Hi all,
Would like to have some help in editing my personal statement, not sure if it sounds well enough at this point.
Finance and Research Challenge
My decision to apply for the MSc in Finance programme with LSE has come from both my keen interest in the study of Finance and my desire to learn from the best within the business world. Having previously done corporate finance internships with both DBS Bank and KPMG Corporate Finance and subsequent research on the different career opportunities that are available, I am inclined to accept that having a strong foundation in Finance would allow me to succeed in the Investment Banking industry which I look forward to join at the end of my postgraduate studies. I believe being equipped with a postgraduate degree from a prestigious institution such as LSE will allow me to better prepare myself for global job opportunities and provide me with a strong technical grounding to start a career within the industry.
Being a top undergraduate student from one of the top business schools in the Asia Pacific region, I believe that I am equipped with the basic skills and abilities to undertake the course requirements at LSE. At Nanyang Business School, we are tested not only on just how well we are able to digest the knowledge that was imparted to us, but also on our ability to work in a team and learn as a team to solve the different and often, difficult problems posed to us. I believe that an education with Nanyang Business School has spurred my interest in the study of Finance and I am looking forward to bringing my study of Finance to a higher level if I were to get offered a position at LSE.
I enjoy interacting with people from across the world. Having taken part on a semester-long exchange study programme at San Diego State University, I was given the opportunity to visit different parts of America and learn about different cultures on a day-to-day basis. I also enjoy working with different people across different nationalities as it allows me to get a wider perspective on different issues and learn more from their perspectives. In school, I also act as a Director with the Nanyang Business School Exchange Club, where I helped organize events to help exchange student assimilate into local Singaporean culture through guided tours and events to get know local students and culture better. Further, I also enjoy participating in community service learning projects. One of the projects that I participated in was an International Service Learning trip to the Maldives, where I act as Logistics Director. I was in charge in organizing the efforts to package and deliver donated computers and supplies to one of the more rural atolls that we were helping.
I also enjoy challenging myself consistently by taking part in various business case and research competitions, which allows me to hone my time management skills and train my business sense in a simulated environment before stepping into the commercial world. One of the competitions that I participated in was the CIMA Global Business Challenge 2012 which was organized by Barclays Investment Bank. During this competition, my team had to come up with innovative solutions to help a company solve its business problems through a series of business analysis and financial projections. My team worked hard during the course of the competition and was able to complete the report that brought us to the finals given the time constraints and heavy academic workload. Presenting to a panel of judges from the top management of Barclays Investment Bank was a daunting task, but being well prepared and rehearsed for the presentation was crucial to securing victory in the competition. My victory in the competition has proven that I have the ability to not just work on my own, but also in groups, so that much more can be achieved.
Further, I am also currently participating in the CFA Institute Research Challenge 2013, which is one of the most coveted competitions available to aspiring finance undergraduates all over the world. In this competition, my team prepared an equity research report on a Singapore-listed furniture and electronics retailer with detailed industry and valuation analysis to back our recommendations. Through a DCF model and relative valuation analysis that my team has built, we were able to come up with a buy call for the company and would be representing NTU in the Singapore finals of this prestigious competition.
My experience with the M&A teams in DBS Bank and KPMG gives me exposure in advising some of the largest M&A deals within South East Asia. The deals that I have advised include the S$13.8 billion acquisition of Fraser and Neave by TCC Assets and the S$745 million acquisition of SC Global Developments by MYK Holdings. Being on the deal teams of different transactions has given me the opportunity to gain different insights across many different industries, which also allowed me to gain deeper insights on the thought processes of business leaders on how they plan to grow and develop their businesses and gain the ability to provide valuable advice through research and thorough analysis. These experiences have sparked my interest in pursuing a career in investment banking which will allow me to have access to top level executives of different companies to help them achieve different corporate objectives. I believe that an education with LSE will enable me to get a greater focus on the investment banking industry and open more doors to global opportunities which will enable me to succeed in this industry on a global platform.
My interests outside school and work include playing softball, riding my mountain bike and playing Texas Hold'em Poker. In school, I was an avid sportsman and have participated in the Inter-hall Sports Competition where I played as an outfielder. Through hard training and good time management, our team was able to overcome significant obstacles and emerge as school champion in the competition. On weekends, I enjoy organizing cycling expeditions around Singapore as a form of physical exercise.
The opportunity to develop myself as an individual via an academically challenging environment, together with the ability to be surrounded by similar individuals with high intellectual capabilities who share similar interests and passion in Finance will be an impeccable learning experience for all participants.
The MSc of Finance programme with LSE will be the missing jigsaw piece to complete my academic experience. I appreciate your taking the time in considering my application and I hope that the information that I have shared has demonstrated academic abilities and my drive to succeed in the Finance industry.