The University of the Philippines (UP) will start accepting applications for freshmen students for academic year 2021-2022 on January 7, via an online portal.

In an article posted on its website on Friday, December 18, UP released the following process for applications:

•  Applicants shall accomplish Form 1 (Personal Data Sheet) electronically and upload their photo and electronic signature

•  High schools shall be requested to log on to the Grades Submission link to accomplish Form 2 (High School Records) on behalf of the applicants. An online survey was sent earlier to high schools using their registered email addresses in the records of the UP Office of Admissions (OAdms).

•   If a high school has not received the email of the UP OAdms, applicants from that school must inform the office of the school’s official email address via dataproc.oadms@up.edu.ph to facilitate communications between the UP OAdms and the high school

UP said that it encourages applicants to use secure email accounts “preferably with two-step verification to better protect their right to data privacy.”

“However, UP is not requiring all applicants to use accounts with two-step verification, as some applicants may not have full access to devices and/or internet connectivity,” it added.

UP also said that while the best option is to send applications online, it will coordinate with concerned high schools on other modes of submission to help those who do not have access to the internet.

The deadline for applications is on February 15. UP said details on how to accomplish the forms will be posted on the online portal.

In an October 30 memo, the 8 constituent universities of UP “unanimously voted NOT to administer UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) in light of logistical issues in the paper-and-pencil testing of about 100,000 17-year old applicants.” The decision was made public in a November 10 article on the university’s website.

UPCAT 2021 was supposed to be administered in the 3rd quarter of 2020. In AY 2020-2021 alone, more than 100,000 examinees took the UPCAT, according to the university.

UP began classes this school year on September 10 using the remote learning system.

UP joins other universities that have canceled their entrance examinations for the next school year due to the pandemic. Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas canceled their exams in September and August, respectively. – Rappler.com