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SMU Singapore MBA Interviews

How SMU Singapore MBA Interview Works

Applications that are complete in all aspects and qualify in terms of the minimum academic and other criteria specified above are evaluated for being progressed to the next stage in the admission process. Shortlisted candidates will be called for the SMU Singapore MBA Interview process.

The SMU Interview panel will evaluate each candidate’s performance in terms of quality of work experience, diversity, leadership qualities, social sensitivity, and multifacetedness.

As a general approach to selecting a candidate for the programme, a multi-factor model is used. These factors include academic track record, GMAT/GRE scores, quality of work experience, performance in the interview, and writing ability test. A composite total score will be calculated for each applicant using the multi-factor model. A merit list is prepared based on the composite total score. The offer of admission will be made to a certain percentage of applicants on the merit list. The number of offers made will depend on the availability of seats. The number of offers will be further subject to the candidate meeting a minimum cutoff in terms of the composite score and/or for any other factor score that the admissions committee may decide on

Who will interview you, and how long will the interview last?

Like most Asian B-schools, the SMU MBA interview is taken by a Panel. The Panel usually consists of 2-3 professors. The interview typically lasts for 25-30 minutes or may extend to 35-40 minutes in some instances.

Will the interviewer have read my application?

It is always safer to assume that the Panel members have access to your complete application. In most instances, they would have read it completely. Unless the school specifically says that it will be an blind interview. Mostly North American Business schools in US and Canada have an  Blind interviews, European and SE Asian schools conduct interviews via Alums or panels which have full access to your entire application. 

How can you prepare for your interview?

Like most MBA Interviews, your interview will mainly revolve around a pretty similar set of MBA interview questions. You can never predict what questions will be asked, but with enough research, you can predict what are the most commonly asked questions in these interviews. We have created a short FAQ list below to get you a jump start, and we also have a free guide linked below to help you prepare for these commonly asked interview questions.

SMU Singapore MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Professional experience-related questions

  1. Tell me something about yourself, or Walk me through your resume.
  2. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  3. Why MBA? or Why now? or Why an MBA at this stage of your career?
  4. Why SMU and Singapore?
  5. What is your Plan B? in case your primary goal does not happen?

Personal qualities-related questions

  1. What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples, please?
  2. What are your key weaknesses? Can you give some examples, please?
  3. How can you add value to the Class? or Why should we take you?
  4. Any reasons why we should not select you?
  5. Interests and Hobbies related questions – why do you do it, what have you achieved/learned?

Frequently Asked Situational & Behavioral Questions

  1. What is your leadership style? Can you give an example of a project you led?
  2. What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
  3. Give me an example of a time you failed.
  4. Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict. How did you handle that?
  5. Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectations. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?

The last one – Do you have any questions for us?

  1. Can you please tell me how international exchange students and schools are assigned?
  2. How club leadership is selected?
  3. Any other questions you may have in regards to the program.

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SMU MBA Interview Experience – 1

Status: Skype

Interview date: February 21, 2020

Final judgment: Admitted

“I applied on February 14 and was contacted for an interview on February 17; I was interviewed on February 21.”

The interviewer was really approachable and chatty. The set of questions is below; I don’t recall how they were asked in order.

1. Please introduce yourself and explain your decision to pursue MBA.

2. Concerning your resume and essay. (0 exp.)

– What did the internship help you achieve?

– Describe your final product and the lessons you took away from it. Etc.

3. What are the challenges of leadership?

4. Inform me of recent business news.

Do you have any knowledge of interactive pedagogy?

6. What kinds of elective modules are you interested in taking on your chosen track?

What industry would you prefer to work in for your future career?

Since I didn’t fully understand the course material, I don’t think I gave this interview my best effort. My advice is to do thorough research on the subject and determine the direction you want to go in. But I’m happy and appreciative that SMU has extended an offer to me for a position one week after the interview. (I should add that the admissions process as a whole was really effective, and I like how involved the admissions team is.)

Best wishes to any upcoming applicants.

 

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 2

Status: Online

Interview dates: December 17, 21.

Final Result: Accepted

 

My application was received on December 8, 2021. On December 9th, I received an invitation for Kira. On the 13th, I had my Kira interview. I was invited to an interview on December 15. I made the choice to schedule it on December 16th.

One of the admissions team members questioned me. He was very amiable and in his late 20s. The interview was really cordial and talkative. I believe he is carrying my resume as well. He introduced himself before the interview began. I received the following inquiries:

 

“Why SMU?”

Why Singapore?

What other colleges have you applied to? Why did you choose SMU above them?

– Concerns about my employment history: I work in Singapore; how did I make this shift?

Industry, nation, and post-MBA profile. Any questions for them?

 

About thirty minutes were spent on the interview. I felt like I did okay!

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 3

A Skype interview

conducted on: November 13, 19

Final judgment: Admitted 

1. Please give me a quick rundown of who you are.

2. You assert that you see yourself as a leader, and your article demonstrates several of these traits. What if you are not chosen as the group’s leader? Do you like being the one who follows?

3. What if your leader is not carrying out the tasks given to them? How will you proceed?

4. What elective tracks are you interested in pursuing?

5. Are there any particular internship roles you are interested in?

6. Have you enrolled in any other colleges? If both were offered to you, which one would you choose and why (I said NUS)?

She also asked a few questions about my writing. I used the chance to make clear what I truly meant because I thought my wording was a little unclear.

In my situation, the interviewer talked about his experiences for about half the 30 minutes that the session lasted.

