Saturday, December 20, 2008

MUIC Application Process (draft)

Let's get this done. I'm going to put things under several subheadings, so please go to the section in which you go under. If you are not sure, please read the brief description under each sub-heading. Information on applications fees and etc. is provided at the end of this post.

1. Full-Time Students
2. (a) Overseas Full-Time Students
(b) Exchange Students
(c) Visiting Students

Note: Student applications of Group 1 will be handled by the Admission Office, Group 2 by the International Relations Office.

1. Full-Time Students
International or Thai students who have finished high school in either Thailand or overseas as well as students who are not native English speakers. Applications are open 4 times a year: May, July, October and January. This applies to students who are walking in to do applications.

2. (a) Overseas Full-Time Students
International or Thai students who have spent years studying abroad in high school OR university level and would like to pursue a 4-year degree at MUIC. (Credit transfer is allowed on a case by case basis, please see below for more info.)

(b) Exchange Students
International or Thai students from a university or college which has an exchange agreement or academic cooperation with MUIC. (The exchange period is from 1 trimester up to 1 academic year. Extension and change of student status is up to the consideration of both home and host universities.)

(c) Visiting Students
International or Thai students whose university or college is not in the exchange agreement or academic cooperation with MUIC, yet would like to spend at least 1 trimester to 1 academic year at MUIC. (Extension and change of student status is up to the consideration of both home and host universities. Please check with your home university for credit transfer approval.)

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Selecting YOUR Ideal University

Selecting an ideal university is a stressful and confusing situation for many high school students. It goes on inside your head almost every single day, especially when application dates are around the corner. A few common questions that arise are, "Which country? Which university? Which major? What is my budget?"

Which country to study in? What is my Budget?
The ever-expensive international programs offered in Thai universities are what most locals are not able to afford for they can cost up to 5-6 times than regular curriculums. People would often wonder, "Am I paying for something worthwhile?" Well the answer is "yes" and "no". Consider the following, especially if you're local:

1. Do you know why you want to go there? Or why you should go to that particular country? Some people keep in mind that all they want is to get as far (away from home) as possible, but do not have a clear reason why. But what if you don't like the things there and decide to turn back? Well, a short-term stay, say three to four months in the country can probably help you make up your mind better.

2. Do you have what it takes to be accepted? Well you have the SATs, TOEFLs to help you. But if you’re someone who’s consistently getting 1.5 GPA, you should reconsider your options, for people with better grades would benefit better, especially with scholarships.

3. Is going overseas in your budget? Sometimes going to other countries can be a good thing, but even with cheaper tuition, are the living costs going to compensate for what you don't pay in Thailand? Sometimes you have to pay even more than usual when you live in a foreign country.

4. Are you independent enough to survive on your own? Although this won't be a problem over time, but it is still best to stay near your parents where they can still reach out to help you when a situation arises, and this can be a big issue when you live overseas.

5. Do you know how much your scholarship covers? Are chances of getting scholarships high? It's hard to tell if you're getting the scholarships you want unless you have certain exceptional features/talents, and there is probably thousands of others fighting over it. Even if you do get your scholarship, is it enough to cover for your tuition and living? How much do you have to work to gain sufficient coverage?

Undeniably, earning a degree from a prestigious university overseas might possibly earn you a few extra points upon graduation, but if the five points are the least of worries, feel free to go ahead.

Which university to go to?
This is probably the biggest headache for most of you. When thinking about this issue, you’ll come across problems such as, “this university does not have the courses/major I want,” or “this university sucks,” or it can even be a remark such as “but my friends are all going there.”

Funny but true, the things you say do make a point, because this is what your future is about. But please also do get your facts right when making a judgmental comment.

Please ask yourselves what you need/want, for different universities/colleges can offer slightly different things.

1. Would you want and international environment or be in a Thai faculty? Or if you choose to stay overseas, you’d probably need to think about whether you want to be in a state-owned or private university?

2. Do you aim to earn one degree or earn double degrees? Yes, some universities offer that. If a double degree is offered at a university, it can mean:
a. The university is working with another university (usually overseas), and by the time you graduate you earn a degree of the same major from each university.
b. The university itself is offering you an option for you to take two different degree majors at the same time.

3. Are you interested in the exchange programs they offer? What are the clubs and activities? Well these are also important when selecting your university because it’s not the end of the world. While studying and getting busy over studies should be the top priority, it’s pretty much important to make four years of your life in college more memorable. As we all live in a society where connections play an important part, understanding new cultures and getting involved in something can also make you stand out in the crowd.

Basically there isn’t much you have to be concerned about except for your budget and what you would like to do. Please continue reading below.

What to major in?
WELL… There is a common myth that goes on around that says what you major in is going to decide for your profession. Now the answer is, “not always.” There are people who already know what they want to major in, while some who knows what they want to work as but don’t really know what degree will bring them there; and of course, the people who do not even know what they want.

Do not feel pressured… The truth is, you don’t have to know that yet, besides, some people only realize what they really want later on. What I mean by saying you don’t have to know what you want to major yet, is that most high scholars do not realize that there are many courses provided in university that were never taught in high school. These courses can include things like Archaeology, Photography, and even Women’s Studies!

