Right after the announcement for SPM result, everyone was busy filling this and that forms for scholarship. I want to highlight here that those who want to apply for certain scholarship must meet the requirement first. It is because most of the scholarships' website will automatically reject the candidates that do not fulfill the requirements stated for example, parents' salary and SPM result. It will waste your time if you just fill the form and ignoring the requirement because there are some scholarships that required us to make an essay. It is wasting when you have written you essay but cannot be submitted.
Back to our topic, about JPA scholarship. Interview with JPA is my very first interview. Imagine how many butterflies in my stomach :)) HAHAHAHA don't get me wrong it just an expression.. Ok my interview was held in Kolej Yayasan Saad Business School Melaka because I lived in that territory.. Not very Melaka but near to Melaka. I stayed in my brother house so that I could be at the venue on time.
This is my first tip, make sure you be on time for the interview because it is the interviewers' first impression towards you. It does matter. However, my session was late because the previous session had dragged our time so we need to wait around 30 minutes again. My session was in the evening. But, I found that this gap is valuable because you can have chit chat with other candidates just to overcome your nervous. Use this time wisely, do not just stick with your parents and ignore other people around you. Just ask about simple things like "where do you came from?","what is your name","how you go here","is this your first time being interviewed","what you do while waiting for SPM result". Just as simple as an ABC. Trust me, it will build confidence in you.
First, we needed to assemble at the main hall. We were separated into 2 big groups which were kelompok 1 and kelompok 2. They would start with kelompok 1 first so the other kelompok needed to wait until kelompok 1 finished. I was in kelompok 1 so I finished the interview early.
In kelompok 1, we were separated again into small groups consist of 5 candidates per group. We had 2 tasks for the interview which were personal group interview and group discussion. My group started with personal group interview.
In each room, there were 2 interviewers. The questions asked were just simple and more about personal questions. Some of the questions that I still remember are:
1. Tell me about yourself
2. What is your greatest strength and weakness
3. How do you see yourself in 10 years (we need to answer this question in malay, maybe because they want to test the Chinese and Indian candidates)
4. What did you do if you are facing game addiction
2. What is your greatest strength and weakness
3. How do you see yourself in 10 years (we need to answer this question in malay, maybe because they want to test the Chinese and Indian candidates)
4. What did you do if you are facing game addiction
The questions were simple right?.
The interviewers did not strictly asked us to answer the question in English but since the JPA programme was for overseas, it was better for us to answer in English. DO NOT BE PARTICULAR ON YOUR GRAMMAR ONLY. It would affect your fluency. Just tell your opinion on something and interviewers can understand you. That's all. No questions on general knowledge and current issues but just be prepared with your preferred course. For example, I'm applying for engineering to France. I read issues on technology and engineering since I wanted to pursue my degree in software engineering. Just 'sediakan payung sebelum hujan' isn't it??
Next session was group discussion. We needed to do it using fully Malay in 5 minutes (if I'm not mistaken). As I mentioned before, maybe they wanted to test the Chinese and Indian candidates. Maybe la HAHAHAHAHA. My group needed to present on topic about "Teknologi Pemusnah Hubungan Manusia" .. Lebih kurang macam itu but I do not remember it accurately. We were given whiteboard and markers to jot down the points. If you cannot be the leader ,just be a good follower. Follower does not mean you have to agree 100% with others' opinion. You may come out with opposite point but make sure it is acceptable and not too much. Do not conquer the group. The panels may dislike you. Then we needed to present the topic in front of the panels. For those who do not fluent in English, make this session as your opportunity to shine bright. WARNING!! Do not take other candidates time. Make the presentation within time given.
That's all for JPA JKPJ interview. For those who are going to attend the interview with JPA, just relax and do your best. Alhamdulillah, I got the scholarship offer to further my study to France and need to register in the middle of May to do my A-level at Intec.
This was the picture taken after the interview and this was my group. All of them were friendly and very sporting. Love to have the interview with these amazing friends..
If you have more question, just comment below and In shaa Allah I will answer it ASAP.