Just be consistent with your essays and resume, and be clear about your objectives.

Within a week, I received an offer letter.

Good fortune!”

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 4

The interview process went fairly well. Due to the fact that I work in Singapore, I had a face-to-face interview. Generally informal and friendly.

During the interview, we were asked:

1. Please introduce yourself.

2. What are your professional ambitions?

3. Can you please explain how this programme would assist you to reach your professional objectives?

4. What difficulties are you likely to encounter in achieving your professional objectives?

5. What special talent do you have that enhances learning in the classroom?

6. What was your most notable undergraduate achievement?

7. What contribution will you provide to the class?

8. Any other queries for us?

After all, the interviewer went into further detail regarding the student groups and career service center. I hope that helps.

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 5

Status: Skype

Date of interview: August 29, 19

Final Result: Accepted

The interviewer was a woman who looked to be in her 30s. Friendly. It took roughly 20 minutes to complete the interview.

She may have been holding a copy of my essay. 

1. Why an MBA, and what motivates you?

2. What do you do on a daily basis?

3. Why do you not wish to work in Singapore?

4. How many McDonald’s locations are there in Singapore (I told him I wanted to work there)? (The interviewer asked me this because I want to switch careers to management consulting.)

5. Have you applied to other schools?

In the end, he said that the admission decision is often received in about a week or two as he completed the interview. My offer letter arrived on the 20th.

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 6

Status: online

Date of interview: January 5, 22

“I had an interview at SMU for the full-time MBA programme.

The interview was conducted by three interviewers and was pleasant and engaging. The interview lasted 30 minutes.

a) They asked me to introduce myself/talk about my profile and professional background thus far. They questioned why I was doing an MBA now, how it would help me reach my goals, and why Nanyang. (Essentially, a brief summary of everything we have written in the essay)

b) They highlighted my mid to long-term aim in an interesting combination and inquired whether I have a mentor/guide whose input I seek while making these career decisions.

c) They assessed my flexibility/wavering/rigidity in terms of post-MBA employment prospects. They inquired why I didn’t shift immediately to the industry where I wanted to work long-term rather than spending a few years in a different area in the medium term.

d) Why Nanyang over other Asian MBA programmes (I noted in my initial answer that Nanyang would be a top choice for me because of the Asian-focused curriculum).

e) They inquired whether I had any queries for them.

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 7

Adcom off campus Interviewed on: February 28th, 2019 Admitted

“The interview was entirely conversational.” The majority of the questions revolved around my work and my reasons for pursuing an MBA.

1. I see that your ambition is to become a Tech Consultant. Why?

2. Why not consider Product Management?

3. How has the consulting industry fared since the outbreak?

4. What makes SMU unique? Some detailed inquiries about the classes.

5. How do you rate your networking abilities?

Sixth, some questions about hobbies.

7. Do you have any questions?

The interview was scheduled for 30 minutes and began on time. It lasted approximately 25 minutes.”

 

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 8

“The interviewer was nice and straightforward, asking exactly 5 questions before the interview as she laid out the structure (not counting follow-ups).” It was a casual interview, and she appeared polite and curious. I was startled to see no “Walk me through your resume” question.

The interview lasted about 50 minutes, with the last 20 minutes dedicated to me asking her questions. The following are the questions:

1) Briefly describe your education and professional experience.

2) Create a project that you are proud of.

3) The other talent that you did not mention in your previous response that you believe is crucial for MBA
4) What would you do if things didn’t go as planned?
5) Why an MBA?
6) Are there any other things you want to acquire out of an MBA outside core courses, electives, and intensives?
7) Have you spoken with any current or former SMU students or alumni?
8) What did you learn from the AdCom virtual session that you attended?
9) Johnson’s Contribution
10) What have you learned from cultural differences?
11) Three adjectives that your boss/team will use to characterise you.”

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 9

“I was interviewed by a member of the Admissions Committee, and the interview was very conversational.” The interviewer was open and curious, attempting to learn more about my experience and suitability for the institution.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
2. How did you hear about our Singapore school? What was the procedure you used to shortlist schools?

3. Are you anticipating a deadline from another school? Which universities did you apply to?
4. Which firms would you consider after completing your MBA? Tell us about your plans for career advancement.
5. What are your strong points?
6. What are your areas for development?
7. Can you share an example of when you received constructive feedback?
8. What are the three most significant values you seek in a company?
9. You are meticulous and have handled projects using a well-defined methodology. What measures will you take when a project provides you with a number of unforeseen situations that require you to be agile?
10. What steps will you take if a member of your team is not doing his or her part? How would you react if we reversed the circumstances and you were the one who was falling behind?
11. What is anything that would keep you awake at night if you were admitted to SMU? What will you be most concerned about?

The interviewers were really nice and created a safe environment for me to express myself. I had a great time conversing with them and hope I didn’t bore them.

SMU MBA Interview Experience – 10

“The interview began about 20 minutes late and ended in about 20 minutes.” It was casual, but the interviewer didn’t say anything. She did take copious notes while I was speaking, and there was a surprise. The following inquiries were made:
1. Please tell me about your journey.
2. Why an MBA?
3. What are your short-term and long-term objectives?
4. Why did you choose SMU? What do you want to gain from the programme?
5. How will you give back to the community?
6. How do your coworkers and peers describe you?
7. Proudest professional accomplishment
8. What are your interests outside of work?
9. Do you have any questions for me? I asked three questions, and my interviewer then related his experiences.”

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