Getting accepted into her dream university did not come easily for Salsabila Sabrina Rasya (18). The student from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, had been preparing for it since her first semester of high school.
Salsabila focused on maintaining consistent academic performance while deepening her interest in economics and accounting. Her dedication paid off through various national achievements, including a Gold Medal in the National Gemanesia Olympiad in Accounting and a Gold Medal in the Science Explorers Online Olympiad in Economics.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Salsabila is also known for her active involvement in religious activities. Since childhood, she has participated in tahfidz (Qur’an memorization) programs and competed in several tahfidz competitions since elementary school. Her ability in this field even helped her gain admission to high school through the tahfidz pathway. During high school, she was also active in the Islamic student organization (rohis).
Salsabila expressed her deepest gratitude upon learning that she had been accepted into the Economics Study Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), through the 2026 National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) pathway. The announcement moment on March 31, 2026, remains vividly etched in her memory. Overwhelmed by fear of rejection, she deliberately postponed checking the results until she eventually fell asleep. When her mother asked her to open the announcement, her tears fell again out of anxiety. The atmosphere turned emotional when her mother, who had first seen the result on her phone, spontaneously shouted, “Alhamdulillah,” signaling that she had been accepted into her dream university.
“At that time, I did not dare to open the announcement. I often cried because I was afraid of not being accepted. In the end, my mother opened it and shouted ‘Alhamdulillah.’ I felt both happy and sad because I would soon have to move away from home and be separated from her,” she said on Tuesday (May. 19).
Salsabila’s strong desire to pursue higher education at UGM received full support from her mother, Sri Indah (48). As a parent, she faced various challenges to ensure her daughter could continue her education at the university level.
Sri Indah admitted that she had been worried that her daughter might not be accepted through the SNBP pathway. However, amid those concerns, she chose to continue supporting her daughter’s decision and trusted the efforts she had made so far.
“I am very happy and proud that Salsabila was accepted into FEB UGM without a test and can study free of charge. This is an answer to the prayers I have offered all this time,” she said with teary eyes, holding back a mix of joy and emotion.
Sri Indah also felt anxious about letting her daughter move far away from her hometown to pursue her dream of studying at FEB UGM. Nevertheless, she continued to reassure herself and her daughter that they would remain strong throughout the process. As a mother, Sri Indah hopes her daughter will achieve success in the future.
“I hope Salsabila is always given ease in every step and that her path in pursuing knowledge is made smooth,” she expressed.
Salsabila is an only child. She currently lives with her mother, who runs a small grocery shop to meet their daily needs. Her happiness grew even greater when she learned that she had received the 100% subsidized Outstanding Education Tuition Fee (UKT Pendidikan Unggul Bersubsidi), allowing her to study free of charge.
“Clearly, I feel happy and grateful to be able to study for free and ease my family’s burden, considering my mother is the sole breadwinner,” she said.
Reporter: Sulthan Thariq Firmansya/FEB UGM Public Relations
Author: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum/FEB UGM Public Relations
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: FEB UGM Public Relations Documentation