[12 May 2003]
Over 5,800 Students Vie for 800 Openings at Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University (SMU) has received an overwhelming response to its admissions exercise this year, with available openings more than seven times oversubscribed. Over 5,800 students have applied to study at SMU, representing a year-on-year increase of about 18 percent. There were 800 openings for SMU’s four schools - Business (450), Accountancy (150), Economics and Social Sciences (100) and Information Systems (100).

Especially impressive about this year’s applicants was the marked improvement in quality of scores, especially at the top-level:

• There is a 41% increase in the percentage of students with A-level results of three ‘A’s and higher
• 50% increase in the percentage of Poly students who are Merit Holders
• 67% increase in the percentage of students with SAT score of above 1350

Commenting on the response of the admissions exercise, SMU Provost, Professor Tan Chin Tiong said, “Since our inception, SMU has made significant inroads in establishing ourselves in the education scene. In the past year alone, we have introduced a new school, sealed collaborations with world-class institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon University, to jointly develop teaching programmes, and have attracted world-renowned academics to lead our various schools. Our students have also done well, excelling in global competitions and internship stints. The large number of applications is indicative of the recognition that we are receiving from the business and academic world, and most importantly, the student community.”

SMU has a stringent selection process, which starts with the online application review and then proceeds to examining a student’s academic ability, leadership and interpersonal skills. “In our short listing process – which entails careful study of the students’ academic ability, leadership and interpersonal skills through personal interviews and essay writings – we saw a considerable improvement in the quality of applicants in terms of excellent A-level and diploma results, plus a strong record of extra-curricular participation, leadership qualities, communication skills and, importantly, the innovator's spirit of daring to be different and better,” said Professor Tan.

SMU’s new academic year will start with an opening convocation on 16 August 2003.