As promised, I am going to write about Biasiswa SPC Yayasan Pahang. I hope this post will help those who will be searching about this info next year, precisely saying for SPM leaver who wish to further studies at UIA Insya-Allah.
So, how on earth I knew about this SPC thing? I would never acknowledge this opportunity if it wasnt because of my friend. You guys have to be alert for this scholarship thing because some of them, just show up on the internet without any notice and all we ever knew is, the dateline has passed by. It's quite hard to find scholarship which sponsor science courses like dentistry, medic and pharmacy. From my experience, sime darby, bank negara and other scholarships sponsor courses like accountancy, business and managament, engineering and much more. So you hit the jackpot if you intend to pursue your studies in such courses.
Penglaman interview Biasiswa SPC Yayasan Pahang;
SPC stands for Skim Pelajar Cemerlang. This year, YP made a collaboration with UIA only for Pahang-born students. There were 3 courses which YP offered and those were Medical, Pharmacy and Perbankan Islam. Yeah you may feel like 'ehh only 3 courses?'. So I decided to go for Medic even though I put Dentistry courses as the first choice in UPU. Oh yeah before I forgot, when you fill up the YP form, one of the condition stated that students who apply must put UIA as their first choice in UPU. Yeah YP will ask you to bring a copy of UPU form during the interview.
I thought the panellists will ask me something about medical field since I chose medic on the YP form, but it turned out that they asked me why I want to take dentistry. Serious bro, I was quite speechless and bewildered at the moment. So to be concluded, they still give you the course you wanted even though it wasn on the list. But Im not sure as well, so you guys better ask YP before choosing the course on the form. There were 21 candidates who were called for interview.
The panellists came from UIA, and a mister at YP, you know En Airulamri, who is in charge of bantuan pendidikan at YP. I stumbled upon him when I was in Form 5, I recognised him from PISSA YP. I thought the interview will be in Malay since I read somewhere said the panellists ask her in Malay. It gave me shivers down my spine after the panellist uttered the English words from his mouth. Tuhan je tahu macam mana gundah gulana aku. Muka stay cool tapi aku just nak lari je. I aint a native speaker. I didnt practise how to speak in English fluently as I grow up in Malay society ; Malay family, Malay friends, Malay schools, Malay teachers. Yeah it's a disadvantage. So any students who read my post, please practise your English now. Start now even though there are lots of grammatical errors, no one even care so speak up as it will bring you good in the future.
But despite of it, I manage to speak in English and in fact I talked really fast because I just want to finish quickly and get out from there haha. There were 21 people during the interview but only 10 people will get the scholarship. They called 3 person at once and since my initial name start with D, I was the third person in the first group. I knew it. -_-
So what were the questions given?
What is your strengths/weaknesses?
"I will say my weakness is I dont have patience when it comes to winning. I want to win no matter what the circumstances are."
(If they ask your weaknesses dont state something negative, put on things more positive. Example as I said earlier. cehh padahal bukan betul pun haha)
So do you consider that as your weakness or strength?(He asked me after what I said earlier, perangkap)
"Both. It depends on the situation." *smile
Why do you want to take dentistry? (He asked after reviewing your form and copy of UPU)
Since I didnt expect this question, I said something that I shouldnt actually. haha. I was being way too honest back then.
"Frankly speaking I want to pursue my studies in medical field. I think being a doctor is a job which really need patience and endurance. And my sister is currently studying medic, so my mom suggested me to take dentistry."
(Expect the unexpected. Dont answer the question recklessly. If you did, put some ideas like, medical field is too mainstream nowadays so I have plan for my future ahead, and I look dentistry as a course that seeks more people. I need this to guarantee my job by the time I graduate. Besides, this job doesnt require us to be on-call/busy or whatever. This is more flexible and etc...)
So why did you pick medic? Why doctor?
