Q&A Portion 13 (UPOU Questions)

Hello Lovelies! Since we've been getting a lot of questions with regards to UPOU and Distance Learning, I've compiled the questions so far and I'll do my best to answer them. Do note that it's been a year since my graduation so I will answer these questions to the best of my knowledge based on my experience. If you have more questions, please leave a comment and I'll try to answer them too in another Q&A post.

Q1: Do you know how many units undergrads are allowed to take? 

A: I believe standard units are 6 per semester for working students but you can also take 9 units if the Dean will allow it. Personally, 6 units was just right for me. Though I do know some classmates who've done 9 units just to graduated earlier. However, I don't know how many units undergrads are allowed. Please email info@upou.edu.ph for more details. :)

Q2: Do you also know if they do accept students studying in another institution? 

A: Yes, but the school has to have an existing agreement with UPOU with regards to cross-enrollments.

Q3: How much is the application fee?

A: If you're based outside of the Philippines, the application fee is 100USD. If you're based in the Philippines, it's 500 PESOS.

Q4: Is the admission pack sent through postal mail or delivered thru LBC, etc? 

A: During my time, the admission pack was sent via EMS. I received a very much mangled package thanks to the very curious people at Saudi Post. I emailed UPOU about it and since then they've sent my books via DHL. They charged me around 300 SR for every package sent.

Q5: The Graduate Admission Test

A: Unfortunately, during my time they didn't require us to take any admission tests, they just asked us to send our TOR and based our enrollment  status on our previous grades. I had a probationary semester before I became a regular student at UPOU. Try contacting info@upou.edu.ph, they might direct you to someone who can answer your questions in more detail.

Q6: The Readiness Module

A: To my understanding, this is a course that UPOU requires some students to take to gauge whether online learning is the right mode of learning for them. I'm sorry I don't have a lot of info about this because I didn't go through it.

Q7: Since your grades in your bachelor's degree is one of the criteria for admission, I would like to ask you if you have any idea as to what grades we need to have to be accepted. I am asking because I would want to apply but my college grades are not really impressive. 

A: Some courses have a GWA requirement and its usually stated on the course info on the websites. I've seen some programs who require a GWA of 2.00 above to get in. It really depends. If you have some failed or dropped subjects, you will have to go through a probationary semester. During this time, you have to get really high grades to pass your probation. 

Q8: How long should I wait after sending the necessary requirements? 

A: It really depends on the program. With PTC and MDC, they informed me a month before the incoming school year. My best friends is taking MAN at UPOU right now and she said it took a while before they informed her of the results. I guess, it depends per college. You can try emailing admissions for updates.

Q9: I am still wondering if the units I had taken previously in the program I attended (MAN) in other school will be credited.

A: I think they will credit units as long as the course description of the subjects you took from the other school are the same. It's the same with regular Universities.

Q10: I would really appreciate any recommendation for a reviewer. Like a published book/reviewer which I can buy from any bookstore?

A: When I took the UPCAT when I was in High School, I just bought MSA books with mock exam activities.

Q11: Can I just ask you about the application form, it says Proposed Major Field and Minor Field. 

A: There was no option for Major with MDC so I left it blank. :)

Q11: I'm planning to take the Professional Teaching Certification and I was wondering if taking 6 units per trimester would be too much as I work from 9-5.

A: I took PTC before I shifted to MDC and I had a 9-5 job too. It was easier because I was always in front of the computer so when work was low, I would read my modules. But when I started teaching, I had less time online. I was also on my last semester with MDC with my special problem paper in the works. I found that 6 units was just enough to challenge me. I had to do a LOT of adjustments with regards to my time and I had to give up a lot of stuff like playing Farmville and going out but in the end, it was worth it. :)

XOXO

Sampaguita Pride

Isko(lar) in the Desert: The Graduation

Note: This is a long, long, long overdue post about my UPOU graduation from last May 2012. I hope you'll forgive me. But I promise to post more blogs whenever I can. ^_^

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The day finally came. After 2 1/2 years of study, I was finally going to graduate from UPOU. It feels like a dream because I never thought that I could study again while I was abroad (to read about my experience as a UPOU student, click here), so you can imagine my relief when I finally received my graduation pack. :)

Since I was based abroad, I had to process my clearance the day before graduation. So before my flight back to Manila, I made sure that I got all the info I needed to clear my accounts with UPOU like the graduation fee, shipping fees and alumni fees. With that settled, I then moved on to more important details such as my graduation dress. LOL.

UPOU has a strict dress code for MA graduates. Aside from the Sablay, we were also required to dress accordingly. Men were required to wear white/ecru barong for men and black pants and the women, white or ecru dress, mid-calf length with sleeves and black shoes. I was trying to imagine it but all I could picture was a ninang dress. Hahaha... so I made sure that the outfit I chose would be comfy and "me". I got my blouse from Dorothy Perkins and my skirt from Freeze at Riyadh Gallery. The idea was similar to this: 

May 4: Graduation Practice and Clearance Day

The graduation practice was scheduled the day before graduation. In true blue "Distance-Ed Style", this would be the first time for me to visit my Alma Mater. For the first time, I met my professors and classmates who I've befriended, defended and consulted for the last 2 years. When I met them in person, it felt like we were just picking up conversations we left off at our FB group and I was really happy about it. It's really amazing how we build bonds over the internet. 

My online barkada, my groupmates and friends.

After submitting our clearance and paying for our graduation fees, we were invited to an alumni meeting for our program and in the afternoon, we attended a program in tribute to the graduates. There were a lot of performances from UPLB students and UPOU Chorale. 

The very wacky and happy DevComm Alumni at UPOU

The very talented UPOU Chorale

May 5: Graduation Day!

My parents and I decided to head out early because Los Baños was about 3 hours away from where we lived. The graduation was held during the afternoon at the UPOU grounds at UP Los Baños. My parents patiently waited for the program to start. The grounds were prepared ahead but it was a shame that there weren't enough seats for the guests.

The graduation venue.

Before the program, the graduates were given free lunch and a place to rest and mingle with other graduates. By this time, I was already giddy with excitement but I also regret wearing my 4 inch stilettos. :))

Here's a photo of my fellow graduates, the DevComm program garnered most of the Chancellor's List Awards that year.

The "class picture" and solo photos were done before the graduation ceremony. I ordered group shots and diploma shot package and I received them a week later. 

MA Development Communication, Batch 2012

My perennial group mates and online buddies: Jher Trinoña (L), Francis Noces and Mayeth Rebutoc 

(both from Riyadh, as well!)

Finally, we're marching! :P

Miguel Zubiri, who is also a UPOU Alumni, was our guest speaker.

Receiving my diploma from UP President Alfredo Pascual. Success!!

The graduation ended around 8pm and there fireworks to commemorate the event. I guess that's the reason we had the photo-op before the graduation because it would be too dark to do anything else. Plus everyone was really hungry already. Haha... 

To my loved ones and inspiration, this is for you. To our readers, thank you so much for all your help and moral support, especially those who answered the questionnaires for my research. You are all a huge part of this success. To my fellow Pink Tarha ladies, thank you so much for all the support and encouragement. 

I hope that this will encourage other OFWs to inquire and enroll at UPOU. It is never too late to be an Isko or to pursue further studies.

Love,

Sampaguita Pride

P.S. I would like to thank my classmates for 

sharing most of the photos I used for this blog 

post. Much Love.