Saturday, April 17, 2010

...and, the First Step We Shall Make!

So, I've just attended the NUS MBA Roadshow and have gathered the necessary information about the program.

Next step is to find out similar information from other schools I'm interested to attend so I can all lay them out and compare and decide which program I really want and need.

These are my list of schools so far:

  1. NUS - MBA
  2. NTU - MBA or MA in Marketing
  3. Loyola School of Chicago - Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications
  4. West Virginia University - Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications (Online)
  5. Leeds Metropolitan University - Masters in Events Management (Online)

My goal is to post relevant information about all these schools and programs by the end of May so I can prepare my application requirements et al. 

Also, if any of you know or have heard any information about these schools and/or their programs, whether positive or negative, please drop a line.  Who knows?  It just might be the tipping point.  : )  

 

The Road to an MA: Attending the NUS MBA Roadshow in Manila

Went to the NUS MBA Roadshow at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel earlier today.



The Roadshow started with a demo lecture on Mergers and Acquisitions by Professor Andrew Delios from the Department of Business Policy.

Now, Mergers and Acquisitions or M&As is a really complicated subject (not to mention boring!). So, I wasn't really keen on sitting in this mock class especially on a hot Saturday afternoon. But, I was surprised by Prof. Delios' lecture. He eased you into the subject matter so as to eliminate any feelings of intimidation one might have about M&As. After all, M&As is akin to a high-stakes numbers game -- but with financial statements, stocks analysis, graphs and charts instead. Once you're comfortable with the subject matter, he started presenting the requisite percentages, graphs and charts. But it was presented in such a clear and concise manner that made it easy to follow and understand. Therefore, one can go straight to the heart of M&A issues. It was really interesting stuff...that I had to control the urge to whip out my notebook and take down notes. And, that's a first when it comes to financial subjects and issues because they really bore the hell out of me. And, any guy who can make me interested in such a boring subject matter is definitely topnotch!

After the demo lecture, we had a 10-minute break where light snacks were served (yay!). I ate 1 pc of the Mango-Chicken Salad Croissant, 1 pc of Samosa with 2 dipping sauces, 2 pcs of the Smoked Salmon thingamajig (forgot what its called), an extremely small cup of Creme Brulee, an extremely small square of strawberry cheesecake, and an extremely small Strawberry Tart. I just couldn't resist! After all, one does not get to eat hotel food everyday. I did try to control my portions so I can stay within my diet (and, dinner was still cereal).

After the break, we got back on the road with the NUS MBA Program Orientation. It was delivered by Mr. Edwin Lim, the Marketing and Admissions Manager of NUS Business School. In a nutshell, he discussed why NUS Business School is the way to go, the NUS MBA program and double degree MBA programs, application and admission requirements, and other FAQs.

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Based from what I have gleaned from this seminar as well as from my research, I like NUS Business School (aside from the fact that it is in Singapore) due to the following reasons:

  1. It is globally-ranked and globally-recognized 
  2. It has an international faculty whose members have acquired PhDs from top universities in the world
  3. It has an excellent Career Services Office, which is devoted to placing their students / graduates in top corporations
  4. It offers Study Trips, Internships, and Exchange Programs to enhance the students' knowledge and experience
  5. It has a wide range of double degree MBA programs in different universities in Asia and Europe (particularly Paris, France)

Below are additional information about the NUS MBA Program:

Students are required to get a specialization in one of the following fields:
  • Strategy and Organization 
  • Marketing 
  • Finance  
  • Healthcare Management 
  • Real Estate 
Full-Time students are given 17 months (1 year and 5 months) to finish the program.

Part-Time students are given a maximum of 72 months (6 years) to finish the program.

Entry requirements are:
  • a good Bachelors Degree
  • a good GMAT Score (600s and above)
  • at least 2 years post-university, full-time work experience
  • TOEFL / IELTS Score*

* Graduates from the Philippines are exempted from taking the TOEFL and IELTS since medium of instruction in the country is in English

Competition to get into the NUS MBA Program is tough. According to Mr. Lim, out of the 5,000 applications, only 700 are shortlisted for interview. Out of the 700, only 100+ will be accepted into the program.

