Getting into the International Relations program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (HI UGM) through the SNBP track is no easy feat. Imagine: only 24 seats are available, fiercely competed for by thousands of applicants from across the country. But for Hanan Abdilla Putra Hilman, a student from SMAN 61 Jakarta, that challenge only fueled his determination to give it his all – with a unique strategy: leveraging his achievements in Model United Nations (MUN).
From the beginning, Hanan was determined to pursue International Relations. His passion for diplomacy, global discourse, and international issues made the major feel like the perfect fit. He knew that to get into UGM’s International Relations program, he needed more than just good grades. He had to prove he truly belonged there.
Hanan believed that the SNBP system greatly values consistency and the relevance of one’s achievements. That’s why he chose to focus fully on collecting MUN certificates, both at the national and international levels. He participated in prestigious conferences hosted by top universities in Indonesia. For Hanan, MUN wasn’t just a competition; it was an experience that aligned perfectly with the field of International Relations.
However, the path Hanan chose wasn’t without risk. While many students were preparing for the UTBK as a backup, Hanan made a bold move: he in fact didn’t study for the UTBK at all and went all in on the SNBP route. Amid the chaos of organizing his school’s yearbook and graduation night event, he stayed focused on one thing: building a strong academic portfolio through MUN and organizational involvement.
When SNBP announcement day came, he was filled with anxiety and hope. But in the end, all his hard work and faith paid off. Hanan was officially accepted into the International Relations program at UGM!
“I was super nervous, but I made it! All the effort I put into MUN and organizations totally paid off!” he shared.
The role of the educational platform Globy was also a major support throughout his journey. Through its membership program and personal coaching, Hanan received guidance in selecting high-quality MUN conferences and building a solid and targeted portfolio. He emphasized how important it is that the certificates are relevant to the chosen major, as this greatly influences SNBP admission outcomes.
As a final note, Hanan shared two key tips for fellow students chasing their dream universities:
- Go ALL IN for your dreams. Give it everything you’ve got, even if it feels like a huge gamble. With full effort and sincere prayers, results will follow.
- Focus on Yourself. Don’t get distracted by how others chase success. Trust the path you’ve built for yourself, and believe that everything will fall into place in due time.
Hanan’s story proves that success doesn’t always come from the conventional path. With the courage to take risks and fully maximize your potential, anyone can reach their dream university!
