IMD: Admissions Q&A

The admissions director of the Swiss B-school discusses what it takes to get into the full-time MBA program

The application for the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, is thick, says Katty Ooms-Suter, director of IMD MBA Admissions and Career Services. Applicants must write about 12 essays, and three recommenders must send letters on their behalf. "We want people who are motivated," says Ooms-Suter.

She recently discussed the application and the requirements for getting into the small, international MBA program with BusinessWeek reporter Francesca Di Meglio. Here are edited excerpts from their conversation:

How would you describe the culture of your program?

The culture at IMD is very global. We have a small MBA program with only 90 students, whom we carefully select from many nationalities. In fact, there are 44 nationalities represented in this year's class. [The culture] is also performance-driven because students are so carefully chosen. Everyone knows everybody else. We run into each other, and we know each other's names, which is unique.

What is the work load like for incoming students?

We expect people to work hard. and they do. But it's a lot of fun, too. In one year, we do what an American program would do in two. It's intense. We're rigorous in admissions. It's tough to get into IMD. We make sure the people who get accepted can handle the work. We pick people who are driven to do well. It's competitive to get into the program, but once you're in it's not competitive. Once you're in, then it's all about teamwork.

What characteristics are you looking for in candidates?

We look for people who have strong achievements. We call them fast-trackers. They must have strong leadership potential, which they demonstrated even before launching their career. We look for people who are smart and international [in their perspective]. They have either lived or worked at least three months outside of their home country. Candidates must be well-rounded.

What kind of work experience should a candidate have?

Seven years of work experience is the average, and 3 to 13 years is the range. Once we see that you meet the other criteria, we try to diversify across nationality, industry, and function to have a well-balanced class. We don't look for the best 90 [students] but the best combination of 90.

What can candidates do to stand out during the application process?

They should be real and honest. We're not interested in vague statements or achievements. We want specifics. We want to know about recent work achievements. Leadership potential is a priority—is this a person who takes charge, leads, or informs throughout his or her career?

What essay tips can you share?

It's important you think through an essay. We're trying to understand who the person is, more than the facts. Shy away from letting someone else write your essay. Copying pretty phrases from a book won't help you either. It's better to use your own words.

What role does the GMAT play in your decision on applications?

The average GMAT score is 680 in our class. In the whole evaluation, the GMAT is not very important. A low score will prevent you from entering, but a high score does not guarantee you'll get in. We're more interested in your achievements and the kind of person you are.

Are you taking any steps to prevent cheating in light of the recent Scoretop GMAT cheating scandal (BusinessWeek.com, 9/9/08)?

We are more protected than others. Each person has to pass a day-long assessment. It's hard to cheat when you have to face the person. We're confident that we'll figure it out if you cheat. Some of those who cheated [in this scandal] sent scores to us, but none received offers. We're on the right track.

Now, we have screeners. After you pay your deposit, your full acceptance is based on passing outside screening. The screener assesses the accuracy of the application and work experience for the past two years.