Additional Post - A Real Life Scenario

Dear all,

I am applying to go for an International Summer Programme at Korea University! Not only is this the perfect time to showcase the skills I learnt in the course, but also a chance for me to receive further feedback of my writing style! So here is my response to a PERSONAL STATEMENT that is part of the application form.

Any feedback rendered is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

Please include a personal statement of about 500 words as to why you wish to you to go for your selected programme and how it will benefit you.

Travelling to Korea has always been my dream, as it is arguably the hub of Asia, sporting multitudinous musical, entertainment, historical, culinary and technological attractions. Moreover, I have always been impressed at the polite disposition of the Koreans. As one of the country’s oldest and top ranked universities, KU is renowned for its excellence and comprehensiveness in teaching. I therefore crave at not only living in one of Asia’s most technologically advanced cities, but also to experience varsity life at this premium university.

The summer programme offered by KU is therefore an excellent opportunity for four reasons. Firstly, I relish the chance to intern under either of Korea’s two most famed companies, Samsung and LG. As a student, intensive industrial practicum is invaluable, as it opens our eyes to realistic situations that we have been shielded from under the shelter of our education system. More interestingly, the internship scope in these corporations is outside the field of engineering. As it is too important to be multidisciplinary in our society, this internship equips me with important skills of another discipline that I can apply in my engineering industrial practicum, and subsequently my corporate life.

Secondly, KU allows me to take any courses offered in the summer. This allows me to experience different learning structures and methods while undertaking interesting courses. The course that I am keen to take up is “Korean Philosophy”, as I am interested to understand the beliefs that shape the cognitive acumen of Koreans, setting them apart from others. Furthermore, the many other courses specifically tailored to Korea that will also be equally fulfilling in my desire of cultural immersion and intellectual molding. I believe that going through this unique Korean pedagogy will alter my perception of academia, provide educational diversity and a memorable experience that I will cherish and want to share with my peers.

Thirdly, the programme gives me the chance to learn a third language. As Korea is becoming increasingly vibrant and cosmopolitan, the Korean language has also become more frequently spoken. Hence, gaining some mastery of it opens up many doors for me to communicate with others and widen my social circle. Personally, I feel that acquiring a fundamental proficiency in a third language is definitely an essential skill set one should aim to acquire in life, and I would therefore fully cherish this experience.

Lastly, this summer programme allows me to tour the city of Seoul and experience first hand the heartbeat of Korea. In addition, this program grants me an opportunity to experience varsity life in a foreign university. This encourages me to take part in meaningful varsity activities that I might have missed out in NUS.

In conclusion, the opportunity to study at KU and intern in Korea is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would live to regret if I were to let it pass me by. As a keen learner and a dynamic student, I feel that this summer programme would be highly beneficial.

Additional Post - My Resume

Titus Lim Hsien Yong

Professional Communication LetUsChatterStreet

Block 1000 #55-055

Singapore 891246

Mobile Number: 8192 4675

Email: tituslhy@hotmail.com

Objective:

To enroll as a graduate student for the Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering

Practice (M.S CEP) in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT).

Summary of Personal Skills:

·      Dynamic and objective student with competent intellectual acumen. Able to grasp complex concepts and translate learning to developing effective solutions.

·      Keen and tenacious learner. Diligent student fully committed to the fruition of academia and self-enrichment goals.

·      Resourceful leader who is able to manage key appointments and build strong rapport with group members. Consistently meeting project deadlines and excelling in performance.

·      Outstanding presentation and writing skills.

·      Able to use MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) programming software and familiar with Microsoft Office software.

Academic Achievements:

National University of Singapore (NUS)                                         2011 – Present

Candidate for the Bachelor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering      

·      Secured a place in the NUS Global Engineering Programme – an accelerated bachelor’s programme to groom outstanding students.

·      Awarded the NUS Undergraduate Scholarship.

Anderson Junior College                                                                  2007 - 2008

Awarded the GCE ‘A’ Level Certificate (7As)

·      Awarded the Top Student Award by the college for performing amongst the top 1% of cohort in the GCE ‘A’ Levels of 2008.

·      Awarded the Certificate of Accomplishment for completing the Alpha Programme with Distinction – the college’s premium programme to groom academically strong students in areas of leadership, community service and group achievement programme.

·      Awarded the Edusave Awards for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES) by Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State in 2008.

·      Represented the College in the prestigious American Mathematics Competition in 2008.

Saint Andrew’s Secondary School                                                   2003 – 2006

Graduated with the GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate (5As & 2Bs)

·      Awarded the Edusave Scholarships in 2005 and 2006 for performing amongst the top 10% of the cohort.

·      Placed First in Subject for Chinese in the GCE ‘O’ Levels of 2006.

·      Awarded the EAGLES by Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State in 2006.

Other Achievements:

National Service                                                                               2009 – 2011

·      Served as an Investigation Officer at the Special Investigations Branch, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Military Police Command.

·      Nominated for Best Soldier of the Month of January 2011.

Co-Curricular Activities (Anderson Junior College)                       2007 - 2008

·      Awarded the College Colors Award in 2008 for outstanding performance in Chinese Chess.

·      Awarded the Sports Leaders Award in 2008 for outstanding academic and co-curricular activity performance.

·      Awarded the Platinum Award for Community Involvement Programme (CIP) contributions (more than 120hrs of CIP).

·      President of the Anderson Junior College Chess Club 2008.

·      Undertook and headed extracurricular CIP projects as the Head of Communications in liaison with the Lion Befrienders Association of Singapore (North) to organize a Mid-Autumn Celebration for Senior Citizens.

