean?
This quite simply means the proof of knowledge of a second language (other than English), which is required for entry to INSEAD. If your native tongue is not English and you choose your native tongue as your second language, then no proof of certification will be required from you.

How soon will I receive a decision? And how will that be communicated?
You receive the initial decision concerning the interview within a delay of approximately six weeks. With regard to the final decision, although you may receive a decision earlier, please be aware that the entire admissions process may take as long as 16 weeks. You will be informed in writing of our decision. Please do not contact us for information about the status before hearing from us - no news usually means no status change.

Can I submit more than two recommendations?
If you have a compelling reason to do so (and you point this out to us), then we will look at more than two recommendations. However, in most cases two is enough.

Do my referees have to come from my current company? Do they both have to be professional references?
We prefer at least one recommendation to come from your workplace: your current supervisor or manager is usually a good choice. The other recommendation is likely to be from someone who has had a chance to evaluate you in a professional setting: a client, a former supervisor, etc. If you have a particularly insightful academic recommendation, please feel free to submit it. However, it is less likely to address our priority: your ability to work with and manage others, and your potential for senior management.

What’s the cut-off GMAT score?
INSEAD has no minimum GMAT requirement, although the average on campus in 2005 is 703. This year the scores range from 610 to 790. A high score will not guarantee admission, while a low one will not necessarily eliminate you from consideration.

How long is my GMAT score valid?
For INSEAD purposes, the GMAT score is valid for 5 years (end date refers to the time you apply).

What scores are required for the TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS? And the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)?
Minimum scores accepted by INSEAD are: TOEFL 260 (CAT) or 620 (paper), TOEIC 950, IELTS 7, and Certificate of Proficiency in English B.
For INSEAD purposes, scores are valid for 2 years (end date refers to the time you apply).

FAQ-LANGUAGES
What is the language of tuition?
Exclusively English.

Do I require any languages other than English for entry to the Programme?
You must be fluent in English (levels IV, V or VI). If English is your native language, you must provide proof of your ability in a second language (level III) no later than 1 June for the September entry, and 1 November for the January entry. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that adequate, acceptable evidence is provided to certify the second language in accordance with these deadlines. Failure to do so may lead to the postponement of their entry to the MBA Programme.
INSEAD also requires a working knowledge (level III) of a third language to graduate (exit requirement) and you will be tested if you have no proof of proficiency. Language instruction is available throughout the year.
Click here to view the Language Policy which includes acceptable certifications.

What is meant by “working knowledge”?
Level III in our Language Policy, i.e. the ability to communicate with some structural accuracy and fluency about general interest and familiar business topics.

Although English is not my native tongue, I've lived and worked in Britain for many years. Am I still required to take a TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS/Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)?
You will still be required to take a TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS or Certificate of Proficiency in English test in this case. If English is not your native tongue but you have obtained a degree in a university where all the courses were taught exclusively in English, then you will not require further proof of proficiency. A one year exchange without a degree from the host university will not qualify.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS
What is the INSEAD admissions process?
We operate a staged admissions process: this implies three specific stages of application for admission to each class.
You may select your stage according to when you have your complete application pack assembled and ready for submission.

What is staged admissions?
A staged admissions process means that the competition for places is between all of those applicants who have applied within the same stage for the same class.

Why staged admissions?
The staged admissions process allows you greater transparency than was previously available with rolling admissions with regard to when you can expect to hear from us, and allows you to plan your life around the MBA dates supplied.

How strict are all the dates listed?
The deadline for application is the date by which we need your complete application. If we do not receive your complete application by this date, we will process all other applications first, and then may be able to consider your application, but cannot guarantee it.
The dates for TOEFL and GMAT are guideline dates, which we have had to generalise for a global audience. We recommend that you abide by these dates, as we cannot be sure to have your scores on time if you do not.
In general, you will hear from us the week of the interview decision deadline, and the week of the final decision deadline.

Is one stage more competitive than another?
There are approximately the same number of places allocated to stages one and two. However, there are fewer places allocated to stage three.
The most important thing is to ensure that you submit a complete, well-prepared application, irrespective of within which stage you are applying.
Within a stage, there is no difference if you apply early or late.

Is one class more competitive than another for places? Is one campus more competitive than the other?
We receive almost identical numbers of applications for both intakes, so neither intake is more competitive than the other.
There is a centralised admissions process, with applications considered purely on the basis of merit. As such, campus choice only becomes relevant once a candidate has been admitted to the programme overall - we then assign campus according to preference, class mix and places available within that stage.

Can I defer admission?
If you change your mind about the class for which you wish to apply, you must reapply - we do not defer applications with staged admissions except in truly exceptional circumstances. The Admissions Committee examines requests on an individual basis.

Can I reapply if I've been turned down?
You may reapply for a subsequent intake, however we do recommend that you take steps to develop on your previous application in order to give yourself the best chance. You may not reapply in a different round of admissions for the same intake.

Do interviews take place on campus?
Interviews take place, as much as possible, in your country of residence, or as close as possible. Our interviewers are INSEAD Alumni.

