Learn more about the US university system and application process

My friends and I are running a series of workshops in several cities from this month through August on the US university system and its application process. There'll be one-day sessions in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang and the Klang Valley, and a longer two-day workshop only in the Klang Valley in August.

The info sessions will give you an idea of what the US university system is like, and an overview of how to apply. They're FREE. The workshop will explain in depth how to apply, and since it lasts over two days, we'll cover a lot more material. There's more information on dates and venue at the website.

If you're a Malaysian thinking about university, or know someone who is, I can guarantee you this will be useful (it's something most of us wish we had when we were in your shoes). At the least, it'll help you learn about your options (including financial support -- the US is pretty amazing as far as scholarships go).

Even if you're not thinking about the US, it's worth attending. The UK and Australia are the default and often expensive options for most Malaysians considering a foreign university, but hardly anyone thinks about the US. There's no good reason for this to be the case. Hell, if you can get in, a lot of universities will throw money at you to convince you to attend.

All of us running the workshops are either students or alumni; no university or for-profit group is funding our activities. It's a great chance to learn about an underappreciated overseas opportunity.

Space is limited, so sign up soon! You can register on the website.

Introducing Top US Universities & Colleges

Descartes Education Counselling Centre (DECC), a non-profit organisation will be organising a talk by former and current students from some of the top universities in the United States on getting into these schools.

The panelists will comprise alumni and students from Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale and Cornell, as well as other top liberal arts colleges such as Swarthmore, Middlebury, Bates and Colby.

Therefore all students interested in top universities and colleges in the US for undergraduate study or those who are still figuring out what to do for their tertiary studies, come join us for the talk at:

Introducing Top US Universities & Colleges

Date : 25th July 2009 (Saturday)
Time : 11am-4pm
Venue : Auditorium, Sunway University College

Confirmed panelists include:

• Nathaniel Tan, Harvard University ‘03
• Yeoh Chen Chow, Cornell University ‘05
• Hwa Yang Jerng, Bates College ‘03
• Emily Chan, Colby College ‘11
• Ng Eng Han, Dartmouth College ‘10
• John Lee, Dartmouth College ‘11
• Andrew Loh, Swarthmore College '10
• Anand Pillai, Northwestern University '04
• Joan Low, Middlebury College '12
• Lim Su Ann, Columbia University '12
• Philip Loh, Olin College '13

They will share their personal experiences with the US education system – a system that reputably produces very employable graduates and world leaders with great competency and capabilities. They will also provide interested students with valuable information about selecting the right university, obtaining financial assistance, completing application forms and other practical information on gaining places in these schools.

Students will also learn about the unusual perks and opportunities offered under the US education system (foreign study programmes, self-designed curriculums, freedom to explore personal academic interests, etc.), aspects of a vastly different culture, and student life. To top it off, we have an interactive session, where you can mingle around and talk with the students and alumni yourself personally.

All are welcome and attendance is free.

For more information, please contact Ms Teh Joo Shin @ jshin48 (at) gmail (DOT) com.

Interested on US Undergraduate Education?

Hear from current students and alumni!

There's something all of us speaking at this panel have in common. We've had the benefit of an educational philosophy that emphasises more than professional training - an education system that avoids the mass production of cookie-cutter citizens, unlike the universities many other countries. We've enjoyed incredible opportunities to grow as individuals, and often at the expense of the very institutions we attend. But for every one of us, there are many who could have had the same experience, yet for some reason simply ended up elsewhere.

Some of you might remember this letter one of us wrote to a local media outlet some months back, which highlighted the incredible dearth of information about the opportunities America offers.

This Saturday the 23rd 2.00pm we're doing our little bit to change this sad situation. At the Descartes Education Counselling Centre in Damansara Utama, a group of us - current students and alumni from various American universities and liberal arts colleges - will be speaking on the hows, the whys, the whats of applying to American institutions of higher education. We hope you'll join us.

Speakers include:

• Mohd Hafiz Noor Sham (Michigan)
• Nathaniel Tan (Harvard)
• Andrew Loh (Swathmore)
• Ng Eng Han (Dartmouth)
• John Lee ML (Dartmouth)

But more than that, we hope you'll help us spread the word. There are many bright students out there who do not realise the scope of financial aid available, or the life-changing possibilities of a liberal arts education. If you have any friends who are interested in learning more, please, invite them and bring them along. If you have contacts at local colleges or secondary schools, please let them know about this upcoming talk. Even passing this email along is enough. And if you run a blog or website, please help us get the word out.

Or you can view the details on Facebook.

In the group pictures are a map to the venue, and a poster for the event. If you're interested in helping distribute the poster, please get in touch with johnleemk@gmail.com and we can talk about reimbursement for photocopying costs, etc.

Topics include:

• Introduction to the Liberal Arts Concept
• Liberal Arts College vs Research University
• The advantages and disadvantages of a Liberal Arts college
• Future Prospects of a Liberal Arts Degree

There will be an open-ended Q&A session at the end for further discussion. Please help spread the message. The hall can sit 80 persons.

Want to be a Lawyer?

She is here to save the world from wars, conflicts and evil.

And she does that without the power the stop time, change minds or fulfill demands like a genie. She does that by blindfolding herself, holding a double edge sword on the right hand, suspending a balance weighing scale on her left hand.

She is Justitia, the Roman Goddess of Justice.

Are you prepared to blindfold yourself to uphold justice, without fear or favor, without regard for power, wealth or identity? Are you prepared to make judgments by giving balance considerations on a case's support and opposition? Are you prepared to counter the perversion of the course of justice with your double edge sword, which may be wielded either for or against any party?

Are you prepared to save the world?

Whether you like debating and presenting arguments, or you like to think quietly before you make a verdict, there is a place for everyone in a law education, there is a chance for everyone to maintain social order with one of humanity's inherent virtue – justice. There is a chance to save the world.

The Descartes Education Counselling Centre is proud to present an information session featuring Dr. Tang Hang Wu, a highly experienced Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore.

Dr. Tang, with his 13 years of exposure to the law and a PhD from the prestigious University of Cambridge, will be sharing insights into a law education and career, including information on admission to the National University of Singapore. The details of the session are as followed:

Information session by Dr. Tang Hang Wu

Date : Friday, 11 January 2008
Time : 4.00 - 5.30pm
Venue : Descartes Education Counselling Centre, 55-1 Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

Admission is free, although donations are most welcome ;-). For more information, do visit Descartes website here.

Biomedical Sciences Talk

Here's an event for students who are interested in pursuing biomedical sciences:

There will be a meet-up session with Chau Deming, a graduate student from Cornell University. He would like to share his experiences in research in the biomedical sciences with students who hold the same interests.

Chau Deming was a former student at INTI College and transferred to the University of Wisconsin, Madison before he started pursuing his PhD in biomedical science in Cornell University, Ithaca in 2004.

He has researched on cancer research utilizing biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and immunology technique and specifically, the elucidation of the function of gamma-secretase in cancer development.

He has worked in three different labs during college, first in the immunology department, followed by the food science department, and finally in the pharmaceutical science department.

The details of the event are as follows:

Venue: Starbucks outlet at SS15 Subang Jaya (opposite Taylor's College)
Date: 9th November (Friday)
Time: 2-4pm

Admission is free. For more information, visit Descartes website ;).

Mock Interviews

How many times have you mumbled , shook your legs, and chewed bubble gum while talking to others, without realizing it?

In a university interview, communicating effectively can be your ticket to see the world, learn under world-renowned faculties, and get a prestigious degree. Descartes Education and Counseling Center will be conducting a one-on-one mock interview with you, then take a video of your progress, and finally replay it to help you rectify any problems during your mock interview, for FREE.

Interviewers representing world-renowned universities will give you insight to what a good interview entails, and will advise you against more than just mumbling, shaking your legs, or chewing your favorite bubble gum during interviews!

On the same day, Descartes Education and Counseling Center (DECC) will be having an official launching. Be sure to learn more about DECC and don't forget to check out the future plans/events of the center.

Details:

Who?

• Ms. Chook Yuh Yng
  
  Yuh Yng holds a Masters in Engineering from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. She currently heads the Sales Department of Jobstreet.com, the very successful online recruitment website.
  
  
• Dr. Ong Shien Jin – Interviewer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  
  Shien Jin graduated from MIT with a degree in Mathematics and went on to complete a PhD in Computer Science in Harvard University. As an educational counselor for MIT, he conducts interviews for MIT applicants in Malaysia
  
  
• Mr. Bakthiar Talhah – Interviewer, Princeton University
  
  As Regional Director for PFC Energy and Director of the Asian Downstream Practice, Mr. Talhah has vast experience in the field of global energy and investment opportunities. Mr. Talhah holds an Engineering degree from Princeton University.

When?

Sunday 9th of September 2007
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm

Where?

Descartes Education and Counseling Center
55-1 Jalan SS21/1A,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya.

Those interested in registering for the mock interviews can send an e-mail to descartes.ecc(at)gmail.com with a brief description of their own background and the DECC team will get back to you as soon as possible.

DECC Call For Assistance

Below is a message from Tee Sui Seng, recently gradauted from Cambridge University, who has offered to assist with DECC. Thanks a million, Sui Seng. ;)

The Descartes Education Counselling Centre (DECC) is a non-profit organisation which hopes to act as a port-of-call to ease some of the problems regarding opportunities for furthering education. Previous activities have included helping students in the application process to top universities such as Ivy League, Liberal Arts Colleges and Oxbridge in England and also providing guidance for career and employment opportunities

We are now looking for a more permanent establishment to provide for continuing service to students. This inaugural DECC Committee will oversee the setting up of the DECC as a permanent feature in the Malaysian educational landscape and will be heavily involved in determining the long-term role of the DECC.

Positions include:

1. Director – to determine the direction of the organisation and to ensure the smooth operations of all projects
   
   
2. Publicity manager – to ensure the objectives and activities of the DECC are made known to the target audience
   
   
3. Web development manager – to set up and maintain the DECC website
   
   
4. Educational Co-ordinator – to liase between students and regional co-ordinators to ensure efficient response of enquiries
   
   
5. Regional Co-ordinators – divided by regions, including local, Asia-Pacific, UK, US and Europe, to have knowledge on opportunities for tertiary education in the regions
   
   
6. Graduate Co-ordinators – in charge of enquiries regarding graduate education opportunities and employment

Do note that the positions do not require more than a couple of hours of work a week, and will mostly involve pushing e-mails. This is a great opportunity to contribute to improving the situation in Malaysia in a pro-active, hands-on manner, while building a network of acquaintances with similar visions and aspirations.

Just drop an e-mail to teesuiseng(at)gmail(dot)com, with a short description of your background and how you think you can contribute to the DECC; either by filling one of the positions above or any other way. Any enquiries or suggestions are also welcome and we hope to hear from you soon!

Liberal Arts Colleges

Descartes Higher Education Counselling Centre (DECC) is pleased to be holding the following seminar on the Top American Liberal Arts Colleges. The details for the seminar are as follows:

Date: 23rd June 2007 (Sat)
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Venue: DECC, 55-1 Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

The panelists of the seminar comprises of Malaysian students at the top universities in the United States. They include:

1. Eng Han Ng, Dartmouth '10
2. Andrew Loh, Swarthmore '10
3. Zhou Hau Liew, Princeton '10
4. Nicholas Khaw, Harvard '09
5. Hui Hsing Su, Smith '10
6. Sabrina Chan, Tufts '10
7. Yang Jerng Hwa, Bates '05
8. Joyce Tagal, Yale '09

These students who are back in Malaysia on summer vacation, will share with the audience the mechanisms of application, the benefits, availability of financial aid for the US Liberal Arts Colleges as well as the top universities in the country.

Parents of students, and students in pre-university or high school are most welcome to attend the session. Please spread the message to those interested parties ;)

For more information, feel free to contact me @ tonypua(at)yahoo.com ;)

Talk on Oxbridge

Hey guys,

The first Descartes talk was held last Sunday, with Nathaniel Tan giving us his take on his experience at Harvard University. We attracted a small crowd, with Dr Goh Cheng Teik, the interviewer in Malaysia for undergraduate admission into the college making a surprise appearance. ;)

This coming Saturday, we'll be holding a talk, this time on two universities across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom, Oxford and Cambridge. The details are as follows:

Topic: Life & Experiences @ Oxford & Cambridge Universities
Date: 31st March (Sat)
Time: 4.00 pm
Venue: DECC, 55-1 Jalan SS21/1A, Damasara Utama (Uptown), 47400 Petaling Jaya

Speakers:

Allen Ng

Allen was the president of the Cambridge University Malaysia Society in 2001. He is currently work as a practising Economist with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), having completed his degree in Economics on the BNM Scholarship. Prior to that, he completed his 'A' Levels with Taylors College.

Allen originates from Ipoh and is contemplating crossing the bridge with a MPhil degree in Economics from Oxford University.

Tony Pua (that's me)

Tony graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics in 1991 with a scholarship from MTC Foundation. Prior to that, he had his secondary education at Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College in Singapore under the ASEAN Scholarship.

He worked in a multinational consulting company for almost 2 years before venturing out to set up his own company in 1997. He listed the company in the Singapore Exchange in 2001 before divesting his stake in the company in early 2007 to focus solely on socio-political community work.

Read also my earlier write ups on application and my personal experiences at Oxford.

We hope to attract a bigger crowd to establish the Descartes series of talks. Future talks currently being planned include the ASEAN Scholarship, application to top US universities, workshop on writing university application essays, picking the right courses etc.

A token fee of RM10 is collected to help defray the cost of the running DECC.

So please help spread the message around to interested parties. You can also reach me at tonypua(at)yahoo.com. ;) See you!

First Descartes Talk

Yes, we are finally getting the Descartes Education Counselling Centre programmes underway! We are kicking off our activities with our first guest speaker, Nathaniel Tan to discuss about his life and experiences at Harvard University this coming Sunday morning.

Details are as follows:

Date: 25 March 2006 (Sun)
Time: 10.30 am
Venue: DECC, 55-1 Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

About the speaker:

Nathaniel graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree specialising in “Peace & Conflict Studies”. Prior to that he completed his education at SRK Damansara Utama, SM Sri Cempaka for SPM as well as Sunway College for his 'A' Levels.

He has since been active in various non-governmental organisations and participated in various international activities. Some of the more offbeat places he had spent time at includes Dili in East Timor, Freetown in Sierra Leone with the UN-GOSL SCSL and Banda Aceh in Indonesia with JRS Indonesia.

A token RM10 fee will be collected to defray the cost of holding the event. DECC is a not-for-profit higher education counselling centre.

For those who are in town, and are interested in helping out at DECC, please drop by as well, as we can then have a short meeting to see how we can move forward. Anybody who requires any further information, please feel free to email me @ tonypua(at)yahoo.com ;)