Afterschool.my Year-In Review: The Top 5 Articles You Clicked on in 2017

As the year slowly draws to a close, with people either busy rambling on the swiftness at which it passed by, or slowly drawing up plans for their 2018 blueprints, it’s always constructive to take time to evaluate just what your year consisted of. Here at afterschool.my, we’re no different, and 2017 saw numerous changes, with one thing remaining a constant, our drive to provide our readers with the most up-to-date news on education in Malaysia. Which articles then did you click on the most in 2017? There’s only one way to find out, so get scrolling and check if you read these hugely popular articles in 2017.

5.  Breaking News: JPA Bursary Recipients Can Go Overseas

Coming in at no.5, and kicking off our ‘honourable mentions’, is the article which we picked up from the Public Service Department, or more commonly known as the JPA. Students who were left in a limbo, uncertain of where their futures lay, were finally given the good news that JPA Bursary recipients would indeed be permitted to continue their courses overseas. Arguably the happiest news we brought you in 2017, click here to read about it just in case you missed it!

4. PPBU vs PTPTN

Nipping just ahead of the article occupying the no.5 spot, PPBU vs PTPTN was the fourth most read article of 2017 on afterschool.my. Pitting the two most popular loan options in Malaysia against one another, the showdown for the ages garnered clicks that some speculate rivaled that of the McGregor vs Mayweather bout. Contrastingly though, the outcome of this bout saw not one, but numerous individuals having their hands held aloft in victory, with everyone considered to be the winner, as the comparison merely boasted the fact that there indeed were more opportunities for students to attain a tertiary education. Click here to relive this epic joust once more. 

3.  SPM Trial Papers 2017 From Around Malaysia (WITH Answers)

As SPM approached and students bowed their heads and buried them into books, one commodity became more valuable than gold and Bitcoin combined: Trial Papers. Scouring the worldwide web, looking into every nook and cranny, students sifted through numerous pages and links, looking for any trace of a state’s trial paper. Afterschool.my noticed this need and duly obliged, crafting a page which served as the ultimate compilation of SPM 2017 Trial Papers from around Malaysia. The best part? This page can even be used by students for SPM 2018 in their preparation as well. Click here to download that once again. 

2. Apply to UKM Directly Without Using UPU : A Second Chance At Attending A Public University

For many SPM leavers, securing a place through UPU and any of the public universities is a dream come true. The fact of the matter is, with limited places and a rigorous application process, some students just aren't drawn or drafted into a single course, and were left without a university. Then, the landscape changed as UKM opened their doors, with the inception of the UKM International Bachelor Programme. Sure, the fees were high for a public university, but not too dissimilar to that of other private counterparts.  All that mattered to most was the fact that there was another ray of hope, which was fittingly succeeded by another, and then another, as USM and then UM opened their doors to local students via their respective International Degree Programmes as well, boding well for the future. Click here to read through the courses offered and corresponding requirements once again. 

1. Read the Essay that got a Malaysian-Born Girl Accepted Into All 8 Ivy League Universities

And taking home the gold, to add to her already highly decorated collection of awards and another bullet point on her burgeoning CV, is Cassandra Hsiao, who months ago stole our hearts with her gritty yet touching essay on the trials and tribulations of adapting to a country overseas, an essay which helped get her accepted into all 8 Ivy League universities. With the comment section flooded with debates on her true nationality and advocating the need to leave the country to succeed, the true moral of this story was lost: with hard work and perseverance, anything is truly possible. Have you read the essay that got everyone talking, including the admissions departments at all 8 universities? If not, click here to see what all the fuss was about.