University Admission Competition Intensifies, Schools Strengthen Student Mentoring

Competition for entry into higher education institutions, both domestic and international, is becoming increasingly tight. This situation is prompting many schools to no longer focus solely on academic achievement, but also to strengthen mentoring for students in preparing for further study, from portfolio development and leadership cultivation to scholarship interview simulations.

This approach is one of the strategies implemented by Binus School Bekasi. In the 2025/2026 academic year, its graduates were accepted at a number of renowned universities, such as Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, Purdue University, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the National University of Singapore (NUS), as well as various universities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Two of its students, Keiza and Ravi, also successfully obtained the Garuda Scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek). This programme is one of the most competitive scholarships for secondary school students, with a quota of around 1,000 recipients. The selection process covers academic achievement, leadership, portfolio, communication skills, and social contribution.

Principal of Binus School Bekasi, Maria Karah, said the graduates’ success is the result of a learning process designed not only to pursue academic grades, but also to build character and readiness for higher education. “We are very proud and appreciative of every student who has completed their secondary education with extraordinary dedication. Their achievements today are tangible proof of the hard work, enthusiasm for learning, and commitment they have shown throughout their journey at Binus School Bekasi,” Maria said during the graduation celebration for the 2025/2026 academic year on Wednesday (17/6).

According to Maria, the school applies an approach that combines Cambridge-based learning, innovative research and project programmes, character and leadership development, and personal mentoring for students continuing to higher education. This mentoring includes university selection, application preparation, scholarship interview simulations, and coaching tailored to each student’s potential.

Keiza, one of the Garuda Scholarship recipients, said the various experiences she gained during school became important assets when undergoing the selection process. Besides being active as the student council vice chairperson, she also participated in various competitions in STEM, English, and debate, as well as being involved in a Buddy Programme that helps new students adapt to the school environment. “Amidst the academic and non-academic activities I undertook, the school always helped build my self-confidence to face each stage of the Garuda Scholarship selection, while preparing steps to seize every available opportunity,” she said.

Ravi expressed a similar sentiment. He believes the support from teachers, laboratory facilities, access to competitions, and intensive guidance from the school strengthened his portfolio until he successfully passed the scholarship selection. “The support from teachers, school facilities such as laboratories, access to information on both local and international competitions, as well as intensive guidance and training helped me to be more focused and achieve the desired targets. All these experiences strengthened my portfolio and made me more confident in facing each selection stage, until I finally obtained this scholarship,” he said.

This approach also led Binus School Bekasi to be ranked among the top 10 high schools in West Java and second place in Bekasi City based on data from the National Achievement Centre (Puspresnas). Maria believes student success is the result of collaboration between the school, parents, and learners. She said the school’s role going forward is not only to ensure students graduate with good grades, but also to help them find the educational pathway that best suits their potential. “Our students’ success is the result of collaboration between the dedication of educators, community support, the students’ own hard work, and of course the support and prayers of parents who always accompany them. We will continue to develop programmes, facilities, and the curriculum so that every student can make a positive impact on the world. Our commitment is to mentor students until they achieve maximum accomplishments at both national and international levels,” she concluded.