This is one reason why there are general education requirements for degree programs, for it helps you to explore different aspects of courses, and over time you’ll know what you want to do. So please do keep in mind:

1. What you choose as your major when doing your application is NOT fixed. You are allowed to change your majors later on, even a few times is fine!! (Just don’t overdo it)

2. Do not put pressure on yourself, you have time to decide, besides, what you major in, doesn’t really decide for your profession. But what it can really do is land you on your first job interview, remember that.

3. Like I said in point 2, BUT, there are certain jobs like Nursing and Medicine that gives you a straight road into further studies or job, but do not let this fact bother you too much, because over time you might realize you’ve gained new interest. The fact is, people change jobs a few times in their lives, can you imagine being a financial analyst for 25 years? (I’d be pretty sick of that)

That is basically about it. For more information, I suggest you talk with your teachers, parents, and friends about it. Just remember that it is more important to do what you like than what you think you will do.

Bonne chance!


PS. Please tell me if there's anything I messed up, I will correct it ASAP. I need as much of your feedback as possible, so that I know what you really need. If so, please leave comments at the end of this post. I suggest that you only use this as a reference instead of a one-way guide to your decisions, as any ideas of such is not intentionally imposed. This post does NOT guarantee an answer to your question... so if you want to know something... kindly ask and I'll update. Thank you.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Handling people is a pain sometimes...

Over time you'll probably meet different kinds of people, and by saying this i mean to say... some people can be a real pain on your behind... and it does take different measures when handling them the right way.

Of course, by using the word 'handling,' it might sound as if you're a puppeteer, but hey, it is sometimes necessary to draw a line so that they don't interfere with your privacy too much.

Here's the point... It is not about having your privacy exposed because hey, there isn't really much to hide anyway, really... but they do waste a lot of your time and that is an issue...

Some people claim that they're your good friend and encourage you to tell them everything, as if they decide whether your name gets printed in the Book of Life or not. It is understandable if they genuinely care about your life, however, some people asks out of mockery (hell you don't know how many sadistic bastards are out there, I tell you), and overdoing it is not a wise decision, especially to me.

WELL, I'm not to point out anyone specific, I just want to you tell what you can do when you're in a situation related to this.

10 Commandments for Peaceful Living
1. Never give your house phone number to anyone.
2. Try to leave your mobile phone out of sight, so you have an excuse for not picking it up.
3. Never share anything so that they have more excuses to call you.
4. Make a list of excuses, or use the old ones and don't give a shit if anyone would find out.
5. Press the red phone when they call, so they get the point.
6. Tell them to shut up. (I've done that, and it works)
7. Hang up on them.
8. Disappear. (well not unless they're your neighbor, sorry to know that)
9. Never ever believe that they can really help you practically when the time comes
10.Don't be like one of them (yea... if not you'll be treated the way above)

I do trust that you're not that stupid to do this to your parents, so please direct this onto people who'd waste your time than give you practical help. Even if I needed emotional help, I'd call a counsellor. But hey... if you're a person who seriously needs a friend, ignore everything I just said.

Touché.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Freshmen ->Senior, & back again

Well, the cycle runs on if you think about it...

Technically, you spend four years of high school with those positions... then you spend the next four in university with the same ranks... and literally, you spend almost the next four decades being in those ranks too, agree?

Well... everyone has to be a freshmen in society, their jobs, marriage, and anything that makes us who we are. But the truth is... not everyone gets to be a senior, and a scarce few that makes it with honors.

Are all men are predictable?
The answer is not necessarily and 'yes' or 'no'... People doubt and worry at the sight of this question. Putting it in terms of psychology and science is going to start a war against the antis...

Well, people do try to climb to the next level and compare success in many different ways... But think about it, no matter how high you stand... you're still a freshmen.

Capiche?

Summer...

Well, I'm supposed to be enjoying my summer, but heck it was bad (I won't say it's hell, cus I've had worst ones, as some of you know...)

Ok first things first, I have quite a bit of stuff to do this summer, which is to learn, learn, and learn more new stuff... I mean hell yea... ever tried picking up new skills during summer instead of partying 24/7?

Well I failed to pick up CFOP because I'm lazy, for those of you out there thinking what CFOP is, it's a speedcubing method created by Jessica Fridrich for the Rubik's Cube... Anyways... there was a lot permutations to memorize... so i thought why not go for some other new skills?

Speaking of which... I have been trying to start an online business (well it's still under planning), well since I have so much free time and brain-space... why not pick up more advanced web construction skills? Hence the study of (X)HTML, Java, CSS, and blah blah blah...

For those of you who've known me well enough... will know that I can never give up on my music, nevertheless I have been spending quite a bit of time with my instrument. SO, I've just started to pick up on rock guitar (after all these years on others), and it was a lot of fun, I mean it really isn't that difficult for me so I just have to practice, practice, practice, practice...

Many people have left for Taiwan this year, a bunch entered Chulas, and all the other places... I've been so busy to keep up with them...

Oh well... I'm out... next post coming right up...

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

First Post...

Well, I don't know what possessed me to create a blog... I mean, it isn't that different from my previous Windows Live Spaces only that it's easier to organize and all. But well I thought it wouldn't harm to try something new, cus' I'd be organizing quite a bit of stuff here from now on anyways...

Dear Friends... if you know any thing about CSS or HTML... please tell me how do I upload new templates into this blog... I'm pretty sick of their default ones already...

Anyways... that's about it for now... I'll catch you guys later.