MyBrainSc Scholarship Interview

Hello dear reader!

In this blog I will share my experience on the MyBrainSc scholarship interview. But first, before we jump to the topic let me talk a bit about this scholarship. FYI, during my time, this scholarship is one of the expensive scholarship that have been offered. So, it’s a luck for those who manage to receive this scholarship as it limited edition. Now, without further ado, lets jump to the topic. Okay, my interview was conducted online via Google meet. After almost three months finishing my matriculation, I have received an email from KPT regarding this scholarship. Back then in March 2021, after getting my result for first semester, me and one of my friends have applied this sc as we are qualified for application. Oh ya, the minimum pointer to apply for undergraduate program is 3.60, but always, the better the best😊. Plus, before you applied, make sure you know what to do next, I mean, your next target for degree program must be related to pure science program such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, or Mathematics program. You can read the criteria from the official website: https://biasiswa.mohe.gov.my/MyBrainSc/. Actually, now my courses is Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and its probably more to applied science but thankfully they still consider it as pure science. So, if you planing on taking other courses apart from these four, I think maybe can :). Just give a try.

Then let’s go into the day of preparation. I have received the email like one month before the interview scheduled. So, I have abundance time to prepare, but then, to be honest, I only used the last 2 weeks to prepare for the interview hahaha. I felt a bit tired because I’ve gone through 2 interviews before this Mybrain iv, and that make me prepared last minute. But actually 2 weeks were enough. All you need to do is reading a lot about latest issues, past testimonies, any infromation related to your courses and of course, practice your speech. My preparation was only reading the blog from our seniors, and I am very scared after that. You know what, out of 4 blog I have read, only one of them manage to get this sc and she only get it for the second try. And I was thinking that this might be very hard or like super strict iv, or only the elite one able to get. But as an advice, do not overthink because it’s a waste when your imagination already killed you rather than the reality which always easier than what you think (ahhaha githcuuu!!) But, from me, I think previous interview were kind of strict since our spectacular seniors hard to get it. Okay, I think that’s enough for preparation.

Next, on the day of interview, I am nervous (of course), cold sweat (can’t deny), since it was an online iv, so I've prepared 15 minutes earlier in front of my tablet, (actually it’s advisable to use laptop or pc). After 30 minutes waiting in the “waiting room”, I entered the room and there, I can see a lot of genius people with their confidence staring and glaring at me HAHAHA. They are supper prepared as you can see based on their clothes, face and the vibe they brought is like a fire burning in their bones. After that, the host greet all of us and he have mentioned our categories which are undergraduate, post graduate Master and PhD. He also checks the attendance once he mentioned the categories. After all, he gave us time like 30 minutes more to read news or any material regarding latest issues, and finally it’s my turn to leave the meeting and enter a new one for the real interview.

Interview time! I was super surprised after entering the room, and I can’t hold my reaction anymore. HAHAHA! I was super shocked because I met with my friend in matric during our iv session. I did not expect she will go to the iv. Okay, there, we have two interviewers, different form my past 2 interview, this time, I did not know my interviewer, previously, we have been informed who is our interviewer. But this time it’s kind of surprised for me. One of the interviewers was DR. Nik from USM and the other one, I can’t recall her name, but she is from KPT itself. They were very friendly, and it makes me feel a lot better. There are three candidates one is me; the other is my friend and other one is a girl (named also start with ‘D’).

So, the interview session was quite long for me, I think its around 30 to 40 minutes like that. I can say that it wasn’t so hard as I read in the blog, but it wasn’t so easy as I have gone through it, and one more thing, my interview session was conducted fully in English.

These are the question that I have been asked:

1.      Introduce yourself and tell us why you deserved this scholarship?

2.      If you manage to get this scholarship, how will you contribute back to the country?

3.      Why you choose biology for this scholarship? Which university you aim to enrol for that course? Why you choose that University?

4.      In 5 years ahead, how you pictured yourself?

5.      What’s your plan in maintaining your performance in study?

6.      Globally have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine is the only ways we have now to reduce the effect. How can you relate the information you studied in biology to encourage the Malaysian to receive the vaccine?

7.      Could you tell me what are the sustainable development goal? And what’s your opinion towards them?

Actually, I can’t really recall the questions order, but the first and the last question are confirmed. Tbh, I did not manage to answer the last question, I really don’t read any exact information about that. 

Here I provide my answer for you to get some idea (maybe):

1.      Say thank you first, and then greet them and just introduce yourself, tell your name, age, previous institution, and hometown. Why you deserve? Give at least 3 reasons, mine were: firstly, because I come from middle class family but my desirably were always to widen my knowledge and thus I need this scholarship for funding my studies as I also have proven my qualification to be one of the funded students from my academic achievement previously. Next, I am a potential student. (I can’t remember what I said for this point. Haha, but mainly, I think it’s about how I maintain my academic and cocurricular performance). You can tell them how good you have done, like promoting yourself but never ever mentioned your result more than once. Of course, they know your result and that’s why you get the iv. Tell them the activity that you have joined like your highest achievement. Lastly, I deserved this scholarship because I believe my vision are similar as this scholarship goals. (You can make it sounds better next time. Tell them that you really want to be a scientist and can go further and bring the country name, rawrr! hahhaha) Just be serious when you say this ah... hahaha and show your confidence.

2.      Always, say thank you for the question, and if possible, try to give 2 reasons, or at least one reason with supporting idea. Me; I said : one of my ways to contribute back is by providing a free tuition (here I have shared my experience where I have attended a seminar talk form a DR where she have shared how she contribute back to country after funding her studies). Next, I will join and support any awareness campaign that our county will do that will bring good to the citizen. (You can say anything that you think will be good for the country)

3.      Ahhh, for this question, I think you guys can answered it by your own without reference, right. I think it’s something that only you can think that. Advisably, tell some information about the chosen uni and make sure it was the latest info.

4.      This question also mainly asked about your target. Me: I said I am still studying for my master which I belive will be sponsored by this sc, and the past experienced I have gained does help me a lot. (you can say something that is expected) I remember, one of the candidate, she said that she is probably waiting for a job and to use that time, she will create a YouTube channel which will educate others.

5.      Just tell your plan like how you will study, and some more you can tell the experience from previous technique that help you a lot. Mentioned your schedule, how you manage your stress, and maybe you can tell that you will not learn only from the syllabus.

6.      For Q6 and Q7 you can find it by your own, okay. HAHA.

Again, these are just my sharing answer. I belive you guys are more talanted and awesome in other way. So, give it a shot guys!

Last but not least, all the best!

When you are scared, but you still do it anyway, that’s BRAVE!!!

Before the end, I love to let you know that I have received this scholarship for my degree program, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics here in University Malaya (UM). Hopefully this blog able to  give you some tips and if you needs more, just type it in the comment sec. Don't get shy ah,, HAHA!!! Let's learn together.

Tadaaaa! The end.