mun lecture notes

This is a comprehensive, note-by-note synthesis of the transcript, organized as study-ready bullet points with key concepts, practical tips, examples, and numbers formatted in LaTeX where applicable.


This session is hosted by Crimson Education in partnership with the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA), the team behind Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) Conferences.

Crimson Education Overview

  • Purpose: Helps students turn experiences like MUN into powerful admission stories for top US, UK, Canada, and European universities.

  • Reach: World's largest and most experienced global education consultancy with offices in 20+20+ countries.

  • Services: Supports students in academics, test prep, leadership projects, and college applications.

  • Insights: Utilizes insights from working with many students, including what worked (and didn't) for specific students from schools like SAS applying to Yale.

  • Mentors & Tutors: Comprises 2,4002,400 mentors and tutors, mostly graduates from top universities, many with admissions experience.

  • Results: Over 1,3001,300 Ivy League offers and 380380 Oxbridge offers globally. In the current year, 8686 Oxbridge admits (with 2525 from Singapore) and 338338 US admits (to schools like Princeton, UPenn, Cornell).

Yale Model United Nations Singapore (YMUNSG)

  • Partnership: In partnership with YIRA and Crimson Education.

  • Significance: The only Yale conference in Southeast Asia, offering an international conference experience in the region.

  • Participation: Since 20242024, over 1,0001,000 students from across Asia have participated.

  • Upcoming Conference: YMUN Singapore 20262026 will take place in March; registrations are open.

  • Exclusive Opportunities: Leadership opportunities offered to students from partner schools.

  • Crimson Support: Offers one-on-one bespoke tutoring to enhance MUN performance for college applications.

Introduction of Speaker (Wei Li)

  • Speaker: Wei Li, a senior at Yale University, SAS alumnus, and founder of Yale Model UN Singapore.

  • Background: Competes for the Yale Model UN team, founded YMUN Singapore, and tutors in international affairs, MUN, and debate.

  • MUN Journey: Started in middle school in China, competed internationally, helped start SAS MUN in his class of 20202020. Served as an organizer for conferences in Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore.

  • Impact of MUN: Found skills learned in MUN highly relevant to internships and future jobs.

Why MUN is Crucial for College Admissions

  • Application Synthesis: Admissions officers read applications in minutes; experiences need to be synthesized clearly.

  • Admissions Criteria Breakdown:

    • Academics: 40%40%

    • Essays: 30%30%

    • Extracurriculars and Leadership: 30%30%

    • MUN falls under extracurriculars/leadership but can also be relevant for essays and interviews (Wei wrote a supplementary essay on MUN).

  • What US Universities Look For:

    1. Well-Rounded: A variety of experiences, showing involvement in a global community, informed on international issues, public speaking, meeting new people.

    2. Spike: A particular strength or depth in one area, demonstrating leadership (e.g., chairing, founding a conference, creating a blog/website, independent research, launching campaigns).

  • Yale Example: Approximately 50%50% to 60%60% of Yale students have done MUN in high school, many continuing in college.

  • Skills Developed through MUN:

    • Thinking outside the box (e.g., writing resolutions).

    • Global citizenship and awareness of social issues.

    • Confidence and presentability (public speaking, engaging others).

Typical Pitfalls with MUN as an Activity

  • Not Balancing Clubs and Competitions: Limiting potential by only serving as a delegate; aim for leadership roles (organizer, chair, passion projects).

  • Checklist Syndrome: Simply attending one MUN conference is insufficient; need to demonstrate sustained involvement and distinction.

Key Skills Developed with MUN

  1. Skills: Public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, critical thinking.

  2. Diplomacy: Working with people, delving into international relations.

  3. Leadership: Taking charge of a room or a block.

  4. Confidence: Stepping outside comfort zone, effective communication.

  5. Connections: Making lifelong friends from around the world.

Specialized Committees

Most SAS conferences typically offer General Assembly (GA) committees, so specialized committees provide unique exposure.

1. Crisis Committees

  • Role-Playing: Delegates play specific roles (e.g., Minister of Finance, CEO) rather than countries.

