BENJAPIBAL 182

Pemika Sign Benjapibal

Mr. Abel Cadias

English 10 / 1004

June 4, 2018

The Advantages of Studying at Mahidol University International Demonstration School

to Students Enrollment at Mahidol University International College

Choosing the right university may be the biggest choice of one’s life. Every student

wants to enroll the best university in order to apply for a better job and international college

gives the opportunity to select a wider range of jobs. The author believes that enrolling at

Mahidol University International College may be difficult to those who are unprepared

because international college requires more language skills than Thai colleges. Each

university requirements are not the same depending on the subject that the student chooses

so choosing the right school for the right university will benefit the student. Studying in an

international school will be beneficial to students who may enroll in international college

in terms of higher language skills. Moreover, some universities and schools are also

connected in terms of enrolling requirements. The purpose of this research is to explain

how studying at MUIDS helps graduation students enroll at Mahidol University

International College in order to give awareness to those who will study at MUIDS. The

author uses three academic articles from different sources and a survey to gather data. The

advantages of studying at MUIDS to enroll MUIC are improved English skills and fewer

requirements in applying for enrollment.

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Histories of MUIDS and MUIC

MUIC or Mahidol University International College is well known in terms of

International College because of the name Mahidol, and it is continuing to grow and accept

more students. According to MUIC article (2012), the idea of Mahidol University

International College began in March of 1986 by Mahidol University Council. It is the first

public university with International Students Degree Program. It opened in September of

1986 and was using the Mahidol University Social Science building with 45 students and

few instructors. The population was rising so the ISDP decided to build their own building

and two years later, it reached over 1000 students. New opportunities has been introduced

such as Salaya Pavilion Hotel and Training Center, pre-college program and offices. The

Mahidol University International College currently has 19 undergraduate majors and 22

minors in the Arts, Sciences and Management also with two master degree programs. They

are hoping to open for 4000 students.

MUIDS or Mahidol University International Demonstration School has a total of

537 students and reference to MUIDS article (2016) reveals that in 2008, a committee

recommended Mahidol University to build its own school and the school would use

improved educational systems to help students to prepare for university level education. In

2013 Mahidol University International Demonstration School, or MUIDS, opened and

welcomed nearly 200 students. The mixed culture of Thai and American standards includes

English, Math, Social Science, Science, and Thai Studies and varies of elective courses

that let students choose from their interests. Students will learn in many kinds of ways from

a normal pencil based tests to projects and performances. Students will gain experiences

and a life-long passion for learning.

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Admission Requirements

As the MUIC admission website indicated, there are two ways of applying for

admissions. The first type is the regular admission which opens for every student. There

will be application date every 3 months (January, April, July, and October). The students

can choose one from three of the requirements which are English Proficiency or IELTS

with the score of 6.0, SAT exam or writing exam, and letter of recommendation from a

teacher or professor. The second type is Fast Track Admission. The requirements are the

same as regular admission however, it requires GPA 3.0 or above every year and opens

only one round of application in January. The advantage for MUIDS students is that the

Fast Track Admission is open especially for MUIDS students with 50 seats and 100%

guarantee to enroll in MUIC if the student has all the requirements.

From an interview with Ms. Pam, MUIDS 02, she said that applying through Fast

Track Admission was quicker because it guaranteed that she passed and was able to enroll

MUIC. She also said that she passed the exam with the knowledge she gained from

studying in MUIDS. Ms. Japan, also from MUIDS 02, said that the main reason of the

graduation requirement of MUIDS is equivalent to MUIC admission requirement such as

the minimum score of 550 on TOEFL. The math exam is mostly Grade 10 and Grade 11

math at school. So, she does not think that it is hard but she needs some time to recap those

materials. In addition, essay exam might be a bit challenging because there is a limited

time. She thinks MUIDS students will be fine if they got a chance to do some practices.

The Advantages of Studying at MUIDS

Most of the students who attended MUIC have the same opinion about their

improved English skills. Mr. Aun, MUIDS 02 who is now in MUIC, said that because she
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is now studying in the international program, English skill is very important and she is able

to use all the skills she has developed since high school. MUIDS has provided English

courses that encourage her to develop all academic English skills including academic

speaking, academic writing, and academic reading. These skills are very beneficial and it

helps her to communicate with all the teachers and able to complete the assignment in the

university level. Also from MUIDS 02, Ms. Zea and Mr. Phillip said that they barely

struggle with language usage in college since they have been using English to communicate

at MUIDS.

Basic knowledge is very important in enrolling a university because it can

determine whether a person is ready for the changes in their learning style. Based on the

interview, Mr. In from MUIDS 02 mentioned that many of the classes those are offered by

MUIC are similar to the classes provided by MUIDS, but there is a slight difference in it

and are more in depth in to that particular subject. Since MUIC is using a trimester system

instead of semester, the classes must be tightly compressed for students to understand

everything about the course only in the span of three months. This is the part where those

knowledge from studying at MUIDS come in to play. During the first trimester, he was

studying in an introduction to sociology class, and he found that 70% of the contents are

the same as the one in MUIDS. Also, Ms. Japan from MUIDS 02 said that she thinks

MUIDS prepared her a lot for college in many aspects. She did not realize that school

prepared her this much for college. First, most of the classes that school provides are

essential in college. They are great fundamental knowledge for everyone; English,

Mathematics and Social Science classes are similar to courses that MUIC have. It prepared

her for those classes in college. During the time in high school, she also took a lot of
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business and social science electives. These electives helped her a lot when she has to

decide for the major. It made her understand herself better and firmed about her major.

Moving to a new school or moving from a school to university may affect one’s

socialization skill such as making friends and how they prepare themselves and be ready

for the projects, the author interviewed some MUIC students and asked if they have any

problems. Ms. Zea from MUIDS 02 said that many friends in the international program

are from other international schools; they share similar attitudes and be able to socialize

well with one another. Mr. Phillip from MUIDS 02 said that MUIDS society is very similar

to MUIC so they do not need to adapt that much when they get in, some of MUIDS senior

are there too. Also from Ms. Tam, she said that since all the classes were conducted in

English, studying in college with English-based lectures is fairly easy. MUIDS also

practices college-like learning environment, which has helped her take notes, do

discussions, write academic papers and manage her own time well so there was not much

of an adjustment period for her.

Conclusion

The purpose of this research is to explain how studying at Mahidol

University International Demonstration School helps graduation students to enroll at

Mahidol University International College in order to give awareness to those who will

study at MUIDS. This report concludes that studying at Mahidol University International

Demonstration School prepares students especially for those who will enter Mahidol

University International College or other international college. It gives advantages in

working, communication, and social skills. The examples from the interviewees from

MUIDS 02 are English courses encourage her to develop all academic English skills
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including academic speaking, academic writing, and academic reading and these skills are

very beneficial and it helps her to communicate with all the teachers and able to complete

the assignment in the university level. This research report recommends further studies on

advantages of studying at MUIDS to other international colleges.

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References

Admission of MUIC for Thai students. (April 11, 2016). Fast track Applicants.
Retrieved May 2, 2018 http://www.muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/?page_id=11532

Experiences in MUIC. (November 13, 2016). Haneulksn

Retrieved May 3, 2018 https://haneulksn.wordpress.com/2016/

History of MUIC. (April 20, 2012). MUIC Website.

Retrieved May 2, 2018 http://www.muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/?page_id=1068

History of MUIDS. (n.d.). MUIDS Website.

Retrieved from, http://www.muids.mahidol.ac.th/about/history/