INSEAD's 10 month program is less than half as long as most other top MBA programs. Such a shame that the tuition fees aren't adjusted accordingly!
There are the obvious advantages:
- less time out of the workforce
- less redundancy for those of us with business backgrounds
The are serious disadvantages:
- Shallow courses: the myth goes that we learn everything the other schools teach in half the time....while we probably are assigned readings on everything the other programs teach, there is no way we come away with the same depth of knowledge as students who have twice as much time to absorb the material and work on applying it. The periods here are so intense that we are lucky to be able to do a fraction of the assigned readings, let alone really get a firm grasp on all of it.
- Shallow networks: while we all make great friendships with a handful of people, it seems like I'm just getting to know many others when campus swaps means I may never cross paths with them again.
- No time to spare career wise: you needed to be ready to tell IBs exactly why you wanted to be a banker from day one of the program. If you missed that opportunity, you had approximately 5 months to polish up your "I wanna be a consultant" speech and practice calculating how many ping pong balls fit into a 747. For me, I'm desperately trying to iron out a workable entrepreneurial idea, probably at risk of not being critical enough given the lack of time to develop plans B, C, & D.
- No time to explore interests: from clubs to careers to electives, if you want a chance to look around and feel out what is best for you....too late, you really needed to have that figured out a month ago.
11 comments:
Cry more, please. If you're so set against your own school, why did you go there in the first place?
If you have nothing but negative perspectives to share about your experience, do us all a favor and just end it.
Sorry mate, this is my blog which means I can post whatever I like. If you prefer to hear only the sugar coated version of life, stop reading blogs and stick to traditional media (FYI, I think you can find your fairytale version of the MBA life on most schools' webpages). Fortunately, most MBAs are a bit critical minded and probably some of the other prospective students appreciate one person's realistic view.
Glad to see so many INSEAD bloggers - keep posting.
As a recent INSEAD alum, I just wanted to chip in with my $0.02. I found myself thinking in a similar vein halfway through the year. I now realize that I was too much in the middle of the maelstorm to form an unbiased opinion. Take a deep breath, think about what *YOU* want to get out of INSEAD and plan your time accordingly. I figured that friendships, a career change and tangible learning were my priorities (in that order). Evaluating my year at INSEAD by these goals that I had set for myself midway, I would now say that I had a great time.
Good luck!
RV
Class of Dec 2007
RV, thanks for commenting. Your statement about identifying personal objectives is so relevant. There are really so many fantastic things to become immersed in here that focus is key. I finally forced myself to review and update my objectives while on the P2-P3 break. I had this fear come over me that with the pace of the program, July would arrive in a flash and there was a real threat that, without focus, I could fail to achieve anything great. So, my priorities are 1-build resources for entrepreneurial career (incl. business partners, an idea, established contacts) 2-build amazing friendships 3-build a broad network 4-learn something.
Le blog de hog, thanks a lot for the real-life post.
Actually, not many bloggers address the point about “life after INSEAD”, which is most crucial for me in determining a school, and in this case I consider your post very valuable.
Could you please provide me with the more insight on this question? As our goals and views are almost the same, I will be pleased to hear from you - in all conscience – will you be confident to answer the questions below after graduating from INSEAD? Will you receive enough knowledge in INSEAD to answer these questions?
How to manage the company which double-triple-quadruple-quintuple in size annually and to preserve profitability and stability at the same time?
How to calculate whether a launch of a new product will be profitable (or beneficial) and how to evaluate new business purchase appeal?
How to adopt an effective accounting and managerial accounting system which will allow to evaluate real profitability of the company or to adequately calculate manufacturing cost of specific products or services?
How to build effective organization structure of the group of companies and obtain the synergy effect and not the “push and pull” effect?
How to attract capital, extremely necessary for the expansion of production and not to lose flexibility in decision making at the same time?
What to do in order that a company with 3000 employees remains key features of yesterday’s company with 30 employees? How to grow, keep and motivate your best employees?
How to ensure competitive advantage to your company in a new highly competitive market place, when old connections already do not work and usual (habitual) monopoly abolished? Why your, objectively most qualitative product on the market, is selling heavily in comparison with competitor’s product?
When it is necessary to conspire explicitly / implicitly with competitors instead of wasting money in unreasonable activity (fighting)?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Y
Love your blog! After visiting INSEAD and talking with a lot of students and alumni, I come to agree with you on all your points. INSEAD is good if you know EXACTLY where you want to end up after graduation (like consulting or ibanking), there is no time to reflect, which is unfortunate. Or one could reflect and not interview with the above mentioned. I am sure with a clear mind, good resume and determination one can land a job 2-3 months after graduation.
after Period 1, I would agree with most that you have commented. It is unfortunate that we can't have proper information gathering time before we have to start 'networking' with company representatives and facing recruiters, particularly for those who wish to secure a finance internship.
Having said that, I would then advise future INSEAD students to research on the sector and job functions before INSEAD school term commences. You can find so much information online, and can approach current students.
With regard to friendship building. The facts are that most of us will work in so many different countries (we are so diverse), have little time for student club activities, will see different people at different campus, probably don't get to have much 'real' conversations.
On the other hand, are we still in close contacts with many undergraduate friends with whom we spend 3-years together?
It apparently is much better at the Singapore campus, where activities are not 'exclusive' and held in close proximity of where we live.
we shall see how we will conclude our 1 year here when graduation comes.
Check out my new INSEAD blog.....
http://greek-entrepreuneur.blogspot.com
i would have to disagree with most of your comments here. this ofcourse is from my experience at INSEAD and I realise that you might think differently.
I LOVED most of the courses and learned all I need to know.
I made great friends at INSEAD and knew many from my promotion very well. The INSEAD network continues to serve me well after graduation. No matter which place in the world I go to, there are always alumni ther to hang out with.
INSEAD people love to have a good time and explore their very diverse interests. Time might have been less, but most people had rich extracurriculars.
I do agree that, especially in the september promotion, time to explore various careers is less.
i think resipsa provides a more balanced view.
http://resipsainsead.blogspot.com/2008/02/turning-that-frown.html
Hi Y,
Wow, that is a seriously long question...maybe you haven't read my post about lack of time :)
Anyway, I'm far too lazy to answer all of your specific questions, but I can safely say that you would be able to have all of these types of things covered in an MBA program like the one here at INSEAD. If not in the abundance of courses themselves, then by meeting individually with professors and or alumni, both of which I find extremely approachable and happy to help inside and outside of the classroom.
Hope that helps!
Hi Le Blog Hog,
In serious school serious people tend to ask serious questions =)
My questions are focused on the serious decision to be made: INSEAD MBA vs Chicago GSB EMBA =) (I don’t have an admit from INSEAD though at this point of time).
Thanks anyway for giving a time for answering my question, but may I please ask you once again to give your own personal perception of your entrepreneurial future – do you feel confident now (!) to start your own business than before (!) INSEAD MBA? Please, do not take into account courses like Blue Ocean Strategy (90% is in a book), New Business Ventures, your first 100 days, accounting, etc … From my personal point of view - startup is more about Business Development, interpersonal skills and network (a bit right connections) – the best example might be the Schindler’s List movie. Could you please rank (!) [ i.e. 4/10] how did INSEAD help (is helping) you to approach your “happiness in life” if you thought about this aspect at some point in your life?
Thanks in advance.
BR,
Y
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