MANILA — The University of the Philippines announced on Wednesday that 18,300 students, or little more than 12% of the more than 147,000 students who took the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT), received admission notices to the various UP campuses around the nation.

UP President Angelo Jimenez stated at a news conference that the number of exam takers and qualifiers from public schools is still rising.

He said, “Students from public schools, including public science high schools, now comprise 57.1% of our qualifiers from public schools compared to 42.5% from private schools. This increase in qualifiers from public schools has been a consistent trend over the past few years. And this year it continues to move in the same direction.”

In 2022, there were more qualifiers from private schools (55%) than from public schools (44%), which Jimenez described as a significant improvement.

At 29.68%, the National Capital Region had the most qualifiers. Central Luzon (11.24%) and Calabarzon (18.77%) come next.

The number of applicants and qualifiers has also somewhat increased in other areas, suggesting that UP’s decision to establish testing facilities will allow more students to pursue UP education.

According to the UP President, the number of qualifiers from the area rose by 22% following the establishment of a testing facility at the Marawi Center in Lanao Del Sur.

Students who passed are urged to prepare the required enrollment paperwork and confirm their spots by the deadline. In the upcoming weeks, the relevant institutions will make their enrollment policies and orientation schedules public.

UP urges applicants who did not make the cut to look into other options, such as future transfer opportunities or appeals.

For Filipino students, passing the UPCAT is considered a major accomplishment that opens doors to a top-notch education at one of the nation’s best universities. Social media was used by many qualifiers and their families to commemorate the accomplishment, posting messages of appreciation and diligence.

The institution is still working to develop future leaders and professionals who are dedicated to helping the country as the next class of graduates gets ready to enroll.