Mr. Petroleum Engineer (INSEAD SEP 2020)

MBA & B had this unique process that identifies the candidate’s unique personality traits and helps build the application around it. The framework has unlimited questions which helped me to find out specific anecdotes in my life where I showcased those traits. Once identified, my consultant helped me craft my story so as to deliver the maximum impact. 

I found them to be very quick to respond, honest, and knowledgable. I especially found my consultant very skillful and patient with helping me prepare for mock interviews. Even after our first mock interview, I felt so much more prepared and knowledgeable about how to convey certain stories and how to speak confidently.

MBA & Beyond’s team was far better than other consultants I’ve seen my friends and workmates rely on. My consultant dug deep underneath the surface, remembered critical details about me, and really pushed me to produce great content.

I can 100% vouch for MBA & Beyond and especially recommend them if you are applying to M7.”

HERE WE GIVE YOU GLIMPSE OF ONE ESSAY THAT HAS LED OUR PETROLEUM ENGINEER INTO INSEAD.

ESSAY QUESTION:

Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), 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 (approximately 500 words).

BEFORE:

AFTER THE CONTENT GATHERING FRAMEWORK:

KEY INSIGHTS TO A GREAT ESSAY:

You have read both essays. Now, what difference did the “After” version of the essay make that it got the candidate selected for one of the top business schools of the world? Here are some key insights: 

The flow of Information: In the “after” version, we have a properly structured essay talking first about the life-changing incident then how the candidate outshone, then his quality of introspecting and learning from experiences, and finally implementing them in his life.

How the “After” version gives a better idea of the candidate’s qualities. Often, even if candidates know what schools want, what their values are, they can not align it with their own values or just do not know which incidents to pick to highlight those values to have a maximum impact on the adcoms. Here the role of a consultant comes into play where he should have a strong knowledge of the schools to which you are applying. 

How soul searching helps us find things that we miss out on. In the “after” version we can see the candidate talking about his childhood, his role models, his different experiences. Now blind soul-searching will not help you. You may have a lot of experiences in your life but it’s important to dig-out those experiences and influences that helped you become what you are, shaping the most fundamental values of yours that you follow for the life.

The Presenting and language skills combined with the above techniques. And FYI, this beautiful “after” version did not just come up with one sitting. Just this one essay took 3-4 iterations and many hours to make the best out of the candidate.