They claim that they try to be fair in the screening process and  get well-rounded students. Hence, they do not just use college grades or GMAT scores as sole basis for acceptance in the program. Work experience is just as important as well.

Tuition fee for the whole program is S$50,000 or approximately P1.5 Million (payable in 3 semesters for full-time students and 5 semesters for part-time students).  

They do realize that the tuition fee is a cause of major concern for students in "developing economies."  Yet,  they recommend that students who have not yet mapped out their finances should still go ahead and apply. Once a student gets in, they are optimistic that the student will find ways and pull through the required tuition fees...  

All that matters is that you take the first step. 


For more information, visit the NUS Business School website.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Road to an MA: The NUS MBA Roadshow in Manila

It seems that the stars are conspiring to help me. 

Because coming to Manila this April 17, Saturday, is the NUS (National University of Singapore) MBA Roadshow.



And, being the good, focused, and determined girl (or should I say woman) that I am, I have already registered.



I really want to get my MA / MBA in an Ivy League university in North America but its horrendously expensive given our Third World cost of living. So, I would gladly settle for an MA / MBA in a Singaporean university since their programs are at par with those in North America and Europe. It's not horrendously expensive (just expensive!). And, definitely workable. Especially, since I also plan to work in Singapore some time in the future. 

I'll find out exactly how workable it is on Saturday. 

Tomorrow just keeps getting better and better!

Day 1 of The 14-Day Nestle Fitnesse Meal Plan

Went grocery shopping last night to buy toiletries and weight-friendly food to kick start my goal to have a bikini-body. 

I've tried a few diets, including the infamous Master Cleanser Diet a.k.a. The Lemonade Diet. Basically, you just chug down lemonade sweetened with real maple syrup and a dash of cayenne pepper for about 10 days. I lasted for 3 days before I surrendered (I still have a very expensive bottle of grade B maple syrup gathering dust in my food shelf). With nothing but lemonade for sustenance, I felt weak and faint during those 3 days of hell. Not advisable for people who have work or are always out-and-about. And, I work and I'm always out-and-about. So, I need a diet that requires food. Because food = energy. 

Then, I discovered the Nestle Fitnesse Cereal and their 14-day promise. Looking at the suggested meal plan at the back of the carton, it didn't look too unreasonable. 



I mean I love cereal, I love milk, I love fruit, I love yogurt, I love some vegetables. How hard can it be, right? Well, we'll soon find out coz today is Day 1 of the 14-Day Nestle Fitnesse Meal Plan. No backing out now coz I've already invested in 2 boxes: Honey & Almond and Fruit. 



And, to gauge the effectiveness of the diet, we've got to have quantitative measurable data as basis. 

So, here come's the dreaded weigh-in result...

A shocking 140 lbs! 

Gosh, I really need to start this diet. STAT!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Turning 30

There is something about turning 30 that depresses the hell out of everyone. Probably because its the halfway point of one's life. You're not young, you're not old either. But, by this time, you should have done a LOT of things. You should have an established professional life, financially healthy, traveled extensively, and/or have started a family. Well, that's what most people think anyways. 

Me? I'm quite satisfied with the first 30 years of my life in spite of how different it is from an average thirty-year-old's. Oh, there are things I wish I would've done differently. But, of course, you can't undo the past. Besides, if I took the other route, I wouldn't be where I am right now. And, I believe I am in a pretty good place (although my parents probably think otherwise!). But, it definitely has lots of room for improvement. 

I have danced through life to the beat of my own drums. And, I will continue to live it that way. But, that's not to say that I should just continue dillydallying. Life is too short. And, there are just so many things to do, places to see, books to read, music to listen to, films and plays to watch, and food to eat to fit it all in just one lifetime. Hence, THE LIST.

THE LIST basically consists of the non-negotiables that I want to achieve as well as other fun, frivolous things that I feel will make my life a blast...or the next 5 years, anyways. 

May this project inspire you to draft your own list and, most importantly, to live it as well. 

Cheers!