  • Committee Size: Smaller, typically 1515 to 2020 delegates, allowing for more consistent involvement.

  • Output: Submit directives (one-page, to-the-point resolutions) in response to crisis updates.

  • Dynamic Updates: Focus changes every hour or so with new crisis updates (e.g., a bombed oil plant, leading to energy supply issues).

  • Crisis Notes: Unique to crisis committees; used to advance personal power, influence, and lead towards an end goal.

Key Skills for Crisis Committees

  • Speed: Constant activity (directives, crisis notes, lobbying), quick thinking.

  • Initiative: Proposing impactful, feasible actions rapidly, unique ideas.

  • Creativity: Finding novel solutions, thinking outside the box, developing a unique character storyline/arc.

  • Storytelling: Connecting directives and crisis notes to an ultimate end goal for the crisis.

Crisis Timeline and Rhythm

  • Cycle: Typically 6060-minute cycles.

  • Process:

    • Opening speeches (3030 minutes).

    • Submit directives, which are then debated.

    • Concurrently, write first crisis note.

    • Backroom considers directives/notes to create a new update.

    • Repeats hourly; fast-paced and dynamic.

Crisis Note Components

  1. Title: Catchy introduction.

  2. Description of Action: Concrete steps your character will take (e.g., "authorizing the deployment of 300300 naval officers to monitor Port Hardcore").

  3. Actors: Who is taking the action (e.g., "Instruct the Ministry of Finance").

  4. Location and Timeline: Where and when the action occurs.

  5. Funding and Resources: Feasibility of the action.

  • Detail: Must be very detailed for the backroom to understand intent and execution.

  • Example: Delegate of Poland requesting a reporter leak an intelligence brief about Russian hacking to force allies to act against Russia. This note should align with Poland's anti-Russia incentives, moving towards a goal like an international coalition against Russia.

Directives

  • Format: Short-form resolutions, concise and to-the-point, describing actions.

  • Example: A directive responding to a humanitarian crisis, requesting the cabinet release emergency food, seek international assistance, establish centers, and seize agricultural exports. Signatories (e.g., Minister of Commerce, Culture, Foreign Affairs) should align with the actions.

  • Debate: Once submitted, directives are debated like resolutions.

Common Mistakes in Crisis Committees

  • Ignoring the Backroom: Crisis notes and crisis arc are  30% 30% of assessment by chairs.

  • Not Having a Crisis Arc: Directives and notes must align with an early-determined end goal.

  • Not Being Detailed Enough: Need to stand out with creativity and detail, as backroom staff read many notes.

  • Ignoring the Front Room: Must maintain balance between front room (debate) and back room (crisis notes).

Tips for Crisis Arcs and Backroom Workflows

  • End Goal: Define a clear end goal and break it into milestones.

  • Notes/Directives: Each should advance a milestone.

  • Private Timeline: Keep a sheet to stay on track.

  • Backroom Notes: Write brief, clear notes (concise, but detailed enough).

  • Clarity: Label maps/photos clearly.

  • Avoid Overwhelm: Don't submit a "wall of text."

  • Summaries: Use summaries (TLDRTLDR) for objectives, resources, and expected outcomes at the bottom of each note.

2. Legal Committees

  • Similarity: Akin to a mock trial conference.

  • Types:

    • ICJ (International Court of Justice): Judicial organ of the UN, settles disputes between states (e.g., China vs. US).

    • ICC (International Criminal Court): Cases brought against individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity.

  • Roles (ICJ): Judges/Chairs, Advocates (representing states).

  • Roles (ICC): Judges, Prosecution, Defense, Witnesses (for cross-examination).

Flow of Debate (ICJ)

  1. President introduces topic.

  2. Opening statements from both sides.

  3. Submissions, evidence, and detailed reasoning.

  4. Questions from judges.

  5. Rebuttals from both sides.

  6. Closing statements.

  7. Judges deliberate and issue a judgment.

Flow of Debate (ICC)

  1. Opening statements (prosecution & defense).

  2. Presentation of the case.

  3. Defense of the case (evidence, witnesses, cross-examination).

  4. Rebuttals.

  5. Closing arguments.

  6. Deliberation.

  7. Verdict.

Tips for Legal Committees

  • Thorough Research: Comprehend the topic, historical facts, treaties, precedents.

