Hello friends!

Next Monday I will submit my application to INSEAD. All these months I have been struggling with GMAT, essays, the university bureaucracy, translation of the necessary documents, recommenders and finally with time. This has left me little space in my day to write but the time has arrived.

I think that is important to put here my experience because my application is so different from Bruno’s. For the ones who are dealing with the constant net research for experiences and results about MBA applications, you can find in our blog two applications that are opposite from each other.

For the past four years I have been working in sales in a multinational Pharmaceutical Company. Besides Bruno, my dedication in my daily life is with my costumers. Although I’m a pharmacist and I get pretty good results, my company does not allow me the career jump to other Company’s position. My boss told me that I’m necessary where I am, though he has recognized that I am ready and all I need is an ”helicopter” business view (meaning insight business view).

One day Bruno arrived home with one thought. One of his friends had told him that her boyfriend, who is also pharmacist, had studied in INSEAD during one year to get an MBA.Until then I had always connected an MBA to finances or economy background. In our net research I found that an MBA would give me the “helicopter business view”. The perspectives that INSEAD gives seemed wonderful. I felt one click in my head and in my heart. So, we began to get information for what was necessary to attend INSEAD.

I found that all MBA programs began with the GMAT but I leave this experience for the next post. Until then.

SA

Second INSEAD Interview

It is now time to post about my second INSEAD interview.

My interviewer was an INSEAD alumna. The interview took place in a little coffee shop in a park in the center of Lisbon. She was the one who suggested the place, because she doesn’t like to interview candidates in her office. “It seems like a job interview”, she said. So, I, of course, agreed. I didn’t know the place but it is indeed very nice and calm, with ancient trees and a calm environment.

When she arrived, we introduced ourselves and sat down for a cup of coffee and proceed with the interview. I noticed that she had read all my application, essays included (it is not mandatory to previously send the essays, but I sent them anyway). Therefore, she knew exactly what questions to ask me and the weak points of my application.

First, she walked me throught my professional experience. Maybe because she works in the same area than me, she was very specific in her questions and we stayed quite some time talking about my first job. We then moved to my second job and again the questions were quite specific and technical. It almost felt like a job interview.

Next questions – Why MBA and why now? I had to explain my short-term and long-term goals very precisely and why INSEAD was my B-school of choice. As I have very clear ideas about this questions, I managed to explain accurately my reasons and my objectives.

Then , It happened something that I wasn’t expecting. She asked me if we could proceed with the interview in English (we are both Portuguese). I had no problem we that, but I think that anyone who gets to the interviews has the english language issue resolved. After the GMAT, TOEFL and TOIEC (which I made just for safety reasons), it seems unlikely that someone might still not have an adequate english level. Anyway, we proceed with the interview in english, this time talking about my wife candidacy and what would happen if one of us doesn’t get accepted.

After this chat in english, we got back to the Portuguese mode, and she asked me if there was anything that I would like to ask. So, I asked about her experience during and after INSEAD. She confirmed that it is an unforgettable experience and that the best is the networking and friendship. She stayed always is Fontainebleau and she loved it. Another interesting fact is that when she went to INSEAD she was employed in a very good firm here in Portugal, with the objective to go back after the MBA. However, after receiving some job offers, she switched company and work area.

In conclusion, it was a quite demanding interview, but I think it turned out OK. She told me not to worry about her report.

I will know INSEAD’s final decision on the 29th June. My wife will know if she is invited to interview on 6th July. It will be a quite a stressful week…

Now it´s time to prepare other applications. Backup plans must be in place!

BV

Plan B

There has been a slight change of plans. Or, more precisely, me and my wife came up with a plan B.

She is now writing the essays and will soon submit her application in INSEAD. But one question arises. What if one of us is accepted and the other is not? It’s not a pleasant scenario, but we have to think about it.

Various factors enter the equation:

 1)  First decision – we will not separate from each other. That is, the scenario of one of us attending INSEAD and the other one staying in Portugal is not an option.

2) Second decision – Neither one of us wants to be one year doing nothing, while the other is doing the MBA. So, the second scenario of both of us going to France, but just one doing the MBA is also not an option.

3) Third decision – We are now ready to do the MBA. After one year preparing and with 4 years of work experience, we both feel that now is the right time. For professional and personal reasons. So, we will be attending an MBA in 2008.

This eliminates some choices, but still doesn’t resolve the problem.

The answer is the fourth choice:

4) Attending the MBA program in Portugal. The two best schools in Portugal are now doing a single MBA, which has some advantages. The primary one is the network. The majoraty of business leaders in Portugal attended one of this schools and the career services work quite well. So, work offers should not be a problem.  The downside is the minor international exposure. But this could be achieved post-MBA, by joining an international company.

