THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES The University of the Philippines has eight constituent universities -UP Diliman (with an extension program in Pampanga), UP Baguio, UP Los Baños, UP Manila (with Schools of Health Sciences in Baler, Palo and Koronadal), UP Visayas (with campuses in Iloilo/Miagao and Tacloban), UP Cebu, UP Mindanao, and the Open University. The Diliman campus is the University’s flagship campus and offers the largest number of degree programs. Other campuses are known for specific areas of specialization. For example, UP Manila is the country’s Center of Excellence in the health sciences; UP Los Baños is a distinguished center of academic excellence in agriculture, forestry and related sciences in Asia; UP Visayas is noted for its program in fisheries which is recognized as one of the best in Asia; UP Baguio is noted for its Cordillera Studies program; and the UP Open University provides educational opportunities beyond the boundaries of a conventional university (i.e., through distance learning). As the premier State University, UP offers a wide range of degree programs. Some degree programs are offered in only one campus (e.g., BS Nursing, BA Filipino) while others are offered in two or more campuses (e.g., B Fine Arts, BS Statistics). Most of these require qualification through the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT). To maintain its high standard of education and to maximize its limited resources, UP has had to limit slots for freshman admission to each campus and to its various degree programs. Some programs are in much greater demand than others so that their freshman slots are often more quickly filled. Other programs may not be as much in demand so that their limits are rarely, if ever, reached. Programs where the demand surpasses the available slots are…