How to Write NUS MBA Essays in 2024?
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To write effective NUS MBA essays in 2024, focus on authenticity and specificity. Reflect on key experiences that shaped your career and articulate clear short- and long-term goals. One should research the program thoroughly to align your aspirations with NUS offerings, ensuring a better narrative that showcases your unique journey.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is well-known not only for the diverse masters programs it offers, but also for its globally-acclaimed MBA programs that are among the best in Asia. NUS MBA programs have been consistently receiving awards and accolades from independent agencies and publications such as QS Top MBA and The Financial Times. As a result, there is a lot of speculation about NUS MBA Essays and their prompts.
Typically, NUS MBA Essays come with a guideline/prompt and a word limit. Such essays might ask you to talk about your relevant experiences, background or key life-events that led you towards this field. Since the purpose of the MBA program is to create successful business managers, leaders, entrepreneurs and mentors, you might also be asked to talk about instances that showcase your management aptitude, leadership qualities or mentorship experiences. You may also be asked about personal experiences or events that had a profound impact on you, or your academic/professional choices.
Your NUS MBA Essay can be a key differentiator between you and other candidates, allowing the admissions committee to judge your candidature on something other than your marks and years of experience. Hence, you can use these NUS essays to discuss pivotal experiences or life events that left a profound impact on you or have inspired you.
Certain NUS MBA Essay questions might also ask you about the goals you have in mind after completing the program. This includes both your short-term and long-term goals that you want to pursue post the MBA. Another common prompt that you might be asked about is 'How will the NUS MBA help you?’ To answer this question, you will need to research about the program and its curriculum, and talk about how the program will be beneficial to you, given your interests and aspirations.
MBA essays for the National University of Singapore (NUS) can be challenging to write. However, you can create thorough and impactful essays with a thorough understanding of the essay prompts and the admissions committee’s expectations.
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Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to write NUS MBA essays for the National University of Singapore, where you must respond to two required questions and one optional question that would enhance your profile:
How have people, events, and/or situations in your life influenced who you are today? (250 words) (Mandatory)
You must reflect on all the difficulties you have encountered and surmounted during your life, as well as any events or persons that have inspired you or given you the motivation to start new endeavours. Since this NUS MBA essay is relatively brief, it needs to be focused and straightforward. Here are some tips to make it easier for you to write.
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- Pick two of the three options - persons, events, or situations - as you only have 250 words to work with and can appropriately substantiate them.
- The stories you select may be related to your participation in extracurricular activities like sports or culture, your volunteer work, business endeavours, your personal problems, or your family's situation. You might also use a powerful narrative from your work experience.
- Consider this a further opportunity to emphasise the principles that the institution espouses. If your last essay included instances of, let's say, "Excellence" and "Teamwork," then perhaps you might concentrate on "Innovation" or "Integrity" in this one.
- Focus more on the lessons you learned and the things you took away from your experiences than the actual event itself because the essay expressly asks how it shaped who you are today.
- An introduction, a paragraph for each of the two events, and a conclusion make up the format.
How do you plan to spend your time on The NUS MBA to transform yourself personally & professionally? Briefly describe your experience to date, and how this and The NUS MBA can help you achieve your mid and long-term career goals. (350 words) (Mandatory)
This NUS MBA essay can be divided into 3 major parts: relevant past experiences, your future objectives, and reasons for choosing the NUS MBA. It is critical to talk about your short-term and long-term goals post the completion of the MBA program. You should also explain how your past professional and academic experiences have prepared you for success in the program. Finally, explain how the NUS MBA program can assist you in achieving your goals.
The essay could be written in chronological order, with prior your experiences coming before your goals and aspirations for the NUS MBA, or; it could start with the goals you have and move on to relevant past experiences, before discussing about the NUS MBA. Ensure that you write an impactful opening and conclusion.
- Short- and long-term objectives: Mention what you wish to do post the MBA program, and discuss the designations or roles you wish to take up. Name a few organizations or institutions you wish to work with after the program, and discuss the kind of work you wish to do in the future. Additionally, mention your long-term aspirations, i.e. where do you see yourself in the next 10 years, and the impact you wish to have.
- Experience till date: Discuss a few relevant experiences that showcase the academic or professional qualities that NUS expects from its aspirants. Mention experiences that have inspired you and relate to your objectives. NUS values qualities like Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, Care and Innovation. You should also try to illustrate your leadership and management qualities, which are critical for all B-schools.
