JPA Interview @ Shah Alam 2011

Around 10am, i went to meet up my dad who carried all my true copies and certified copies of documents all the way from Kuching to KL. While having lunch (an egg tart only) at KFC, KL Sentral, I quickly used the wifi to do some research on the name of prime minister and had a quick scan. Well, what I heard all these while regard the questions being asked during the interview were really striking away my confidence little by little.

As I set my foot into the INTEC block W, all I saw was parents waiting for their children. I glanced around but I have no idea what or whom was I hoping to see. Friends? Impossible! I really regretted for choosing Shah Alam as my interview venue instead of putting back Kuching. At least I still can meet back my old friends and not this lonely.

After entered the waiting room, the person in charge required us to hand in our true copies documents (in clear folder which are already arranged according to a sequence based on what was requested on the letter) and the photocopy set. Then each candidates were given their number. I then remembered all my friends began their interview by mixing around first. So, I forced myself to break the silence by starting a conversation with the girl behind me.

Not long later, we came to the judgement table. There are 5 of us in the group and 3 malay panel in front. We began with the shake hand ceremony and sat according to the sequence. The 3rd panel stressed us to answer in BM if the question was asked in BM and so goes to BI.

1. Introduce yourself, your family background, your academic performance and your co-curriculum performance?
2. Why do you want to become a doctor? Why overseas?
3. Bagaimanakah anda sebagai remaja memupukkan konsep 1 Malaysia dalam kalangan pelajar kolej atau universiti? Contoh aktiviti?
4. What are the values that should be instilled in a doctor?
5. Jika pesakit anda memerlukan anda menolongnya mengeluarkan MC palsu, apakah tindakan kamu sebagai doktor?
6. If you were sent to rulal area, are you willing to go? Sure no problem for the sarawakian here. Ha.
7. What makes you think that JPA should award you this scholarship instead of others?

(This is random...normally not as many questions as this.)

Instead of letting us to volunteer ourselves to answer, the panel call one by one. I have no idea why my heart undergo a rapid expansion and contraction according the lup-dup rhyme, as if it's going to pop out at first. I wasn't nervous. See, I don't even have my jaw trembling. And I tried so hard to speak Malay though it doesn't really work. I was like rotating on the same corner for most of the time. When I ended my answering session for question number 2, the panel looked at me and asked, "that's all?" I smiled back, "that's all!" My best answering part of the day should be the last question. I felt exactly relax at that moment and every sentences just flow out smoothly. There's nothing so called group discussion or debate over here and the interview session actually lasted for one hour for each group. I can see that the panel were just trying to make full use of the time by throwing more questions to us. But, they are super nice. =) Still, I understand that it is nearly impossible for me to get the scholarship. 0.03% perhaps? Besides, there is one very outstanding girl in my group who can speak fluently in both languages and was actively involved in co-curriculum. I'm not trying to compare myself with her (yes I'm) but I don't want to build up empty hope. Anyway, I'm really content with my performance today. It's also lucky for us to have a 2:4 ration of BM to BI questions. Thank God!

To those who are about to face it, remember to pray and let God equip you and guide you. Also, don't get yourself nervous with all the questions being asked before your turn. Talk slowly and make sure the massage is delivered clearly (some of my answers were quite blur ><). Don't be too narcissistic but try to be humble. You may also bring in paper and pen but you won't find it useful at all. Besides, people always say Baju Kurung is the best but majority of us over Shah Alam wore office wear (blouse + skirt / blouse + working pants with shoes that cover the toes). I'm not sure if tiding up hair is a must, but everyone did so. There are also one or two who wore very informal but don't follow them.

To my Kuching's frineds:
SHAH ALAM IS EASIER! JEALOUS? XP