Getting a Grip after the UPCAT

The University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) results for incoming freshmen of Academic Year 2013-2014 is finally out! http://upcat.up.edu.ph/results/ For over 70,000 seniors who took it last August 2012, this is really THE moment.

UP Naming Mahal

 Sixteen (16) years ago, I remember I did cartwheels when I heard the good news-that I made it to the BA Journalism program of the College of Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman (its flagship campus.) And as the cliche goes: life was never the same again.

Iskolar ng Bayan ngayon ay lumalaban

Tried.

Challenged. 

Politicized.

Exposed.

Raged.

Inspired!

But what I wish I had then (pre-UPCAT) were plans B, C and D. So in 2001, this was what I wrote to somehow ease the jitters of those eagerly awaiting the UPCAT Results:

(and yes I think I did cartwheels again when my first article was published at the Philippine Daily Inquirer's 2bu!)

Getting A Grip after the UPCAT

by Milan Rustia

(reprint from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 8, 2001)

Relief was hardly seen on Clarence's face. Clarence was one of the 70,000 students who took the Upcat less than 72 hours ago. She now agonizes over the seven-month wait for the release of the list of qualified freshmen.

A tall order

Clarence has reasons to be uncertain. Last year, a total of 64,848 took the UPCAT. How many exactly were accepted at UP? Only around 18 percent. UP Diliman can accomodate roughly only 3,000 freshmen for the 67 available programs in the campus. For quota courses, say for instance in engineering or business administration, they can only accept around 70 freshmen.

Chosen few

Applicants are accepted based on their UPG (University Predicted Grade.) UPG is the combination of the Upcat scores (60 percent) and the weighted average of final grades in the first three years of high school (40 percent.) Dr. Ly SyCip, director of the UP Office of Admissions said that, "in order to qualify, you must do well on both. Being in the upper 20 percent of your graduating class does not guarantee you a spot."

A cut above the rest

Since UP Manila is renowned in the field of Medicine, Clarence who wants to be a nurse, indicated BS Nursing as her first choice. Apparently, it is a quota course so if she qualifies for the campus of her choice, Clarence's scores will still be ranked according to the degree program's predictor. Some programs have their own "predictor." Her UPG and her predicted grades in certain areas like Science or Math might seal her fate.Colleges such as the College of Nursing require applicants to pass an interview or an aptitude test. Bent on taking only the cream of the crop, the said college only accepts qualifiers who belong to the upper 40 percent of their graduating class.

Hope floats

For Clarence, to be chosen among the 70,000 and to hypothetically win an Oscar bring almost the same cringing moment. They have the same dynamics. At times like this, Julia Roberts disclosed in a David Letterman interview that, "it would be best to hope but expect to remain seated." Clarence couldn't agree more.

But unlike in the Academy where your fortune lies entirely on the whims of judges, there are other ways to become an Iskolar ng Bayan even if you would not meet the cut-off UPG of a particular campus.

Aside from Diliman and Manila, scour through the other campuses like Los Baños, Baguio, San Fernando, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban and Mindanao. Different campuses set different cut-off rates. Find out if they still have available slots. There are no guarantees but it would be helpful to check out the Campus Registrar's Offices.

Mozarts, Picassos and those who exude brilliance in Music, Fine Arts and Theater Arts can avail of the non-baccalaureate programs that may not require UPCAT qualification. But keep in mind that you'll have to showcase your exceptional talent during the screening tests.

Also, UP keeps an eye not just on athletes who reap local and international sporting awards but also on champions who are willing to be trained and later on represent the university in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) competitions. If you have what it takes, the VAAS (Varsity Athletic Admission System) may be an option. It is not enough though that you're a basketball hotshot or a gazelle on the tennis court. You will still need a UPG of 2.8 or higher.

And ofcourse, you may later apply as a transferee. Some of the units you'd earn after enrolling for a year in another campus or in another university may be credited.

Some trek!

The whole admission process is a rugged terrain to trek but in the long run, the challenges will be worth it. Pray. Cross your fingers. But take this word of caution: Whoever said that its tough to get in, tougher to stay and toughest to get out and graduate from UP wasn't pulling your leg.

Important Guidelines from UPCAT Results Online: 

(copied verbatim)

INFORMATION FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO DID NOT QUALIFY THROUGH THE UPCAT

If you did not make it to either of your campus choices you have two options:

FIRST: You can try other UP campuses IF:

1 your UPG is within their cut-off, and

2 they still have available slots.

Present your Non-Qualifier's Slip (which has been sent to you in the mail and which indicates your UPG) to the Office of the Registrar of the campus you want to enter. There is NO guarantee of acceptance as each campus makes its own decisions according to its own criteria.

SECOND: If no UP campus can accommodate you, you may enroll in a college or university other than UP. After earning at least 33 academic units with a weighted average of 2.00 or better in the UP marking system, you may apply for transfer into a UP campus.

GUIDELINES FOR TRANSFER FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

Students with previous college work from another University or College who want to transfer to the University of the Philippines must satisfy all admission requirements of the accepting unit/college. Each campus has its own specific rules regarding transfer and accepts only a limited number of transfer students. Information on transfer to a specific UP unit may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar of the specific UP campuses (see below).

In general, you may be evaluated for admission as a transfer applicant provided that you: (1) present all academic units earned outside UP for evaluation; (2) have completed, outside the University, at least 33 academic units equivalent to UP courses; (3) meet the general weighted average (GWA) of the program applied for; Depending on the campus and degree program, the GWA requirement can be as high as 1.5, 1.75 or 2.0 for all the collegiate academic units taken outside UP (excluding vocational courses). University rules prescribe a minimum GWA of 2.0, 86%, or B for transfer admission into any program in the University. (4) satisfy other admission requirements of the admitting college/unit prescribed for each degree program such as an interview, a talent test or a written or oral examination; and (5) fall within the quota of the program at the time of application; Applicants shall be ranked according to the criteria set by the admitting program and the cut-off shall be determined by the college/unit based on their quota.

IMPORTANT: You will have to complete in the University at least 50% of the units required in the program. ALL upper division courses should be taken in the University.

To graduate with honors, you have to complete 75% of the required number of units and must be in residence for at least 2 years prior to graduation.

For information regarding:

(1) programs closed to transfer students,

(2) programs accepting transfer students,

(3) requirements to be submitted,

(4) submission of entrance credentials,

(5) validation for advanced credits, etc.

Inquire directly at the Office of the Registrar of the specific UP campus.