FAQ-Life on campus
What sort of leisure facilities do you have on campus?
The Fontainebleau campus is set on the edge of the magnificent Fontainebleau Forest, a local tourist attraction where you can explore extensive trails: walking, running, biking, and rock climbing are all popular activities. The campus itself has a gym with a full range of nautilus equipment and exercise machines, plus regular keep fit classes. There are also squash courts, swimming pool and sports centre adjacent to the campus.
Singapore's climate makes it an ideal location all year round for water-sports such as windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. Its offshore islands offer opportunities for mountain biking, horse riding and nature trekking. Participants can always escape to the idyllic beach and mountain resort hideaways of neighbouring countries if they want a change of scenery. Rugby, football, golf and tennis are all very popular sports and international standard facilities are less than 20 minutes away from the campus.
Both campuses provide an ideal study environment, with facilities including modern, air-conditioned amphitheatres and meeting rooms, a bookstore, coffee bars and restaurant facilities. The campuses are linked electronically allowing video-conferencing and e-mail exchange.

My partner and child will be accompanying me. What activities are available for them?
Families are very much a part of campus life: approximately one-third of participants are accompanied by partners. The INSEAD Partners' Association regularly organises diverse activities for partners and children such as courses, cultural outings, sports and other events. Partners and children also have access to all the leisure facilities on campus, such as the gym, and, of course, the bar and restaurant.

Where will I live and what sort of budget should I set aside for this?
In Fontainebleau, there is a wide variety of reasonably priced housing in the area, including flats and houses. Participants can also rent a large country house or French chateau for the year and share it with fellow participants. The housing agency on campus provides full details of locally available property. A wide choice of housing is available to suit all budgets, from private condominiums to affordable and conveniently located public housing.
In Singapore, participants may rent all the different classes of residential premises from Housing Development Board flats, or condominiums to bungalows or "black & white" colonial houses. Rental prices vary according to locality and type of premises.
A single participant should budget around ?000 per month for accommodation, living costs, health insurance, books and miscellaneous expenses.

FAQ-Campus Exchange(INSEAD, WHARTON)
How does the exchange between the INSEAD Singapore campus and the Fontainebleau one work? When can I move to the other campus?
Participants have the opportunity to spend time on both campuses. The campus switch is possible during the elective periods only (periods 3, 4 or 5). Participants are guaranteed the opportunity to spend at least 1 period (= 2 months) on the other campus. If there is space available, campus exchanges may be extended to 2 or 3 periods.

How about the exchange with Wharton?
In addition to moving between the two INSEAD campuses, students have the opportunity to take electives at Wharton's campus in Philadelphia for one or two periods, subject to seat availability.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
What are the costs involved?
Same fees for both campuses (Fontainebleau and Singapore) and both intakes (January and September). For the September 2005 and January 2006 intakes:

- Tuition fees (discounted rate for individuals) ?3,500
or tuition fees (full tuition for sponsoring companies)                     or ?9,000
- Estimate for accommodation/living costs, insurance...
(for a single participant)
?,000 per month
(Allow an increase of approximately 25% for you and your partner)  
Can I settle the fees in several payments?
You should establish your plan according to the following expected payment dates:
- Deposit to be paid by the date specified on your letter of admission (10%) ?,350
- One month before the programme commences (60%) ?6,100
- Four months in to the programme (30%) ?3,050
(If company-sponsored: ?,900 upon admission and ?3,100 one month before the programme commences).

Can my company sponsor me?
About 6% of our current participants are company-sponsored, but the majority use their own funds or take out bank loans. If you are sponsored, then your company will be billed once you have started the Programme - the fee is full-price (?9,000) when company-sponsored.

How can I fund my MBA - do you have any scholarships?
There are a limited number of scholarships available, which may either be based on merit or on need. INSEAD will provide all admitted candidates with details of relevant scholarships for the INSEAD MBA. This information is available at FAQ-Alumni/Contacts[/color" target="_blank" >www.insead.edu/mba/admissions/admissions_financing.htm

FAQ-Alumni/Contacts
Who can I contact to find out first-hand about the INSEAD experience?
Our alumni are always happy to answer any questions about their own experiences. They regularly attend our Information Sessions and help us at forums and fairs.
Click here for more details about alumni contacts/alumni associations in the world

FAQ-Campus Visits
May I attend a class on campus?
We hold informal Information Sessions on Friday afternoons from 14:00 to 15:30 (local time), on both campuses (Fontainebleau and Singapore). These events consist of a presentation of the INSEAD MBA Programme by an MBA staff member, followed by a Questions & Answers session. Whenever possible, visitors can attend a class after the presentations, from 15:45 to 17:15 (please note however that there are no MBA classes during the summer break, in July and August).
Click here for more details.

Can I come and visit the campus at any time? I would like to discuss the programme more fully with somebody.
We strongly encourage you to attend an Information Session on a Friday where you will have the possibility of discussing the programme fully with someone from the MBA Department. If you are unable to make it on a Friday, then you may come to visit the campus (our offices are open from Monday to Friday) but we recommend that you contact our MBA Information Office (email mba.info@insead.edu) in advance if you would like to make an appointment and/or attend a class.

It is not possible for me to come to Fontainebleau or to Singapore to attend an MBA Information Session. Do you offer other alternatives?
As well as on-campus MBA Information Sessions, INSEAD also regularly organises off-campus Information Sessions worldwide and attends forums/fairs all over the world.
Click here to get more details about our forthcoming events.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If we have not answered your questions here or on the web pages you have just perused, then please do not hesitate to contact us:
mba.info@insead.edu