In Transit
aborda@theguidon.com
Do you know of mothers and fathers who are die-hard Ateneo graduates? What about die-hard UP, La Salle, or UST graduates? Is your mom or dad, perhaps, one of them?
I know of many parents who tell their children, “It is UP or nothing, son.” That’s right. You either end up in UP, or you don’t go to school at all. Why? Because UP is “the best.” This, of course, applies to other prestigious schools. There are parents who leave their children with no option but attend “only Ateneo,” “UST, period,” and “La Salle and nothing else”.
These parents often love getting into debates. They will argue with you over just how much better their university. They will muster all their energy if they have to cite and explain why their school is simply the best.
I remember a mother a few years back, who gave no second thoughts as she explained why courses in her preferred school are better, and how their syllabi are more comprehensive. She named dozens of successful graduates, and talked about the good moral conduct their students develop–to prove that the university she attended–and has imposed on her children–is the best of all universities.
But what exactly is “the best”?
Not too many weeks ago, the Times Higher Education-QS (THE-QS) released its World University Rankings for 2008. Ateneo, from its 451st rank, rose to 254th and is now the top university in the country. While that is now true, would it mean Ateneo is now the best school for you?
This self-proclamation as “best university” never grows weary. Competitive universities all want to be the best. After the THE-QS rankings were released, universities released their statements as well. When THE-QS ranked UP–which dropped to 2nd top university in the country–at 276th, University of the Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs Pantoja Hidalgo claimed they had never agreed to participate in the survey. UP conveyed its sentiments regarding the invalidity of THE-QS, saying that “the measurement is shaky.”
Meanwhile, UST slipped back to the bracket ranked 401-500. The Varsitarian of UST although elated, responded that “the survey has become even less credible.”
While many are driven to claim a school best, the best school for someone may not necessarily lie in the syllabi, in the number of successful graduates, in the teaching quality, or in the indicators used by THE-QS. These will help you identify excellent schools, definitely. But what is best for you is something only you can define.
Economist Alan Krueger of Princeton University conducted a study on Ivy League students and their advantage over State University students. Turns out that, students who succeeded and received higher salaries did so regardless of the schools they attended–in short, driven people succeeded anywhere.
To not attend an excellent school is not the point here–even I study in one. But what makes a school best is if it is able to best develop one’s unique strengths. It’s not about where others flourished but where you ultimately will, so what might have worked for your parents may, or may not, work for you.
I like the system and structure of Ateneo–the kind of environment I feel I work best in–and that’s why I chose to study here. ADMU is my best university in the country. What about yours?