- NUS Program-specific Information: Mention in detail about how the MBA NUS program can benefit you, and discuss about the following:
- Classroom Experience: The first semester of the NUS MBA program comprises of essential modules like Financial Management, Marketing Management and Corporate Strategy, followed by electives that you can choose. In addition the customary specializations offered, you can also select 'Real Estate' and 'Innovation & Entrepreneurship'.
- Experiential Learning: In the second semester, NUS offers the Management Practicum (MP) in the second semester as a part of its experiential learning framework. In the MP, MBA students work on a consulting project for renowned Singaporean businesses like Dell and Johnson & Johnson. Students may also apply ideas to actual issues through the International Student Exchange programmes, the Global Immersion Programmes, foreign programs and case contests.
- Outside-the-classroom experiences: Numerous events are held on campus, including the ‘NUS MBA Elevator Pitch’, ‘Echoes’, and ‘Pencil Pack’, as well as ‘Celebration 2015’, which is the biggest business case competition in the world. You can also join clubs like the 'Consulting Club' and the 'Women in Business Club' to improve your leadership abilities.
National University of Singapore (NUS): MBA Admission Deadlines
The NUS MBA Application deadline for the August 2025 availablefom 15 August 2024. In order to be considered for NUS 2025 intake, candidates have to complete all the application process with all required documentation and test scores on or before the NUS MBA application deadlines.
| Timeline |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Round 1 |
30 October 2024 |
| Round 2 |
15 January 2025 (please apply latest by this round to be considered for scholarships) |
| Round 3 |
02 April 2025 |
Also Read
- How to Write a Leadership Essay for MBA Admissions Abroad
- Types of Admission Essays - UG, MBA, Scholarship & Gap-year Essays
- Study MBA in Finance from the National University of Singapore
Is there any additional information relevant to your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (200 words) (Optional)
Many MBA candidates debate whether to write this essay each season. We advise you to finish all your application materials, excluding the NUS MBA essays, first. Then review the application to see if there is anything else you want to emphasise. These could be any of the following.
Most institutions encourage you to utilise this question to clarify or explain anything about your background or experiences that needs clarification (for instance, a gap year that cannot be explained, poor undergraduate grades, or subpar test results). You might also use this article to highlight a different distinctive aspect of your personality that hasn’t been discussed before.
You can talk about the recommender’s selection in the optional NUS MBA essay. Since they aren’t yet ready to discuss their MBA goals, candidates occasionally feel uncomfortable asking their existing employers. Therefore, the justification for this can be explained in this space.
Always make an effort to thoroughly read and comprehend the essay prompts before you begin to think through and outline your responses. Once you've established your eligibility for the MBA programme at the National University of Singapore, you may start writing about it using specific examples and specifics. Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Topper Counselling services on our website. For other queries feel free to get in touch with us in the comments below. To read more about MBA Essays from top universities, visit our website.
MBA Essays of Leading Universities
NUS MBA Essays FAQs
Q. How to Write an NUS Essay?
A. To write an essay for NUS MBA application, one can follow this startegies.
- Choose a Strong Theme: Your essay should revolve around a central theme that reflects your values and aspirations. This theme will guide the narrative of your essay and connect your personal stories to the broader context of your professional journey.
- Tell Personal Stories: Use anecdotes from your life that illustrate your theme. These stories should be genuine and highlight significant experiences that have shaped who you are today. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help structure these stories effectively.
- Structure Your Essay: A well-structured essay typically includes:
- Introduction: Present your theme and its significance.
- Body: Include one or two personal stories that reinforce your theme, detailing what you learned from each experience.
- Conclusion: Reflect on how these experiences have prepared you for the MBA program and your future goals.
Q. How Hard Is It to Get into NUS MBA?
A. Getting admission to the NUS MBA program is competitive due to its high academic standards and limited spots. Applicants typically need a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and better essays that clearly articulate their motivations and goals
Q: Â Is Singapore Management University hard to get into?
According to various sources, Singapore Management University has an acceptance rate of around 45% which makes it moderately selective for international student admissions. Some of the general admission requirements at the university are given as follows:
- Academic Transcripts
- International Qualifications that are equivalent
- Standardized Test Scores
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
After the student receives an offer letter, they are required to give the admission interview to be enrolled.
Q: Â How can I apply for NUS Singapore from India?
Applications to all the courses offered by NUS are done via online application portals of the university. Check out the steps below to see how to fill undergraduate and postgraduate applications on dedicated portals:
Undergraduate Applicants:
International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to an undergraduate programme at NUS:
Step 1: Visit myaces.nus.edu.sg/uasonline2/catD/catDapplform.do and sign up to apply.
