Students take test to access capability

Students take test to access capability

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many high school graduates still sat the admission test for state
universities (SPMB) even though they have already paid to attend
private universities.

"I applied for the University of Indonesia's School of
Communication Science though I have been admitted to Tarakanita
Academy of Secretaries," said Dina Natasha.

Dina said after taking the test on Tuesday that she wanted to
know her capabilities in the highly contested SPMB. "It would be
prestigious if I passed the test. Besides, some say that it would
be easier for people to get jobs if they graduate from state
universities," Dina said, adding that she had paid a total of Rp
8 million for the admission fee to Tarakanita Academy.

Another SPMB participant, Aditya Priyanto said he had been
accepted at Trisakti University's School of Law but he had still
applied for the same school at the University of Indonesia (UI).

"I can save a lot if I could be admitted at state university
rather than continuing my study at a private university," Aditya
said.

Aditya said that fees paid for a subject in state university
could be half that of private universities which stood at around
Rp 80,000 a subject.

Aditya also said that he was just trying his luck with the
SPMB given that the competition was so tough.

Last year, UI's School of Law attracted more than 5,000
applicants for just 250 seats.

Aditya said he had paid the entrance fee of Rp 13 million to
the Trisakti University.

He said he had no objection to pay the SPMB registration form
priced at Rp 80,000 and losing some of the money he had paid to
Trisakti for the cancellation if he was admitted to UI.

Trisakti University confirmed that if Aditya canceled his
entry to Trisakti in favor of UI, he must pay an administration
fee of Rp 1 million though the entrance fee would be returned.

A university staff member said, however, that Aditya was
required to show proof that he has been accepted in UI along with
his SPMB application card.

"However if he cancels the entry because he wanted to enter
another private university, we won't return all the paid
admission fee," the staff member said.

Meanwhile, Didik of the admission division of the University
of Atmajaya revealed that the university would only charge Rp
200,000 for those who withdrew from its courses because they were
admitted to a state university.

The university, however, will not return the paid admission
fee if the would-be students cancel their entry for other
reasons.

"That has been stated in the terms and conditions form which
also has been agreed upon by the applicant," Didik said.

Another applicant, Arif Hidayat, had been admitted to
Gunadarma University's School of Information Technology and paid
an admission fee of Rp 2.5 million.

"Although I've secured my place at Gunadarma, I still hope
that I win a place at the School of Fiscal Administration of the
University of Indonesia," Arif said.