Mon, 04 Aug 2003

Private universities gains from cancellations

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

State university admission test (SPMB) results will be announced on Monday, but it is the private universities that will benefit.

Thousands of students who passed the SPMB will likely drop their registrations with private universities even though they have paid admission fees.

The private universities, whose admission fees range from Rp 15 million to Rp 150 million, will return the fee to the students, minus a cut.

Private Trisakti University in West Jakarta, which accepted about 10,000 applicants, will deduct Rp 1 million per student.

Trisakti spokesman Hasijani said about 4,600 new students had passed their admission and drug tests.

"There were about 10,000 people who applied for this academic year. Maybe after the SPMB announcement, only 4,200 students will be left," Hasijani told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

Another private university, Prof. DR Moestopo University, will also take a cut from refunded admission fees.

"The percentage of the deduction depends on the areas of study," deputy rector Iwan Huriata said.

Atmajaya Catholic University will deduct Rp 300,000 if an applicant passed the SPMB or joined the military service.

Besides the admission fee deduction, the private universities receive money from the sale of registration forms, which are priced at between Rp 150,000 and Rp 200,000 each.

The universities usually conduct their own admission tests before the SPMB, asking students to pay the admission fees with the promise to return the fees, minus the deduction, if they pass.

Some applicants told the Post that they spent a lot of money applying to private universities as back up in case they did not pass the SPMB.

"My parents do not mind the cost. I do not really care to what university I'm admitted, I just want to study, that's all. Of course, I hope to pass the SPMB," said Rido, who registered at Trisakti University.

Sugi, who applied to the dentistry faculty of Prof. Dr Moestopo University, said the application was only a back up.

"In case I do not pass the SPMB," said Sugi, who spent about Rp 25 million on administration and admission fees.