No ACET? No problem: FAQs for the Prospective Atenean
For first year college and transfer admission for School Year 2022-23, the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) requirement has been suspended. What does this mean for you, our prospective students, as you prepare to apply for admission into Ateneo de Manila?
Why did Ateneo choose to suspend ACET?
ACET was suspended this year due to the health and safety concerns over conducting an on-site examination caused by the pandemic. Ateneo de Manila has determined that no examination is worth risking the health of examinees, parents, proctors, examiners, and other individuals physically involved in the preparation and execution of the exam.
Why can’t Ateneo conduct ACET online?
ACET can’t be taken online because (1) there are logistical and security concerns about confirming the identity and ensuring honesty of examinees and (2) not all exam takers have continuous and stable internet access from their homes needed for a simultaneous taking of the exam.
Isn’t passing ACET the only requirement for admission into Ateneo’s college programs?
No. This is a big misconception: that passing ACET is the only way to get admission into Ateneo. ACET has always been only one of many factors, academic and non-academic, that are taken into consideration by the Committee on Admission and Aid in assessing an application of a prospective Ateneo college student.
Without ACET this year, the criteria in selecting applicants for admission will be adjusted accordingly, but will remain highly selective.
What factors will be considered?
The Committee on Admission and Aid will consider the following criteria in assessing each individual application:
- Academic performance in Grades 9 to 11 (as evidenced by the applicant’s grades);
- Academic rank at the end of Grade 11;
- Recommendations from a class teacher/moderator and a guidance counselor;
- Personal essay;
- Extra-curricular activities; and
- Disciplinary record.
The Committee deliberates and closely assesses both quantitative and qualitative factors of each applicant.
What does Ateneo look for in an applicant?
Ateneo looks for well-rounded individuals. We look at aspects of the applicant’s personality and potential in determining acceptance to Ateneo. Yes, we do look at an applicant’s academic performance, but we strongly believe that grades do not truly provide the full evidence of a student’s capacity for academic, social, and personal growth. We also assess applicants based on their non-academic interests; their future plans; and their potential for service to the community and nation. Therefore, high academic achievement does not necessarily guarantee admission.
ACET was the “equalizer,” giving me a chance to make up for poor academic performance/be at par with students from more prestigious schools/schools in Metro Manila. Now what?
As we mentioned earlier, ACET was always only one indicator of an applicant’s capabilities. Without ACET, we will be looking even more closely at your performance in your senior high school. It will still be a fair process, since the Committee will take into consideration the particulars of your school without comparing them to others.
I have less than stellar academic performance in Grades 9-11, but I’m doing well so far in Grade 12. WIll I be at a disadvantage?
Unfortunately, we will only look at academic records that are complete for an entire school year, so we will not be considering your Grade 12 records which will not be available yet at the time of the application period.
Our school is tough and does not give high grades, compared to other schools. Will I be at a disadvantage?
No. We have always considered the grading system of individual senior high schools. Therefore, in assessing your application, we take into consideration how you perform alongside your peers in your school.
Will you be less stringent in accepting students, now that there will be no ACET?
Despite the adjustments in the admission criteria, admission will still be highly selective, in keeping with Ateneo de Manila’s high academic standards, and its mission to mold individuals who have the highest potential for service to the nation.
What will be the basis of admission?
The Loyola Schools will be using carefully designed mathematical models that will examine the submitted grades and ranks of applicants, factoring in the characteristic grading systems of each senior high school. In this manner, OAA will be taking into consideration different numerical factors for individual students, and ultimately give the admissions committee the means to quantitatively compare each and every applicant against his or her peers. At the same time, of course, the deliberation process will also closely look at qualitative information: in this case, the personal essay, recommendation letters, extra-curricular activities, and disciplinary records before making final decisions.
How will the academic scholars be selected?
For the selection of both the Merit Scholars and the Director's List, OAA will select the best students based primarily on results of the overall computations derived from our models, and supplemented by their non-academic performance, such as leadership roles in their respective schools.
