INSEAD

 

INSEAD - Application Deadlines for 2025-2026 / Class of 2028

Round 1

Application Deadline: September 16, 2025

Decision Notification: November 21, 2025

Round 2

Application Deadline: November 4, 2025

Decision Notification: January 16, 2026

Round 3

Application Deadline: January 20, 2026

Decision Notification: March 20, 2026

Round 4

Application Deadline: March 10, 2026

Decision Notification: May 8, 2026

To be considered for a given round, all application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM (23:59) Central Europe Time / French Time.

The following are the main essay questions on the 2025-2026 / Class of 2028 INSEAD MBA application:

JOB DESCRIPTION ESSAYS

Essay 1:

Provide a summary of your career since graduating from university, explaining the rationale behind your key decisions and career progression. Include a description of your current (or most recent) role, covering the scope of your work, major responsibilities, employees under your supervision, budget size, clients/products, and any notable results achieved. (500 words, maximum)

Essay 2:

Describe your short and long-term career aspirations, including your target geography, industry, and function. How do you plan to bridge the gap between your current position and these goals, and how will INSEAD help you achieve them? (300 words, maximum)

MOTIVATION ESSAYS

Essay : 1

Give a candid description of yourself as a person and a leader, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses you recognize in yourself. Explain how you are actively working on your development, sharing key experiences that have shaped you, providing specific examples where relevant. (500 words maximum)

Essay 2:

Describe a highly stressful situation you faced and how you managed it. What did this experience teach you about yourself and your interactions with others? (400 words maximum)

Optional:

Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words, maximum)

Video Essay:

Shortly after submitting this application form, you will receive a link to a video interview. This video component is required to start the evaluation of your application. Please submit the video interview at your earliest convenience and no later than 48 hours after the deadline to which you are applying. Once submitted, the video interviews cannot be modified. Therefore, please ensure that you carefully test your devices before starting the exercise.

We are keen on getting to know you better and believe that through a video you can come to life, so be spontaneous, be creative and be yourself!

Visit the INSEAD admissions website for more application information.

Disclaimer: the information provided on this page is for reference only. Applicants are strongly advised to visit the admissions website link provided above to confirm essay prompts, deadlines, and other application information.