SAT Scores an Advantage for Students Applying for SMU Admission

Students interested in the unique American-style education offered at 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 SAT I.

With the SAT being an international benchmark that compares students on a common and equitable basis, the value in taking the SAT 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.

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 I will remain compulsory for international students only.

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