Applying to INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business schools, requires more than just a stellar resume and a high GMAT score. The essays you submit are crucial in painting a comprehensive picture of your professional journey, personal development, and future aspirations.
For the 2025 MBA admissions, INSEAD’s essay prompts are designed to delve deep into your career trajectory and motivations for pursuing an MBA.
This article provides detailed analysis, expert tips, and a winning framework to help you craft standout essays that align with what the INSEAD admissions committee is looking for.
Motivation Essays for INSEAD MBA 2025 Intake
The INSEAD MBA program places a strong emphasis on personal growth, self-awareness, and leadership potential.
The Motivation Essays are a crucial part of your application, offering you the opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your professional achievements.
Let’s dive into what the admissions committee is looking for in each of these essays, how to craft a winning response, and some tips to help you stand out.
Motivation Essay 1
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 (maximum 500 words).
What INSEAD’s Admissions Committee Seeks:
In this essay, INSEAD is looking for a deep, introspective understanding of who you are as an individual. The admissions committee wants to see beyond your resume and achievements to get a sense of your personality, values, and the key experiences that have shaped your character.
They are particularly interested in your ability to self-reflect, identify both strengths and weaknesses, and understand how these traits have influenced your life choices and development.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay:
- Introduction – Setting the Stage: Start with a brief introduction that gives an overview of your personal identity. This could be a defining statement about who you are or a unique aspect of your personality that sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
- Strengths and Weaknesses – Balanced Self-Reflection: Dedicate a section to discussing your strengths. Use specific examples to illustrate how these strengths have played out in your personal and professional life. Next, transition into your weaknesses, being honest but also demonstrating your efforts to work on these areas. Avoid the trap of turning a strength into a weakness (e.g., “I’m too much of a perfectionist”).
- Influential Factors – Life-Shaping Experiences: Reflect on the key experiences, people, or environments that have significantly influenced your personal development. Whether it’s your family, cultural background, or a pivotal event, explain how these factors have shaped your values, beliefs, and behaviors.
- Conclusion – Personal Growth and Aspirations: Conclude with how these strengths, weaknesses, and experiences have prepared you for the challenges of the MBA and your future goals. Emphasize your commitment to personal growth and how INSEAD’s environment will help you continue this journey.
Tips for Writing:
- Be Genuine: Authenticity is key. Admissions committees can easily spot insincerity, so be truthful about your strengths and weaknesses.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Use anecdotes and examples to bring your traits and experiences to life. This makes your essay more engaging and relatable.
- Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases and focus on what truly makes you unique.
- Reflect Maturity: Acknowledge your flaws with maturity and demonstrate a proactive approach to self-improvement.
Drop us a line if you’d like to have a chat about your MBA applications – we’d be glad to be of help!
Motivation Essay 2
Consider a situation where you failed to achieve your objective(s). How did you handle failure? What did you learn about yourself and/or your interactions with others from this situation? (maximum 400 words)
What INSEAD’s Admissions Committee Seeks:
This essay is an opportunity for INSEAD to evaluate your resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. The admissions committee wants to understand how you deal with setbacks, your ability to learn from failure, and how you use these experiences to grow personally and professionally. They are looking for self-awareness, accountability, and a positive attitude toward challenges.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay:
- Introduction – The Context: Briefly describe the situation where you failed to achieve your objective. Provide enough context for the reader to understand the significance of the failure, but keep it concise.
- Failure – The Experience: Detail what went wrong and why. Be honest about your role in the failure. Whether it was due to a misjudgment, a lack of preparation, or external factors, owning your mistakes is crucial.
- Handling Failure – Your Response: Discuss how you reacted to the failure. Did you take immediate action to rectify the situation? How did you manage your emotions and the impact on those around you? This section should highlight your resilience and problem-solving skills.
- Learning – The Takeaways: Reflect on what this experience taught you about yourself and your interactions with others. Focus on the lessons learned and how you’ve applied these insights to prevent similar failures in the future. This is your chance to show growth and maturity.
Tips for Writing:
- Be Honest: Don’t downplay the failure or make excuses. The admissions committee values honesty and self-awareness.
- Highlight Growth: Focus more on what you learned from the failure than the failure itself. Show how the experience has made you a better person or leader.
- Be Specific: Avoid vague statements. Clearly describe the actions you took and the lessons you learned.
- Keep it Positive: While the essay is about failure, maintain an optimistic tone by emphasizing personal growth and the positive outcomes of the experience.
PRO TIP: Conclude the essay by highlighting how the lessons you learned can be applied to your MBA journey and in your life/ career post MBA.
