I’m not supposed to be in the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM). And I’m not supposed to be taking up BA Organizational Communication (OrCom).
The story
UP has always been the ONLY school for me. I believe that having an older brother who attended high school in UP Integrated School (UPIS) and college in UP Diliman made me think that way. I only wanted to go to UP and take up Broadcast Communication or Journalism. For me, it’s UP or nothing.
So, imagine my grief when I learned that I didn’t pass the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT). I cried for a couple of days and nights. I even thought of not going to college anymore! Pathetic, I know. But after a couple of weeks of mourning, I finally convinced myself that I won’t be going to UP and I’ll be having my tertiary education in another university.
As what I have said, I’m not supposed to be in UP Manila, taking up OrCom. I’m supposed to be in the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), taking up Journalism.
So what the hell am I doing in UP?
While I was fixing my requirements for UST, I filed my reconsideration/appeal to UP Manila. Just a brief trivia: UP Manila wasn’t even a campus of my choice; it were Diliman and Los Baños. The grade I got in UPCAT can still give me a chance of entering UP Manila. So why waste the opportunity? I submitted my GWA in the University Registrar and waited for the result.
I wanted my college education to be secured. So, I went to UST to have a slot reserved in their Journalism program. I needed to submit my high school report card but I purposely didn’t pass it. So, I had to pay Php5,000.00 to have a slot reserved. I really thought that the reservation will last until enrollment time, but I was wrong. Upon paying, the university gave me a deadline when I’m supposed to submit my report card. And the deadline was just a week after I paid the reservation fee!
The deadline came. I didn’t pass my report card. And there was still no news about my appeal in UP.
I wasted Php5,000.00. And my future then was in great danger.
The meeting
I was asked to choose five courses in UP Manila. I was browsing through the list of courses offered in UPM and I saw the only communication course that it is offering – BA Organizational Communication. It was the first time I met OC. And since I really wanted to take up a communication course in college (simply because science and math hate me and vice versa), I had OrCom on top of my list. The second was Speech Pathology. Then, Behavioral Science. I forgot the other two courses I chose.
But I am in UP Manila. And I am taking up OrCom
It was nearly the end of May and I still had no school. My last resort then was to take an entrance exam in a college along Katipunan and another university along U-Belt. I even joked to my parents that I’ll just go to an IT school, which is endorsed by a well-known celebrity, and graduate as a suma cum laude! :p
I was watching The da Vinci Code with a friend when I got a call from my brother telling me that my reconsideration in UP Manila was finally approved. I went to UP Manila the following day with my kuya and arranged my enrollment in the University I longed dream to be in. It was the start of my life as an iskolar ng bayan and an OrCom student.
Ate, ask ko lang po. How’s OrCom? Masaya po ba kahit hindi niyo expected na dun ka makakapasok in the first place?:)
Hi! Are you an OrCom student?
Syempre, when I was in my freshman year, I was still thinking of shifting to another course/transferring to Diliman. But I’m glad I didn’t. And I can say na masaya sa OrCom. It’s a program that you would wanna stick with because of the people you’re gonna be with and the lessons you’ll learn, not to mention the skills you’re gonna acquire. Stay with the program for a year, or probably a sem, and you’ll realize that OrCom has not only become your course, but also your life.
Greetings po ate! I kinda relate to your story ’bout the “UP or nothing” part. I also did not pass UP, which is very disappointing and heart-breaking. Fortunately, I passed my dream course in UST. However, the rough estimate for my tuition for 5 years there is about half a million. So, If I may, I was hoping if you could tell me how I can apply for a reconsideration for UP? Besides going to the Office of the Registrar?
Thanks!:)
Hi Bianca!
Wow, that tuition’s a whole lot! 
Anyway, I’ll try my best to answer your question as my experience was more than 4 years ago. 
UP campuses have different UPG cut-off grade for reconsideration/appeal. Except of course, UP Diliman coz it doesn’t entertain any reconsideration requests. As far as I know, the cut-off grade varies every year. In UP Manila, during our time it was 2.6 I think? I have no idea the grade for this year, so I suggest you call the UP Manila University Registrar at 523-9608 to find out. Ask also when will they start accepting applications for appeal.
Hope I was able to answer your question. Good luck!
Thank you po!
Uhmm.. ano po ang UPG mo noon? Mine’s 2.361 and I don’t know kung pwede yang ipa-reconsider. But I’ll follow your advice. THANKS SO MUCH!:)
Hehe. I don’t want to disclose.
But this I have to say: your grade is higher than mine. 