So, although this is not our first choice, it is the necessary plan B.

  

I have an MBA…

Awesome video.
It´s a true reality call!

First INSEAD interview

This week I had the first of my two INSEAD interviews. My interviewer was an INSEAD alumnus who graduated some years ago and the interview took place in the company where he works.

I think the interview went well, despite the fact that it was a little short. It turns out that his company was just in the middle of a big acquisition… So, the interview lasted about 30 or 40 minutes. Or perhaps this is just the standard time for an interview… Guess I will have to wait until my second interview to have an answer.

Anyhow, the interview went like this:

First, he asked me to walk him trought my professional career. We spent some time on this issue, as he wanted me to explain clearly every move I made since I left college. I also had to explain my job functions (he focused particularly on leadership experience).

Of course, he also made the obvious question of why is a pharmacist applying to a B-school. He agreed that INSEAD is a great B-school for someone without a business background.

Afterwards, he made the standard questions – Why INSEAD and why now. I advise everyone who is going to interviews to prepare very well this responses. He liked the fact that I have very specific and rational reasons to join INSEAD and that I was very motivated. The latter was not difficult, as I am indeed very motivated and it is hard not to show!

We also talked about the Singapore campus (why do I want to go there) and the period after INSEAD – if I’m thinking to return home or stay abroad.

And that was it. 30 minutes flown by and I left the interview with a good feeling. I just hope my interviewer felt the same way!

My next interview will probably be next week. This time it won’t be in a professional environment, so I think it will be a little different and, perhaps, longer. This way I could ask some questions that I have in mind.

Now I’m just going to review some GMAT material with my wife, as her test is coming soon.

BV 

Why MBA and why now?

This must be the most common question asked to whoever is applying to a B-school. So, I’ve been giving it some thought.

First, why MBA? It’s a good question, specially for someone from a completely different area, like me - I´m a pharmacist. I work in the Pharmaceutical industry, in a technical field. Therefore, business and marketing decisions don´t exactly belong to my field of work. However, management and business development areas always interested me and I strongly believe I’m cut out for that kind of job. Moreover, my technical background will allow a broaden view over this industry, since pharmaceutical and Health care management have some specific technical and regulatory constraints.

The good thing about a top international MBA program is that graduates also gain an invaluable transversal business knowledge. That is, the capacity to work in any type of industry, consulting or finance. And, of course, the ability to work anywhere around the globe. 

So, why now?

Well, I’m 27 years old and I have 3 years of work experience. Perhaps B-schools prefere more work experience, but I have now a position of some responsability and a deep knowledge of my area. I believe the timing is perfect. 

The MBA will surely provide an invaluable professional and personal growth that will reflect throughout my life. That’s why I really want to do it!

BV 

Pre-selected for interview!!!

 And on the last day, I received the e-mail!! When I saw it, my heart started to accelerate, it seemed I was in the 100m race, fighting for the gold medal… But then, when I read it, a stupid smile appeared in my face.

I´m pre-selected for interview!

To be honest, I had already giving up hope.  I was, in fact, already thinking in a plan B.

This week was just too stressful.. I need to decompress this weekend! I’m just waiting for my wife to return for her business trip so we can  make the most of these two days.

Next week I will start my preparation to the interviews. But now I will only enjoy this feeling!

For those of you still waiting for responses, remember:

“It isn´t over until the fat lady sings” 

BV

Messages (0)

 

I think I have never checked my e-mail as often as these past days… But I still have no news from INSEAD.

This week is the interviews deadline. I was really confident in my application, but I’m starting to have second thoughts. I look at the weaknesses of my application and now they seem huge! Or maybe it´s just my anxiety playing some tricks…

People tell me to apply to other B-schools. But the profile of INSEAD is really what I’m looking for. And I believe my profile would fit well in INSEAD too.

This week will surely happen one of two things:

1) I am invited to an interview.  

2) Friday comes and I don´t receive any feedback.  If this happens, Saturday will be a sad day…

But, whatever the result is, life goes on! One way or another.

BV

No news

                                             

Still waiting…

Application under evaluation

INSEAD has informed me that my application is currently under evaluation. I confess I’m a little anxious. .

I have only applied to INSEAD, so this evaluation is quite important to me. I know I put all my eggs in the same basket, but that was a conscious choice, though risky. Although I am pretty confident in my application, I can´t help feeling nervous while waiting. It’s really more difficult when it is not in my hands anymore…

I still have two weeks until the interview deadline (9 March). It’s a good thing I don´t chew my nails.

On the other front, my wife is finishing her GMAT study. I believe she will be finishing her application anytime soon. I´m glad we are doing this at the same time. Applying to B-schools is so time consuming - with the tests, essays, etc - that we can always support one another and help each other out. 

BV