I did Cambridge A Levels and my result is 4A*s (Bio, Chem, Phy and Maths).

As in Malaysia,
I applied for Monash Uni Malaysia (Pharmacy), get offer, but my brother don't allow me to go there as there is no scholarship at all

The uni that offer scholarship is IMU, for July intake B.Pharm, 100% off for the tuition fees for 4 years. It requires to compete with all the pre-u include STPM, SAM and etc. It also requires to go through interview and there is only one scholarship available per year! If I didn't manage to get the scholarship, I will apply for JPA sponsorship.

The another uni that I am considering is Nottingham Malaysia M.Pharm (2+2). It provide scholarship automatically for 3As and above, 25% off for the tuition fees (but only for the first two years in Malaysia). Can I know after I graduated, will I able to register as a pharmacist in UK? Will I able to work in Singapore as a pharmacist?



I dreamt to enter Singapore uni since I graduated from secondary school because of its good ranking in the world and I hope that I can work in Singapore after I finish studying my undergraduate (the exchange current of the SGD to MYR $.$).

For NUS, I apply for : Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Accountancy. (I know it is nearly impossible to get medicine & dentistry, but I just feel like putting them into my choices )

For NTU, I apply for : Accountancy, Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, Chemistry & Biological Chemistry with second major in Food Science, Biomedical Science & Chinese Medicine (double degree) and Business. (My friend in NTU told me it is very hard to get into Accountancy.)

Hopefully I can get NUS Pharmacy but I know it is pretty hard too So I expect to get NUS Science or NTU Chem & Biologcal Chem. Everyone around me does not support me to do chemistry degree (they say my result is wasted to do a chem degree) and told me it is useless as there is no job to do is it true?

I like Chem (favourite subs!)! Academic content wise I would prefer Pharmacy as it include Bio too (my favourite subject too!) but I am thinking to give a try for Chemistry degree as I can enter my dream uni and work in Singapore afterwards!

P/S : Another reason I don't feel like doing pharmacy in Malaysia because there is way too many people is doing it now! I am afraid the market will be saturated by the time I graduate and it will be very competitive if I want to open up a pharmacy retail and I can't register and work as a pharmacist in Singapore as Singapore Pharmacy Council do not recognize IMU cert

Anyone has any idea? Thanks!

Hi, where do u study for ur A level? what is the way to achieve 4A*s result?

Actually, I'm not sure about this but, why not try apply to Ivy Leagues universities and try for the JPA Tajaan Ivy? A risky venture but better than not trying at all.

I did my a levels in Taylor's College Subang Jaya. Frankly, although the tuition fees costs a bomb, but I think it turns out to be very worthwhile. You pay for what you get. I really think that my lecturers are all amazing, and they are very helpful.
A levels isn't same as our spm. It is so much different! You can do last minute study for spm but DON'T DO THIS IN A LEVELS. It is going to kill you. Consistent study is a must.
When it is going near your trial exam, just read & understand all the chapters. I don't do past year papers for trial.
After trial, you have about one and a half month left, DO ALL YOUR PAST YEAR QUESTIONS! (Must discipline yourself, plan your timetables, like: I must finish two sets of PYQ today, two sets tomorrow...) For AS I did from 2002 to the lastest, yet A2 I am running out of time so I did from 2007 to the latest. DO & UNDERSTAND THE QUESTIONS.
Hope this help all the best!

A levels is very difficult to get into IVY Leagues uni. They prefer ADP tho.
There are MOE bursary students in my year. So many of them are waiting for JPA sponsorship, and they are awarded automatically, I don't think they still want to sponsor for non-bursary students like me.
Even if I really get JPA, I need to come back to Malaysia for bonding after my graduation. I prefer to work in overseas tho.

Okay. Your choice, your call.

Just to clarify a few things here, I meant UK's top schools when I say Ivy Leagues, lol idk why I'm sorry about that. But like you said, if they prefer to sponsor bursary students, fine then.

And no, the real Ivy Leagues don't prefer ADP either. They prefer SAT. Don't wanna confuse other forumers into thinking ADP the best choice to the States.

Both of you have put it wrongly. USA universities don't prefer one course over another. They just want to see if you've completed your 12 years of schooling or not. We only have 11 years of schooling.

