SAT (Sko-las-tic Ap-tee-tude Test) 2

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz………………… *phone rings* In the midst of my half-sleep half-awake confusion….

“Hey, Winson, guess how much I got for Mathematics?” “800!!!!!”

“What?” (I was fully awake upon hearing this.)

Yes, Jonathan Mah Koon Chung, my close buddy, has got a score of 800 out of 800 in his SAT Mathematics Level 2 Subject Test. Congrats and dude, what the ham!!!!! Haha…..

Well for my part, I did not too bad but certainly could not compare with Jon’s super high Maths score. I only managed a 660 out of 800. This is a summary of my scores:

Chemistry 740

Physics 780

Mathematics Level 2 660

Overall 2180 out of possible 2400

As you could see, my Mathematics really pulled my entire score down. I am considering a retake for Maths 2, but perhaps I will decide after my IB exams. However, I have sort of expected this score for Maths because I left out too many blanks in the paper.

Anyway, I can take consolation in knowing that I have met National University of Singapore SAT Subject Test (or SAT 2) score requirement:

“

• ^ Mathematics II is a compulsory subject for all courses except Law. Applicants applying for admission to Law may take Mathematics I, in lieu of Mathematics II.

An SAT II score of 2100 would be minimally sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application.”

Yes, I can now make a competitive application. =) To the rest out there, don’t fret… just do your best and let God take care of the rest… SAT 2 is not too hard actually, just need great time management… My time management was not really good for Maths.

Jon’s scores are somewhat like this, from our conversation:

Physics 720

Chemistry 780

Maths Level 2 800

Overall score 2300 out of 2400

I guess I could only be happy for my best buddy. He would really need it for his US Application. Especially application to Stanford and all. I am applying for Stanford as well, but in Stanford’s own words:

“SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required for admission. We recommend taking at least two SAT Subject Tests, as such information will assist us in our evaluation process. Applicants, however, who choose not to take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process.”

SAT Reasoning Tests would play a bigger role in admitting ourselves into Stanford. The Reasoning Test will come on December 6, 2008. All the kan cheong (buzz) about SAT Reasoning Test will come after our IB exams (Nov 4 – Nov 13, 2008). I am aiming for a high Critical Reading Score to avoid the need to take TOEFL or any English Proficiency Test for the US Application Process.

This post is dedicated to Jonno, Jon Mah, Hamnoj, Long Sausage, or anything associated to a character by the name of Jonathan Mah Koon Chung, the one who has provided excellent accommodation to me throughout my IB days. His DJ house is a 6-star hotel, with a well-trained waiter (read: Jonathan) who can play Call of Duty 4 with you anytime you need it.

To Jonathan, all the best from here. You would need the good scores for US admission. Well man, seriously, our scores are not too bad for two dudes who only knew about the testing format i.e how many questions, how long, when we took the test. Simply, ZERO preparation and knowledge of what to be expected! And for Jon to get a full score for Maths, that is just the hand of God!!! (it’s possible that technical error may had happened in the College Board system but well, as of now, let’s take it that Jon is a maths whiz.)

Oxford Adventure: Interview at PJ Hilton Part 2

I am just taking a break from studying IB Business and I thought I would like to share my interview experience with readers out there who are interested to apply to Oxford.

As mentioned in my previous post, I have applied to Oxford and today was D Day. This is today’s account:

I arrived in PJ Hilton about three hours earlier! My interview was scheduled at 2.00pm. Dad dropped me there at about 11.30am. I made a visit to MABECS (google it – it is an agency that assists students applying to the UK) to collect my UCAS application form. You see, the other time I was trying to access my UCAS account but I was not able to access to my details. So I thought I would prefer MABECS to print my details out for me, until they told me I can print them out from the comfort of my computer screen. Okay, that silliness did not reflect an Oxford potential at all… I thought to myself..

So, I made my way to Hilton’s lobby. It looks really different when the sun is up. Last night, it looked really posh and shiny, with the black marbles and chandeliers. Now, in the daylight, it is just another hotel. I went to the toilet for the first time (I know some of you might think how silly is this) and I was amazed at how high-tech their toilets are. I was in there to check my tie and to unfold my sleeves. After checking, I still had another two hours and more.

