INSEAD Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) Essay Questions & Analysis
INSEAD’s Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) program is ranked #9 in the world, according to the QS Executive MBA rankings 2024. INSEAD’s 20 year old GEMBA offers a unique Leadership Development module that runs throughout the program, a diverse and global cohort, and a flexible learning style to allow experienced professionals to get the most out of their MBA.
Here are the INSEAD Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) essay questions and analysis for 2025-2026.
Job Essay 1
Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (300 words)
This essay asks you to clearly communicate details about your job – no stories, no fluff. Pay attention to each part of the prompt. You are being asked to:
State your role
Describe your key responsibilities
Employees you manage
Budgets you work with
Clients/products/projects you directly work with
Significant achievements in this role
Here, you don’t need to explain how and why you took on this role, you have room for that in the next essay. Explain your day-to-day responsibilities, and briefly mention any interesting current projects, if applicable. Make sure you quantify your achievements to convey the impact and scope of your role.
Job Essay 2
Please explain your career evolution and career choices since you started your professional life. (300 words) *
As an EMBA applicant, you likely have a lengthy resume. Given the tight word limit, we recommend mentioning key transitions in your career, instead of every single role you have held. For example, start with your career immediately after graduation, and what you learned during this time in your life.
Next, explain how you developed your professional purpose over time and solidified your career goals. Why did you choose this industry, and how did you grow in your career? Explain any significant promotions and achievements, and what you learned from these increasing responsibilities.
Now, focus on your most recent, managerial roles and any career pivots you have made in this time. Describe the strategic and leadership skills you gained and how this broadened your perspective. Tie this into your current role and, very briefly, state how this has led to your decision to pursue an EMBA at this point in your career.
Job Essay 3
Please give your objectives for attending the INSEAD Executive MBA Programme. What would you like to achieve over the next 5 years, and how could the INSEAD Executive MBA contribute to achieving these plans? What are your alternatives to INSEAD? (300 words)
There are several parts to this question:
Your career goals
Why an INSEAD GEMBA?
Alternatives to INSEAD
Start with a story that demonstrates how you realized your career purpose – the mission you want to achieve in the future.
After you have written your mission statement, the next step is to define your objectives. Your five-year goal, which should be stated clearly and precisely, should describe the position, location, and organization you intend to work for right after you graduate from the GEMBA program. This goal will be an effective bridge to your longer-term goal, which is how you will achieve your mission.
Now, explain why you require the INSEAD GEMBA to accomplish these objectives. In our experience, clients have written about needing to update their industry knowledge and working with new technologies to achieve their goals. Others need the GEMBA to respond to changing global trends in their industry or their company’s new strategic direction. With the GEMBA, you can also grow your network globally, find new opportunities and forge partnerships, and develop advanced business skills.
Tie this in to why INSEAD is the right place for you, pointing to specific resources, people, and opportunities. For example, applicants want to take advantage of INSEAD GEMBA’s leadership development programme and global, diverse cohort.
Finally, name 2-3 other executive MBA programmes (similar to INSEAD) that you are applying to or have applied to. Here’s how to answer the “What other schools are you applying to” question.
Job Essay 4
Is there anything else that you would like to share or to clarify further (for example: family situation and number of children, interests outside of work, gaps in professional experience...) (300 words)
Use the optional essay only if you have extenuating circumstances that haven’t been referenced previously in your EMBA application.
This includes any employment gaps (note that you will also be asked to separately explain employment gaps in your application in 40 words. You can elaborate on that answer in this Job Essay). You can also share details about your family, hobbies and interests, your choice of recommenders, any criminal records or expulsion from school, a low GMAT/EA score, or any mitigating personal circumstances that can impact your application. Answer directly and connect this information to your MBA; don’t use up the 300 words just because you can!
Are you applying to the INSEAD GEMBA? Get in touch for a free 20-minute consultation.
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