·      Lead the AJC Chinese Chess team to 1^st position in the Raffles Cup, 2^nd Annual Hwa Chong Cup chess competitions in 2008.

Co-Curricular Activities (Saint Andrew’s Secondary School)         2003 -2006

·      Awarded the Certificate of Merit for Leadership and Exemplary Contribution to the Prefectorial Board.

·      Awarded the Lincoln Award for extraordinary resilience and aptitude in execution of prefectorial duties.

·      Vice President of the Saints Mind Games Club and Captain of the Saints Chinese Chess team.

·      Placed 1^st in the Saints Chess Open for the Chinese Chess category.

·      Executive Committee of the English Language Drama and Debating Society.

·      Key Member of the Saints Debating and Oratorical Team.

Additional Information:

·      Languages: Fluent in English and Mandarin, written and spoken.

·      Personal Interests: Politics, Community Service, Mathematics and Science.

- References Available Upon Request -

My Application Letter

Professional Communication Road

LetUsChatter Drive

Singapore 892134

8 February 2014

Professor Klavs F. Jensen

Department of Chemical Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

77 Massachusetts Ave

Cambridge MA 02139 USA

Dear Professor Jensen,

I am writing to apply for entry to the Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice (M.S. CEP) graduate program. Having completed my Undergraduate degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2013, I hope to embark on a challenging and rewarding graduate education at MIT, the premium university for Chemical Engineers.

I believe that apart from promoting a more cohesive varsity life at MIT, I will also be able to cope with the rigors of graduate education. As a student in the prestigious Global Engineering Programme (GEP) in NUS, I had to bear the additional academic workload to accelerate the completion of my honors degree in 3 years. The successful completion of the programme while shouldering the key appointment of Marketing Head of the Welfare Committee of the Chemical Engineering Students Society (CHESS) reflects my resilience, dynamism and the desire to give back to my alma mater and community.

Despite the acceleration of my degree, I was still inspired by how prevalent chemical engineering is in our milieu. It is my earnest wish to expand my engineering skill set acquired in my undergraduate degree. I believe that my keen desire to learn coupled with my tenacity will enable me to make a valuable impact to your department and a worthy student of your school.

Since I began my tenure as an undergraduate student, furthering my studies at MIT has always been my dream, as I am highly drawn by the unique MIT experience entailing rigorous theoretical training, and the fulfilling hands-on experience of industrial and research practicum. Attached in the overleaf of this letter is my resume to provide you a holistic overview of my qualifications. I look forward to hearing your favorable reply. Do feel free to contact me at my mobile number (8192 7465) or email me at tituslhy@hotmail.com should you have any queries.

Yours Sincerely,

 

Titus Lim Hsien Yong

Enclosures:

1.     Resume

2.     Copy of Undergraduate graduation certificate and transcript.

3.     College School Graduation Certificate

4.     Testimonials

* Other supporting documents are available upon request.

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

            The game of guilt, an endless cycle of disappointment, a futile effort of continuous verbal posturing to undermine the other party and a game that invades every thought from its commencement to its finish. In this ouroboros – the classic of a dragon chasing its tail - every subsequent round of verbal exchange brings about a more heated argument with wilder accusations, personal attacks and emotive responses to comments of the other party.

            Many years ago, a couple by the name of Joe and Priscilla were victims of this game. Priscilla being the perfectionist, strongly believed that one should “sharpen their axe” while resting, so as to be more effective when working. Conversely, Joe is an idyllic person whose hobby of breeding fishes is the focal point of his breaks. As a teenager, I was fascinated and envious of the carefree life of fishes and often spent my weekends helping Joe with the maintenance of his fish tank. Yet, this was to be the point of conflict.

            “You failed your Geography final examinations! If you don’t seek to outdo yourself, how will you ever catch up with the diligent students and have a future? And you Joe! Don’t you care for Titus? Why waste his time with your fishes?” roared Priscilla one day when she found us sitting by the fish tank. Incensed by her sharp words, Joe responded in kind by calling Priscilla a selfish person who only imposes her will on others. What was supposed to be a December holiday degenerated into a shouting match colored with outrageous insinuations. It was a miracle that they managed to sleep together that night.

            Yes, Joe and Priscilla are my parents, although they did not seem that way for that week. Instead, my parents were mired in little skirmishes in the day, and a silent war at night. My dad refused to send my mum to and from her office, while my mum refused to make any dinner for my dad. In a blink of an eye, my loving home was transformed into a cold war zone. At the tender age of 15, I found this reality difficult to accept.

            My sister and I finally decided to intervene. With the fractions of our pocket money saved in the past months, we splurged on my dad’s favorite dishes and a bouquet of roses. After hours of practice the previous day, my sister successfully forged my dad’s signature on the card at the florist and wrote “I love you” before sending the bouquet to my mother’s office. Although the plan was relatively simple (and costly for our age), the execution was seamless. It did not matter that they shortly discovered the conspirators. Greeting these gestures with tears of joy and a smile, the tension between them apparently dissipated; their love re-ignited. As for the issue of our homework, my parents gave time off to my sister and I to enjoy the festivities before finally starting our revision after Christmas.

            Even though the conflict is past history, it remained clearly etched in my memory, as I have never seen my loving parents raged at each other. To my relief, my parents never fought at this magnitude again and exercised greater patience and discernment in their communication. Still, I cannot help but wonder how the situation would have reconciled without any intervention. If verbal posturing causes a situation to spiral negatively, why won’t people simply compromise?