I stayed at the lobby because it was quite comfortable. Unfortunate for me, I sat at the ‘Smoking Allowed’ area. My lungs were suffocating, and my eyes were dry after sitting there for about two hours. I also brought along my photocopied Oxford IB Chemistry Study Guide. I will address the ethics of photocopied books bit in another post hopefully. =)

My interview was scheduled at 2pm but I was given a passage to read at 1.30pm. So, I went up there at about 1.15pm and sat there waiting for about fifteen minutes. I did went up earlier at 1pm but they were out for lunch. As I sat there, there were other prospective applicants and most of them are girls. These girls looked really smart and some of them looked really sweet too. Anyway, I was too busy focusing on my interview than the girls.

I was given a passage about Ocean Energy. The passage was about two full-pages long. It took me about 15 minutes just to analyse and to understand the entire content fully. With the provided Hilton pencil and Hilton paper, I wrote my notes and analysis.

It was my turn and I went in with a nice Englishman. Unfortunately, I was not able to ask for his name because I was too focused on my passage.  He asked a few questions and made me quite comfortable before proceeding. The conversation went around this:

1) Hi Winson, how are you today? Are you nervous?

I am fine. Yes, I am quite nervous.

2) Okay Winson, tell me why do you want to be an engineer.

I want to be an engineer because I always have this passion to dismantle things from young. When I was a kid, my parents got me LEGO sets, which my mum threw away last month, and that was when I began to experience with small gear, tyres, and small parts.

As I grew up, my passion was very much with aeroplanes and cars. I was feeling a bit evil last month, and I began to read up about missiles!!!! So, that is pretty much got to do with my passion.

However, with my involvement with NGOs, I began to have this burden to bless others. I see Malaysia as being a very fortunate country compared with other developing nations. I would like to use my knowledge to impact people’s lives. It sounds cliche but I really want to apply what I know to make a change in people’s lives. Some people use their knowledge to make tons of money, which is fine for them, but I certainly think there is more to life than money.

3) Alright. It states here that you have applied for the Jardine. I have to tell you that the Jardine is very competitive. What happens if you do not get the Jardine? The cost in Oxford is quite high.

Yes, I have applied for Jardine. If I do not get the Jardine, there are other government agencies which offer scholarships.

4) What happens if these are also unsuccessful?

Well, the PSD (aka JPA) GUARANTEES A SCHOLARSHIP TO ANYONE WHO OBTAINS A PLACE IN OXFORD!!! (I was like man, I hope what Yi Rhu told me was right).

5) Yes, I did heard about that. But you have to work with them for quite a long time, no?

Yes.

6) But, it’s a job anyway.

(……… nothing to say)

7) It also states here that you have applied for Trinity College. Why? Is this related to Jardine?

Well, Jardine was one of the factors…….. (silence…….) yeah, Jardine was the main factor!!!!

Okay, now let us deal with some maths problem. Given y= X^2 / X-1 , what would the shape of the graph be? Engineers do need to locate the maximum, minimum points, turning points, and what happens as x approaches infinity. So alright, I ll leave you with that while I typed out some notes about our conversation.

I was trying really hard. Using Mr Masukor’s first principle method, I managed to deduce some basic shape of the graph. Graphs and curves are my worst topics in the maths textbook ok!!! So, I managed to find some points, and given some hints, I managed to solve it. It has a vertical asymptote at x=1, an oblique asymptote at y= x + 1 after he showed me how the equation can be manipulated. Wow! Felt great.

9) Okay Winson, now let us try some physics question. *Draws two masses, one is travelling with speed of u, and it collides with a stationary mass. * So, after the collision, both masses are stuck and travel together at speed v. Express the speed of v in terms of m and u given both masses have mass m.

Managed to solve this quite easily.

10) So which principle is this, Winson?

Principle of Conservation of Momentum. It states that momentum is conserved where before and after collision the total momentum is the same. There is no net change in momentum.

11) Alright, so does momentum stays constant in real life?

Momentum stays constant because often I am given idealized situations. In practice, momentum might not stay constant (what a silly statement!!!!). yada yada……. Wait, is this a trick question? (then I thought for a while, this is a law wei…. momentum wei) Yes, momentum is constant.

12) Given that this small cap *holds a small bottle cap*, I throw it upwards, and then it slows down before accelerating down towards the earth. Momentum is not conserved isn’t it?

Momentum is conserved because it changes direction. It offsets the momentum before. (I was trying hard.)

13) Hmm…. okay but there is gravity…. are there any effect on this?

