Dear customer,

Welcome to the November edition of ICON+’s MBA Access Newsletter. You are receiving this e-newsletter because you inquired about our test prep and/or admissions consulting services.

For many MBA programs, Round 1 admissions deadlines have passed. This month, we refocus your energies to excel in Round 2 applications and provide you some useful tips.

IESE MBA Info Session
Sat 19th Nov: 13:00-14:00
ICON+ Raffles Campus

The Nanyang MBA Course Preview
Tue 22nd Nov: 18:00-21:00
ICON+ Raffles Campus

GMAT Trial Class
Sat 26th Nov: 11:00-13:00
ICON+ Raffles Campus

IE MBA Info Session
Sat 3rd Dec: 13:00-14:00
ICON+ Orchard Campus

Contact arlene@icon-plus.com to register for the MBA Info Sessions. Contact vivian@icon-plus.com or mandy@icon-plus.com to register for the GMAT Trial Class.

Round One is done and over with!

Give yourself a pat on the back, and BREATHE. 1… 2… 3…

Now it’s time to get back on the horse and fight your way to the next deadlines! That’s right, you’re not done yet: Round Two is here.

You might ask, “Isn’t Round Two just a repeat of Round One?”

Absolutely not.

If you are like most applicants, you applied to your top choice programs in Round One. That doesn’t mean Round Two schools aren’t important. Presumably, you applied to more selective schools in the earlier round, so you must work on Round Two applications keeping in mind that you might not get into your top Round One programs. Yes, that’s a reality check coming right at you!

However, with some MBA admissions experience under your belt, every essay you write, every interview you give, and every resume you submit in Round Two should not only come easier, but should also be more refined. Simply put, your Round Two applications should be better.

Click here to learn how you can ensure that’s the case.

If you’re currently in pursuit of GMAT excellence you need to be ready to commit yourself to the relationship! Getting the score you want is no easy feat. To help you on your journey to GMAT relationship success, I came up with some dating tips.

Set goals – Sometimes all you need is a gentle push to get your mind into revision mode. Without a test date booked it’s hard to plan a revision schedule and very easy to become complacent.  Have a GMAT test date in mind.

Plan date nights – Carving out time to commit to the GMAT is a constant battle as life tends to get in the way! With your test date and prior commitments in mind, make a revision schedule. Be firm with yourself and try to stick to it!

Click here to learn more.

20 November 2011, 14.00 - 17.00
Swissôtel The Stamford
Raffles City Convention Centre
Singapore

The QS World MBA Tour is the most prestigious MBA fair in the world and is perfect for anybody looking to begin studying an MBA.

Each MBA fair gives candidates the chance to meet the best business schools from around the world.

Register for the event here.

The TOEFL exam tests your proficiency in English. However, there are several ways to take the test.  The TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) was introduced in late 2005 and has revolutionized the English proficiency exam. The Computer Based Test (CBT) was then discontinued in September 2006, consequently making all CBT test scores invalid. In 2011, the TOEFL iBT is the most popular version taken. However, many countries still offer the Paper Based Test (PBT) TOEFL. Interestingly, Singapore only offers the iBT.

Explore the key differences between the iBT and the PBT here.

• Student Body

Diversity is a key strength of the SMU MBA programme. Creative, inspiring and closely knit, our participants collectively possess a wide range of expertise across many industries including Finance, Energy, IT, Media, Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Engineering, Shipping, Education, Construction, Medicine, Government, and the Public Sector. Drawn from various national, educational and professional backgrounds, our participants truly embody the multicultural face of Asia. And with an average work experience of 5-8 years, they all benefit from sharing their knowledge through the enriching in-class discussions encouraged by our seminar-style teaching.

• Program Information

The SMU MBA is designed to bring out the best in Asia’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. Intense and accelerated, the programme is structured around an innovative curriculum that features core classes traditionally offered as electives. A solid ‘soft skills’ base complements the traditional ‘hard skills’ component, ensuring the SMU MBA produces leaders with the cross-cultural sensitivities that are essential in a global economy.

• Admissions Requirements

Individuals must hold a university degree and have a minimum of 2 years' full-time working experience to apply for the programme. The GMAT is also a compulsory requirement for admission. Above all, candidates must demonstrate that they have the commitment, experience, motivation and potential to benefit from and contribute to the programme. TOEFL or IELTS is required if one’s degree was not taught in English.

Application Deadlines

(Full-Time MBA Programme starting in January 2012)
20 December 2010 (Round 1)
1 March 2011 (Round 2)
18 July 2011 (Round 3)
15 November 2011 (Final)

(Part-Time Programme starting in July 2012)
20 December 2011 (Round 1)
29 February 2012 (Round 2)
15 May 2012 (Final)

• Cost

S$57,000 – full-time programme
S$59,000 – part-time programme
The fees include GST and all course materials and textbook.

• Highlights

- SMU is Singapore’s national business university and is modeled after the Wharton School.
- Unique soft skills (leadership, negotiation & communication skills) component in addition to a traditional hard skills curriculum – Such expertise are often cited as the most valuable skill sought by companies and often overshadowed by other MBA curricula.  SMU MBA offers a Real-World MBA with an Asian perspective.
- SMU has built relationships with over 700 businesses in Singapore and beyond.  This enables SMU to engage outstanding leaders from the business community to share their industry expertise and hands-on management experience with our students. 
- One-on-one attention for each participant – a smaller class size means privileged opportunities to form enduring relationships with classmates and professors. 
- 12-month full-time or 18-month part-time programme – minimises your time away from the workforce so you can recoup your financial investment sooner. 
- Unique seminar-style learning promises lots of interaction between the lecturers and students, grooming you to be a great communicator and team player.