All About the New INSEAD Video Essay Requirement

A new component of INSEAD’s admissions process for its MBA program is the video essay. INSEAD is the first non-American business school to include a video essay component  in its admissions process.  The video essay  does not replace the face-to-face interview with an INSEAD alumnus it does, however, reduce the number of written essays you applicants are required to submit, replacing a prompt about cultural sensitivity from last  years’ application set. How It Works: After submitting the general INSEAD application, each candidate receives a link to complete four video questions. For each question, you  will have 45 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to answer the prompt. The questions are picked randomly from a bank of 70 questions.  Because the questions are randomized, this  component of the application will allow you to show your personality and ability to think on your feet. Your ability to genuinely present yourself, as well as your English fluency and communication skills, will be extremely  important to these video essays. As with the rest of the application package, your responses will want to show the international outlook and cross-cultural awareness that fits the INSEAD mindset. These include  showing respect and open-mindedness with diverse cultures. Although you do not want your answers to sound too rehearsed, you  may want to prepare some brief examples of previous experiences that highlight your cultural sensitivity, motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and empathy before your answer each question. The video  essay questions  need to be completed between the time you receive your registration confirmation  and one week after the application deadline of the round you are applying to. What You Need: To complete the video essay questions, you will  need to have a good Internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone. Ideally, you should also make available a clean (at least for the space within the camera range) and quiet room for 20-30 minutes of time to film your essay responses in the last thing you need is for the Admissions Committee to be distracted by a cluttered room or a noisy roommate as they watch your video. Dressing up professionally would also be the safe way to go. Overall, enjoy the process (as clichà © as that sounds) as it will help you present your best self  as  someone INSEAD would want to be part of its community. Applying to business school? Call us at 1-800-925-7737 and speak with an MBA admissions expert today, or take our free MBA Admissions Profile Evaluation  for personalized advice for your unique application situation! And as always, be sure to find us on Facebook, YouTube, Google+  and Twitter. Written by Edison Cu, a Veritas Prep Head Consultant for  INSEAD. You can read  more articles by him  here.