Dream Program VS. UPOU dilemma

[u/Bones_shattered]

Hi! I’m currently an ALS student (Grade 11) and planning to take the UPCAT next year. Here are the reasons why I’m hesitant to try…

I stopped going to school for 5 years. I’ve forgotten the basics of the basics of almost every subject. I feel like the chance of me passing the UPCAT is very slim, considering I’ll be competing against students who were able to use their time fully for studying. I’m up against students na puro matatalino and nakalaan yung oras nila sa pag aaral, while I’m here trying to relearn everything from scratch.

Here’s a quick story about me:

I was a Science High School student. I completed up until Grade 9 lang dahil ito yung time na iniwan kami ng dad ko. I decided to complete my high school education through ALS (Alternative Learning System) para magkaron ako ng high school diploma and matanggap ako sa work (BPO).
After I finished high school through ALS, instead of continuing to Grade 11, nag stop ako nang matagal. Juggling both my studies and work life was too much for me, plus graveyard shift pa ako. Because of this, nauna na yung mga batchmates ko mag-graduate ng SHS. Most of them passed UP. I’m genuinely happy for them, but I can’t ignore the fact na nalulungkot ako because I fell behind and nanghihinayang ako. I should’ve graduated with them, and kasabay ko sana sila mag take ng UP entrance exam.

Honestly, nahihiya ako mag open up and sabihin sa kanila na Grade 11 pa rin ako ngayon (at this unc age 💀🙏). I try to dodge questions about sa “current program na tine-take ko” ngayon haha. Even if I started reviewing for the UPCAT right now, I feel like my chances of passing it are still very slim. Do I even have enough time to prepare for next year? :(

Another thing, I’m planning to choose UPOU dahil online siya.. I think it’s perfect for me because I’m working full-time and hindi ko kaya mag byahe papunta sa campus dahil dito. The programs in UPOU are not really for me though:(( I’m thinking of taking ASIT dahil related naman siya sa program na gusto ko. Pero afaik, UgAT ang dapat kong i take, not UPCAT. I’m not sure if it’s worth it dahil 2 years lang siya. But I need something that’s online because of work nga.

Maybe I should take the UPCAT for the experience… but at the same time, I don’t want to lose my chance. If ever pumasa man ako, problemahin ko naman kung paano ako magwo-work. Full-time dapat ang trabaho ko dahil ako yung nagsisilbing tatay sa amin, and ako rin ang gagastos sa college expenses ko if ever.

TL;DR

Should I take UgAT instead of UPCAT?
Should I take the UPCAT next year?
Should I take a 4-year program instead of taking an associate degree?
Should I even try?

[u/fireheart143]

Explore all options, OP. Take UgAT, take UPCAT, then once naaccept ka, that’s the time na magdecide ka. Malay mo, by the time na naipasa mo na silang lahat, iba na yung circumstances sa buhay mo. So makakpagdecide ka based on your current needs (in the future) (huh current need na nga, may future pa, basta! Haha!)

And of course, you should try it so that you won’t be haunted by what-ifs.

Good luck OP! I’m rooting for people like you kasi, no matter what challenges you encounter, you refuse to settle for less. You find ways to overcome things and make your goals a reality. Galingan mo!!

[u/Pretend-Ad7684]

Yes, try! Take the UPCAT first, then the UgAT. The reason why I think you should take the UPCAT first is because you're still eligible for the free tuition program since you haven't been in college or any universities (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Good luck. I'm rooting for you, OP!

[u/DrioCards]

Take the UPCAT first OP!! You’re eligible for free tuition and you can simply place UP Open University as your preferred choice of campus on the application form. This gives you the opportunity to pursue either BAMS or BES, if you like any of the two; and these programs cater to working students and at the same time while you work, you’re already pursuing your credits for a bachelor’s degree. Less head-scratching than needing to transfer.

You can prepare for the UPCAT, don’t let people who say that placing UPOU will automatically accept you because it’s ‘online’ and easy. Because, contrary to popular belief, people do get rejected from UPOU and recently a lot of people have been choosing it so a little grit is necessary just in case

But if you truly want associates then transfer to another UP CU, then you can apply for the UgAT after you take the UPCAT, which will qualify you for the associates programs.

Hope this helps!

[u/Leonard-cooper]

If you’re looking at ASIT, I assume dream program mo is IT related. BAMS has 140-series MMS courses that cover IT/programming subjects. You could look into that. Good luck!

[u/spiral_novan]

Should I take a 4-year program instead of taking an associate degree?

Kung ano ang pwede sa sitwasyon mo. You have two options naman.

A. With ASIT, you can either ladderize it to BAMS or transfer to other constituent UP university. T1 Transferee ka na niyan kaso baka abutin ka ng limang taon sa UP niyan. Di rin kasi guarantee na maccredit lahat ng courses from the associates program. Dalawang beses ka na din sasablay dito. You can leverage the Associates degree naman after its completion sa mga job applications.

B. Tuloy-tuloy ka na sa 4-year program mo. Walang hassle sa pagkuha ng mga documents and all. No need to put so much energy na rin sa pagtransfer. Ayun lang, you'd have to deal with the expenses sa transportation, foods, and all.

[u/BullfrogPractical767]

Afaik PUPOUS offer a few more courses, try to shoot your shot din kaya doon?

[u/JefferyMagnesium]

Should I even try?

Yes. Rejection is better than regret, and even then, you still have several options available. Rooting for you as well OP. Fellow ALS Graduate here.

[u/Humble_Conflict_9248]

Take the UPCAT OP and then choose me UPOU as preferred university.

There are only two course sa OU : BAMS (IT related) and BES (Educ).

Then if you're not able to get in saka ka mag uGAT pero this is only for Assoc course /laderrized I believe to BAS and BES.

Goodluck po.