After one long post about choosing Ateneo, here I am again ranting about universities in the Philippines.

My best friends and I were in the car one day and in gratitude of boredom and being the loyal Harry Potter fans we are, we thought of the coincidental similarities of the four big universities in the Philippines to the four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Stereotyping was exercised in the process, of course.

U.P. and Gryffindor.

Most Popular. Everybody (well, almost) wants to get into U.P. as much as new students at Hogwarts would want to end up in Gryffindor. In fact, THES has ranked U.P. as the Top University in the Philippines.

Bravery. Who would initiate rallies first? The Iskolars ng Bayan of course. They fear not the authorities. Such is the bravery of the U.P. Gryffindors.

Skilled. If you’re from U.P. you must be great. In Hermione’s own words, “At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent.”

Financial Status. Just like the Weasleys, the U.P. Gryffindors are not that well off. Some students from other houses (universities) even claim that the tuition fee in U.P. is just their allowance.

Color. Both U.P. and Gryffindors have the shade of red as their main color.

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Having passed four big universities in the Philippines, I’ve been asked several times by different people at different times, “Why Ateneo?”

The TIMES Higher Education Supplement (THES) has ranked the top three universities in this order: University of the Philippines - Diliman at 398, Ateneo de Manila at 451, and De La Salle University at 519. The logical answer for “Where should you take up college?” would be UP. But I think, instead of answering “Which is best for you?” it answers more of “Which is best for THES?” And since I do not always answer all of life’s questions with logic as not all are answerable with it, I had to make a WISE choice.

Ateneo or UA&P? I was given a full 50% tuition scholarship in the University of Asia and the Pacific. UA&P is one of the most expensive in the country and being given a 50% discount is just great. UA&P boasts of its 5-year degree programs that let you graduate with a Masters degree in just 5 years. How great does a Master of Science in Information Technology sound? Just great. Everything in this university just sounds rich and comfy. But why choose Ateneo? Two things make up my short but comprehensive list of reasons.

• Name. Say Ateneo to someone and there’s a big chance he’ll respond back positively. Say UA&P to someone and you might get a disappointing response: “Where is that?” or worse… “UP?”
• Environment. Coming from a small school with a population of about 500, I would not have the need to adjust if I go to UA&P since it is just a bit more bigger. But after I graduate, how then do I face the world bigger than all universities put together?

Ateneo or DLSU? De La Salle University is labelled by many as “The I.T. School”. The course that I would like to take up is I.T. related and what better university to take it up in than DLSU? The facilities in DLSU are some of the best and most advanced I have ever seen in this country. Things are just very cutting-edge in this university. And I get to earn my bachelor’s degree a year ahead of my batch-mates who would not have the advantages of studying in a university with a Trimester system. But I still chose Ateneo. Why?

• Academic Calendar. Being a lover of academics, school, and being a student, the word Trimester is definitely not in my dictionary. I would not want to shorten the very significant period in my lifetime when I am an undergraduate student. I love being a student and nothing can make me feel otherwise.
• Impressions. Although I am not an advocate for stereotyping, I could not deny the fact that the general impression of people on a LaSallian is something that does not define me. What that impression is, I leave it for you readers to find out.

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Well, I took four college entrance exams as an incoming freshman and as the average fourth year high school student, I had my Top Universities list.

1. Ateneo de Manila University
2. University of the Philippines
3. De La Salle University - Manila
4. University of Asia and the Pacific

I was never really fond of Medicine so I didn’t include UST in the list. So then I submitted all requirements to the four schools for the entrance tests hoping that I would make it.. in ADMU. Continue reading »