Written by: Mark Rafael Santos
Photo by: Camille Grace Bulli
Visuals by: Micah Polintan
Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test (USTET) has officially made its comeback for Academic Year 2023-2024 senior high school and college admissions.
The All Set for USTET launched by the UST Office for Admissions last September 6, 2022 gave essential information regarding the entrance examination and also provided guidelines for the University's aspirants, emphasizing the University’s preparedness in conducting on-site examinations.
The entrance examinations will run from October 1, 2022, until January 22, 2023, which will kick off at the provincial testing centers and conclude at UST-Manila Campus. Details regarding the results are still yet to be released. For updates, the UST Office of Admissions website may be visited at https://ofad.ust.edu.ph.
Asst. Director of Office for Admissions, Dr. Ryan Francis Cayubit, shared the must-knows for the entrance examination; he enumerated its components—namely, English, Math, Science, and Mental Ability, with some faculties/colleges having additional assessments to be taken.
Cayubit also discussed the application period for the College and Senior High aspirants, which will last from September 5, 2022, until January 6, 2023, with Learning Enhanced Program for Medicine (LEAPMed) applicants having a shorter duration, as it will end on November 18, 2022.
Furthermore, he also mentioned the different testing dates and sites that will accommodate the applicants, which will be in UST Manila Campus, provincial testing centers, and international testing centers.
The simplified USTET application requirements will also be effectuated, consisting only of the 2x2 ID picture, the PSA/NSO birth certificate or valid passport, and the USTET application grades form found on the USTET page.
More information on the additional requirements and the testing fee based on the applicant's category can be found on the website of the UST Office of Admission.
A question-and-answer forum headed by selected university staff and administrators addressed the inquiries regarding USTET requirements, health protocols, and scholarship grants provided by the university.
Dr. Imelda Dakis, Director of Office for Admissions, responded to an inquiry about the effect of current grades on their passing chance in the university; she said that the average grades in English, Math, and Science are in consideration for both college and senior high applicants.
The Flame, the official student publication of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters, asked about the University's plan on the examination schedule in case the COVID-19 cases surge. In response, De Leon stated that the University depends on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the national government's implementation of health protocols.
The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, asked if unvaccinated examinees are allowed to take the test and if there will be additional protocols. Dakis relays that unvaccinated individuals are permitted to take the test, while vaccinated individuals must upload proof of their vaccination to the USTET portal.
As for the scholarship grants offered by the university, Arriero mentioned that all of the available scholarship programs, Academic Scholarship, Equity Scholarship, Scholarship for the Gifted, and Student Assistance Scholarship, are to be maintained. Further, students can only avail of one scholarship type. As for the requirements for renewal:
The Academic Scholarship requires a maintaining grade of 1.75 for tertiary level, with no grade lower than 3.0 or no failing grade, and an average of 89 with no grade no lower than 80 for Senior High
The Scholarship for the Gifted requires active participation in all scholars’ activities and satisfactory performances in their field.
The Equity Scholarship requires compliance to the agreement of external benefactors and for the scholar to only have the benefit of one scholarship in all terms.
An average grade of 2.50 with no more than (1) grade of 3.0 or lower and active participation in their activities must be obtained by the student to maintain the Student Assistance Scholarship.
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