Optional Motivation Essay
Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words)
What INSEAD’s Admissions Committee Seeks:
This optional essay is your chance to address any potential gaps or weaknesses in your application or to share something unique that doesn’t fit into the other sections. The admissions committee is looking for any additional information that could strengthen your candidacy or provide context to areas that might raise questions, such as gaps in employment, low test scores, or unusual recommenders.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay:
- Introduction – The Need for This Essay: Start by briefly explaining why you’re writing this essay. If you’re addressing a gap or weakness, acknowledge it upfront.
- Explanation or Additional Information: Provide a clear and concise explanation of the issue or share the unique aspect you want the committee to know. Be straightforward and avoid overly detailed explanations that could detract from the main point.
- Positive Framing – What You’ve Done Since: If addressing a gap or weakness, focus on what you’ve done to mitigate it. For example, if you’re explaining a low GPA, discuss any additional coursework or professional achievements that demonstrate your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.
- Conclusion – Reinforcing Your Candidacy: Conclude by reinforcing your strengths and how this additional information makes you a stronger candidate for INSEAD. Emphasize your commitment to the MBA program and how you’ll contribute to the INSEAD community.
Tips for Writing:
- Be Concise: This essay is optional, so only include it if you have significant information to share. Keep it brief and to the point.
- Don’t Rehash Your Resume: Avoid repeating information that’s already covered elsewhere in your application.
- Be Honest and Direct: If addressing a weakness, own it and explain how you’ve worked to overcome it.
- Use it Wisely: Only write this essay if it adds value to your application. If your application is already strong, it’s okay to leave this essay out.
Career Essays for INSEAD MBA 2025 Intake
INSEAD’s Career essays offer a unique opportunity to showcase your professional journey, career aspirations, and how the INSEAD MBA will propel you forward.
Let’s dive into each of these essay prompts and explore how you can effectively present your story.
Career Essay 1
Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words maximum)
What the INSEAD MBA Admissions Committee Seeks
The first career essay is all about context. INSEAD wants to understand your current role within the larger organizational framework. They’re looking for clarity on what you do, how you contribute, and the impact of your work.
The admissions committee seeks evidence of your leadership potential, problem-solving skills, and your ability to deliver results. They also want to see your level of responsibility and how it aligns with the trajectory of your career growth.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay
- Role Overview: Start with a concise statement about your position and the nature of your work. Mention the department, team, or function you belong to within the organization.
- Key Responsibilities: List 2-3 of your main responsibilities. Focus on those that demonstrate leadership, decision-making, and strategic thinking.
- Impact and Achievements: Highlight specific results you’ve achieved. Use quantifiable metrics where possible, such as revenue growth, cost savings, or successful project completions. If relevant, mention the size of the budget you manage or the number of people you supervise.
- Client/Product Involvement: If your role involves client interaction or product management, briefly mention how you contribute to these areas and any successes you’ve had.
Tips for Writing
- Be Concise and Specific: With only 200 words, every word counts. Avoid general statements and focus on tangible outcomes and specific examples.
- Use Numbers: Quantifying your achievements can significantly enhance your essay. For example, “Led a team of 10 to increase sales by 15% within six months” is far more compelling than “Managed a sales team.”
- Tailor to Your Audience: Remember, the admissions committee might not be familiar with the nuances of your industry. Write clearly and avoid jargon.
PRO TIP: Highlight your differentiating factors e.g. international exposure especially if you have collaborated with teams abroad. INSEAD particularly values this angle.
Career Essay 2
What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words maximum)
What the INSEAD MBA Admissions Committee Seeks
This essay asks you to reflect on your career trajectory and demonstrate self-awareness. The admissions committee wants to see that you have a clear vision of your professional growth and understand the opportunities available within your current organization. They’re also assessing whether your decision to pursue an MBA is well-considered and aligns with your long-term career goals.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay
- Current Career Path: Begin by briefly acknowledging your current role and the typical next step within your organization. This shows that you’re on a recognized career path.
- Next Position: Clearly state the position you would likely move into next. Describe the responsibilities and how they would differ from your current role. This could include increased leadership responsibilities, larger budgets, or more strategic decision-making.
- Alignment with Career Goals: Explain how this next step aligns with your long-term career goals. Even though you’re discussing a hypothetical promotion, it’s essential to show that this role would be a stepping stone in your career development.
Tips for Writing
- Show Ambition: While you’re discussing a role within your current company, it’s important to convey ambition. Highlight how the new role would challenge you and help you grow.
- Be Realistic: Don’t overreach. The role you describe should be a logical next step based on your current experience and performance.