SAT is just a standard requirement, not a preference. Whether you like it or not you need to do SAT for tradition sake.

your brother doesn't allow you to go to Monash but he's ok for Singapore? the tuition fees there are much more expensive after conversion. then again there's always the government loan. but malaysia has PTPTN as well. (talking about the pharmacy degree here)

you obviously don't know the meaning of the term 'ivy league'....mr. google can help....

and i've obviously done that after realizing my mistake.
did this for post count?

My bad. I thought your Ivy Leagues mean US universities (what I googled lol).

Regarding Monash, my brother don't really concern about the money. He just thought that I deserve something (scholarship or reduction, even just a few k) because I have 4A*s. Monash is so stingy that they don't even reduce a penny for me. Another senior from my secondary school, who is studying in NTU now, he also doesn't support me to go Monash unless there is scholarship. He also think that I deserve something.
Back then, I think about it, and yes, I think I deserve something for my 4A*s. I work my ass off for this result.
If I go to Singapore uni, there is subsidization from government. There is a chance I can get the scholarship. There is plenty of scholarship offer to you when you study in NUS or NTU.
My family still can afford for my tuition fees (as long as I don't go UK for 4 years of degree, they still can afford twinning or local private uni), don't think they want me to take loan or ptptn as it is going to burden me in the future (crazy amount of money to pay back).
P/S: The most important reason that I don't want to do pharmacy degree in Malaysia is because pharmacists don't own dispensing right (although they said they want to give pharmacists the right a few years ago, but Malaysia government always just talk, they don't really do it, and they don't care), which make me very frustrating. I don't know by the time I graduated, is there any job for me? If I do it locally, I am stucked in Malaysia forever, as our degree cert (IMU or Monash Malaysia) don't really get recognized by most other countries (SG, UK, Aussie)

This post has been edited by iamonlyhuman: Feb 20 2014, 09:54 AM

Is there a problem with a person correcting your mistake? I would've pointed it out too if I were to notice it. There's clearly an attitude problem here, which can be diagnosed as the 'I'm never wrong syndrome'. Google it too if you want to find out more about it.

Also, it dawned at me, that you still have to read way more about tertiary education. My initial frustration about your arguments has been quenched.

Until you've at least learned how to distinguish between the Ivies and UK schools, you should refrain from giving advices to avoid misleading people who are about to make a crucial decision. As an 18 year-old myself, I am sometimes tempted to offer advice ( brash, young-blood, aren't we all ), but immediately tell myself that I've got a long way to go, until I tread the path, I shouldn't be telling people how to walk it. Reading countless threads on CollegeConfidential does not provide you with a credential to offer sound advice. My humble opinion is that you should talk to people who have reached the top ( either online or offline ), attend workshops ( like USAPPS, CUMAS ), attend college organised conferences, and spend time working on what you've missed. Since you have a lot of time in your hands, either you start studying pre-university/college level material, or start preparing for your SAT's. The first step is always the hardest, you have the book with you, now it's time to get started, you will overcome the inertia soon and the momentum will propel you forward. The SAT's is just a standardised test, you don't have to be a genius to ace it. You just need to learn the skills to tackle the test ( as with all standardised tests ) and that skill comes with practice. If you have problem with the Math part, revisit your PMR Mathematics concepts if you think you've forgotten some of the concepts. Or you think the essay part is difficult for you, start by reading guides on how to churn out stellar essays in a limited amount of time, or work on your grammar ( you do commit quite a few of them, very minor ones ). If getting 2200 in SAT seems daunting to you, then you should forget about top schools because preparing for the SAT's is way easier than studying at the top schools you've mentioned. If you're afraid about the prospect of working hard and want things which are easy and risk-free, I suggest that you do something more conventional, like settling for a modest school. TARC and UTAR offer good courses with moderate fees, I'm sure you could afford it. It ranks higher than quite a few of the IPTA's out there.

Peace and all the best!

Nonono. You're absolutely right about the Ivy Leagues, it's my mistake. And I'm sorry about causing the confusion.

Hi there, based on what I know, it's very difficult to get scholarship or any form of bursary studying in UK/US. Singapore NTU/NUS on the other hand, does offer you scholarships, mainly ASEAN scholarship for Malaysian student. Give the scholarship application a try and see how it goes, check the deadline and make sure you didn't miss it yeah.

However, I don't think I know any Malaysian student in NTU who's taking Pharmacy but I do know a few Chemistry & Biological Chemistry student here. If you insist on doing Pharmacy, then I suggest you do the twinning programme with IMU, you will be able to work in oversea.

