Exploring the Flexibility of Subject and Schedule Selection in ADMU for Freshmen
Admission into any university is often accompanied by questions and uncertainties regarding the academic journey ahead. At Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), freshmen are often curious about whether they can pick their own subjects and schedules or if they are predetermined. This article delves into how subject selection and schedule flexibility work in ADMU, particularly for freshmen and their sophomore year onwards.
First Year at ADMU: Pre-Enlisted Classes and Blocks
During the first year at ADMU, academic block sectioning plays a crucial role. Freshmen's classes are pre-enlisted, meaning the university assigns subjects to students according to their major blocks. This system ensures that all essential core subjects are covered within the first year.
Example: For a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (B.S. Psychology) program, freshmen are known to remain in the same block for the first two semesters. However, this is not the case for other majors like Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (A.B. Psychology) which have more students.
Second Year and Beyond: Freedom to Enlist in Classes
Once in their sophomore year and onwards, students at ADMU gain more freedom in enlisting subjects and schedules. While core subjects are still required to fulfill degree requirements, students can choose electives and customize their schedules.
It's important to note that even with the freedom to choose, students still need to ensure that they meet the necessary unit requirements to successfully complete their degree. Despite this constraint, the variety of elective courses provides ample room for personal and academic growth.
Major-Specific Variations
The flexibility of subject and schedule selection can vary depending on the major. Smaller majors often stay within their blocks longer due to their size, while larger majors like Bachelor of Science in Management (B.S. Management) can see more shuffling among sections.
Example: In the B.S. Management program, students might experience more flexibility in their first year, with a greater chance of switching class sections within their major block. However, the overall structure of block sectioning is still in place.
Personal Experiences and Insights
To gain a better understanding of how subject and schedule selection works in practice, let's hear from some students.
A Personal Account:
Speaking from personal experience, my freshman year in 1999, all core subjects were assigned based on our major blocks (B.S. Psychology). We remained in the same class for the first two semesters. However, when I reached my sophomore year, I got to choose a wide range of electives, giving me the freedom to create a more personalized academic path.
Similarly, my brother is currently in his sophomore year at ADMU, studying a different major, and he shares the same experience. Majors with larger student bodies, such as B.S. Management, offer more flexibility in scheduling within the first year, although block sectioning remains a foundational aspect of the system.
Conclusion
ADMU's system balances the needs of maintaining academic integrity with providing students with the flexibility to pursue their academic and personal interests. Freshmen can initially focus on core subjects, while sophomores and JUNIORS gain more freedom to tailor their academic schedules.
As an admissions counselor or prospective student, it's beneficial to understand that while there is structured guidance at the beginning, students are encouraged to explore different subjects and programs to find the best fit for their academic and career goals.