Hi guys, pls help decide / advise on what pre-u stuff to take 👉👈
SPM2025 grad here. A bit late, but I am debating between Foundation, A-levels, and SACE/AUSMAT atm. I want to enter a private uni. TLDR below. Any advice will help.
My current situation is that I have specific courses in mind already for my degree, but they are just distinct enough to not always all be in one uni (or, the ones that do are simply too expensive). But I am still exploring my options ish/circling around the same options. But too much time has passed, so I want to enter something, anything, asap.
The scholarship situation is no good. I do have credits in all, but I don't have enough A's to even make it to the podium (standard is >=6A).
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- Foundation
I'll probably go with a Foundation in Science if I am taking Foundation. It is cheap, and if the uni I apply to has all the courses I could possibly ping pong with the final decision of what degree to take, it's also the most flexible and safe foundation to take.
In my current situation, it would be really great if I did already know what course I wanted, but I don't. Therefore, the aforementioned ideal situation does not exist.
Another thing is that if uni A has a course I want to take, but if I took my Foundation in uni B, the acceptance rate is not the best (I'm not too sure about the finer details).
- A-levels
This is a popular choice. It feels and sounds similar to SPM; 100% exam based -- familiar ground. Difference is the amount of subjects and depth.
I'm pretty sure this is considered the golden international standard accepted by all, but I have no plans for overseas studies.
It's also slightly expensive and takes 2 years.
- AUSMAT/SACE
I am going to be honest, I have almost never heard anyone say that they applied to this irl. If anyone here applied to this, pls share your experience. I would greatly appreciate it.
Since the heavylifting is done by both coursework and exams, it's closest to the standard syllabus in a degree == experience, which is good.
Application to unis via ATAR score, so it feels equally good to A-levels in this regard, just that not as many places offer AUSMAT/SACE (I think).
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TLDR:
I'm circling course options, which causes complications in pre-u study options;
foundation = sacrifice course options, cheapest, offered everywhere
a-levels = global competition, a bit pricey, universally accepted, exam-heavy, offered everywhere, a bit lengthier than the other 2 options, supposedly the hardest among these 3 options
ausmat/sace = global competition, universally accepted, not offered everywhere.
PS:
STPM is thrown out the window because 1. the registration date for this year's Form 6 intake alr passed, 2. it's really hard, 3. it's long, 4. kinda sick of that school environment alr.
That is all there is. Pls pretty pretty please share your advice and experience.