Mr. Consulting Dream

Your international experience, having lived in four cities across two countries in North America and Africa will be very appealing to INSEAD. So will your 760 GMAT, well above the 709 class average. And the fact that you were captain and founder of an amateur men’s soccer team add to your candidacy. A Big Four background and, more importantly, your big win incorporating data and analytics into audit testing is a real advantage at a time when MBA programs are putting more and more emphasis on data analytics and more companies are demanding that skill in their hires. Plus, your post-MBA goal is ideal for INSEAD which places a sizable chunk of its more than 1,000 graduates a year in the consulting industry. I really see little reason why INSEAD wouldn’t embrace you with open arms.

Hello Mr. Consulting Dream! Krista Nannery from mbaMission here.
So firstly, in my experience, b-schools don’t get enough South African candidates. So while that won’t be the thing that gets you into b-school, it will help you stand out in this competitive process. (That along with that 760!)
I have three worries for you:
1. A one-school strategy with INSEAD is tough. I’d prefer if you had more options just in case this is the year that the whole world applies to INSEAD. (With more stringent US visa restrictions, this is a possibility.)
2. Your GPA is lower than I’d like it to be. You’ve done the right thing in nailing the GMAT but if you have the luxury of time, consider completing Math for Management at the Haas Extension Program. (Online, self-paced.) It signals to the AdCom that you know your weaknesses and are a proactive person in addressing them. Then, write the optional essay and let b-schools know why the 3.1 happened and why it’s not indicative of the person that you are today.
3. INSEAD tends to favor more experienced candidates. I believe their average years of WE is 8. I’ve seen all sorts of people be successful, but this is where I come back to widening your school selection just in case. (There may just be some confusion with the data entry here because I see you are 29 but then you say you only have 3.5 years of WE.)
I hope that helps!
Krista

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. Lots of things to like in your profile! For starters, being from South Africa is a plus and living in other places adds to your strong global experience. Your high GMAT will serve you well at INSEAD and wherever else you apply. I love to see that you’re a supervisor because you can show not only technical financial skills but management and people skills as well. I’m sure you have stories to share about some of the challenges you’ve experienced managing people, which plenty of candidates don’t have yet. You might want to have your recommenders speak to your leadership ability with your direct reports to highlight these important skills. Be sure to explain how consulting will help you reach your future goal so it shows you’ve thought about it rather than just following the herd. Also try to weave in your extracurriculars to show how they contribute to your growth and/or interests. You are well-positioned for INSEAD. Good luck!