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.