Tips for acing postgraduate admissions to the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business

It’s no secret that the job market has become increasingly competitive. In a corporate milieu crowded not only with fresh graduates but also experienced workers seeking opportunities during a downturn, standing out in a tight labour market is more of a challenge than ever before.

The option of upgrading one’s professional skillsets is pertinent to achieving crucial career milestones or breaking into new roles that have arisen during an age of Industry 4.0.

As such, securing a spot in a postgraduate programme that resonates with one’s roadmap for professional growth is vital. But unlike the traditional application processes that most bachelor's degree holders are familiar with during their undergraduate studies, stellar scores aren’t the only criteria for gaining acceptance into a coveted postgrad programme.

“We believe that an individual’s success is a composite of many things –through experience, technical expertise, and attitude,” says Mandy Lin, Head, Recruitment and Admissions at Office of Dean in Lee Kong Chian School of Business

“Professional excellence and industry experience are important in our assessment as it reflects all these aspects. What we also value is the candidate’s potential contributions to classroom learning, and additional consideration is given to candidates with diverse culture and professional backgrounds as they tend to enrich the classroom experience in the programme.”

For aspiring business school students, the ability to communicate and engage in meaningful discussions, as well as strong work and life experiences via internships and undergraduate student activities, can be huge assets during the application process. Take some time to really reflect on how these experiences have shaped your values, and your aspirations for how you want to develop the next phase of your educational career.

Once that crucial first step is taken, here are some other tips on how to navigate the applications process.

1. Tell your story well

For example, Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme applicants must submit two essays. One requires you to explain why you want to earn an MBA at SMU, while the other asks you to describe your greatest weakness and how you have tried to overcome it.

If you have already thought hard about your experiences, values, and aspirations, this is where you articulate your story in a concise and engaging way.

“My biggest advice would be knowing why you’ve applied for this particular major, the personal story that led you to this decision, and what you hope to gain after graduation,” says Samuel Juan, a SMU Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MQF) student.

“After all, embarking on a master's degree without first knowing yourself and your aspirations will be very risky as it involves both tremendous opportunity and financial cost. The process of writing a personal statement was a useful exercise as I learnt a thing or two about myself during the brainstorming process.”

Aim to convey breadth and depth of thought, or approach the exercise much like presenting a business pitch — with you being the star product. As Dr Ang Ser-Keng, Academic Director for MBA & EMBA, explains: “A solid personal statement should reflect the candidate’s conviction on his or her ethical grounding, solid values and humility, which are some fundamental ingredients in the making of a future industry leader.”

Another tip from SMU MBA student Meutia Ananda is to include anecdotes from your professional career if relevant: "I reflected a lot on entrepreneurship as a business owner, and I wrote truthfully about why I am committed to getting the degree. I also elucidated on how my clients became advocates for my company after project completion. In writing a personal statement, it is essential to explain why you add value to your clients and the people you work with, as well as your contributions to society and, to a lesser extent, the people you care about.”

2. Engage your employer and/or mentor

Postgraduate studies are sometimes, though not always, sponsored by employers. If that is the case for you, it might be valuable to discuss your educational goals with your employer beforehand, and get a clear picture of how your learning journey will feed into the professional trajectory your company has in mind for you.

Even if you are embarking on postgraduate studies on your own steam, it can still be helpful to talk to professional mentors about your career so far, and what you hope to do next.

As Meutia says: “Luckily for me, I had a good mentor who writes for white papers, works as a communication consultant, and was well-positioned to provide advice on how I should craft my personal statement.”

If these employers and mentors are filling out recommendation forms or writing referee reports for your application, such conversations will help them better understand you, and make a stronger case for you. Their valuable perspectives on your strengths and industry developments will also help you to clarify and express your professional achievements and aspirations during the next stage of the application process: the interview.

3. Do your homework

Unlike the process for certain undergraduate courses, where interviews are conducted in groups, the admission interviews for postgraduate LKCSB programmes are conducted one-on-one by the school’s interview team.

“The day before the interview, I read through my personal statements, recommendations, blogs, SMU blogs, business articles and heeded (the advice of) my favourite leadership book author John C. Maxwell, to ask myself why I want to pursue a master's degree in business,” says Meutia.

To prepare, consider keeping an educational or career journal to reflect on noteworthy professional moments you can share; and to develop considered perspectives on current affairs as well as news related to your chosen industry. LinkedIn is also a useful resource for professional discussions, you can follow industry leaders in your field to hear their opinions.

“I recall being asked to elaborate on any leadership experience I’ve had. However, it had been over three years ago when I did my undergraduate degree. This question was particularly challenging as I had to recall what happened quite a few years back,” says Samuel.

“After thinking for a moment, I shared with the interviewers about my vision and plans when I was elected as the society’s president, how I carried them out along the way, the results of the implementation, and the improvements I would have made if I were to do it all over again.”

Hence, for postgraduate applicants, the admissions interview is also a great time to highlight non-work or educational passions and pursuits.

4. Don’t just focus on your resume

SMU is known and well-regarded for its commitment to holistic admissions. “Some candidates have a standard script with information that can be gleaned from their resume,” explains Mandy. “I usually appreciate interesting introductions and have a deeper impression of candidates who take the time to tell me a bit more of themselves and what they have done, not just accomplished.”

Perhaps a longstanding volunteering relationship with a charity has inspired an interest in creating a social enterprise; or a hobby that illustrates qualities such as patience or leadership. Sharing various aspects of yourself outside of work can help interviewers get a better sense of you as a person.

“When assessing a candidate and their suitability for the programme, I want to know them as a person – what drives them and if they have experienced challenges at any point in their lives,” adds Mandy.

“And while they should present their best sides possible, this is not a job interview. As such, they shouldn’t necessarily focus solely on their successes and success stories.”

5. Listen and engage

During the admissions interviews, the interviewers are on the lookout for candidates who are good listeners; those who can grasp ideas well and think on their feet. In other words, being vocal is not enough, you also have to share things of value.

“The interesting interviews have been with candidates who are interested not only in their own development but also that of others,” notes Dr Ang. “Interesting interviewees are also enthusiastic and convincing about why they are undertaking a postgraduate programme.”

If your personality is extroverted and speaking up is not a problem, you should also remember to listen and build on others’ ideas. If you’re the opposite, remember to engage in the discussion and share your ideas. Don’t try to bluff your way through topics you are unsure about — admitting uncertainty is a mark of character. It’s important to be yourself, but also the best version of yourself. and that means building on your strengths and being aware of possible weaknesses.

Since seminar-style interactive pedagogy is key in SMU, being able to articulate yourself clearly and with empathy is vital. Practise in front of a mirror; or hold some Zoom video calls with a mentor or friend, record the call and play it back to see how you can improve.

Armed with this ultimate guide of tips and advice from postgraduate students, faculty and admissions professionals, get ready to wow during the admissions process — and embark on a journey of self-growth and success.