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So by now, college application results are out—pretty much all of them—and I got a full return. Four out of four, three of which are on the Big Four, which is pretty cool, I would think. I wasn’t able to apply to the University of Santo Tomas because I missed all the deadlines due to various circumstances.
It turned out well, anyway.
Actually, the applications were stressful. In all honesty, there was too much tension—I was too tense filling the application papers out; I was too tense when submitting them; I was too tense while taking the tests, and I was too very tense during the waiting period before the release of the results. All of that was just immense tension and loads of pressure, and I’m really happy that I don’t have to deal with all that tension anymore.
Instead, I face a new dilemma—which university should I go to?
Given that I now have four choices to choose from—each with their own merits—I still have to figure out which one is for me. I should also take into account the program of each choice.
- Master of Arts in Political Economy for five years at the University of Asia and the Pacific
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, minor in Business, for four years at De La Salle University
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry for four years at the Ateneo de Manila University
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry for four years at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus
They all sound appealing, but I’ve already decided against the first two. The programs seem good and all, but I haven’t heard very many success stories come out of either. Plus, political economy does not sound like my kind of thing—and that was the most appealing program option among the others. A minor in business sounds good, too, but I don’t like trimesters, much less tuition fees that basically pay for pollution. The campuses being situated within urbanized areas makes it less appealing to me. True, everywhere else becomes accessible, but that’s not conducive for learning.
Now it’s either AdMU or UP. It would have been easier if I hadn’t actually made it into UP, because I never anticipated that I’d have to make this decision. What’s more is that these are basically the two best universities in the country; I wouldn’t hesitate for either one, but now I have to carefully consider both.
When I found out that I made it into AdMU, I was very excited, but there was a confidence—or arrogance, for that matter—in my mind that I would get in, so I was still able to function. The pride in me said, ‘Well, there’s your safety,’ and I was satisfied well enough to leave it at that.
When I found out that I made it into UP, however, I was dumbstruck. I literally could not think of anything else but, ‘Holy crap, I made it in! Seriously? What if I actually do go for it? Holy craaaaap!’ in multiple variations. Basically, I was fanboying over UP so much so that I practically forgot that there were any other choices but.
It’s been over a week since, and I still can’t get over it. Beyond my disbelief, I still have to make my mind up.
Both AdMU and UP have great campuses; very spacious and attractive. Also, they’re both relatively clean and less noisy; both have considerable amounts of nature while still maintaining the convenience of the urbanization just outside the boundaries. Both pride themselves in quality education—and for good reason—and both are very much in demand. They are also within the same general vicinity of each other, which basically means they’re both relatively near where we live, which is convenient, either way.
One of the defining differences between the two, though, is the learning environment. Education in AdMU focuses on well-rounded individuals with opinions and then ideas. In UP, the learning is more self-driven—Students have to motivate themselves to learn.—and somehow it forms individuals with ideas and then opinions.
That is, supposing what people are saying is accurate. Asking around from the people already in their colleges, it’s all fairly consistent, which makes it easier to believe.
Flip of each coin, though, and people also tell me about how I wouldn’t like the relative spoon-feeding of AdMU, nor UP’s notorious attendance. Also, I’ve been told that the core subjects of AdMU make it harder to really focus on the majors, especially when it comes to the sciences. With UP, while the theory is good, apparently the facilities are pretty iffy.
Considering that I’m thinking of shifting right away—to something like Chemical Engineering, maybe, seems more useful-sounding—I also have to consider the processes and how messy it’ll all be.
People keep on telling me that UP seems like more my thing because of my attitude, but I can’t help but reconsider the appeal of being well-rounded the AdMU-way. Besides, a handful of my teachers said that AdMU would probably suit me more, as they think I would need some kind of distraction from the major; I can’t help but entertain that thought.
Tuition aside, both are actually very good choices, and that’s what makes this so hard; they’re so different that they balance each other’s pros and cons out. It does not help that my close friends are pretty neatly distributed all over the map. I can’t make that a reason, regardless.
I will have to make my mind up soon. And I will not be making it for anybody but myself; this will have to be my own decision, for me. I will not be anyone’s second chance, nor will I permit another to make such a decision for me. I cannot let this be anyone else’s step forward but mine.
For now, though, I’m still taking input. There are still so many questions to ask before I’m absolutely sure.
[ tl;dr : I’m trying to decide whether to take up Chemistry at the best public university of the country or at the best private university of the country. Help. ]
Notes
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dudewheresmyhouse said:
Very biased (and very late) opinion - go to UP. :D
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almostwinner posted this