    • ICJ: Know your state's stance.

    • ICC: Know the case, crime definitions, prior judgments.

  • Skills: Legal reasoning, citing law/precedents, persuasiveness, strong arguments under questioning.

  • Prioritize Logic: Focus on logic and evidence over rhetoric and emotional appeals.

Understanding Chairs and Awards Criteria

  • Speaking: Clear, confident, concise messaging; ability to move the room.

  • Leadership: Guiding blocks, moving the committee towards consensus/solution.

  • Resolutions: Ensuring personal ideas are reflected in the final document to show active participation.

  • Conduct: Being respectful, inclusive, and cooperative.

  • Consistency: Performing well throughout the entire conference, not just in isolated moments.

Common Mistakes for Delegates

  • Speaking Too Often: Avoid being repetitive or overbearing, especially if chairs are seeking new voices. Instead, help other delegates craft speeches.

  • Asking Annoying Questions: Don't use points of order to correct chairs on parliamentary procedure; it antagonizes and uses up speaking time.

  • Not Working with Blocks: MUN is collaborative; demonstrate leadership and influence within groups.

  • Only Caring About Speeches: The backroom (crisis notes, directives) is as important as the front room (speeches, debate).

Making MUN Experience "Ivy Worthy" (Crimson's Approach)

  • Personalized Sessions: Strategists set goals based on MUN career stage and application process.

    • Early Stage: Plan MUN career progression (new conferences, skill improvement, leadership as chair/organizer, passion projects).

    • Late Stage: Express strengths from the MUN journey.

  • Goals Review: Align MUN experience with university goals, intended major (e.g., choosing relevant MUN topics).

  • Timeline Planning: Organize high school career/application cycle to perfect MUN profile.

  • Service Selection: Suggests relevant services (MUN coaching, capstone project tutors for blogs/conferences, extracurricular mentors).

Crimson's Comprehensive Services for University Applications

  • University Admission Strategy: Translating personal stories (leadership, global awareness, public speaking) into compelling application hooks; connecting MUN with long-term goals.

  • Expert Tutoring: Academic support for SAT, ACT, AP, and other subjects.

  • Extracurricular Mentoring:

    • Going beyond school clubs to regional/international opportunities.

    • Building leadership depth (participant to leader, chairing, founding initiatives, organizing conferences).

    • Expanding global impact (internships, NGOs, research).

    • Focus on depth in a few activities (like MUN), not dozens.

  • Essay Development: Translating soft skills into powerful personal narratives for statements and essays.

  • Personalized Team of Experts: Each student matched with a team, including:

    • Strategy Consultant: Admissions experience, guides school shortlists, goals, timelines, application oversight.

    • Tutors/Mentors: Academic support, personal statement, interview training.

    • Extracurricular Mentor: Strengthens profile, capstone projects, activity list.

    • Expert Mentors: One-on-one sessions (e.g., with Wei Li) to advance MUN performance.

    • Former Admission Officers: Review applications and provide feedback.

Q&A Highlights

  • Need to Win Best Delegate?: Not the only way to stand out. Other ways: being a chair, joining an organizing team (e.g., SAS MUN), creating a blog/YouTube channel, teaching others, listing conference resources.

  • When to Link MUN with College Applications?: Start early to demonstrate substantial, long-term involvement, time dedication, leadership, and initiative. Persistence and dedication over time are key.

  • Registering for YMUN Singapore: Open to anyone, registration fee involved (early bird discount available). Committees for all experience levels, including beginners. Crisis committee offered.

  • Advice for First-Timers (Crisis/MUN):

    • Don't have overly high expectations; go to learn and improve.

    • Don't be afraid to make mistakes; practice is key.

    • Don't feel pressured to be SAS MUN captain; leverage experiences to paint MUN as crucial to your high school journey.

    • Many ways to stand out: best delegate, coach, conference organizer, chair.

    • Stay passionate and enjoy what you're doing; that interest will make MUN helpful.