Comments on: UP or Ateneo revisited

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:07:35 +0000

Of course the demographics would shift. UP is trying to catch up in terms of the facilities and research programs that you say we are sooo left behind. we can’t expect the meager amount the gov’t gives us to allow us to have those advancements. It’s a necessity. We need other resources for that.

This makes UP even more competitive kasi students suddenly have to compete extra hard for scholarships (e.g. DOST) due to the tuition fee increase. It’s another sieve.

And as for the rich kids who decided to go to UP, they passed the UPCAT. So may ibubuga rin naman sila siguro. It’s up to the guys from the academe (like you) to develop and mold them into intelligent individuals if you think most of them are not up for that. At least its the BEST buck-per-bang deal locally. There are a lot of reasons why students would prefer to stay here than study in better universities abroad even with their finances.

Yes, I’m making the most out of UP’s resources (CIA ka?). In fact, I exploit the Dilnet. Thank you for your insights anyway. They are very helpful.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:58:53 +0000

Oh trust me, Jeff. From personal experience, I know that not all rich kids are out for the “excellent” education. There a lot of reasons why students from well-off families go to UP. Parent and peer pressure, practicality, dad will buy be a new car from the savings I get from UP education, etc…

The demographics shift is inevitable with the tuition fee increase and it’s a fact that I just have to live with.

If it’s really the strength of the program that you’re really looking for, then I suggest you check Benj’s comment again. UP is now behind in terms of program advancements in the region. If I had the resources, I’d rather just fly to Singapore and study at NUS. If you settle for UP even with the financial resources, then I think that’s just going for the best buck-per-bang deal you can get locally.

Great way of using UP resources as well. I see that you commented using Dilnet.

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:40:16 +0000

that is just so narrow- minded.

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:39:06 +0000

Sir, if you are having problems with UP becoming more “burgis” and all, I think u shud start to consider that maybe these well- off people come to UP to gain the academic excellence that is promised to them by the university. who cares about the social status and the classification? who cares about the conio and the tibak? we are all up for one thing.. education. that is what matters.

And what makes you think that the “burgis” can’t be the the talino ng bayan? Pag burgis ba, dapat automatic na nasa Arneow ka, as you call it? What if we are looking for the education that only UP can provide? Are you gonna deprive us of that?

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:12:15 +0000

Hi Lysa,

Creative writing and journalism are two different fields. I’m hesitant to say that creative writing’s more flexible and journalism’s a bit more structured. If you think you’d like a career as a journalist, then go for journalism. If you’d like to engage a more creative field then CW might be the better choice. As for the curriculum, you can always drop by the Journalism department at the College of Mass Communications and as for a course outline. By the way, UP also has creative writing programs (in English and Filipino).

By: Lysa

Lysa — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:45:38 +0000

Hello! As an incoming college freshman, I’d like to ask your thoughts on UP’s BA Journalism program (e.g. regarding the faculty, facilities, curriculum, etc.). I also qualified for Ateneo’s BFA Creative Writing, and I am in the process of discerning which university to finally enroll in. Any help you can lend would be much appreciated. Thank you!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:40:16 +0000

The best way to go is to ask around. A lot of alumni would swear by their alma maters. But as I’ve said, the most practical thing to do is weigh your options. With UP’s tuition fee a lot stiffer than it used to, considering Ateneo is quite natural. I guess the next issue is the strength of the academic program.

What courses would you like to take, anyway?

By: marji

marji — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:34:07 +0000

i really am so confused to in deciding where to study.
ateneo or up?

By: chiara

chiara — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:04:34 +0000

to benj: so what would you recommend, up or ateneo?

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:31:56 +0000

So true Benj. In fact, being inside the academe has convinced me how late we are in terms of research interests. Sure, a lot of our colleges are centers of excellence but in whose standards? Those are local standards. I agree that other Southeast Asian schools are starting to become more and more advanced in a lot of aspects than us.