How Curiosity and Conviction Took Brendan Yap to Harvard

Brendan Yap doesn’t claim to have had it all figured out. But today, the Subang native holds a degree in economics from New York University, a double minor in mathematics and computer science, and a coveted spot in Harvard’s Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID). He currently works at Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia, developing economic policies to help small businesses gain access to the capital market. 

As impressive a space as Brendan has carved for himself in the world of academia and policymaking, his success didn’t come from arduous planning or subsequent box-checking, but instead took shape as a result of following his questions and letting curiosity guide him.

Brendan received a full scholarship from the SC to pursue his undergraduate studies in the United States. Since graduating in 2021, he has returned to serve his bond, taking on roles in corporate strategy, market policy, and economic analysis. At every stage, he has sought one thing: clarity on how to use his skills to make a meaningful impact.

A Rural Awakening: How Economics Found Him

Like many science-stream students in Malaysia, Brendan was nudged toward engineering or actuarial science after SPM. He had the grades for it, but not the conviction. “It never really spoke to me,” he said. “I felt like, okay, maybe I could do that, but it didn’t sound super interesting.”

The turning point came after SPM, when he joined a volunteer trip to a rural Orang Asli village in Perak. There, he witnessed stark inequality for the first time. “In the city, we talk about skyscrapers and the next big mall. But just a few hours away, people live in such drastically different conditions—no electricity, no tap water, no paved roads. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

That experience stayed with him. As he dug deeper into questions of inequality and development, he discovered a field that examined the structures behind it all: economics. “The more I read, the more I realised—this is what economists study. This is the work I want to do.”

Choosing a Broader Path: Why He Studied in the U.S

After deciding on economics, Brendan set his sights on the next step, one that took him further than he ever imagined. With the support of a scholarship from the SC, he had the option to study abroad. Initially prepared to pursue his degree locally, he soon realised he had a rare opportunity to go further.

“I was quite prepared to study here,” he said. “But the SC offered to fund my studies overseas, and I started to think more seriously about what I really wanted out of university.” The answer wasn’t just about academic reputation, but also breadth. While many were drawn to the more familiar British system, Brendan wanted something that would let him explore other interests beyond his major. The American liberal arts model, with its flexibility and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, seemed like the right fit.

That decision led him to the American Degree Programme (ADP) at HELP University as a pre-university foundation. Not long after, he received an early decision offer from New York University (NYU), one of the top-ranked institutions for economics worldwide. “NYU was definitely a reach school for me; I was nervous all the way until the results came out.”

When the offer finally did arrive, it wasn’t just a relief: it was transformative. For the first time, he could see himself stepping onto a global stage, in a city known for its energy, culture and opportunity.

New York and the Education That Changed Him

Studying at NYU wasn’t just a change of pace. It was a complete immersion into a different way of life. Brendan arrived in New York City excited but cautious. Like many students, he had never been away from home for that long, let alone in a city as intense as Manhattan.

“The academics weren’t the hardest part to adjust to,” he recalled. “It was the culture.” Everything from class participation to social norms was new. In the U.S., people made small talk in elevators, arrived early for social events, and expected a kind of directness Brendan wasn’t used to. “It’s the small things that add up,” he said. “It takes time to adjust.”

But he found his footing. At NYU, Brendan majored in economics and took on double minors in mathematics and computer science, complementing his core interests with skills that made him more analytically agile. He even took up tutoring in computer science, not just for income, but as a way to reinforce his own understanding.

​​Outside the classroom, Brendan gravitated toward the small but tight-knit Malaysian student community. He eventually became president of the Malaysian Students Association, a role that was less about titles and more about connection. “There were maybe five of us,” he joked, “but it mattered.” In a foreign city thousands of kilometres from home, even hearing a familiar accent in the hallway felt grounding.

His academic performance reflected that growth. He graduated with a near-perfect CGPA and received the Emanuel Stein Memorial Award, an honour given to the most outstanding student in the economics department. It was an unexpected validation of everything he had worked toward. “It was humbling, but also motivating. It helped me realise I might actually be able to make a difference in this field.”

Returning Home: Real-World Economics at SC

After graduating from NYU, Brendan returned to Malaysia to fulfil his service bond with the SC,  the organisation that had awarded him a scholarship years earlier. His current role as an economist and policy analyst centres on an often overlooked but vital area: improving access to capital for small businesses.

At the SC, Brendan works on both the policy and economics sides. On one hand, he helps craft new initiatives to support underserved market segments, such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs). On the other hand, he conducts detailed research and data analysis to ensure these policies are grounded in real evidence. “You don’t make policy just because someone says it’s a good idea,” he explained. “You need to run the numbers. You need to make sure it actually works.”

One of his main focus areas has been the financing gap faced by smaller companies. While many rely on bank loans, there’s often a shortfall between what businesses need and what banks can provide. Brendan’s work involves looking at how Malaysia’s capital markets can step in to fill that gap, offering alternative sources of funding that are sustainable and scalable.

What he finds most fulfilling is the sense of tangible impact. “I’ve been really lucky,” he said. “Even at a young age, I’ve been put in a position where I can help shape policies that affect real people and businesses.” His time at SC has deepened his understanding of how policy decisions ripple through the economy and how effective regulation can empower growth, especially when it serves those who are usually left behind.

Harvard, and What Comes After

When Brendan received his acceptance letter to Harvard, he couldn’t believe his eyes. “I thought I saw it wrong,” he said. “I got up, washed my face, put on my glasses, and read it again.” The offer came with full financial aid, which made the decision a ‘no-brainer’.

Applying to Harvard had been part of a larger plan to further his education in public policy. While his undergraduate degree gave him a solid foundation in economics, his work at the SC  made him realise that the challenges of policymaking required more than just technical know-how. He wanted a programme that could strengthen his quantitative skills while preparing him to navigate the real-world complexities of law, governance, and institutional culture. Harvard’s Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) ticked all the right boxes.

The application process wasn’t easy. He applied to five or six universities, all with strong reputations in policy and economics. He hadn’t expected to hear back from most of the universities, so getting accepted to all of them came as a truly humbling surprise. “I never once thought I would get in,” he said. “Honestly, everything I’ve done so far has just been me trying, not knowing what would happen.”

But it paid off. At Harvard, Brendan hopes to deepen his ability to design policies that are not just effective on paper but responsive to the needs of real communities. For him, this isn’t just a stepping stone. It’s part of a long-term commitment to building a Malaysia where economic opportunity is more equitable and policy decisions are rooted in both evidence and empathy.

Reflections and Advice to Students

When asked what advice he would give to young Malaysians pursuing competitive scholarships or top-tier universities, Brendan didn’t hesitate. “I think the hardest part is not getting in. It’s figuring out what you want.”

His advice is simple but grounded in experience: don’t obsess over prestige. Instead, focus on purpose. “Ask yourself what actually excites you. What would you keep doing even if nobody was watching?” That kind of self-awareness, he believes, is what makes a scholarship or university application truly stand out, not a perfect transcript, but rather a clear sense of why you’re there.

As for economics, Brendan hopes more young people will begin to see how relevant it is. Understanding economics, he believes, means understanding how global events shape our everyday lives. To Brendan, the study of economics is a way to make sense of the world and to find your place in it.