INSEAD: Applying for September 2014 versus January 2015 Intakes
Jan, 25, 2014
The question of applying to INSEAD for January versus September intakes always comes up, but at this time (January 2014), the issue is further complicated by the change in essay content (something I will discuss at the end of the post). Given that the Round Three September 2014 application (Class of July 2015) is due on March 5, 2014 and the Round One January 2015 (Class of December 2015) is due on March 21, 2014, there will be many applicants who would be ready to apply for either intake. The basic difference in terms of the program between the September and January intake is stated clearly on the INSEAD website:
What are the differences between the September and January intakes?
The curriculum, course structure, class size and composition, and campus exchange opportunities are identical for the September and January intakes. The primary difference is that if you choose to begin in September, you will complete the MBA in ten consecutive months. If you choose to begin in January you will have a two-month summer break during which you can pursue an internship or other endeavours.
For my own clients, the internship has clearly been a major reason for choosing the January start. Also beyond having an internship, the additional two months does extend the MBA experience a bit and create some additional breathing room before returning to a career.
Other reasons for choosing January or September might have to do with timing, such as when they want to leave work, company sponsorship for their degree, or major life events (birth of a child, marriage). Sometimes it is simply a question of application timing.
Another major consideration, which is likely to running through the minds of those considering whether to apply for Round Three for September 2014 or for Round One for January 2015 is the chance for admission. Since the September and January intake are equal in size and composition and are equally competitive, this is simply an issue of applying Round 3 versus Round 1. INSEAD states that the chance for admission is the same for all rounds, but if you want scholarships apply in Round 1 or Round 2:
Working with large number of clients who have been admitted to INSEAD (27 since I began my own consulting business and additional admits between 2001 and 2007 when I was working for a consulting service), I can say the above statements by INSEAD align completely with what I have observed. While I assume on the margins it might be harder for applicants coming from very large pools like Indian male in an IT position, I have had such clients admitted in Round 3. I have never noticed any real distinction between the rounds or January versus September when it comes to chances for admission. That said, selecting January 2015 Round 1 is better than September Round 3 if you want to maximize your chances for a scholarship.
Another consideration would be the essays. Please see my posts on the January 2015, September 2014, and repurposing September 2014 essays for a January 2015 application. Frankly, I think this is a real mixed bag and it is not obvious which essay set is easier in general. If you have already written the September 2014 essays and are happy with them, don’t care so much about scholarships, and prefer starting in September, I would suggest applying for the September intake. If you are either in the midst of writing or have not started and want to increase your chances for a scholarship, want an internship, or have other timing considerations that favor the January intake, January is a better choice. If I was discussing this issue with client who was completely indifferent to a January or September start, I would assess what kind of essay content they have and use that as the basis for my advice.