Choosing the school where you’ll spend some of the most formative years of your life is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. This choice can significantly influence your future — academically, professionally and personally.
The college years is more than just academics. It’s a time to discover one’s path to a future career, develop essential life and work skills, build discipline, and form lifelong friendships and networks.
In the Mindanao region, Davao City is seen as a major educational hub, boasting a high literacy rate of 98.7% (Source: davaocity.gov.ph) and hosting several prominent universities and educational institutions. The city offers numerous options to pursue collegiate education for Mindanaoans so the task of choosing one can be quite challenging but also exciting.
Fret not if you and your parents are currently navigating the process of choosing the right college. Students and parents share insights and factors to consider in choosing one’s college with confidence.
Programs offered in the college or university. What is your ultimate dream? Is there a program that fully supports that aspiration? The very first thing to look at would be the programs offered by the college or university and if the program you have in mind is available there. Your chosen institution should be able to support your dreams and equip you with the right skills needed to succeed in your chosen field. In the case of Justinne Anthea Mavvis Suyo, a 3rd year B.S. in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing student at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM), it’s her top reason for going with her chosen college.
“Mapúa MCM is one of the few schools in Mindanao that offers the program I am currently taking — BS Entertainment and Multimedia Computing. From what I’ve seen, they have contacts and partnerships with companies for jobs for fresh graduates. As I’m looking to go into the game industry, it was my top choice,” Suyo shared.
Christian Lee Roy Lobitos, a freshman at the same college, echoed Suyo’s thoughts. “The first factor was whether they offered Computer Engineering, which has always been my dream program. My goal is to become a professional Computer Engineer and, hopefully, create innovations in technology that can help others. I knew I needed a school that could support that goal and give me a strong academic foundation. Mapúa has always been my dream school and Computer Engineering was my dream program; so, choosing it felt right,” Lobitos remarked.
Learning environment, community, and culture. As the young people put it, “It’s a vibe!” Is it a campus where you feel inspired to study and achieve more? Can you relate with the community and are there student organizations that you think are right up your alley? From your observations and research, is it an educational institution that you feel you can gain wisdom and knowledge from? If one feels comfortable and happy with the way things are in terms of facilities, how classes are conducted, how campus life is, and if the community and culture feel like the right fit for one’s personality and aspirations, then you’ve found your college.
“I really admire and hold on to our college’s mission to provide a learning environment that allows students to acquire attributes that make them globally competitive and locally in demand. I think including SGEs (Student Global Experiences) in the program curriculum is a gamechanger for all of us here. We get to be part of something global because we’re encouraged to reach beyond, and that alone opens a huge window of opportunities — to build connections, to gain real experiences, and more. Considering how fast-paced technology is today, I’m confident that my program is up to par with what’s needed to help me reach my future career goals, whether I stay local or decide to go international someday,” says Arabella Ortega, 4th year B.S. in Information Systems student at Mapúa MCM.
Affordability and cost implications. Let’s face it, money is an issue and an important factor when choosing the right college for you. In today’s economy, the cost of education should be a major consideration. Education is a form of investment so there is a need to weigh in the worthiness of enrolling at a certain institution. Researching about the total costs, flexible payment terms being offered as well as available scholarships or financial aid at the college you’re looking at would definitely be a good route to take.
“Finances were a consideration, but we saw the value of the investment. With the quality of education and the opportunities that our college provides, it was worth it,” Lobitos remarked.
Location. Convenience and accessibility matter. Whether one prefers a much quieter learning environment or if one wants to be near the center of activities is an important thing to consider.
“Location was important because I wanted accessibility while still studying in a school with high standards. Having [a reputable] college [like mine] here in Davao gave me that chance,” Lobitos explained.
Apart from physical location, accessibility and flexibility of where you can take the class would be a relevant information to evaluate.
“Considering the increasing traffic here in Davao, location could have been a major factor. However, the hybrid class setup also plays a big role in making things more manageable. Since I don’t need to be on campus every day, the distance becomes less of a concern,” Ortega added.
Mapúa MCM students having class in the Global Classroom
Academic reputation. What is this college best known for? Is it an institution that is consistently highly viewed and respected by its peers, alumni, employers, and industry players? Did it produce quality graduates who have become successful in their chosen fields and are they the ones you can truly look up to? A school’s academic reputation is a strong indicator of the quality of education it provides. Look into institutions accredited by CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and those with strong national and international rankings as well as its rate of success when it comes to programs that require board exams and certifications.
Some of the parents who helped guide their children in choosing the right college share how they arrived at that very important decision.
“The name of the school itself gave us confidence. Knowing the reputation in engineering of our son’s college and seeing that the same quality of education is [available] here in Davao assured us that this was the right choice. Among the many options, it stood out because it offered exactly what our son wanted—Computer Engineering in his dream school, with world-class standards right here in Davao. It matched both his passion and our hopes for his future,” Raquel Lobitos, Christian Lobitos’ mother, noted.
Patrocinio Ortega Jr., father of Arabella Ortega, also emphasized the weight of school reputation in their choice.
“The college we selected together stood out to us because it has many program options that gave my daughter more freedom to choose. We also considered the school’s good reputation, modern facilities, and learning environment. As a parent, I felt confident and satisfied with the kind of education and support my daughter would receive here,” he explained.
Choosing the right college to enroll in is a life-changing decision. By considering key factors on program offerings, learning environment affordability, location and reputation, you are empowered to make informed and confident choices. As you evaluate your options, explore how Davao and Mapúa MCM can be the start of a future built on excellence. Learn more, visit https://mcm.edu.ph/.
