So, JPA scholarships have been in the news quite a bit of late. A Malaysian friend I met while studying in Boston wrote an article about some of the alternative opportunities available re: studying in America.
Perhaps more from me on education some time in the future. In the meantime, enjoy! -
Higher Education in the U.S.: Getting into the Right College at the Right Price
by Ong Ee Cheng
Ever thought of pursuing your education in the U.S.? “Aiyah, no money lah … how to go?” This article serves to debunk the myth that you either need a lot of money or a government scholarship to study in the U.S.
Can I afford a U.S. education?
Fact: The price tag of a four-year bachelor’s program in the U.S. ranges from US$20,000 to US$40,000 per year. Little-known fact: Many top-tier private institutions offer need-based financial aid—you pay what you can afford, and the school covers the rest. Additionally, unlike most government or private scholarships, students are not bonded to the institution after graduation.
The trickiest part is getting admitted, as admission to the top schools is very competitive, especially for international students requiring financial aid. If you’re offered admission, however, you will be provided the means to attend the school, through a financial aid package usually comprising grants, loans, and work study.
When should I apply?
The application process takes a whole year. If you wish to enroll in August 2010, you need to submit your application by December 2009. Most schools require applicants to be in their 12th year of school, but the Malaysian system is removed from the U.S. system by half a year. You could either apply in Form 5, or apply post-SPM while pursuing A-Levels / IB / Form 6.
What do I need to do?
Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, personal essay, teacher recommendations, and other supplemental information.
Application
The Common Application is used by over 150 schools. Completed applications can be submitted to multiple institutions. Many institutions also have supplements, usually involving an additional essay. The application fee is waived if you apply online.
(https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx)
Standardized Tests
* SAT Reasoning Test. The SAT is a universal benchmark in a category of its own, whereas the SPM will line up right alongside your high school grades. We tend to obsess over the SPM, and neglect the SAT, while Americans take months to prepare for the SAT. Schedule your SAT early enough so that you can retake it if necessary. (http://www.collegeboard.com/)
* SAT Subject Tests. Schools have different requirements, so check first before registering. You should plan on taking two or three subject tests. If you are aiming for the Ivy Leagues, you need at least two or three 800s from the combined SAT I and SAT II to even be competitive.
* TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language). (http://www.ets.org/toefl/)
Extracurricular Activities
Myth: You need to be good at everything. In reality, the Admissions Board would rather you excel at one or two activities than you be a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” You’re the drum major of your high school band and volunteer at the SPCA, but you’re not very athletic. You don’t have to prove your athleticism (or lack thereof) by being a member of every sports club.
Myth: Positions are the most important things on the curriculum vitae. Truth is, they help (a little), but what is more important is how much you have actually done in your capacity as a President / Secretary / Treasurer / Member. What efforts have you initiated? What projects have you managed? How have you matured as an individual, as an athlete, as an artist, as a musician, or as a leader through these activities? Elements such as teamwork, conflict resolution, commitment, and perseverance that are captured within these activities provide good topics for the personal essay.
Personal Essay
The personal essay is a critical part of the application process which is sometimes overlooked by international students. Here is a chance to reveal facets of yourself beyond grades, test scores, and activities. Use your precious quota of words to discuss something not found elsewhere in your application.
Admissions officers seek traits like honesty, creativity, passion, independence, confidence, and maturity. Draw on an anecdote or two to illustrate your unique (non-academic) strengths. Your essay should have a clear focus. A great essay could be about a squash tournament won or lost, a hiking trip, your grandmother, your passion for food, or an embarrassing moment. A thoughtful and detailed narration of how certain hardships have shaped your character is more compelling than a laundry list of awards won. Just be careful not to come across as a whiner.
The principles of good writing apply. Your essay should be organized and cohesive. Don’t lie or exaggerate. Don’t brag. Don’t use big words when small words will do. Avoid clichés. Proofread.
Final Word
The question is not so much “What is the best school I can get in?” but rather, “What is the best school for me?”
Evaluate your aptitude, academic interests, learning style, etc. Would you thrive in a university or in a liberal arts college? Universities offer graduate degrees; liberal arts colleges do not. Enrollment ranges from 7,500-40,000 at a university, and 1,500-3,000 at a college. Colleges are more intimate, with smaller first-year classes and greater student-professor interaction. On the other hand, universities provide access to cutting-edge research and graduate-level classes.
