What's ADMU Like?

[popcornhigh]

Creative Writing passer here, having a little fork-road dilemma.

I received a call from an Ateneo representative a few nights back, inviting me to an open house. I desperately wanted to go, but I had commitments to my current school on the same day, so, unfortunately, I missed it. I was hoping I could have used that open house to get a feel of the university, try to see myself stuck in there for four long years.

See, as of now, I have two options. One is Ateneo, and the other, UP. Both seem to be great options, academics-wise. I'm just having a problem choosing which one to go for (read: which environment I think I'll survive better in). I don't really trust the exaggerated stereotypes (that Ateneans are rich snobs and the kids over at UP are frighteningly liberated radicals), and my ACET and UPCAT days were such a daze that don't give me much to rely on (except that both schools are ridiculously huge), so I have no idea how to pick between the two.

I guess I just wanna hear from you guys how the environment is over at the(?)* Ateneo. It'd be a lot of help. Thanks.

*I've read "Ateneo" preceded by "the" somewhere. Or on several somewheres. Is that how it's supposed to be said? It feels so formal on my tongue. I apologize if I'm being disrespectful in any way, or if I got it wrong.

[migz2000]

Okay. First of all, you SHOULD attend the Open House since the event will let you see for yourself what you are asking. No matter how I put my answer here, it will still be subjective and it is up to you how you will perceive the environment.

Nonetheless, I will try to answer your question as best as I can.

Ateneo's environment is very conducive for higher education and critical learning. At first, you may be overwhelmed with the paperwork dues and all other requirements. There are a lot of orgs out there that you can join in order for you to develop your skills as a writer (i.e. Guidon, Heights) and for you to enjoy your college life. People without orgs are deemed to have the worst Ateneo experience since they haven't experienced the real fun of being in Ateneo.

The student body is very diverse in background, with emphasis on the breadth of background. There is a possibility of seeing habits and cultural practices that you haven't seen before. If these actions offend you, try to open your mind to these situations.

Sometimes in literature, the article "the" precedes "Ateneo". AFAIK, the reason behind this practice is to highlight the standards that the institution practices.

Hope this helps.

[talkplaylove]

@popcornhigh

I come from a middle-class family. I got into the Ateneo by accident--I wanted to go to UP but my dad didn't want me to dorm, and I told him it's either UP or AdMU (thinking that he'd relent and let me go to UP since we could not afford AdMU). He chose AdMU o_O

Anyway, I came in expecting all the stereotypes I heard about and expecting not to fit in. During the first few days, it seemed like all of my blockmates were like that. Conyo, well-traveled, very rich with their Louis Vuitton's and Havaianas. I didn't feel at ease with them, so I hung out with a grade school classmate and some English blockmates. Over time, I realized that my conyo blockmates and I had common interests (and a lot of those were about things girls from my high school would never have touched if not under pain of torture such as: books, comics, Japanese boybands, languages, etc) and their English twangs and manner of speaking dropped once I got to know them better. Along the way, I picked up the Atenean vernacular as well--taglish. @.@

I can't tell you if Ateneo will be a great fit for you. But I can tell you, 100%, that those four years in Ateneo were the best years I've had--I learned a lot academically, I learned a lot about life and other cultures, I had a lot of fun--and I never expected that I would be as happy as I was then.

As long as you're open to new experiences and you keep an open mind and stay true to yourself, I think you'll be fine in AdMU. Migz is right, an open mind is key--there are a lot of lessons in the curriculum that will shock and sometimes make you question your beliefs; then there's the people you'll meet. Just like any other school, students in AdMU come from different backgrounds--kids from the provinces, public high schools, private high schools, international schools, La Salle, true blue Ateneans etc.--the only difference is that students coming from families in the higher bracket of income is the norm and not the exception.

[i_bleed_blue]

@popcornhigh

I come from a middle-class family. I got into the Ateneo by accident--I wanted to go to UP but my dad didn't want me to dorm, and I told him it's either UP or AdMU (thinking that he'd relent and let me go to UP since we could not afford AdMU). He chose AdMU o_O

Anyway, I came in expecting all the stereotypes I heard about and expecting not to fit in. During the first few days, it seemed like all of my blockmates were like that. Conyo, well-traveled, very rich with their Louis Vuitton's and Havaianas. I didn't feel at ease with them, so I hung out with a grade school classmate and some English blockmates. Over time, I realized that my conyo blockmates and I had common interests (and a lot of those were about things girls from my high school would never have touched if not under pain of torture such as: books, comics, Japanese boybands, languages, etc) and their English twangs and manner of speaking dropped once I got to know them better. Along the way, I picked up the Atenean vernacular as well--taglish. @.@

I can't tell you if Ateneo will be a great fit for you. But I can tell you, 100%, that those four years in Ateneo were the best years I've had--I learned a lot academically, I learned a lot about life and other cultures, I had a lot of fun--and I never expected that I would be as happy as I was then.

As long as you're open to new experiences and you keep an open mind and stay true to yourself, I think you'll be fine in AdMU. Migz is right, an open mind is key--there are a lot of lessons in the curriculum that will shock and sometimes make you question your beliefs; then there's the people you'll meet. Just like any other school, students in AdMU come from different backgrounds--kids from the provinces, public high schools, private high schools, international schools, La Salle, true blue Ateneans etc.--the only difference is that students coming from families in the higher bracket of income is the norm and not the exception.

on bold: natawa naman ako dun, but it is true, taglish just seems to grown on you... magugulat ka na lang nagtataglish ka na rin... or worse, conyo ka na rin

[c0itus_p0gi]

on bold: natawa naman ako dun, but it is true, taglish just seems to grown on you... magugulat ka na lang nagtataglish ka na rin... or worse, conyo ka na rin

Not as conyo as those in Taft.

[officeboy24]

Proud UST alumni here =) choose UST, walang mahirap or mayaman. welcome lahat sa UST.

[mrbones525]

^ too late he/she probably chose one by now