The decision by SMU to interview more than 7,000 candidates vying for admission this year is an example of an educational institution that walks the talk on intellectual diversity. The belief that examination grades cannot be the sole indicator of a student's ability and potential is now espoused by many, but SMU's dedication in putting that principle into practice sets it apart. While the alleged paucity of such young Singaporean thinkers - or their provenance in foreign universities - was always a myth, SMU has shown how a new generation of such graduates can be nurtured locally. SMU's emphasis on assessing applicants holistically is in keeping with the way in which leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard select their students and its approach is faithful to the purpose of such international benchmarks.