Malaysians have failed to enter Harvard for the second year in the row, with no candidates shortlisted for interviews as they were deemed "not competitive enough" by the Harvard College of Admissions Office. Critics say this is indicative of declining standards in the Malaysian education system. 

In the following interview, BFM speaks to Harvard College interviewers and Harvard alumni Wan Nadiah and Nicholas Khaw on the following:

- whether failure to enter Harvard for two consecutive years is indicative of declining education standards in Malaysia

- their personal take on whether the Malaysian education system prepared them for Harvard

- how the quality of Malaysia student applicants has changed in recent years, and what is lacking in local applicants 

- what qualities are highly sought after in a Harvard College applicant, and whether these qualities have become increasingly rare

- whether Malaysian applicants are lagging behind global counterparts in gaining a place at Harvard, and why

- recommendations on what can be done or reviewed to improve the state of education in Malaysia