- Link to MBA Goals: Subtly hint at why an MBA is a better option than staying on your current path. For example, you could mention the need for broader business knowledge or international experience that your current company cannot provide.
Drop us a line if you’d like to have a chat about your MBA applications – we’d be glad to be of help!
Career Essay 3
Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words maximum)
What the INSEAD MBA Admissions Committee Seeks
INSEAD wants to see how your career has evolved since graduation, the choices you’ve made, and the logic behind those decisions. They’re interested in understanding your career progression, any strategic pivots, and how your experiences have prepared you for an MBA. The admissions committee also looks for consistency and alignment between your past experiences and your future aspirations.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay
- Career Overview: Start with your first job out of university, then briefly describe each subsequent role. Focus on key transitions, promotions, and shifts in your career path.
- Rationale for Decisions: For each career move, explain why you made that choice. Did you move for greater responsibility, to gain new skills, or to enter a different industry? Show that your career progression has been intentional and strategic.
- Key Achievements: Highlight major accomplishments in each role, especially those that demonstrate growth, leadership, and impact. This will help the admissions committee see the trajectory of your success.
- Preparation for MBA: Conclude by briefly connecting your career journey to your decision to pursue an MBA. This sets the stage for the next essay where you’ll discuss your aspirations.
Tips for Writing
- Be Chronological: Stick to a chronological format to ensure clarity. This also helps the reader follow the natural progression of your career.
- Focus on Transitions: Emphasize the moments when you made significant career decisions. This helps demonstrate your strategic thinking and self-awareness.
- Show Growth: Highlight how each role has contributed to your personal and professional growth. This shows the admissions committee that you’re someone who is constantly evolving and seeking new challenges.
PRO TIP: Discuss any instances where you’ve demonstrated entrepreneurial traits, such as initiative, innovation, or risk-taking. INSEAD particularly values candidates who exhibit an entrepreneurial mindset and are proactive in seeking opportunities.
Career Essay 4
Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words maximum)
What the INSEAD MBA Admissions Committee Seeks
This prompt is about clarity and focus. INSEAD wants to know that you have a well-defined career plan and that their MBA is an essential part of that plan. They’re looking for candidates who have a clear vision of what they want to achieve in the short and long term and who understand how INSEAD’s program will help them get there.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay
- Short-Term Goals: Start with a concise statement of your immediate post-MBA goal. Be specific about the industry, function, and role you’re aiming for.
- Long-Term Vision: Briefly describe your ultimate career aspiration. This should be ambitious yet realistic, showing your long-term vision.
- INSEAD’s Role: Conclude by mentioning how INSEAD’s MBA will help you achieve these goals. This could be through specific courses, global exposure, or the school’s network.
Optional Essay
If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
What the INSEAD MBA Admissions Committee Seeks
The optional essay is your chance to address any gaps in your employment or to explain your plans if you intend to leave your job before starting the MBA program. The admissions committee is looking for proactive planning and purposeful use of your time. They want to see that even outside of a traditional work environment, you’re continuing to grow, learn, and prepare for the next phase of your career.
Framework to Write a Winning Essay
- Explanation of Gap: If you’re not currently working, briefly explain the reason. This could be due to a personal choice, an industry shift, or a planned transition.
- Activities and Occupations: Detail how you’ve been or will be spending your time. This could include professional development, volunteer work, travel, or other meaningful activities.
- Preparation for MBA: Conclude by mentioning how these activities are helping you prepare for the MBA program. Show that you’re using this time productively to ensure you hit the ground running when you start at INSEAD.
Tips for Writing
- Be Honest: If there’s a gap, address it head-on. Don’t try to hide it, but rather show how you’ve used this time to your advantage.
- Show Proactivity: Emphasize how you’re taking initiative during this period. Whether you’re learning new skills, exploring industries, or contributing to your community, show that you’re being proactive.
- Tie to MBA Preparation: Always bring it back to how this time is preparing you for your MBA journey. This shows foresight and commitment to your future goals.
Final Thoughts: INSEAD MBA Essays for 2025 Intake
Writing your INSEAD MBA essays is a journey of self-discovery and strategic storytelling.
By following the analysis and tips provided, you can craft essays that not only highlight your professional achievements and personal growth but also clearly demonstrate your fit with INSEAD’s values and programs.
Remember, the goal is to create a narrative that is both authentic and compelling, ensuring that your application stands out in the highly competitive admissions process.
With thoughtful preparation and a clear strategy, you can present a strong case for why you belong in the INSEAD MBA Class of 2025.
Drop us a line if you’d like to have a chat about your MBA applications – we’d be glad to be of help!