What are the Most Common Mistakes in INSEAD MBA Essays?

When applying to INSEAD's prestigious MBA program, your essays play an important role in determining your success. According to Sadaf Raza, INSEAD alumna and official interviewer for INSEAD Business School in London, many qualified candidates sabotage their chances by making common yet avoidable mistakes in their essays. 

These errors often stem from underestimating the depth and strategic thinking required for a successful application. For more comprehensive guidance on the INSEAD MBA application process, visit our detailed guide to INSEAD MBA essays.

Why do applicants often rush their INSEAD MBA essays and how can this be avoided?

The pressure of balancing career demands with application deadlines leads many candidates to underestimate the time needed for crafting compelling essays. This rushed approach is one of the most common and damaging mistakes.

The most common misconception among busy applicants is thinking the INSEAD application is simply "like filling a form." Many accomplished executives don't anticipate the depth of reflection and preparation required.

Even candidates with impressive professional backgrounds are often shocked when rejected, not realizing that rushing their application was evident to the admissions committee. As Sadaf observed with one particularly qualified candidate: 

"Applicants are often surprised when they think that they will get in based on their strong credentials, but they don't. It's because they didn't put in the work in the application. It's not enough to be a good match for a program. You have to demonstrate that in your application. Sometimes candidates think that Admissions Committees will look them up on LinkedIn and it'll be enough, but it’s not. You have to write original essays really well and take the time to show them how committed you are.  Sometimes they rush that process because they think, “I've already proven myself in the world; they should be happy to have me.” I was recently contacted by somebody who got rejected from a top European School even though his work experience is really impressive, and he was shocked about what had happened to him. It's just because he had  these very important work meetings, and had rushed his application, and it showed."

To avoid this mistake:

• Begin your application process at least 2-3 months before deadlines

• Create a detailed timeline for each application component

• Schedule dedicated time blocks for essay drafting and revision

• Consider working with someone who can provide strategic guidance

Remember: "It's not enough to be a good match for a program. You have to demonstrate that in your application...you have to write those essays really well and take the time to show them how committed you are."

How important is self-reflection in INSEAD MBA essays, and what happens when it's missing?

Insufficient self-reflection is a critical weakness that the INSEAD admissions committee readily identifies in essays.

Sadaf emphasizes that "the first thing that makes a huge difference is the amount of time applicants have spent in self-reflection. You really need to think about what your skills and assets are. And I'm surprised how often people are not so well aware beyond the obvious ones."

The admission committee wants to see that "you really know yourself, are aware of what your weaknesses are, what your failures are, and your areas of development." Many applicants either avoid these topics, address them superficially, or present them in a concerning way.

Essays lacking authentic self-reflection typically:

• Focus exclusively on accomplishments without insight

• Present a perfect image without vulnerability

• Fail to connect experiences to personal growth

• Miss opportunities to demonstrate emotional intelligence

Successful applicants distinguish themselves by doing "all of the investigative and planning and strategy" work before writing, while unsuccessful ones approach the application as part of their self-discovery journey. "The successful candidates are the ones who have already hit the ground running and will just implement. And so you really need to do that work before you begin."

How should applicants approach discussing weaknesses or failures in INSEAD MBA essays?

Many candidates damage their applications by avoiding or mishandling discussions of weaknesses and failures, not realizing this demonstrates maturity and self-awareness to the admissions committee.

Addressing weaknesses requires finesse: "A lot of people try to go around their issues, and I try to explain to them that the admissions committee is very well trained to spot the issues. It takes a second."

Sadaf warns against omission: "Nothing can be hidden from them, you're hoping they'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but they actually assume the worst if something is missing in the information presented."

For effectively discussing weaknesses, Sadaf recommends what she calls the "bandage approach":

"If you have to talk about weakness...you quickly and outright say what it is first so you're not beating around the bush. And then you talk about what you've done since then to improve and how it's won’t be a concern going forward, but you have to take it on the chin first. You can't try and go around it."

This direct yet constructive approach demonstrates honesty, self-awareness, and growth mindset—all qualities INSEAD values in its community.

Why do applicants struggle with articulating clear goals in INSEAD MBA essays?

Vague or unconvincing career goals represent another common weakness in INSEAD MBA essays, often indicating insufficient preparation.

According to Sadaf, the issue often begins before an applicant even thinks about their career goals; it starts with a lack of deep self-reflection. Without this foundational work, articulating specific and coherent career objectives is a significant challenge.

This difficulty typically stems from:

• Insufficient industry research

• Fear of committing to a specific path

• Lack of clarity about their own strengths and values

• Focusing solely on what sounds impressive rather than authentic goals

The key distinction is preparation. Successful applicants, she explains, "have done all of the investigation, planning, and strategy, and they're ready for execution." Unsuccessful ones, by contrast, are thinking they're going to use the MBA process to figure out their direction.

While INSEAD only provides 100 words for the written career goals essay, don't be misled by this brevity. The admissions committee will thoroughly examine your career plans during the interview stage. Even with limited space in your application, you must develop comprehensive, well-researched goals that you can articulate and defend when questioned. Candidates who fail to prepare sufficiently often struggle during interviews where career aspirations are explored in much greater depth.

How can applicants effectively demonstrate their fit with INSEAD's global mindset in their essays?

Many applicants make superficial references to INSEAD's international character without genuinely demonstrating alignment with this core value.

International motivation and experience is one of INSEAD's three key admissions criteria, alongside leadership potential and fit with the school community. This makes it particularly important to weave concrete examples of your international mindset throughout your essays. The admissions committee looks for evidence that you can thrive in INSEAD's diverse environment and contribute meaningfully to cross-cultural discussions.

To effectively show your fit with INSEAD's global orientation:

• Highlight concrete international experiences, not just travel

• Demonstrate cross-cultural communication and adaptation skills

• Connect your global interests to INSEAD's specific multinational offerings

• Articulate how INSEAD's diversity will enhance your leadership development

Rather than generic statements about globalization, show personal connection to this value and how you'll contribute to and benefit from INSEAD's international community.

What do successful INSEAD MBA essays do differently regarding structure and storytelling?

The structure and storytelling approach in your essays can significantly impact their effectiveness. Many applicants dilute their impact with poor storytelling techniques.

Your essays should clearly position you as the protagonist in each story, with emphasis on your decision-making process, leadership approach, and the quantifiable impact of your actions.

Common structural mistakes include:

• Excessive background information that dilutes your role

• Insufficient emphasis on your decision-making process

• Lack of concrete, measurable outcomes

• Stories that don't connect to larger themes in your application

• Failing to show progression across experiences

For the candid description essay, which many consider the most important and challenging of INSEAD's essays, consider a chronological approach that weaves your strengths and weaknesses into your personal journey. This essay gives you the opportunity to showcase dimensions beyond your professional achievements and academic credentials. For your extracurricular activities essay, focus not just on what activities you've participated in, but how these experiences have enriched you and shaped your perspectives.

Successful INSEAD essays maintain focus on your actions, leadership moments, and measurable achievements while demonstrating how these experiences have shaped your professional identity and goals.

For expert guidance on crafting compelling INSEAD MBA essays that avoid these common pitfalls, consider working with a specialized admissions consultant. Ready to take your INSEAD application to the next level? Apply now to work with Sadaf Raza, INSEAD alumna and expert admissions consultant at Leadearly.