[6 September 2004]
SAT Scores an advantage for students applying for SMU admission

Students interested in the unique American-style education offered at Singapore Management University (SMU) have the advantage of a selection process that is based on a holistic approach. From the outset, SMU has adopted a broad set of admissions criteria – comprising good academic grades, SAT scores, co-curricular activities, interview and essay writing – with the university's focus on developing students to be entrepreneurial, innovative and grounded in the core business areas. This approach has helped SMU assess each student candidate as a 'total' individual: the individual's academic capability, talents and skills, leadership and entrepreneurial potential as well as aptitude towards contributing to society.

Students now will have the freedom of choice to decide whether their submission for their academic assessment will be based solely on their A-level/polytechnic grades or also include the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This follows a recent review undertaken by SMU amidst developments in the education field and feedback solicited from current and prospective students.

“We maintain an ongoing commitment to our admissions criteria, including the SAT; and at the same time are mindful of the changes currently taking place in the education arena,” said Mr Alan Goh, Director, Undergraduate Admissions , SMU, concerning the review of the SAT admissions component. “That is why we have sought feedback from the most important people we are dedicated to serve – the students themselves. They have told us that they would prefer to have freedom of choice whether or not to take the SAT – a decision we are confident that they will exercise with confidence and good judgment. We value and appreciate their response, as it mirrors SMU's desire to develop students into professionals and entrepreneurs with a strong sense of responsibility – of self, community and society”

SMU's mission is to lead the future by developing visionary entrepreneurs and global leaders. This necessarily requires a focus on capabilities like leadership, reasoning, communications and creativity, which are also vital attributes in a knowledge-driven, inter-connected world.

“Our admission process which is based on a holistic approach has served us very well. With the SAT being an international benchmark that compares students on a common and equitable basis, the value in taking the exam is that SMU students know that they test comparable to, and in some cases better than, their peers in the best American public universities. Moreover, SAT has served the students very well and is a value-added contributor to strengthen his or her scholastic dimension. It is particularly helpful for those who may not have scored excellent A-level or polytechnic grades but have done well with their SAT score. So, in effect, they get two bites of the 'academic' cherry ,” said Mr Goh.

While the SAT will no longer be absolutely required, students are strongly encouraged to take and submit their SAT scores, which can be used as an advantage in situations where they are being assessed against other applicants with similar academic grades but without SAT scores.

Although Singapore-educated students will have the freedom of choice whether to submit the SAT in their admission application, the SAT will remain compulsory for those students who are applying for direct entry into SMU's double degree programme, for scholarship applicants, as well as for international students.