Hello fellow Find MBA users,

I was hoping to get some insight into my application, and I have had a chance to review various message threads on the site.

I was hoping I could receive some insight into the potential of having my application accepted at one of the following MBA programs in Europe: 1. HEC Paris 2. INSEAD 3. IMD

GMAT: 1st attempt - 690 (Q46, V40)

Education: BA in Criminology

Current Employment: 3 years in non-profit management, overseeing 3 full-time staff, 4 par-time staff, and over 500 volunteers with annual volunteer hours of nearly 10,000 hrs. Raise millions annually, and serve as the head of events, PR/Communications, and database.

Background: From Canada; lived in 4 continents; traveled to 30+ countries; worked post grad for 1 year in Africa starting a non-profit; worked post grad for six months within my university's international education department prior to leaving for Africa; worked as senior research associate during university, in student government at all levels, fundraised nearly $100,000 to fund a housing project and led dozens of students on the ground during the project; initiated and ran multiple conferences at university; worked 4 years in family import/export company (small company, mainly exporting from china to Canada and Iran); do not speak French, but wife is French, and I can definitely pick up a language in 12-16 months as I can learn anything I put my mind to; willing to work anywhere in the world.

Undertaking an MBA in order to change industry, region, and role. Super intrigued in HEC Paris due to their Strategy specialization, and I know an alumni from INSEAD who speaks highly of the program. My wife has applied to HEC Paris for their masters program, hence why my 1st choice is HEC Paris.

Any advice that would allow me to increase my chances would be greatly appreciated. Planning on applying in the upcoming forth round.

[Edited by IdeaDriven on Mar 01, 2017]

What are your career goals? Your background is not especially interesting or valuable to IMD and Insead recruiters, even if you had more experience and a better GMAT.

You sound like a much better fit for ESCP or the Sciences Po one year masters.

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 01, 2017]

I can definitely score higher on GMAT if necessary (~720).

I hope to complete mba to transition to corporate management at international company. Hope to position myself for executive roles within 5 years of graduation. Not interested in masters programs at the moment.

HEC Paris recruitment encouraged me to apply, so long as my gmat score was close to their 690 average.

Aren't all jobs at companies "corporate". Do you have a specific goal? Location? Role? Function.

The MBA is a masters, of course.

To clarify, I mean that my experience to date is in non-profit or governmental organization, and I hope to transition to a multinational for profit company, at a management level. I excel at leading people, initiating change, and putting my vision into practice.

My specific location is Europe for at least 3-5 years, and ultimately back in Canada sometime in the future, as I am from Vancouver. I want to achieve a higher level of strategic approach, and would like to attain roles in one of the following areas: general management, consulting & corporate strategy, sales & operation, or finance (though corporate strategy is most in line with my interest).

I see that a lot of MBA programs are looking to have students with diverse education and career backgrounds, international work experience, and cultural awareness, and I feel that I fit the description.

[Edited by IdeaDriven on Mar 01, 2017]

I think you'd do best to go through the placement reports for the schools you're interested in, and just see if the companies that recruit those MBAs are interesting to you.

HEC Paris for instance tends to place in finance/consulting/tech firms - Amazon, ATKearney, Deloitte, etc.

Insead is more known as a platform for those looking to ramp-up in consulting or sometimes switch into the field from another.

I think what Duncan was getting at is that a lot of these business schools look at applicants from the perspective of the companies that hire from them - i.e. a Big Three consulting firm might be looking for people who already have some experience in consulting.