Jacintha Tagal, an A-Level graduate of Sunway University College has been offered a full scholarship at Harvard University. “I feel very lucky to have been one of the three selected from Malaysia to get this scholarship. I was competing against some truly amazing people from very diverse backgrounds” said Jacintha.
There is no doubt that Jacintha’s credentials are the crème de la crème of her peers. She was outstanding academically during her A-Levels at Sunway and in Secondary School at St Teresa’s in Kuching, Sarawak while her extra-curricular strengths were in debates and public speaking. Jacintha recalls, “One of my most memorable activities was being an advocate for a day, in a mock trial. It was interesting as we could refer to actual past cases to argue our case in the trial!”.
The scholarship is for a four year liberal arts programme starting in September and valued at RM800,000. Jacintha is undecided about her choice of major which she sees as an accidental bonus as is looking forward to take full advantage of the versatility of the liberal arts system to help her make an informed decision. She will only need to declare a major in the second year. Jacintha already has an inkling of what she wants to do but feels it is not the right time to reveal this as yet.
Xander Chong Tze Siang, another achiever in the A-Levels paid his way for most of his course through several scholarships awarded to him by Sunway University College. The personable Xander was proud to mention his extra curricular involvements as a Student Council member, organising the Sharity Carnival and the Amazing G-Race. One of the high points of his student life was getting to meet Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the Minister of Education when he came to officiate at an event at Sunway University College.
A place at Oxford University has been reserved for Xander to read Biochemistry in October this year and he hopes to get some funding from local companies to offset some of the huge costs involved before he leaves.
Derek Ho Hong Wai is another academic spark who deftly combined his forte in piano performing and figure skating on ice with his studies. He represented Malaysia in figure skating last year and will be completing a Diploma in Piano Performance soon. Derek has been given a place to do Engineering at Cambridge University.
Xander owes part of his success to the lecturers. “They had a knack of helping us become more mature. They allowed us to experiment on our own but were always there to guide us”. Derek concurred, “The lecturers were very supportive and positive”.
Delivering her speech during her A-Level Awards Night recently at Sunway, Jacintha said “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be standing here. But the past 18 months have taught me that dreams do come true”. Jacintha added “I was blessed with dedicated lecturers; who cared about our grades, took an interest in us and taught not only with blackboards but also with their lives. My hat goes off to all of you”.
Her words of advice for the younger wave of applicants hoping to get a piece of the American universities scholarship dream. “Don’t be put off by the application process which is tedious with documents, references, interviews and tests, but once you have completed it you would have learnt a good deal about yourself. And even if you don’t get what you want, the experience itself is priceless. Have faith and confidence in yourself”.
Wise words indeed, for someone who is only 19. Good wishes to you all, Jacintha, Xander and Derek.
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