Five Malaysians have been admitted into undergraduate programmes at the prestigious Harvard College for the upcoming academic year, the most in the country’s history.
The students were selected out of 61,220 applicants with the acceptance rate of the Class of 2026 the lowest in Harvard’s history at 3.19 percent.
“We are thrilled that a record-breaking five Malaysian students were accepted to Harvard College in a single year.
“Until recently, we had at most two students admitted per year and sometimes even none.
“What is so remarkable is the variety of ways in which each of these five students showcased their outstanding qualities,” said Wan Nadiah Wan Mohd Abdullah Yaakob, Harvard College Alumni Interviewer for Malaysia.
The Malaysians selected this year are:
- Chooi Je Qin (SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor, now pursuing A-Levels at Kolej Tuanku Jaafar);
- Herman Leong Xin Yang (SMJK Chung Ling, Penang, now pursuing A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM under Public Services Department Scholarship);
- Ishant Shah (SMK Bukit Jambul, Penang, now pursuing the Canadian International Matriculation Programme at Sunway College);
- Carisma Michaele Wong (SM Stella Maris, Sabah, now pursuing A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM on Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship); and
- Lee Ee Jenn (now pursuing A-Levels at Garden International School).
Lee, from Kuala Lumpur, received her early admission from the college earlier this year.
The students are pursuing higher education in the fields of astrophysics, biochemistry, environmental science and public policy, politics and sociology, respectively.
In describing the students, Wan Nadiah said they all showcased outstanding qualities, including outside of academia.
This includes being involved in Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiads, playing the double bass for the school orchestra, having a passion for Kadazan karaoke and language, representing Malaysia in debate competitions and being involved in climate action and philanthropy.
Ishant is also a national squash player, said Wan Nadiah, who is also CEO of Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara.
“Looking at their backgrounds, it is clear there is no one typical Harvard student, though they all share a dedication to pursue excellence in their fields of interest,” she said.
Other alumni interviewers were Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang Church service pastor, Jacintha Tagal and Khazanah Nasional Bhd head of research, Nick Khaw.
Khaw noted that this year’s admits come from various parts of Malaysia.
“We love that multiple states in Malaysia are represented, demonstrating that outstanding young Malaysians are to be found all over Malaysia.
“The key for us, as a nation, is to give them the opportunities they need to thrive,” he said.
Affordable elite education
The alumni interviewers also noted that the college will ensure that all students admitted to Harvard can afford to attend.
The university also practices “need-blind” admission to ensure the application process is independent of the ability to pay.
Students from families earning under US$75,000 (approximately RM316,000) will not be charged tuition, a rise from the previous threshold of US$65,000.
“This makes Harvard amazingly affordable compared to many other higher education institutions, locally or internationally.
“In addition, all students receive the same financial aid, regardless of citizenship or nationality,” they said.
“Malaysia has amazing talent to offer and since finances are not a barrier to attending Harvard College, we would like to encourage more young Malaysians to apply, and we look forward to meeting them.”
The five students will join two Malaysian students admitted last year.
They are Jarell Cheong Tze Wen from Kuala Lumpur and Muhammad Hamdi Ahmad Hakimi from Kuantan.
Cheong attended SMK Seri Bintang Utara and Sunway College before attending Harvard, while Muhammad Hamdi was a student of SM Sains Alam Shah in Kuala Lumpur before pursuing his A-Levels in Kolej Tuanku Jaafar.
Last week, Malaysians celebrated news of Irdina Shahriman, 24, who graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and was ranked first among 10,000 students at notable US university, Virginia Tech.
The Subang Jaya, Selangor native attended on a Yayasan Tenaga Nasional scholarship and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. - Mkini
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