Another tip for you is that it is very hard to find a job in countries like US, UK and Australia, I have seen many of my friends who studied in UK and Australia ended up coming back to Malaysia earning a normal pay.

Anyway, good luck!

There is no pharmacy course in NTU. Only NUS offer pharmacy

For Malaysia, my first choice now is Nottingham pharmacy twinning (2+2). I don't really like IMU. I think Nottingham twinning programme is more prestigious. I email-ed Singapore Pharmacy Council (SPC) and they told me if I able to register as pharmacist in UK, I can ask for registration in Singapore. I'm still thinking if it worths trying (I might end up unable to register in UK), and it costs me nearly rm400k D:
I don't really want to work in UK afterwards (but I don't mind if I able to work there for a few years want to get the experience!), what I really want is actually the registration as pharmacist in UK. Then I will apply for job in Singapore, and I will able to register in Singapore.

I want to do chem & biological chem in NTU but nobody is encouraging me so frustrating they ask me to do pharmacy because my result is so good and they say pharm is a professional course but chem is not

Anyway, thank you very much! Your opinion is very much appreciated

This post has been edited by iamonlyhuman: Feb 20 2014, 11:26 PM

Well if you are the top student in your batch you can get a 10k waiver every year if that interests you. how does dispensing rights affect you in the current situation? do you even know the various career pathways that a pharmacy degree offers? also, the Monash pharmacy degree is the best in Australia and ranked 7th in the world. If that's not prestigious I don't know what is. http://www.topuniversities.com/university-...s/2013/pharmacy You can always opt for 2 + 2 and transfer to Melbourne in your final 2 years if you are so sick of staying in Malaysia. Jobs are always available if you are good.

and speaking of 4A*s.. i think most senior forummers would tell you that there are tonnes of 4A*s scorers out there.. what makes you stand out? and try to choose a course based on your interest.. you seem more keen in the sciences than pharmacy anyway..

If I were you, I will definitely opt for NTU if chance is given. Follow your heart and not what people told you to do.

Honestly speaking, I don't think a degree in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry is inferior to pharmacy. If you have the interest in it, you will excel it and I think the payoff will not be lesser than what you would have otherwise chose pharmacy. Furthermore, I kind of feel the same way as you. Looking at so many pharmacy graduates every year, I was really wondering if there are really enough jobs to absorb all of them. Not to mention so many private institutes in local is offering pharmacy, I can even see some of my friends with mediocre results also doing pharmacy, the reason is that they are able to afford to huge amount of tuition fees and expenses.

On the other hand, I personally think NTU is much more prestigious in comparison with Nottingham or Monash. Graduating from NTU and I would also say that the job opportunity in Singapore will be much better than here in Malaysia. So I think you should apply NTU and see what happens next.

I agree with zstan, 4A*s scorers are everywhere, and being a 4A*s scorer does not mean that you deserve a scholarship if you are lack of other skills.

It's not easy to register as a pharmacists in UK especially when you are lack of $. What I can suggest you to do is to go after what you like; If you want to make a better living, there's plenty of ways to do so; If you wanna work and live in Singapore, maybe try something more demanding and yet achievable, like Engineering or Bio-Sciences, the Singapore government will be more than happy to offer you the PR after a few years upon your graduation; If you want happiness, then do whatever you want.

Haha, I too was a 4 A*'s scorer, my family wasn't able to send me to UK or Monash U to study those expensive courses like MD or Pharmacy, so I took what I can get, and now I'm happily doing Mech Eng at NTU under a scholarship.

Honestly, I have to say, I don't think pharmacy is very appreciated in Malaysia. In overseas (UK, Aussie), after doctor, then it is pharmacist. Doctor need to seek for opinions from pharmacy regarding medicines. In Malaysia? Nurse is even more powerful then pharmacist. They can give medicines to patients without permission from pharmacist.
I know that Monash pharmacy is ranked 7th in the world but note that, that is for Aussie campus, not Malaysia campus. Monash Aussie will be ranked for so high is because of its lecturers, facilities, its university environment and etc. Apart from academic content, nothing is same as the Uni in Aussie. It don't get accreditation from Australia & Singapore Pharmacy Council like Aussie campus did.
I did asked Monash Malaysia regarding the transfer programme at the third & fourth year yet the staff say that it is a new policy and they are not sure about the details yet. They are not sure if we can really transfer to Aussie campus and they are not sure if it is accreditted by Australia Pharmacy Council. They are not sure if we can get training and register as a pharmacist in Aussie. There is so much uncertainty because this is the first year that they allow the transfer thingy. If you were me, you wouldn't worry about it?