Research the schools—there’s much more than just the Ivy Leagues. Your final list of schools should span a range in terms of your likelihood of acceptance. Apply to a few “reaches”—highly competitive schools that you might get in, a number of “probables”—schools where you have a 50-50 shot, and one or two “safeties”—schools that you will almost certainly get in.
There is no one perfect school. Likewise, there is no ideal applicant. The Admissions Board seeks a class of diverse, passionate students who will contribute to their campus, and you could well be one amongst that number.
Additional resources
o U.S. News for ranking information: http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/
o College reviews by college students: http://www.unigo.com/
o Malaysian forums on higher education: www.recom.org, www.tinkosong.com, http://malaysians.edublogs.org/
My daughter is completing her O Level in mid 2010 would u suggest she does her A Level/IB first then apply for Unii after completion. She is keen to study in the US/Canada
nat: hullo. i have heard of ppl getting in to good schools after O-Levels, but most of the rest of us did A-Levels or equivalent before applying. applying both after O-Levels and then again after A-Levels (if no offers she’s happy with) is a possible option.
Good article. The big problem with Malaysian students is that most of them cannot write a good and well argued essay.
This is a failure of the education system and of the student.
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It’s a pretty traumatic and painful process for those who get rejected. The chances today of getting into some of those “desired schools” approaches the probability of “winning a lottery”. For many, elitist US universities are no better than Country Clubs, and the application process a zero-sum game.
I have two children who graduated from US. The second one even received ‘funding’ for her two-year Masters.
They don’t look at race, colour or even nationality and NO BONDING!!!
Comparing Malaysia’s education and US is like comparing a tapeworm with a gold fish.
Sang Kancil:
The U.S. admission process is merit-based. If you’re a lack-lustre student with no “hook,” your chances of getting in are practically nil. If, on the other hand, you’re in the top 5% of your class, with talents / interests that you’ve honed over the years, and a well-argued essay, you’ve a good chance of being admitted, regardless of your financial situation.
I strongly disagree with your comment that “getting into some of those “desired schools” approaches the probability of “winning a lottery.”" Rather, I would use the lottery analogy to describe the JPA process.
My record shows: JPA scholarship: 0. Top U.S. schools admitted to with >90% funding: 5.
Dear Nat, I have written a letter on Perak and it was published in Malaysia-Today. I just wanted to use your platform too for wider reading. I hope you will publish it as as an entry on its own. It raises some salient points about Perak and the Sep.16 issue. Thanks. The link is below:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/21974/84
Hi Nat
1. There’s also a major plus about the US higher education system that should be pointed out:
An undergraduate student is required to take courses outside his or her broad field of study in order to graduate e.g.
a stuent majoring in one of the sciences is required to take at least two social science and at least two humanities courses. Same for social science students (at least two science and two humanities courses). This results in more broadly educated people.
2. Yet another plus: in the case of PhD students in the USA, they are required to do about 2.5 years of course work and pass comprehensive exams first.
(British-type “PhD by research” degrees do not have this requirement and can result in PhDs who do not have adequate knowledge about subjects outside their immediate field of specialisation).
Great job for putting some innfo for those who intend to study abroad especially USA.
I was lucky because during my time back in late 80′s , everything was arranged by JPA. However one thing that I dont like was student was not given a chance to decide which university or place he or she wanted to go. Next, JPA was a bit outdated in terms of recognising the university. There even some cases where JPA did send student abroad to a university where JPA itself doesnt even recognised the degree. Its a waste of time for bright student I guess.
Next, I dont understand why JPA dont even bother to their sponsorships. By right the scholarships should be viewed as country investment where those who received it should pay back whether in terms of service to govt or some portion of it.
I see many recipients just got away after graduation. Some not even working, some dont come back, and even some dont pay back at all. Its sad to see that current bright students cannot get the scholarships and chance to study abroad as the fund getting smaller.
Its a real waste for govt money if JPA is not doing anything about this.
[...] Studying in the US – A friend’s article [...]
Yes, please refresh me about students who has a high school diploma from the US which is a ged. Will they be admitted with a scholarship? I understand there are still some hiccups about tuition frees being not 100% given.