Academic-Based Clubs
SMU Cognitare
ABOUT US
Cognitare is SMU's premier business case club, the only club in SMU that offers exposure to international case competitions, all sponsored by LKCSB. Our members get to go against the best business schools around the world, devising solutions for some of the biggest challenges companies face today. Our comprehensive training develops critical thinking, strong business acumen, and effective communication skills that will bring you far not only in your academic but also in your professional journey.
The TOP choice to kickstart your journey in SMU:
1. Transferable Business Skills
Our intense training allows members to develop analytical skills, learn to communicate effectively, and build confidence to help you grow both personally and professionally.
2. One-of-a-kind Experience
Our members get to travel to destinations around the world and compete against world-class business schools. Recent destinations include the United States, Canada, Denmark, Australia, and the Netherlands.
3. Professional Headstart
Our members get to leverage our strong senior and alumni network as a launchpad for your dream career across various industries such as Investment Banking, Private Equity, Management Consulting, Tech, and FMCG.
To find out more, do visit our website or our LinkedIn page.
Alternatively, you can also Telegram message Claire at @clairesloh or Veronica at @veron_wxl to find out more!
REACH OUT TO US
GALLERY
OUR TRAINING
| Year 1 Training | Weekly business cases to be presented at the end of the week to seniors |
| Estimated Preparation Duration | 30 hours |
| Training Duration | 3 hours |
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Champions Trophy Case Competition 2024 (New Zealand)
Global Champions - Scotiabank International Case Competition 2024 (Canada)
Global 2nd Runner Up - International Case Competition @ Maastricht 2024 (The Netherlands)
Global Champions - Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge 2023 (Thailand)
Global Champions - International Case Competition @ Maastricht 2023 (The Netherlands)
Global Champions - McDonough Business Strategy Challenge 2023 (The United States)
1st Runner Up - Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge 2022 (Thailand)
1st Runner Up - Global Microfinance Case Competition 2022 (Australia)
Global Champions - McDonough Business Strategy Challenge 2022 (The United States)
2nd Runner Up - University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Global Case Competition 2021 (Australia)
Global Champions - Scotiabank International Case Competition 2021 (Canada)
2nd Runner Up -
Chulalongkorn International Business Case Competition 2021 (Thailand)
2nd Runner Up - McDonough Business Strategy Challenge 2020 (The United States)
Global Champions - Sauder Summit Global Competition 2020 (Canada)
1st Runner Up - Copenhagen Business School Global Case Competition 2019 (Denmark)
Global Champions
HOW TO JOIN THE CLUB?
There are 3 rounds of interviews:
| Pre-screening: | Where you will solve a short business case to provide exposure |
| Superday: | Which will consist of a combination of individual interviews and a group task |
| Coffee Chat: | Where you will meet our senior members in-person |
"Cognitare has allowed me to forge important friendships and at the same time taught me important skills that have helped me both academically and professionally. It has also given me a safe space to explore my creativity and potential. Joining the club is the best decision I have made and the rewarding experience Cognitare has given me cannot be easily replaced."
- Cheng Yee Ting, Y2 Junior Member, Accountancy and Business Management (DDP)
FAQ
Cognitare has a long-standing history as SMU’s pioneer (and only) business case club. And as SMU representatives, we get to travel overseas for international competitions sponsored by the faculty.
While training for these competitions, the skills and knowledge gained are often widely transferrable, regardless of the industry you wish to end up in. This is evident in our alumni and even current members who have diverse skill sets and careers in different fields.
In addition, we hold our members to high training standards to groom them into career-ready individuals. By maintaining a much smaller club size, this also gives us more face time with each member to strike close-knit and meaningful connections.
A business case is a document that encapsulates a company’s problems, an overview of the industry, the company’s position in the competitive landscape and financial situation. It also comes with an appendix of additional data and financial statements meant to aid the reader’s understanding and analysis of the company.
Our members will have to analyse the information given in the business case, along with secondary data, to come up with feasible and innovative solutions for the company. The team will learn through presenting and defending their proposed solutions to a panel of senior members. Senior members in the club – who often come from diverse professional backgrounds like Tech, Finance, Consulting, FMCG etc. will then give concrete, actionable feedback to juniors.
We believe that this is necessary to ensure high quality deliverables and high training standards. As the school commits to members’ development in the club, we do our part by training hard and performing well during competitions. The commitment level of the club is also a small glimpse of how future working life would be, which is in line with how we train our members to be career-ready individuals. Some of our members are able to handle Cognitare and other commitments like Muay Thai or Dance. It is difficult but it is not impossible. A good dose of time management and prioritization will help you balance your external commitments with Cognitare.
We understand that as Year 1s, a business case is very foreign to you. This is why we look out for more innate qualities like critical thinking, natural business acumen and the ability to convey your ideas clearly and concisely.
Additionally, commitment and grit are also key values we look for. We would love to learn more about what drives you as an individual to see whether you are a good fit for the club.
Continue your enchanted journey here
