I Have Decided To…
… do this:
- Resit for my STPM. I’m very well damn sure if I push myself, I can be one of those smug lads in the newspaper the day STPM results come out. I actually have a plan - I start studying by today (I already did 4 hours of it - Economics and Accounts), and by mid-April, I’m done revising. The two-three preceding my exams, I join these tuition classes for exam coaching and more importantly, to beg and plead for them to set and mark an trial paper and write an official transcript for it by mid-September - in time for Oxbridge applications. I’ll pick and choose tuition centres and teachers after I get my college schedule.
- Yes, college schedule. I’ve decided to enrol into HELP University College and do a B.Sc. in Economics and Management from the University of London External Program (the exams are set at the same standard as and by the London School of Economics and Political Science). The External program has only one exam a year, that is, late May and early June.
- In the meanwhile, I plan to retake my SAT Reasoning Test (the one I got pretty low marks on the count of stomach flu) as well as do three SAT Subject Tests. Why? To apply to American universities. I also plan to do TOEFL (for the North American unis) and IELTS (for the rest of them).
- But you must be thinking - wouldn’t I be years behind my peers? If I do well in my first year exams as well as my STPM, I’m pretty sure I get enough credit exemptions to cut off at least one year off. In the end, in comparison with all my local university peers, I graduate the same time as they do.
- But failing that, if I do brilliantly well in both STPM and first year exams, I may be offered a place at LSE - with scholarship - to continue on my second-year studies there.
- Failing to get into Oxbridge, the Ivies, and LSE - I would still continue on with my External degree and get a pretty prestigious degree from a pretty prestigious university. I’m aiming for either first-class honours or upper second-class honours, which may earn me a postgrad scholarship.
- Failing that, I can still get a job with my B.Sc.
- Failing that, I pick between accountancy or law. The prior, I just enter MICPA, pass their exams, get an accountancy job, do the optional Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales exams, and three years after I started, I be a chartered accountant. If law, I do my one year Graduate Law Diploma from London External - allowing me to take the test to join the Bar, continue on with my 2 year LL.M (Masters in Law) from London External - or do a 2 year graduate LL.B.
There: All base covered. Suddenly, I’m not that interested in going to Singapore. Though it is not as if my parents can afford it. If only I’ve decided this before I’ve sent in my application with the application fee (S$55 in total), along with close to RM70 in courier charges to send my supporting documents quickly before dateline to Singapore.
In the meanwhile, I need to up my extra-curricular ante. I’ve got a few ideas. I’ll let you guys know when they come to fruition.