Maybe 4A*s isn't a big deal for you (but I wonder how much A* you get for your a levels? Mind to tell?), but it means something to me, to my family and to my friends. (you may say 'no offence' but seriously, IT OFFENDED ME) I don't think I am the smartest person in the world, in Malaysia or even in my hometown. But this f**king 4A*s, it isn't just solely depends on luck. I work my ass off for this. Your sentences is pretty insulting, and I really don't feel good about it.
I am not showing off, I am just trying to ask for opinions and clear my doubts. Put yourself in my shoes. If you score 4A*s, you wouldn't feel you deserve something? I am not asking for full or half scholarship, I just want something to let me know that all the hard work, they will pay off someday.
Honestly, I love science. Especially bio, chem & maths. That's why I think pharmacy suit me the best. I am just trying to figure out if chemistry (if NUS or NTU really offer me), will it turn out to be a pretty good course and will it able to give me a decent future. I am just trying to give myself a few more choices since it is going to affect my future (more or less). I am just trying to give myself a wider & better future (although we don't really know what is going to happen in the future anyway).

OMG you get what I mean & feel. It is pretty frustrating to see so many people are doing pharmacy
Btw I already applied for NUS & NTU. I am waiting for their offer now thank you so much for all the courage. You know how frustrating it feels when no one is supporting you for your decision thank you so much!!

I know 4A*s doesn't mean I deserve a scholarship, I am not asking for full or half scholarship, I will be happy even with just a few k reduction, but Monash don't reduce a penny at all, which makes me pretty frustrating
I did considered engineering before but I don't really like physics I think I wouldn't be happy at all if I study engineering. Sorry to say this
Mind to tell what is bio-sciences? Something like biological science?
Honestly, sometimes I wish I don't have any choice. The more choices you have, the more confusing you are.
Thank you for your suggestion!

Lol you should look at the overall costs of the BA degree, few k reduction from a UK university is still >> NTU/NUS.

What I meant by bio-sciences is any field in science that is related to biology. NTU does offer a variety of courses in bio-science. Feel free to check out their website.

Back in my application period, I only applied for NTU, not even UTAR, HKU or NUS. The difficult part isn't about making a decision but to live with it. My humble opinion is to do what you like to do and able to afford to do, regardless of where it is.

Yea I know about that but you know, it is just about the sense of achievement. (I know it may sound funny)
From what I research, bio-science in NTU just include biological science and biomedical science & chinese medicine (double degree)
Yea it is so true, the difficult part isn't about making a decision but to live with it.
Thank you!

You obviously didn't do enough research about the recent pharmacy scenario in Malaysia over the past few years. Clinical pharmacy is already running at its peak in most major general hospitals. Ward rounds are conducted at a multi-disciplinary level, which obviously includes the pharmacist. Not sure where did you even get the information that nurses can give out medications.

Ah well, the facilities in Monash Malaysia certainly on par if not better than the Parkville counterparts based on the feedbacks from those who went there for exchange or those who came to Malaysia. Lecturers wise then maybe you are right. Anyway, since you are so concerned about accreditation in other countries I guess you really want to leave Malaysia quite badly. No point to harp on that issue then

Why would I worry about registering in Australia when the Immigration of Australia has totally closed their doors for Pharmacists? Australia is no-go option for prospective pharmacists unless you really really have good connections over there. The market there is more saturated than Malaysia which makes fresh graduates almost impossible to get intern places in the urban areas, especially so if you are not native Australian. But regarding your question on transfer, there are students who've already applied and went there for this semester.

During my time there were no * yet and I wanted an easy life so I just settled for 3 subjects and got 3As. Not as good as you obviously I'm sorry i sounded insulting, but you also sounded like the world owes you something for that 4A*s.

If you love science, then don't do pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than science. Try to read more about the career aspects of this course.

I agree with zstan, the market in Australia is very saturated and very hard for fresh grad to get it. Generally speaking, it's very hard to study pharmacy in oversea if you have no $. Universities in countries like uk us and Australia offer almost no bursary. Even if they do, it still costs hundreds of thounsands, and if you include living expenses it can easily cost close to a million Malaysian ringgit.

