Due to the pandemic, the University of the Philippines (UP) is studying ways to continue with its admission test process next academic year.
A statement by UP Office of Admissions director Francisco de los Reyes outlined five possible scenarios:
- A paper-and-pen administration of the UPCAT, subject to protocols by and in coordination with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and local government units;
- An online UPCAT;
- A hybrid paper-and-pen and online mode;
- A no-UPCAT scenario, where UP may use information from the applicant’s personal data sheet, high school records, the specific high school the applicant went to and performance of its graduates in UP, etc., to arrive at the University Predicted Grade (UPG);
- A moratorium on freshmen admissions.
The UP Board of Regents is expected to decide on the matter in their next meeting on Oct. 29. The Office of Admissions said it was holding discussions at every level to come up with the best option for all stakeholders involved.
“Ultimately, planning for our next round of admissions will be inclusive, with the acknowledgment that some applicants do have the economic privilege, and with empathy for the marginalized,” de los Reyes said.
By UP’s estimate, there are 100,000 freshmen applicants to be considered for admission for AY 2021-2022. This is based on trends from recent UPCAT, which saw roughly the same number of applicants.
Should the state university decide on any of the first four options, applications could be submitted as soon as November.
The university also said it is beefing up its IT system that will greatly help in automating UPCAT inquiries and fully online applications.
Photo courtesy of UPCAT – UP System Facebook page
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Writer: CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE
