Since SPM & STPM results are just about to be released, adrenaline must be running high and many are probably at the edge of their seats wondering what could that slip of paper hold or some are just dreading the day it comes out. Getting good results a one thing, what to do next is another. So what if one gets good results, it doesn't guarantee that you will get to the path that you desire. I've heard of countless of stories where excellent students get courses far from their desired choices. In those days, only 4 flat students get into courses such as medicine or dentistry in public universities. And I think that is ridiculous as think academics should not be judged by results only, but the overall performance of the student. However, now with the myriad of choices, there are other ways to get into top grossing courses with the many private universities sprouting up across the country. But if you don't have a big piggy bank back home, those won't be the options that you would be heading for just yet.
Our fate unfortunately lies in the hands of authorities and we are at the mercy of it. I was one of those who fell victim to that. I was one of those who took the less traveled path of STPM, many people warned me that it is one of the hardest exam in the WORLD. Unfortunately, my results was not too bad but not ideal in the case if i wanted to pursue medicine or dentistry. Which was really bad in my case since its been my dream to be a dentist. But by the grace of God, I'm now studying in my 3rd year of dentistry in a public university-that would be a long story to share but maybe I could share it one day. During my years in university, I've heard numerous of stories of 4 flat students failing to get in to medicine or dentistry and people who get less than ideal results who give up their dreams of being a doctor or dentist and I find that very sad. Hence, I'm sharing this in order that less people will fall into that trap and settle for something less than their dreams or ambitions.
Thank God when it was time for me to enter university, there was a slight shift in the university scene. Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM) was annouced as the first ever APEX university in Malaysia. This gives USM an autonomy to choose their students which then would then be the crème de la crème. But in saying that, they changed their system so that they would not only assess a person by their academics alone but as a whole. Thus, students who don't have the most excellent results are still given a shot at pursuing their dreams. The great thing about USM is that they would usually give you the course of your choice because they understand that work without passion is useless. What is the point of doing what you do if you don't have the interest or passion in it. Nonetheless, I'm aware that there are alot of people who study what they're studying just for the sake of getting a degree and moving on in life.
Hence, students who score less than the ideal 4 flat actually have a chance of applying for medical, dentsitry and even health science courses such as biomedicine, dietetics, forensics etc. In USM, the minimum CGPA to qualify to apply for these courses are 3.50 and above, a blessing to those who failed to achieve perfect scores in all papers. USM not only takes into account your results but also your extra-curricular activities and also your performance in the interview which you have to go through in order to enter. So, this really depends on how bad you want it and how you impress and convince the panel with your charisma. Yes, there is still hope. Not only that, for the less brave-hearted who dare not attempt the dreaded STPM, do not fear because USM also actually accepts student's from A-levels. Therefore, I hope that those who have a dream will continue to pursue it and not lose hope even when there seems as if there is no hope.
