[Official] Singapore Management University (SMU)

A group to discuss Master and MBA program admissions related queries for 2017 intake.

For those of you who don't know yet - Singapore Management University (SMU) has just launched a 1-year full time MBA program in Jan 2008. The first batch comprising of 30-50 students are currently studying and will complete the study by Dec 2008.

SMU has been well known for its undergraduate programs in management, business administration, accounting and economics. It also offers masters programs in wealth management, applied finance and operations management. SMU has now launched the MBA program with great confidence about the placements of its MBA graduates quoting its undergraduate 100% placement record. SMU also claims to have modeled its school after Wharton.

I have started this thread with the intention of discussing the prospects of doing an MBA at SMU which is competing with the prestigious MBAs offered by NUS & NTU.

Currently these are some facts about the MBA program that I have gathered. Please feel free to contribute with other information.

(http://www.business.smu.edu.sg/mba/)
Tuition: SGD 49,800 (Full-time)
Intake: January every year
Min Exp required: 2 years (but the website recommends 6-15 years)
Deadlines:
Full-time (Jan '09): 1 August 2008
Full-time (Jan '10): 1 January 2009 (Round 1); 1 April 2009 (Round 2); 1 August 2009 (Round 3)

The present batch's average work experience = 8 years

If any of you have applied to the Jan '09 intake, attended the interview or know someone in the present batch of students at SMU, please share your knowledge/views/opinions here.

Good luck with your admissions! :happy:

Now i know , this is not the place to ask this question,

But i would like to have some info on north hampton college for MBA.

the kind of placements and also other B-schools in UK where the work ex factor is a little relaxed..

Hi,

I have enquired about the programme through a frend who studies undergrad in SMU although they claim any experience above 2 years are ok to apply but actually they are looking for 5+ years folks.

They are not concentrating on international students as they plan to develop the MBA programme before promoting it worldwide.

Placement figures are not available as first batch has not been placed but with SMU brandname and mostly local students it would be good. But the scope of placements for Indian students is not yet known. The risk I feel is since its a young programme visibility in Indian companies is not present hence bad option for people who want to come back to India to work.

Since its a new programme the design of the programme has been done to suit current industry demands, which makes it good academically.

Fees is a tad more than other spore B schools but problem might come for desis who have ROI as a factor for choosing their MBA and Its not a proven prog.

I feel with SMU brandname (which is very good in Spore due to success of their BBA level programmes) this would be a good option. But before investing Rs 20-22 lacs (incl living expenses) for a new programme please be careful.

Cheers
Trex08

Thanks a lot, Trex08 for the info.

I hope we get more info of this sort to ensure candidates who aspire for an MBA make an informed decision about the program in SMU.

Let's keep this discussion rolling!

Hi,

I have enquired about the programme through a frend who studies undergrad in SMU although they claim any experience above 2 years are ok to apply but actually they are looking for 5+ years folks.

They are not concentrating on international students as they plan to develop the MBA programme before promoting it worldwide.

Placement figures are not available as first batch has not been placed but with SMU brandname and mostly local students it would be good. But the scope of placements for Indian students is not yet known. The risk I feel is since its a young programme visibility in Indian companies is not present hence bad option for people who want to come back to India to work.

Since its a new programme the design of the programme has been done to suit current industry demands, which makes it good academically.

Fees is a tad more than other spore B schools but problem might come for desis who have ROI as a factor for choosing their MBA and Its not a proven prog.

I feel with SMU brandname (which is very good in Spore due to success of their BBA level programmes) this would be a good option. But before investing Rs 20-22 lacs (incl living expenses) for a new programme please be careful.

Cheers
Trex08

As per my information, 1st full time batch is uspposed to start from jan 2009....

The full time course runs from Jan - Dec every year.

The first batch of full time MBA students started their study in Jan 2008 and will complete their study in December 2008.

(It is the flexi-time / part time MBA program that starts in September every year)

jshah29 Says
As per my information, 1st full time batch is uspposed to start from jan 2009....
jshah29 Says
As per my information, 1st full time batch is uspposed to start from jan 2009....


oops thanks for the correction... the flexi has started not the full time...

but the info i have is from undergrad student of SMU for full time MBA he went to their office to enquire about it...
The point still remain is one shud wait for the placements to happen before investing the type of money involved...

If anyone can share info on this query... Are Local Spore people given preference over Indians and International students for career opp..?

Hi Trex08..

SMU does give preference to local students (Permanent Residents & Singaporeans) for admissions into their university at this point. Like you said earlier, SMU wants to concentrate on the locals before it expands the program to international students.

I graduated from NUS (B.Eng) - and most of the foreign students (Indians in particular) were placed in very good entry level positions - both in engineering firms and investment banks, etc.

