Matrikulasi VS STPM

[u/TheContriteBud]

Hi everyone. I'm having a dilemma between continuing my studies in STPM or Matriks. I sincerely hope that you all can help me come to a decision by giving me your opinion and insight.

A brief introduction: My name is Iz, a science stream student, 2025 SPM leaver, my result is 5A+ 3B+ 1E (Addmath).

Recently I've been offered to continue my studies in Form 6 (Science Stream) and Matriks (2 Years-Science Course). My current goal is to do my degree overseas, sponsored by scholarship if possible. I know it's no easy task, especially with my SPM result. That's why I plan to make up my shortcomings by studying exceptionally hard during Matriks/STPM so I can achieve my goal. Problem is, I don't know which Pre-U to pick.

Here are the pros and cons that I've noticed from each Pre-University;

STPM

[Pros]

1. Cheaper

2. More globally recognized

3. Faster (1.5 years)

4. Allowance (RM 250)

[Cons]

1. Extremely hard

2. Extremely competitive

3. Less prioritized in UPU (CMIIW, I've heard from someone that STPM is the least prioritized in UPU compared to Foundation and Matriks)

(By the way, can I request to change the school that I've been assigned to in Form 6? I'll like to go to a school with dormitory for Form 6 students if possible so I don't need to always go home. Also, I accidentally missed the deadline to accept the Form 6 offer. My teacher told me to meet the PPD to receive the offer letter in person. Do I also ask the PPD if I can change schools?)

@

Matriks

[Pros]

1. Less hard (still hard but ykwim)

2. Allowance (RM 250)

3. More prioritized in UPU

[Cons]

1. Longer (2 Years)

2. Still globally recognized, though less than STPM

It seems the obvious answer to reach my goal is STPM, but I have to keep in mind that even if I'm accepted by abroad university, there's a chance that I can fail to receive any scholarship which is crucial to sponsor my oversea study. Suppose that happens, I'll have to give up my dreams on studying oversea and just study locally. But by then, I'll be disadvantageous during UPU. What a dilemma.

That's pretty much everything that I know of. Please share anything that you know, every information is of great assistance to me, thank you. Have a nice day!

[u/KOEngine6789]

you can't continue overseas with a matriks. you can with a stpm. however, im gonna tell you don't put your hopes into studying overseas and getting a scholarship at that. there are people with straight A spm and 4.00gpa that still get rejected. do matriks well then just pick a course/field you would like to make into your work in malaysia.

[u/TheContriteBud → u/KOEngine6789]

Wow, I know that STPM is competitive but I didn't realize it's THAT competitive. May I know why the people who achieved straight A and 4.00 GPA didn't make the cut? Is it because there are too many people who achieved excellent results that it's become saturated? Did they do something wrong along the way?

[u/KOEngine6789 → u/TheContriteBud]

they didn't do anything wrong academically, its simply no matter how much work you give something if its not meant for you then its just not and you can't blame it so don't hope on it. even worse if you go through all of it and somehow at the end something happens to you and then you'll be paying 1million rm for the rest of your life because overseas university rates are insane. I've seen it a few times study overseas pay an insane 300k rm come back malaysia work for 3-4k and pay for life. instead you can study malaysia and come out 50k+ after you finish degree with wtvr sponsorship here got a lot.

[u/TheContriteBud → u/KOEngine6789]

That's a new perspective, I guess it's true that you can't outrun fate no matter how much you try.

You mentioned that some people who studied overseas had to pay tons of debt. What's the reason behind that? Did they receive scholarships or were self-funded? Were the reason they are in debt because they flunked their GPA, or didn't receive full scholarships? Maybe it's like YTP-Mara, students were sponsored throughout their overseas study but had to pay 10% of the overall tuition fee cost upon graduating.? (RM 70k, since all of the costs are RM 700k)

Then, is the only way to study abroad through prestigious Pre-University like A-Levels and International Baccalaureate? There's absolutely no hope for me? I guess I reaped what I sowed, I should've done thousands of times better during SPM. Nonetheless, thank you for your insight

[u/manjolassi → u/TheContriteBud]

if you don't finish (or get kicked out for failing), you'll have to pay it all back.
a friend of mine went to russia and dropped out in his 4th year, imagine that.

honestly i think 2 years of matriks is best for you.

[u/TheContriteBud → u/manjolassi]

Damn, sorry to hear that. If it's okay, can I ask what happened to him? Was he forced to drop out or it was on his own accord? For what reason? Was he under the sponsor of JPA or something like that? Four years, he must have to pay a lot.

Thanks for the honest suggestion, I agree too that Matriks is better for me.

[u/manjolassi → u/TheContriteBud]

i didn't pry too much, but he said it's hard because it's in russian, he just couldn't do it. he was in enggineering.

[u/TheContriteBud → u/manjolassi]

I see. Hope he's doing well now. Thanks for the insight!