Application Checklist
To apply to the INSEAD MBA Programme, you must submit an online application and the required supporting documentation listed below. Please carefully read the following sections as they outline in detail the steps to follow and documents required from candidates.
After you submit the online elements listed below, you will receive a confirmation email with an application ID. Once you have received it, you will be able to complete the next steps to attach your supporting documentation.
ONLINE APPLICATION
The application is a PDF document which you can download and edit offline. If you do not have Adobe Reader Version 9, you will be able to download it when you access the application platform. When your application is complete, it can be submitted by clicking on the "SUBMIT" button when online. The online application comprises:
- Profile (see online application, pages 4-9). You will need two copies of this section if you are selected for interview.
- Two Letters of Recommendation (see online application, page 10). 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 for example, your current supervisor or manager is usually a good choice. The other recommendation may also be from someone who has had a chance to evaluate you in a professional setting for example, 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 main interest, which is to assess your ability to work with and manage others as well as your potential for senior management. You will be able to upload a third letter of recommendation through the MBA Application Centre.
- Job Description Essays, (see online application, page 11).
- Essays (see online application, pages 12-17): five compulsory, one optional. 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 the essay questions provide the best opportunity to be creative and tell us about yourself. We would like to get to know you and to find out what motivates you. The essays are not meant to be academic articles or business memos, but rather your personal stories. Essay 7 is dedicated to re-applications (see online application, page 18).
- Statement of Integrity, includes electronic signature (see online application, page 20).
The following supporting documents must be received before or on the day of the application deadline. Your application will not be evaluated until all of the below items have been received in addition to the online elements listed above. To attach your supporting documents, please click here. To be able to proceed, you must have already submitted the elements listed above and have received your Application ID.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
After you submit the online elements listed below, you will receive a confirmation email with an application ID. Once you have received it, you will be able to complete the next steps to attach your supporting documentation.
- Photograph in JPEG or GIF format to be uploaded once you have submitted your application form.
- Application fee of €200 to be paid online with a credit card once you have submitted your application form. Please note that this application fee is non-refundable and that your application will not be evaluated until the correct fee has been received. Applicants for whom the application fee would create extreme financial hardship may apply for a fee waiver by emailing feewaiver@insead.edu with information detailing their financial need. We will then follow up for supporting documentation and will thereafter confirm if the waiver is granted. Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the application submission deadline. A limited number of waivers are available for each class.
- Official Transcripts indicating both diploma and grades achieved from each college or university that you have attended. We accept transcripts in English or French. All others must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Each transcript must bear the official seal and signature of the institution. Transcripts may be submitted by the applicant or by the institution directly to INSEAD. To start evaluating your application we accept scanned copies of your transcripts to be uploaded once you have submitted your application form. Photocopies are only accepted if officially certified by a public or professional body (solicitor, embassy, town hall, etc). Should you be admitted to the MBA Programme, you will be asked to send your original transcripts and degree to the Admissions Office by post.
- GMAT or GRE score. Please arrange to have Pearson Vue submit your GMAT test scores directly to INSEAD, code DL3-S8-89. The ETS code for the GRE is 0970. A copy of your unofficial score report (to be uploaded once you have submitted your application form) is sufficient for us to begin evaluating your file. Please note that your original test score report will only be required later on during the evaluation process. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years, so there should be less than five years between your test date and INSEAD application submission date.
- English language certification. This is required if English is not your native language. This certification must be submitted with your application by the deadline; otherwise your application will be incomplete. We accept TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, and the Certificate of Proficiency in English test. For INSEAD purposes, scores are valid for two years, so there should be less than two years between your test date and INSEAD application submission date. With the TOEFL, please arrange to have ETS report your test scores directly to INSEAD, code 0970. For PTE Academic, the relevant code for INSEAD is: 22W-R2-00. As with the GMAT, a copy of your score report is sufficient for us to begin evaluating your file. Please note that your original test score report will only be required later on during the evaluation process.
- Minimum required scores are as follows: TOEFL IBT: 105; TOEFL CBT: 260; TOEFL PBT: 620; TOEIC Listening and Reading: 950 - TOEIC Writing: 170 - TOEIC Speaking: 190; IELTS: 7.5; PTE Academic: 72; and CPE: B. For TOEIC, you need to submit score results for all parts: Listening, Reading and Speaking, Writing.
- Entry language certification. This is required if English is your native language. For more details, please see the Languages section. Please note that certification must be received no later than 1st June for the September intake, and 1st November for the January intake. These deadlines do not apply to the English certification requirement as this must be sent with your application.
MAILING ADDRESS AND INSTRUCTIONS
If you wish to send documentation by post, please mail to:
INSEAD
MBA Admissions Office
Boulevard de Constance
77305 Fontainebleau
France
Please note:
- Your supporting documents must be received by the Admissions Office in France before or on the day of the application deadline.
- INSEAD has one centralised admissions office in Fontainebleau for all MBA applicants regardless of your starting campus choice. Any hard copies of your supporting documentation should therefore be sent to the above mailing address.
- Please note that we are unable to confirm if your supporting documents (e.g. transcripts, test results) have been received. This is due to the large volume of applications received.
- Instead, an email notification will be sent to you within two weeks of submitting your application (or earlier if your application is sent at least one week before the application deadline). It will inform you as to whether your file is complete or if any components of your application are missing.
- It is therefore important to check your email account regularly after the application deadline.
- You can also find out whether the online components of your application have been received by visiting http://www.etheryl.net/INSEAD/application/. This page indicates whether the Admissions Office has received your application form, your photograph, your two recommendation letters and the supporting documents attached.
