The following shall be a public service post :)
With the SPM results finally out in the open, it is without a doubt that students from various fiscal backgrounds would be going after the various scholarships being offered, these students with various qualifications, some just below the requirement bar drawn, the in-betweens and then we have the bunch of overachievers, the small bunch that the majority will always secretly resent simply because the whole world thinks their better than the rest of us, simply because they have more A’s or did a tiny bit more with their co-curricular activities then the rest of we average reasonable person.
IN which these various corporations who will have a vested interest in acquiring the best and the brightest for them to invest in to further develop their human capital in which at the end of the quarter will be reflected in their respective fiscal reports. There corporations want nothing more than the best of the best. Yardstick they use to quantify their applicants is via the various qualifications required to meet their needs and when they’ve shortlisted the thousands who have achieved the desired requirements; they pit us against each other as how we would see people do in cock-fights only difference is, they put us in a battle of wits. It is in this moment that they segregate us and determine which of us they will invest in.
The following will be several tips as to how a person is to prepare for the forthcoming battle of wits – in less pretty terms; the interview – which many of us dread.
Pre-Interview
In preparing for the interview it would be advisable for the particular prospective scholar to have a vague idea as to what that entity stands for. It is a mere sign of respect at the fact that you are aware of the entity of which you are practically approaching and asking for their money to pay for your tertiary education. Acknowledging their goals, visions, mission, and what the entity stands for enables you to show how you as an individual maybe able to contribute to the respective entity.
That and the fact that assuming they ask you “what do you know about [name of entity]?” You won’t come off as a total prat when you say “I don’t know” with that sly grin plastered over your face. Never bite the hand that feeds you.
On the night before the interview, I’d usually recommend a night of doing the one thing that you enjoy the most. For undergraduate applicants who are of legal drinking age, if you enjoy spending your nights getting drunk and puking the following morning, then it is my advice to you that you disregard the above advice and proceed with something boring like going to bed early. If the shit you enjoy is somewhat boring like going to the nearest sports centre and kicking the futsal ball around, of blowing up the heads of various aliens with a well placed shot in between the eyes, then by all means go ahead and do the shit you enjoy.
The logic behind this is for you to avoid your nerves to get the best of you. The last thing you’d want if for you to be tossing and turning trying to fall asleep. So do what you wanna do, increase your endorphin level, and go to sleep feeling happy.
Interview
Get up early, some people would advise for one to go for a good breakfast, I say the only thing you have to do to make this morning different than others is for you to wake up early, and proceed as you normally would. Do not attempt to do things you don’t usually do simply because it’ll only make you dread what’s to come.
Spend a good time in front of the mirror, DO NOT START BEING VAIN, instead talk to yourself, convince yourself that you can do what is required of you and also that you will be able to perform those acts, and that you’re not gonna need a miracle to get thru the day, you just need to be yourself.
At the interview, NEVER are you to proceed in a way in which you SPEAK TO HIGHLY of YOURSELF or of that ENTITY of which you are hoping would sponsor you. Nobody likes a suck up nor an arrogant scum, hence, it is advisable for you to be realistic and not set idealistic goals that you would achieve assuming they take you in as a scholar. For there is a clear line between being a suck up and being a down-to-earth individual who has come to realistic terms with his abilities. Only the empty cans make the loudest noise.
Be humble, pleasant and smile. Even if you fear that you may spontaneously combust at any moment.
With the Bank Negara Malaysia Scholarship Award 2010/2011, the floodgates have been opened, expect hours of swimming through the web filling in online application forms.
Live long and Prosper :p
DISCLAIMER:
The author is a Yayasan Sime Darby scholar, who is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Legal Studies in University Technologi MARA, Malaysia. Spends half his time wandering about campus trying very hard to keep a low profile and not end up in unnecessary conflicts. It is without surprise that he is facing difficulties in doing so. The author shall not be made liable regardless of any circumstances which may lead to you receiving that scholarship from that sponsor that you have always wanted :)
Fuck the odds, do what you gotta do
Izzat F.
2nd Malaysia Debate Open 2010
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