(…….. silence…….. )

He gave some hint… …. Winson, gravity exerts force right? ….

Oh yeah…. momentum is only conserved if there is no external force…

14) Alright. Good. Let us now refer to the passage you read just now. What have you learnt about ocean energy?

I talked about ocean energy, summarized the whole first page…. before he cut me off. I didn’t manage to go further.

15) Okay, thank you Winson. I do want you to know that in Oxford there are 3 applicants for each place. Life is full of excitement and also disappointment. I don’t decide whether you make it or not. I will submit my notes to the Trinity College and they will decide whether you are eligible, in competition with the other students in UK. Thank you. All the best for your A-Levels. (wert????)

Thank you.

And, that was our conversation.

Somewhere in the middle before we ended, he also asked me about my expected IB score. I mentioned that I was targeting a 42 with bonus points. All the best for your A-Levels…. okay…. he was just tired.. I forgive him.

And, that was it. I went down to the lobby, waited for dad and went home. Slept for a few hours and I am here typing this out.

Eh Winson, IB exams are two weeks away. Why do you waste time blogging?

Well mate, I believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to secure this experience in print. How many get interviewed by Oxford, mate? Not many, and I am one of them. =)

Fun Fact of the Day: A mineral water costs RM11.50 in PJ Hilton. The most expensive mineral water I have ever drunk.

Oxford Adventure: Interview in PJ Hilton, and other stories….

I cannot comprehend the feelings that I have right now. Maybe a bit jittery, nervous, and perhaps excited. I just came back from a briefing in PJ Hilton about tomorrow’s interview for admission into University of Oxford.

Source: http://www.ox.ac.uk

Here are the details for tomorrow’s interview:

Venue: PJ Hilton

Date: 21 October 2008

Time: 2.00 pm

Dress code: Anything

Somehow I just don’t know what expectation should I place on this. Oxford is really a wonderful place. These are today’s excerpts about the briefing:

1) All interviews tomorrow (which I will be part of) are strictly academic. Do expect technical questions on your subject.

2) This interview will carry some weight in the overall evaluation by the selection committee.

3) An annual cost of study and accomodation in Oxford (about 28 weeks) is calculated to be around USD$50000. This includes tuition fees, college fees, lodging, books, and all the other miscellaneous items to have a happy period in Oxford.

4) It will be a one-on-one interview. It’s me against a tutor. In Oxford, the term “tutor” is equivalent to “professor” in most universities. However, it is called “tutor” because it’s Oxford. The tutor is looking for potential in each candidate, meaning he/she is looking for special qualities that would carry you through your university years. Among these are, independent learning, open  to new ideas, and intellectually curious.

5) One of the traditions of Oxford is to wear roses when one is heading towards examination. In Oxford, there are a total of four examinations (if I am not mistaken). If you are having your first exams in Oxford, you wear a white rose. If you are having your fourth and final exams, you wear a red rose. If you are somewhere in between, you wear pink roses. That way, everybody can wish you luck for your exam! Ingenious.

6) Also, for tomorrow’s interview, I am required to be there 30 minutes earlier because I will be given a passage to analyse. This passage will be the starting point of my interview at 2.00pm. Super kan cheong (nervous)!

I find it interesting to see how the presenter, an Oxford graduate himself, managed to convince the audience about the high tuition cost in Oxford with many advantages that he further supported with. Truly, he is an amazing presenter because I myself was convinced that there is no other better place than Oxford. Sorry MIT!

Earlier, I was supposed to arrive in PJ Hilton at 6.30pm. I was late by ten minutes because of the rain and traffic jam. Much earlier, I was like “God, this rain cannot stop me!” and thanks to that silly challenge, a slight drizzle, when I left from Damansara Jaya (Jon’s house), turned into a major storm, when I was heading to Hilton.

This is also my first time stepping into a Hilton Hotel. This might sound weird but yes, I have never stepped into a Hilton before. I am more to a motel kind of person.

It is really scary to think of what is at stake right now. I have to do really well in my IB because they require 38-40 IB points, including the bonus points, for a firm acceptance. Certainly, all my Higher Levels subjects need to be in 7s and 6s.

Scary? Yes.

Exciting? Definitely.

Something to kick my bum into working harder for IB exams which is exactly fourteen days from now? Absolutely.

I am staring at Oxford now. Will they accept me? Stay tune for further updates in my Oxford adventure.