If you wanna be a pharmacist, then stay in malaysia to complete the course, and you can future study in other countries to get out of Malaysia. Otherwise, pick another major in Singapore universities.

Yeap I did read about the article that no more pharmacist from foreign countries able to work in Aussie anymore. You are right, I really wish to leave Malaysia in the future if I can. Malaysia is good but grass is always greener on the other side D:
Other reasons that I want to do pharmacy is because I realise I prefer working with people rather than in lab (science degree always leads you to lab researches), and maybe is due to family influence (since my parents own their own shop), I would love to open up my pharmacy retail in the future, but I don't mind working in hospital pharmacy at all tho.
Anyway, thank you for your suggestion! And sorry if I'm being mean & sound rude!

From what I get from Nottingham, they estimate it will be roughly rm380k for tuition fees and living costs in Malaysia and UK (if one pounds = rm5.1). My family and I think it is pretty okay although I estimate the cost should be more, around rm400k. And my brother (he studied in US) wants me to go UK, he said although it costs a bomb, but the experience is priceless.
Can I ask are you don't really encourage me to do chemistry degree in NUS/NTU?

This post has been edited by iamonlyhuman: Feb 21 2014, 09:50 AM

Haha TS I'm totally sided with you on the 4A*s thing. I always get frustrated when someone says something like this. Like there are lots of 4A*s student out there. Does that mean that the hard work you had put in is not worthy then? There may be lots of excellent students, but it simply doesn't mean 4A*s is an easy task to accomplish. Maybe 4A*s alone is not all the criteria for TS to qualify a scholarship, but I think he just wants to make the best use out of his 4A*s.

Hey TS, I actually applied to NUS and NTU as well! See if we are lucky enough to be the same batchmates.
Anyways, I wish you the best in choosing the best suitable choice for yourself. Think carefully what you truly want!

Just another inspiring Steve Jobs's quote to share with you.
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.''

Good luck!

This post has been edited by iZhaoFenG: Feb 21 2014, 10:15 AM

I'm not sure about the estimation , but I believe it should cost more than rm400k. The exchange rate will get even higher in this few years, sg exchange rate is already 2.63. :'( and last year August was only 2.55. So don't go uk unless you have 800k in your pocket.

The experience living and studying in a foreign country is indeed wonderful. You get to be exposed to new culture and all that stuff. Of course there will be some rough patches but generally it does promote personal growth. You will also learn to appreciate home and family time even more.

What do you wanna know about chemistry courses in ntu? I can't really tell you anything about chemistry courses in NTU, I didn't take those modules.

Mind to tell what course you apply for NUS & NTU?
I wish all the best for you too! And thank you!

Hey!

My NUS choices are :
Choice 1: Science
Choice 2: Arts and Social Sciences
Choice 3: Engineering Science
Choice 4: Materials Science and Engineering
Choice 5: Medicine

& NTU choices are :
1st Choice: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
2nd Choice: MATHEMATICS & ECONOMICS
3rd Choice: ECONOMICS
4th Choice: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING & ECONOMICS
5th Choice: ENGINEERING

I'm hoping to do a mathematics degree! If not then an economics degree! Haha.

Yea the raising of SGD this few years makes me more eager to study in Singapore uni and work at there after graduated!
I am just wondering whether you don't encourage me to do chemistry degree 'cause you ask me to choose another major in Singapore uni?

Hopefully you can get the course that you want!! Also hope that we can be uni mates lah good luck!

Lol you misunderstood me, what I mean another major is another major other than pharmacy because it's very unlikely that you will get it.

Both of you and izhaofeng, come to NTU we have a great orientation camp for you guys.

Haha yea! I get it
Hope that both of us can be your juniors lah

Haha hopefully we can get in! Wish us luck! Really looking forward to go to NTU!

Trust me mate, 4A*s is a guaranteed entrance pass to NTU, can't say the same for NUS.

Hahaha but man, I lack of 1A*

I have only 3A* and 1A!

Thanks for reply
May I ask some questions? Do u have make ur own notes for A level?

Not really eh :/
For Biology, I just read coursebook.
For Chem and Physics, I read my lecturer's note.
P/S: For Physics, you need to understand the concept first, then do many many exercise & pyq!

This post has been edited by iamonlyhuman: Mar 3 2014, 05:41 PM

I get admission for PHYSICS/APPLIED PHYSICS for NTU...and currently trying to appeal to change my course ..XD...anyway....any scholarships out there...there is very less scholarship for Singapore universities