My Surprise Journey: Passing the UPCAT Against All Odds
Recalling my experience of passing the UPCAT (University of the Philippines Entrance Examination) is like a vivid dream. I was not confident back then that I could pass it, and yet, the outcome was a big and pleasant surprise. Passing the UPCAT is just the first step; what matters more is the path I took after graduation and the application of my learned knowledge. However, I couldn’t have imagined this journey to such success.
Weak Academic Background and Limited Resources
I attended a private high school in Baguio City, a city known for its academic rigor. However, the school's reputation was not on par with the top-notch private schools in the country, let alone the well-known government-funded science high schools nationwide. My classmates who lived in other parts of the country had the advantage of preparing for the exam by attending review classes in Manila or purchasing expensive review materials from the US. On the other hand, I had to rely on a relatively cheap local review material.
Due to financial limitations, I couldn't afford the review center fees or the fare required to reach the review centers. My family could not financially support my exam preparation, and I had to depend solely on myself. Before the exam day, I felt that my chances of passing were slim to none, and I was certain that I would fail.
Surprising Success
Despite feeling underprepared, my dad and some of my high school teachers encouraged me to take the exam. With their support, I managed to sit for the UPCAT. However, the moment I saw the results, I was bewildered. Among the list of passers, I was included, and I was also qualified for admission to the BS Applied Physics program of UP Diliman! This outcome was far beyond my expectations, and even in my wildest dreams, I didn't anticipate such a result.
When I looked at the mathematics section, I had only answered ten of the sixty items. Moreover, the exam questions were formulated in Filipino, a language I was not particularly strong in, which deeply impacted my confidence. Despite these challenges, my name was on the list of passers, and I couldn't fathom how I managed to pass the exam.
Contrast with Classmates
Ironically, many of my classmates who took review courses or invested heavily in expensive examination materials did not pass the UPCAT. This further added to my confusion and added weight to the feeling of being a lucky underdog. Although I felt that my path to success was not as straightforward as those of my classmates, it was my perseverance and luck that led me to this unexpected victory. My journey to passing the UPCAT teaches me the value of hard work and the importance of believing in oneself, even when the odds are not in your favor.