hello, I failed to get a place in SMU on May 2008.

1) the tuition grant scheme is applicable for SMU.
2) is VERY HARD to get a place in SMU. You must score at least 1900 for SAT over 2300 which is around 80%. [SAT is hell tough compare to MUET]
3) i'm sorry to say SMU looking at SAT more than your MUET. Even you get band 6 but you don't score well for your SAT, you don't really have a chance. But, if you get band 1 and get 1900 in SAT, your chances are very high.

P/S: i don't think IELTS is necessary for SMU. correct me if i'm wrong. If you really want to enter SMU, get a very good results and study well for SAT.

Wish you luck for it. Although I fail to enter, I hope you can be successful to get a passport to enter SMU.