Dive into the firsthand experiences of current INSEAD MIM to get the inside scoop about what it’s like to study a Master’s in Management at INSEAD. You’ll gain insider advice and learn about the school’s application process and its strong focus on career development.
If you are considering a Master in Management (MIM) program, you should note that its application process works a little differently than an MBA program. While MBAs are usually designed for students with significant business experience, MIM programs cater to students who want to launch a business career. MIMs often require little to no professional experience from applicants. But this means there is greater weight on other facets of the application, such as academic performance, motivation behind applying, and stated future goals. Additionally, volunteering, associations, and extra-curricular activities can take the place of work experience.
INSEAD (the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires), is a business school located in Fontainebleau, France, but with campuses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi (UAE), and a hub in San Francisco (US). The admissions criteria used for INSEAD’s MIM, a relatively new but competitive master’s program, consist of “academic performance,” “ability to contribute,” and “international motivation.” Application requirements include:
Divyanshu, an INSEAD MIM student from India, started preparing his application a long time before he was accepted. His main application tip is to start preparing for your GMAT or GRE prep as early as possible.
“Start your GMAT or GRE prep early, and by early, I mean it’s best if you do it in your undergrad. Because once you’re out of your undergrad, you start losing touch [because] you have all of those different responsibilities to juggle.” (34:30)
András, a Hungarian-German bilingual INSEAD MiM student from Budapest, sheds light on how the admission process is broader than mere academic or professional credentials.
“INSEAD enables you to be part of this program, even though you don’t have the highest GMAT or you don’t have the most internship experience,” he says. “They really look at your profile holistically, and they take into account how much motivation you have at the moment and how much future potential you have – not what you’ve done in the past.” (42:42)
Rather than demanding professional achievements, INSEAD MIM expects you to be open-minded, contribute to class discussions, and work well in diverse groups. Having an international outlook with the ability to work in a multicultural environment will also increase your chances of being accepted.
We’ve spoken to a number of students who have passed through the INSEAD MIM since it launched in 2020, and one word always appears in our conversations: ‘international.’ The school is a melting pot of diversity, with more than 35 nationalities making up the latest INSEAD MIM cohort.
At INSEAD, you’ll start meeting new people from new countries before the program even starts. The school’s main campus is located in Fontainebleau, a quaint town on the outskirts of Paris surrounded by a beautiful forest. Historically, the Château of Fontainebleau was one of the favorite residences of the French kings and emperors. This small town locale leads to many students opting for spacious shared housing over compact individual apartments. András recalls how living with fellow students greatly enriched his time at INSEAD.
“I accidentally booked an apartment in one of these [shared] houses, and it turned out that all of the 15 people living there are from our program,” he says. “And it turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve ever made… You always have somebody in the living room to watch a series with or to discuss some details from the homework. I can really recommend this option.” (24:55)
But you don’t have to share a house with 15 people to get the same experience. Sophie, an INSEAD MIM student from the Netherlands, adds that because Fontainebleau is such a small town, “even if you live alone, you kind of live together because everybody’s so close.” It’s a close-knit community in Fontainebleau. (25:55)
You’ll continue to mix with people from other countries once you start the program. INSEAD MIM students are placed into what’s known as a home group. You’ll take your initial modules with this group, as well as further modules throughout the year. Students will join several different groups throughout the program, fostering teamwork and honing their soft skills.
“It’s really a collaboration of students together,” says Camille, a half-French, half-American INSEAD MIM student who grew up in Singapore. “When someone is an expert in one field, they’ll help the other members of the group to try and understand how to complete the task. It’s a really nice way to confirm your studies and what you’re learning here through students [and] not only the professors, which is really, really nice.” (08:47)
INSEAD is doing more than teaching; it’s cultivating a collaborative multicultural ethos that its students will carry forward into their professional and personal lives.
The INSEAD MIM may only be a few years old, but the program’s first employment report has already arrived. The results are certainly promising for prospective students. A whopping 99% of the 2021 class secured job offers within three months post-graduation, boasting an average salary of $55,400. Notably, two-thirds of these graduates secured positions through INSEAD alumni or the school’s dedicated Career Development Center. Camille highlights the significant role securing future employment plays in the program.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays are days dedicated to your career development and [job] applications because I think there’s a realization of how much time is needed to apply,” she explains. “There’s a lot of guest speakers who come in to help us on those days, and that’s been very interesting and very different to other experiences I’ve had.” (30:29)
MIM programs are about launching a career in business. INSEAD MIM understands that and focuses heavily on career development.
It’s easy to look at INSEAD, its reputation, and its ranking, and decide it must be the right school for you. But you should try to look beyond the surface. What’s more important is finding a school that aligns with your own values. That may be at INSEAD – but it might not be.
“It’s not only you deciding how the school curriculum is or what are the opportunities it offers,” adds Divynashu. “It’s also about you fitting in with the school’s culture and the environment that it fosters. I think that is really important.” (34:05)
For these INSEAD MIM students, the program delivered on every level. You can find out more about INSEAD on their school profile.
