THIS IS A MUST-READ ARTICLE for Parents and Students
Go to EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA Blog and read John Lee Ming Keong's article.
(John Lee Ming Keong is currently a freshman at Dartmouth College- an Ivy League institution. He blogs at Infernal Ramblings )
Quote:
"... It is not enough for us to rely on the government to spoonfeed us, either in money or education - we must be proactive and learn to help ourselves, if the government is unable to.
Malaysia needs all the talent it can get, and we owe it not just to ourselves as individuals, but to ourselves as a nation, to get the best education we can, and to make the most out of ourselves so we can serve our country.Not many know about private scholarships offered by universities in the United States. Furthermore, many American universities also offer financial aid to students.
This year, the fair - USA For Students - is being sponsored by the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and will be held this June 2008.."
-John Lee Ming Keong
(Freshman, Dartmouth College, USA)
Sponsored Higher Education - Think America
by
John Lee Ming Keong
Excerpts:Read here for more
"... I note with disappointment the recent controversy here regarding the disbursement of government scholarships and placement in university courses.
Any discrimination in university admissions or scholarships ought to be on the basis of income and access to educational opportunities, NOT RACE.
It is crucial that individual students be aware of other opportunities available to them should the public purse be unable or unwilling to assist them in their education.
Most students do not even consider the US when deciding where to attend university.
Although there are disadvantages with the US system - most universities only offer four-year programmess, and American law degrees are not recognised locally - there is no reason to automatically exclude it from contention.
If anything, American universities offer much more affordable educations because of their extensive financial aid programmes for the needy.
Not many know about private scholarships offered by universities in the United States.
Eight American universities, including half of the Ivy League (Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Dartmouth) will fund the education of any applicant who is admitted, inclusive of tuition, living expenses, etc. Although they require a separate financial aid application, they will not consider ability to pay when making admissions decisions, meaning applicants will be evaluated purely on scholastic merit.
All admitted students who choose to attend receive financial aid, mostly scholarships, in proportion to their ability to pay the fees.
Furthermore, many other American universities also offer financial aid to students.
However, because they generally do not have the large endowments of other institutions, financial need is a factor in admission, meaning poorer applicants must make up for their inability to pay in academic accomplishments.
In spite of this, once the student is admitted, many of these institutions commit to funding their education as much as possible.
I strongly urge all parents, students and educational counselors to re-examine the US university system and the opportunities it offers for bright but economically disadvantaged students.
Malaysia is squandering its most promising minds through unequal disbursement of scholarships and placement in university courses.
Until we rectify this policy problem, individual Malaysians must find our own way.
One route which is often overlooked is that which lies across the Pacific in the US.
This year, the fair - USA For Students - is being sponsored by the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and will be held this June.
Even if you are unable to attend the fair, the Internet offers many more ways to gather information.
Recom, an online forum set up by students, is devoted entirely to educational problems many Malaysians face, from scholarship interviews to applying for placement in local or foreign programmes.
Individual university websites also provide a wealth of information on how to apply for financial assistance.
It is not enough for us to rely on the government to spoonfeed us, either in money or education - we must be proactive and learn to help ourselves, if the government is unable to.
Malaysia needs all the talent it can get, and we owe it not just to ourselves as individuals, but to ourselves as a nation, to get the best education we can, and to make the most out of ourselves so we can serve our country.
-John Lee Ming Keong
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