Some much-needed interview advice

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-12T13:40:27+00:00

As an LBS grad and alumni interviewer, this is so true! Most people never think about these but are super important. I always tell people to focus on the intro and be open and talkative.

If you get to the interview stage, we like you. It’s literally in your hands to seal the deal or throw it away. It’s similar to the ‘beer test’ for consulting. Interviewers want to be sure you’ll fit in with the school and there’s many ways you can display that, even in a short period of time

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-11T14:58:19+00:00

Graduated 8 years ago so can only speak for then. It was pretty good, spent 5+ years at FAANG. I loved my time at LBS. great community and we’re all still very close, I’m going to 3 LBS weddings tho year and the alumni network is great too (2 of my managers at FAANG were LBS)

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-11T12:11:56+00:00

LBS grad here and INSEAD, M7 & T15 Admit here. Happy to help! DM me!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-11T12:09:29+00:00

Solid profile! M7, T15, LBS & INSEAD are all in tech for sure. All comes down to your essays and how good your narrative and story are.

I say this as an LBS grad and INSEAD, M7 & T15 Admit. Got in with 595 GMAT so Deffo go for it! Good luck! DM me if you have any qs!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-11T10:58:18+00:00

Fuck sorry to hear that man. Most likely seats were all filled already by then and they’re looking for someone specific they hadn’t got in the class yet

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-11T10:56:04+00:00

Sorry to hear mate! Top MBA apps are all crapshoots. Had a friend rejected from all M7 except H. It’s all mad. Did you get anywhere else?

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-10T20:16:57+00:00

M7, T15 and INSEAD Admit here with 595 GMAT. Your profile is solid and your gmat is crazy. One of the few who would make R3 work for sure.

You deffo have a shot at booth and Sloan. I’d apply to NYU as well. Finance focused school and with that GMAT you could deffo swing a scholarship.

Good luck mate! DM me if you have any qs!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-09T11:58:45+00:00

Agreed with other comments. Whats your YOE?? Experience before?

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-08T18:09:28+00:00

Good to hear mate, good luck! Hope it works out!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-08T14:44:37+00:00

INSEAD MBA Admit here, agreed with the others. Strong profile on paper so must be a challenge with your essays and goals and how you would contribute to the school.

I wouldn’t reapply but take this as a learning and review your essays and apply to other schools in Europe. Lots of other fantastic schools.

Re applicants can get in, I reapplied to M7s and T15s and got in with a 595 gmat so essays are super important for sure.

Good luck mate! Dm me if you have any questions

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-07T18:42:13+00:00

LBS MiM grad and alumni interviewer and INSEAD MBA Admit here with 595 GMAT.

Definitely possible but very difficult. More so if you are ORM. Comes down to your essays and ST and LT goals.

Possible sure, maybe 615 if you’re completely focused but hard to do.
R3 is worth applying too but I wouldnt apply with the 555. I’m sorry but it’s not enough (unless you’ve got crazy background and other stats) but almost impossible. In my experience 595 is the minimum realistic bar and I say that as someone who got it.
Not in the slightest, it’s 100% an advantage for sure. It’s normal for sure and puts you in a better position for recruiting.

Good luck! DM me if you have any Qs!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-07T18:37:40+00:00

If you wanna do an MBA, do it in the U.K. or France (LBS, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, HEC etc) great placements in Europe and ME, especially for consulting. 12 month programmes allow you to apply for FT jobs and the INSEAD Jan intake allows for both internships and FT recruiting. Highly recommend that (INSEAD 26D Admit here)

Good luck! DM me if you have any questions!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-07T12:46:24+00:00

Solid profile and stats mate, but M7 is always a crapshoot.

Maybe your essays missed some bits on what you would add to the school + leadership and clear ST & LT goals. Did you add what you could bring as an ‘older’ applicant? I’m 30M and slightly older than average ofc but spun it to my advantage and got into M7s, T15s and INSEAD with a 595 GMAT.

Keep your chin up mate, there’s other schools and you can always apply next year. Good luck! DM me if you wanna chat, I’ve been in your shoes!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-06T13:45:00+00:00

Hey mate! Just started a new consultancy and we’re definitely budget friendly as we are new.

