Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, at the 2019 admissions counseling day at Hanoi University of Technology (March 2019)
Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities: Choosing a major is like choosing a life partner.
Many candidates have likened the process of changing their college application preferences to a second, stressful and pressure-filled National High School Graduation Examination. Even when universities release minimum admission scores and predicted cut-off scores, many students are still confused about how to make their choices.
In charge of the university's admissions work, Associate Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has given three points of advice for candidates when changing their preferences as follows:
First, please look at the score distribution of universities in 2018. For example, with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the enrollment quota remains the same as in 2018, and the number of applications submitted so far is also almost the same as in 2018.
Secondly, students should look at their scores to make informed decisions. If their scores are very close to the minimum passing score, they should be cautious, especially if it's a "hot" major with a high competition rate, because the cutoff score will be based on a ranking from highest to lowest.
Thirdly, it's important to be cautious and consider your second and third choices based on your understanding of the field you're applying for. For example, let's say you like Public Relations. However, the admission scores for Public Relations are usually higher than for Management Science. In reality, these two fields are very similar in terms of job characteristics. Therefore, if you see that Public Relations scores as high as 26, while Management Science scores only 22 or 23, consider it a second choice.
Or, if you see that the admission requirements for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities are higher than those for another school, then put the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities as your first choice. Even if you happen to miss out by one point on your first choice, you can still get accepted on your second or third choice.
And most importantly, students must truly love the field they're applying for. They shouldn't just apply to get into university.
Because studying is not only about one's own time and effort, but also about parents' money, and it's a waste of societal resources. If you don't enjoy it but force yourself to study, you can't achieve good results. The same applies after graduation if you lack the passion and enthusiasm to work.
“You might not understand it at the age of 17 or 18, but I still want to tell you that choosing a major is like choosing a life partner; when you choose someone to marry, you need love for a harmonious and happy life. Or, as billionaire Zack Ma shared, what's important isn't studying at a prestigious school, but studying a major you enjoy. Similarly, don't prioritize working for a large company, but choose a good boss. Thinking about it, this is very true in life,” Associate Professor Hoang Anh Tuan shared.
Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Science and Technology: Choosing my favorite major first.
Sharing the same viewpoint as Associate Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Associate Professor Tran Van Top, Vice Rector of the University of Technology, shared: "If I were to give advice to students, I would first advise them to choose a major they love. Only when they love it can they nurture their passion, motivation, and determination to study later."
However, according to Associate Professor Tran Van Top, if students don't meet the admission requirements for their preferred major, they should assess their own capabilities. And one of the important pieces of data for students to rely on when changing their preferences is the predicted cutoff scores of the universities.
Specifically for Hanoi University of Science and Technology, there are quite in-depth forecasts for each ngành (field of study). And to arrive at these predictions, the University must rely on specific data.
First, we need to analyze the score distribution over the years. For example, the score distribution in 2017 was higher than in 2018. This affects the cutoff scores for various majors. For instance, the Information Technology major at the University of Technology had a cutoff score of 28.25 in 2017, but it dropped to 25.35 in 2018.
For 2019, analysis of all data shows that the scores for each subject increased compared to the previous year. And when the score for each subject increased by 0.5 – 1 point, the combined score could increase by 1.5 – 3 points.
Secondly, it's based on experience in admissions, the cut-off scores from previous years, and especially trends in majors and professions. There are certain "hot" majors that attract many applications.
For example, the number of applicants for the Computer Science major, which the university predicts will require 27-28 points, is very high, with 2,600 students applying for the first choice. Meanwhile, the quota is only 280, and 60 of those are admitted directly. With the quota decreasing, the predicted cutoff score will naturally increase.
If the predicted score is around 22, 23, or 24, students will flock to the university, with 4,000 to 5,000 applications. If they don't get accepted, it will be a missed opportunity and a loss for them.
"The prediction should be as close to the cutoff score as possible. However, no one dares to give an exact number. Last year, when we released our predictions, many people, including candidates, said that BK was 'teasing' us. But the results showed that BK's predictions were quite accurate. The predictions were not unfounded but very responsible," Mr. Top said.
According to the Vice Rector of the Polytechnic University, predicting the cutoff scores also helps candidates understand the trends in career choices, allowing them to select fields that match their scores.
For example, in the electricity sector, there was about four years without recruitment. But now, Vietnam Electricity Corporation is starting to recruit again, which will impact the market.
Or consider the Mining and Petrochemical industries, which have experienced significant changes in recent years, impacting universities that offer these programs, including Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Students shouldn't focus all their efforts on "hot" fields, because after 5-7 years, when they graduate, trends in technology and the demand for human resources may change, making it difficult to find a job.
Therefore, schools must be able to see future forecasts, and the students themselves must also do their own research and make informed decisions.
“I really envy young people these days. When I was in school, there was no one to advise me, no information, just hearsay from this person or that person. Now, schools all have very comprehensive counseling services, including predicted cut-off scores… students should refer to them. And it’s best to attend counseling programs to get support from teachers,” said Associate Professor Tran Van Top.
According to khoahocdoisong.vn
Author:Mai Loan
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