Back then, my father passed away when I was a child, my father was sick and had to be warded. The moment I saw him on the bed in the hospital I just wanted to treat him. We had a conversation I once said to him that I wanted to be a doctor and treat him so he will get well. Basically he inspired me to be one.
You once said that your sister is a medical student. What do you think about her life?
Since she's doing her practical in HTAA for a month, I will say a life of a doctor is busy and I hardly manage to see her at home.
You knew that life as a doctor is busy. Can you really manage time and educate your future children?(Soalan memerangkap)
Even though I saw how busy my sister is, it didnt distract me from taking this path. I knew once you be a doctor you need to put up a big commitment and bear responsibility but I certain that I can manage my schedule well and spend time with my future children.
(The panellist wanted to provoke me and cut my words, I was freaking anxious, and he just nodded and asked other candidates. Fuhh)
Why did you choose UIA?(I didnt choose UIA in the first place la, but YP asked to put UIA as 1st choice. -_- I expected this question but I was too ignorant that time.)
"Reasons why I choose UIA are because UIA is ranked on top for the best university in Malaysia, I like the environment in UIA, the bi'ah and Islamic environment really attract me. I want to be in that environment as I've never been in Islamic school. And my mom wanted me to study in UIA."
(please guys, dont answer your dad, your mom your family wanted blabla. It really shows how you arent firm enough on your own stand. Aku jawab camtu sebab sumpah aku blank giler. Selamba badak air je kan cakap mak aku nak aku jadi pelajar UIA. It's a big no. Dont do that on your interview)
How do you perform in your class? Are you an active student in the class?
"I will address myself as a really talkative person in the class. I will ask the teacher about the topics that I didnt understand. Since I sit in front, it makes me easier to ask the teacher directly."
So do any of you involve in debate competition?
I just stated that I was in Forum Remaja competition.
Any last question?
Grab this chance! Ask the panellists anything so that it shows you how eager you want this scholarship.
"When the results of the interview will come out?"
"How many people will be choosen?
(Only 10 candidates out of 21 who came for the interview)
Questions asked may differ from other candidates though.
One of my acquaintances said the panellists asked her whether she will choose MARA or SPC? As for me, I will answer it will full of honesty. Of course I will choose MARA. And if you said you will choose SPC, be prepared for the next question. Why? If you think about it, MARA give you quite amount of money to study abroad. So it does make sense if they ask you why do you choose SPC over MARA.
But in my case, I will take SPC over MARA because I dont have any intention to study abroad, and it has been my dream to study in UIA. Yeah some say, ridiculous, you have the opportunity to go overseas, the heck you choose to study locally? I've my own reasons.
In the nutshell, this is a bit of my experience. Oh yeah, did I ever mention that the panellists spoke Arabic with one of my group members? Shocked isnt it. I didnt understand at all so I ended up smiling like an idiot there. Well of course she was a debater for Arabic debate competition in KISAS. Cool ok pandai cakap arab. K k.
My advice is, prepare yourself and try to speak in English a week before the interview. Ahaks! Practise in front of the mirror and as for me, I called my bestfriend and ask her for a favour to act like the panellists and interview me. This may lower your anxiety level. Dont lie. I mean if you want to lie make it a flawless lie. HAHA. I dislike lying. I just say what's on my mind during the interview and it went well for me alhamdulilah. Dont keep thinking interview is hard and the panellists are going to eat you whatsoever, relax and just enjoy the moment. Smile a lot. It increases your hormone level and give you this serenity. Nahh, the interviewers are human, so dont panic and think of them as 'friends' who just wanted to know about you. Remember to shake hands with the panellists (for muslims, you guys know the boundaries right?) Express your gratitude and bow before leaving the room.
p/s : Other candidates were from SBP, cluster school, SBT( KISAS, INTEK, TKC) and here I am, from sekolah luar bandar. hehe inferiority complex turned on!
Regards,
Dahlia Binti Omar
lifeofburninggold.blogspot.com