There are however some government organizations (particularly research centers) which prefer to take local students. This is because they want to ensure that they live in Singapore and contribute directly to the growth of its economy.

In a nutshell, if the job market is good - and if MNCs are prepared to hire graduates with 0 full time work experience, they will definitely be more than willing to hire MBA graduates with atleast 2 years full time work experience after graduation.

If an NUS/NTU MBA graduate can comment on the above, it would be very helpful =]

oops thanks for the correction... the flexi has started not the full time...

but the info i have is from undergrad student of SMU for full time MBA he went to their office to enquire about it...
The point still remain is one shud wait for the placements to happen before investing the type of money involved...

If anyone can share info on this query... Are Local Spore people given preference over Indians and International students for career opp..?
Hi Trex08..

SMU does give preference to local students (Permanent Residents & Singaporeans) for admissions into their university at this point. Like you said earlier, SMU wants to concentrate on the locals before it expands the program to international students.

I graduated from NUS (B.Eng) - and most of the foreign students (Indians in particular) were placed in very good entry level positions - both in engineering firms and investment banks, etc.

There are however some government organizations (particularly research centers) which prefer to take local students. This is because they want to ensure that they live in Singapore and contribute directly to the growth of its economy.

In a nutshell, if the job market is good - and if MNCs are prepared to hire graduates with 0 full time work experience, they will definitely be more than willing to hire MBA graduates with atleast 2 years full time work experience after graduation.

If an NUS/NTU MBA graduate can comment on the above, it would be very helpful =]


Hey...

Good point... But a lot depends on what profile you get after joining the new Company in Spore. I know this for a fact that MBA students compete with BBA students for jobs in Spore Market... Well this raises a doubt in my mind regarding my 4 years of work ex not getting me a lateral placement... Can any one clarify this...? Or do Indians dun mind getting into entry level roles as even those salaries are great...

Cheers
Trex08

Hello,


I am joining SMU for their first full time batch starting in Jan'09...I am dying to know who my classmates will be... Anyone there whos joining this batch as well?

Hello,


I am joining SMU for their first full time batch starting in Jan'09...I am dying to know who my classmates will be... Anyone there whos joining this batch as well?


Hi Megha Can you also please post your profile and reason to join SMU?

I was only considering schools in Singapore as I am settled here now but here's my take on SMU:

The director of the MBA programme is from INSEAD and her profile and personality seem quite impressive..Doris Sohmen Pao

I attended their info session and found their approach interesting as in they did not seem to focus only on a high GMAT score and general knowledge like some of the other universities do..they look at your complete application...the MBA focusses on negotiation skills and has sector focuses like Finance, IT, Energy and Entrepreneurship

SMU has a really really good name in Singapore..its placement records for the graduate programmes are the best and they also have big companies supporting them...

Since its their first batch and their MBA programme's reputation depends on it they have tried to take in great students and I am guessing will ensure the placements or other support is great too..

Also, the faculty is very highly qualified and most of them come from the top schools in the world...


My profile : 640 GMAT
4years+ work ex
2years with Google - online marketing
B.Com (hons)


Good Luck to u guys!

Hey guys,
Glad I found this thread, thanks *Arch*!
I have been accepted to the SMU's first full-time MBA batch as well. However, I am still waiting on my ISB result (i interviewed last Saturday at ISB, Hyderabad).
I live in Singapore, but am currently in Hyderabad.
My profile -
GMAT 700/5.0
8 years work ex by next year - in IT, in US and Singapore.
Megha, you are the only other person whom I now know going to be joining that batch, please check your private message and I'll give you my email/phone details and we can touch base!

hi....i hd SMU interview (for full-time MBA : 2010 batch) on the 4th of Feb....still waiting for the outcome..... ne one sailing on the same thing....
Hey what abt the placements ??
Can somebody answer this for me ??

madhu

hey guys....got waitlisted in R1 SMU.....will hv to wait till sept till they finaly cum ut with the confirmation (aft R3)....
so wt abt u guys ??

Hey Madhu,
I have also applied to SMU in Rd 2. Can you share your profile. Mine is as follows

Gmat: 690 / 5.0
Wrk Exp: 2+ yrs (Automation Industry)
Good Acads / Decent Extr Curr


Was curious to know y u have been waitlisted till Sept? Generally colleges waitlist som1 till the end of the next round (in your case Rd2)

Can you also share what questions you were asked during the interview?

Tantric

Hello,

Howz MBA in Singapore Management University ?
Does anyone has any experience ?

Thanks.

hi this is samuel,
i m doing my third year engineering in india.i m planning to do my mba in singapore next year(2010).I m willin to join SMU.Are freshers with no WE eligible to apply?

Any of you have got an admit to the full-time jan 2010 batch???

Tantric.