Many Bursarians thought alike: work hard for A-Levels, perfect all your university applications, gain admission into Top 20 universities (or whatever universities in the list of Malaysian JPA, Public Service Department), and here you go: a scholarship for your studies and cozy allowances. My 18 months was therefore striving together with my comrades in the July 2014 intake for this aspiration. We slogged for our A-Levels, rushing for our deadlines, cramming vocabs for SAT, yadda yadda (not forgetting the difficult UKCAT, BMAT, LNAT faced by other friends, and many more).
I thought that’s my battle has come to an end when I obtained several offers, three of which is in the list (well one of them is still conditional, but anyways). On the lovely 13th January, I collected my long-yearned 4A* in my A2 exam last November through online checking system. The subsequent invigilating session in the IMO camp became online chatting with my friends, lecturers, who can’t wait to share their success as well! “Off you go to your dream schools in September,” I told myself. And I can’t wait for Justin to arrive the camp next night to share my thoughts.
Then I got a wake-up call from the Facebook group opened for Bursary recipients: the scholarship was put on hold and the online e-profiling portal ‘vanished’ into the clouds. “No. Things couldn’t go too badly,” I thought. I was too naive. Subsequent revelation of it suggested us not to be too optimistic.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/327638
I’m lost. Although I’m in the middle of some other university scholarship applications, there was no guarantee at this point. I’m not alone, either. Those heading to Australia in February are now looking at their hard-earned offer but couldn’t hit any reply button, even as the deadline is approaching soon. And they understand too well that even as these universities extend their offer reply deadline (as some have already done), it will not help too much.
Most acquaintances stand by us, but let me share a post that says otherwise:
While some facts are plausible, they have to be ditched in the current context. First, are you offending those universities by saying that they accept “average” students? Just look at the conditions following each UK offer-A*AA/A*A*A, Grades 1 or S in STEP, Band 7++ in IELTS… On the other hand, those universities in US look for students in “highly demanding and challenging courses” in their admissions. In addition, what have we gone through the application process? I can ascertain that the writer isn’t aware of the number of essays we have written, proofread, and had nightmare over. And the writer penned his/her words as if it is very easy to break the contract and scholars will not care about it. Only a minority can take the risk to mar the credibility of the whole group of scholars. (The claim that bond-breakers paid some of the money back was erroneous, too.)
More importantly, why are the grumbles here and there? (Something that the article didn’t factor in). As I’ve said above, we planned our pre-U according to what we believe and dream. The prospect of studying overseas without paying any fee allured us. That’s why we took the challenge and opted for a course that enjoys the accolade as “above the rest!” in Sunway College. Otherwise why did we give up courses like Malaysian Matriculation? Clearly we aren’t prepared of this sudden shock.
Now I shall retire from the ranting team that comprises a handsome number of members. Just face it.
anzoteh96 