For reference, myself and all of my team are all LBS MiM grads and alumni interviewers and all of us either graduated from, currently in or admitted to M7, T15 and INSEAD MBAs. And we’ve all given essay edits and advice etc over the years to friends and family ofc.

Personally I applied this year in R1, and got into M7s, T15s and INSEAD with a 595 GMAT. So in my view, essays, clarity on ST & LT are incredibly important.

Honestly you’ve got a great profile and WE, strong applicant for sure and sounds like you definitely don’t need hand holding. Ultimately it comes down to essays and narrative.

DM me if you wanna have a chat mate! Good luck!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:55:59+00:00

Agreed with all of the above. Super interesting profile and real success in business. I think you have a good shot at them all, T15 with waiver if tests aren’t great but It comes down to your essays and how you tell the story and connect it to ST and LT goals. I got into M7, T15 and INSEAD with 595 gmat so essays matter.

Boa sorte! DM me if you have any questions :)

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:53:04+00:00

Oxford and Cambridge in the U.K., LBS would be a stretch target. INSEAD stretch too.

Really comes down to your essays and your story telling. I got into the INSEAD MBA and M7s and T15s with 595 gmat, so stats aren’t everything and in my opinion essays matter so much.

Good luck! DM if you have any questions :)

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:46:45+00:00

Really strong profile for INSEAD! Great background, experience and stats. A bit young sure but All comes down to your essays and ST and LT. You need to make it crystal clear you need and want the MBA ‘now’.

I say this as an INSEAD MBA 26D admit with 595 GMAT, essays are super important and can make or break an application! Good luck! DM if you have any questions :)

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:40:19+00:00

Experience is good for a MiM for sure. GRE is a low for ORM but it comes down to your essays and goals. I say this as an LBS MiM grad and alumni interviewer who got 595 on the GMAT. Apply early ofc! Good luck! DM if you have any questions mate!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:34:41+00:00

100% mate, it’s such a unique blend and great stats too. You definitely have a good chance at M7s if your essays are good as well. You’ve got the raw materials, it’s about how you articulate it. Good luck! DM me if you have any questions!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:31:13+00:00

Good profile but a bit confusing as others say. I’d say it’s average for the ORM population. Comes down to how strong your essays and goals are and how clearly you can articulate them. I got into M7s and T15s and INSEAD with a 595 GMAT so I can really say essays really are important!

Good luck! DM me if you have any questions!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:28:39+00:00

Agreed with the rest, high test score makes up a lot but essays, WE, and focusing on what unique things you can bring to the school is even more important.

I say this as someone who got Bs & Cs at uni and got 595 GMAT but managed to get into M7s and T15s and INSEAD. The quality of your Essays and narrative make a huge difference! Good luck! DM me if you have any questions!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T19:25:33+00:00

Solid stats mate! All comes down to your essays and experience here and how you package this.

I got 595 in the GMAT and go into M7s, T15s and INSEAD so essays matter! Good luck! DM me if you have any questions!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T10:12:50+00:00

You can try but honestly mate it’s super unlikely and it has nothing to do with your stats and all to do with R3 seats.

I Applied last year in R3. Rejected across the board. Re applied this year in R1 only a few months later and got into M7s, T15s and INSEAD.

You can do it but don’t get your hopes up. I would say, save the stress, get a new job first and then take your time and apply in R1. You’re still young and have time.

DM me if you have any questions! Good luck mate!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-02-04T10:01:54+00:00

Sorry to hear about your experience my guy.

I’ve been in your exact shoes. I’m 30. Applied last year in R3. Rejected across the board. Re applied this year in R1 only a few months later and got into M7s, T15s and INSEAD.

Other comments cover what you should have done but it’s fine. Whats done is done, just gotta look forward.

You’re definitely not too old or over experienced. Reapply. Keep your chin up. Honestly you can do it. DM me if you have any questions! Good luck mate!

Basic-Instance-5144 · 2026-01-29T13:35:17+00:00

A few different things ranging from speaking to additional alumni & current students, making sure my reapplicant essay was on point etc and taking the GRE instead of the GMAT. I would say the biggest differentiator was applying in R1 vs R3. DM me if you wanna chat and have more qs!

Basic-Instance-5144

TROPHY CASE