INSEAD JAN 2026 Intake Essays & Deadlines: Essential Updates & Tips
                     INSEAD MBA Essay 
Changes: 2026
Key updates and actionable tips for the INSEAD January 2026 
intake essays.
Major Essay Changes
The key changes, unpack what they reveal about INSEAD’s 
evolving expectations, and share sharp, actionable tips on the 
INSEAD Essays.
1 Job Description 2 Personal Section
Condensed from four to Leadership focus, stress 
two essays. lessons, extra activities.
3 Kira Interview
Essential for showcasing passions and interests.
Career Progression & Achievements
Summarize your career since graduation.
Explain key decisions and progression.
Describe your current role and achievements.
Summarize Explain Describe
Career since graduation. Key decisions. Current role.
Career Goals & INSEAD's Role
Describe short and long-term career aspirations.
Include target geography, industry, and function.
Explain how INSEAD will help achieve goals.
Short-term Long-term
Immediate aspirations. Future vision.
Candid Description: 
Leadership Focus
Describe yourself as a person and a leader.
Emphasize strengths and weaknesses.
Explain how you are actively developing.
Strengths Weaknesses
Highlight leadership qualities. Show self-awareness.
Development
Active self-improvement.
Lessons from Stressful 
Situations
Describe a highly stressful situation.
Explain how you managed it.
What did you learn about yourself?
1 Situation
Describe the stress.
2 Management
How you handled it.
3 Lessons
What you learned.
Extra-Professional Activities
Describe your activities.
Explain how they have enriched your life.
Skills developed, personal growth, impact.
Sports Music Art
Key Takeaways
INSEAD values leadership, self-awareness, and clear career goals.
Essays should reflect these qualities.
Prepare for the Kira video interview.
Contact us :
Mail: [email protected]