Step 2: Enter personal details and contact information.
Step 3: Enter details of academic qualifications.
Step 4: Enter information on university/tertiary education.
Step 5: Enter the information on all outstanding achievements.
Step 6: Insert the programme details and paste the application material in the boxes provided.
Step 7: In this step, input the following:
- Next-of-kin information
- Personal identification number
- Application fee
- Financial aid
- Other information
- Tuition grant
Step 8: Read the declaration carefully.
Step 9: Press the ‘Continue’ button to complete the application.
Graduate Applicants
International applicants need to follow these steps to apply to a graduate programme at NUS:
Step 1: Sign up on the university’s application portal at inetapps.nus.edu.sg/gda2/Applicant.aspx/Account/SignUp.
Step 2: Click on ‘Create New Application’ and choose the following:
- Programme type
- Faculty
- Programme
- Department
- Specialisation (area of study)
- Source of finance
- Specify in case of ‘other source of finance’
- Academic load
Step 3: Read the instructions from the faculty/department/school carefully.
Step 4: Fill up the information as stepping through the application process.
Step 5: The system will perform an application completeness check for the selected programme.
Step 6: Once the above steps are completed, fill up the declaration section.
Step 7: Click on the 'Submit' button in the declaration page to complete the submission.
Step 8: To make an online payment for the application/acceptance fee and view details of your application (e.g. application status and admission status), click ‘View Application/Make Payment/Submit Reply on Offer of Admission’ at the menu on the left.
Step 9: To make changes to basic programme information for an application, click ‘Edit’.
Step 10: To apply to multiple programmes within the same application cycle and to change the order of preference, please click on the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ links as required.
Q: Â Is NTU Singapore expensive?
The NTU tuition fees is S$36,336.45 for international students. Apart from this, students also need to pay University-level miscellaneous fees The tuition fee for undergraduate courses for Nanyang Technological University is similar to NUS. First of all, students need to pay a non-refundable application fee of S$21.40. After accepting the offer, international students need to pay S$5,000 as non-refundable fee. This deposit fee can be used to offset the first tuition fee payment.
Q: Â What is the population of MBA students and faculty at INSEAD Singapore?
There are around 20,000+ students and 5,500+ faculty at INSEAD Singapore.
However, it is difficult to be sure about the same because of new admissions taking place.
The INSEAD website states that there are over 145 full-time faculty from more than 30 countries.
The exact numbers may vary depending on the year and the source.
Q: Â Does INSEAD - Singapore accept Indian students?
Certainly yes, INSEAD - Singapore accepts admission applications from all across the globe including India as well. Indian students applying at INSEAD - Singapore are required to meet the eligibility criteria for the respective choice of course along with a qualifying score in the English language proficiency test like IELTS.
Q: Â How can an Indian student get admission to INSEAD - Singapore?
As an Indian student, complete the following steps to be admitted to INSEAD in Singapore:
- Academic Qualifications: Ascertain that you have a solid academic background and a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a reputable institution.
- Work Experience: INSEAD favors individuals with relevant professional backgrounds.
- GMAT/GRE: Get ready for and take the GMAT or GRE because admissions officers frequently want these scores.
- English proficiency: You'll probably need to provide test results as confirmation of your English competence if English isn't your first language
Q: Â What is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students?
James Cook University Singapore does not offer on-campus accommodation for their students. However, students can find various types of housing options nearby for accommodation purposes. Listed below is the JCU Singapore cost of living for international students:
Facilities | Cost of Living (per month) | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation | SGD 550 - 2,000 | INR 33K - 1.2L |
Meals | SGD 450 - 600 | INR 27K - 37K |
Public transportation | SGD 100 - 150 | INR 6K - 9K |
Telecom | SGD 30 - 50 | INR 1.8K - 3K |
Personal Expenses | SGD 100 - 400 | INR 6K - 24K |
Train fare (Daily Average) | SGD 0.92 - 2.17 (per trip) | INR 50 - 150 |
Taxi fare (Daily Average) | SGD 3.20 to 3.90 (per trip) | INR 200 - 250 |
Bus fare (Daily Average) | SGD 0.92 - 2.17 per trip | INR 50 - 150 |
TOTAL | SGD 1230 - 3200 | INR 73.8K - 3.86L |
Conversion Used: 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) = INR 61.69
Q: Â Which are the popular courses at Singapore Management University?
- Business and Management.
- Banking and finance.
- IT and Computing.
- Engineering.
- Tourism and Hospitality.
- Architecture.
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