Verbatim

 

Experts’ Global: Hi Trendy, thank you for making the time for this interview! Could you share your GMAT and MBA outcomes with our readers?

Trendy: Sure! I secured a 640 on the GMAT, applied to four business schools, and got admits to Warwick and NUS.

 

Experts’ Global: In your opinion, what actions of yours made the difference in your success?

Trendy: I would say that reaching out to MBA admissions consultants Experts’ Global was a good idea because they advised me well in matters of school selection, resume crafting, essay writing, and interview preparation.

 

Experts’ Global: What would you say about your journey in brief so far?

Trendy: I would say that the pandemic’s challenges, and a sense of complacency on my part, led to an almost four-year delay in my MBA admission. However, I feel like the additional time allowed me to truly refine my application and the struggle was worth it in the end!

 

Experts’ Global: With the benefit of hindsight, what mistakes did you make in the process?

Trendy: I think not spending enough time with a good GMAT online course to get my prep on track was a weakness. Particularly, I did not always revise the mistakes I made. My Quant aptitude seemed a little weak to me as well. The delays in my application journey also made maintaining momentum difficult.

 

Experts’ Global: What resources did you use for your GMAT prep and what advice do you have for fellow applicants about the same?

Trendy: I used Experts’ Global’s online GMAT prep module and GMAT mocks, private tutoring, Target Test Prep, the Princeton Review, and the official material. Your studies should depend on what your weak areas are. Start with the basics, and build your competence in both Verbal and Quant gradually. Decide a threshold score, and once you start reaching it consistently in around five mocks, take the GMAT. Do not focus overmuch on it, as your profile’s worth involves more than just a high GMAT score.

 

Experts’ Global: How was your experience with applying to the schools? In your opinion, what are a few things you did correctly to successfully achieving your admission?

Trendy: The application experience was not the smoothest. People need to be aware of the time commitment even a single application requires. Beyond the fact that recommendations can be difficult to collect on time, the essay questions for each school are different, and the elaborateness of their application processes also differs. In my case, I reached out to Singaporeans in my domain who had recently completed the MBAs I was targeting to get their insights on the programs. This helped me find a good fit for myself.

 

Experts’ Global: What area of the application was most challenging and how did you win through?

Trendy: I think I am just lucky. I was good with English and writing in general due to my background. Even so, the application essays required me to introspect a lot, because a lack of truthfulness does come through if they are not authentic. I would suggest, from the day you decide to pursue an MBA, to start noting down all the achievements you remember from your scholastic, collegiate, and professional history. These pointers can come in handy both in the application essays and the MBA interviews.

 

Experts’ Global: What are your lessons from managing the application timeline?

Trendy: Give yourself at least a month to work on your applications. Starting early is important to minimize last minute snags, and in general, rushing a process as vital as your application work is not a good idea.

 

Experts’ Global: Would you like to share your interview experience with the business school?

Trendy: The Warwick interview was quite straightforward. I had a single interviewer from the MBA admissions process, who asked me questions about why I chose the school and why I wanted to do an MBA.

The NUS interview was more challenging, with two interviewers, one an admissions office member and one an MBA alum. I was asked questions about those I look up to in business and why I should not be admitted into the MBA, among others. However, my MBA interview prep stood me in good stead throughout!

 

Experts’ Global: Would you like to share your on-going MBA experience?

Trendy: Even though I have been in the MBA a short while, it feels like it has been a long time. I work part-time as well, so balancing that with my studies is challenging. The NUS MBA’s orientation boot camp is unique, and teaches you to give good-quality, honest feedback. For more introverted people, the networking aspect of an MBA can be a bit surprising. However, I have seen a lot of peers grow in this respect.

 

Experts’ Global: What common mistakes should all GMAT and MBA applicants avoid?

Trendy: People often do not use the official material thoroughly for their GMAT prep. Make sure to treat it like your prep Bible. Further, take a free GMAT practice test before you begin your studies so that you can get a head start on understanding your weak areas.

 

Experts’ Global: What is your final message to us?

Trendy: Keep track of your timelines, maintain the momentum of your application work, and make sure to reach out to your recommenders well in advance to ensure their timely cooperation!

 

Experts’ Global: I am sure your advice will prove useful, Trendy!

Trendy: Happy to be able to help others in their MBA journeys!