Context: I am an incoming first-year biochem student currently living in Mindanao, and according to the primer, confirmation of enrollment is next Monday, May 18, and submission of documents is required to be on-site, with proxy submission not allowed.

My current conflict is that Cebpac tickets are expensive, and I don't have a place to stay in Manila. I thought, okay lang na ipa-LBC ko yung requirements. If it's not allowed, whom should I contact to explain my situation? What is their email address?

Thank you so much

I’m interested in research and potentially pursuing grad school. I don't see myself pursuing medicine, but a lot can change over 4 years of college, and I might consider med school. Which university is more flexible in terms of grad school and med school for biochem?

I’m still exploring my options and want to understand the real differences between these programs beyond reputation. I’d really appreciate insights from current students or graduates regarding:

1. Research opportunities
2. Internship opportunities
3. Academics and workload
4. Professors and mentorship
5. Facilities
6. Career options in the Philippines and abroad
7. Assurance of a stable job after graduation
8. Student life (community spirit and extracurriculars)

I’m interested in research and potentially pursuing grad school. I don't see myself pursuing medicine, but maybe a lot can change within 4 years of college—which university is more flexible in terms of grad school and med school for biochem?

I’m still exploring my options and want to understand the real differences between these programs beyond reputation. I’d really appreciate insights from current students or graduates regarding:

1. Research opportunities
2. Internship opportunities
3. Academics and workload
4. Professors and mentorship
5. Facilities
6. Career options in the Philippines and abroad
7. Assurance of a stable job after graduation
8. Student life (community spirit and extracurriculars)

Hello po! I’m currently deciding between the following programs:

• ADMU Chem
• DLSU Biochem
• UST Biochem

A little bit about me is that I’m interested in research and potentially pursuing a PhD (the specific path is not set in stone yet but maybe somewhere in biology and chemistry), but I’m still exploring my options and want to understand the real differences between these programs beyond reputation. I’d really appreciate insights from current students or graduates in UST and DLSU biochem or maybe ADMU chem regarding:

1. Research opportunities
2. Internship opportunities
3. Academics and workload
4. Professors and mentorship
5. Facilities
6. Career options in the Philippines and abroad
7. Student life (community and extracurriculars)

Specifically, I want to ask

• How early can students get involved in research, and how competitive is it?
• How well does each institution excel in terms of research in the sciences?
• How are the professors in terms of teaching and mentorship?
• How well does each institution prepare students for grad school?

DLSU is renowned for its active research and high-end facilities, but I'm not sure of its standing in science compared to UST. From what I’ve heard, mas lamang ang UST when it comes to science, as DLSU centers more on business, engineering, and tech. I haven’t seen much about DLSU’s standing in biochemistry, and the same goes for UST, since pharma yung mostly nakikita ko.

I don't see myself pursuing medicine; rather, I see myself pursuing research and going to grad school. As of the moment, I'm conflicted between DLSU and UST regarding the education, research, and internship opportunities for science, specifically biochem. However, I am also open to ADMU chemistry kaya I also want to hear insights from students/grads from ADMU

What can you say about this po? Thank you!

For context, I’m a senior high school graduate from a province, and I passed the following programs:

AdMU: BS Chemistry
DLSU: BS Biochemistry
UP Manila: BS Biochemistry
UST BS Biochemistry (planning to submit recon for BS Pharmacy)

I’m currently deciding between Biochemistry and Pharmacy. I’m interested in research and potentially pursuing a PhD, but I’m also considering a more structured healthcare path with clearer job opportunities in the Philippines.

At first, I was certain that I would pursue BS Biochem in college because I had done well in biology and chemistry in high school, and I’m interested in research. I have first-hand experience in life science research in JHS, including microbiology and computational biology, although I am not proficient in highly technical methodologies. I’m drawn to the idea of working in a lab, publishing research papers, presenting them at conferences, and contributing to research; hence, I want to pursue a PhD in bioinformatics to advance my research career. But I’m not yet sure what the day-to-day reality is like. I’ve also considered medicine for its demand and long-term stability. Along with that, I find fulfillment doing volunteer work through community service in our local organization. However, I’m still unsure whether I see myself in a patient-facing role.

I’m also considering Pharmacy as a practical option with a clear career path in the Philippines. While most pharmacists work in clinical or community settings, I'm also exploring research-related roles in the pharmaceutical or clinical field in the long term. However, I’m not sure how realistic it is to pursue research (e.g., pharmaceutical) from a Pharmacy background, so I’d appreciate insights on this.

To be fair, I think it’s too early to conclude that my vision is fixed on a research career, because a lot can change over four years in college. I’ve come across posts saying that research careers in the Philippines can be underfunded or limited, and I’m not sure how accurate or universal that is. Another thing is that I’m unsure about the available opportunities for bioinformaticians locally compared to abroad.

For students and graduates in biochemistry and pharmacy, I want to ask for your insights on my questions:

• What do most graduates from your program end up doing (with and without grad school), and do you feel the degree is practical in the PH job market?
• How well does your program prepare students for med or PhD, and how easy is it to pivot between paths?
• What GWA or achievements are usually needed to achieve a stable career in Med or PhD?
• What was the most difficult or lowest point in your program, and did it ever make you consider shifting?
• For Pharmacy graduates, how flexible is the degree if you later decide to pursue research or graduate studies?
• What are the less talked-about downsides of working as a pharmacist in the Philippines?
• How repetitive or varied is the day-to-day work in Pharmacy?

For the ones who are serious about their research career, I also have the following questions:

• How early do students get involved in actual research, and how do they usually get started?
• What does a typical day in research look like, and how does its stress compare to regular coursework?
• Do undergraduates get meaningful roles in research (e.g., publishing or assisting in studies), or mostly assist with routine work?
• What happens to students who realize they don’t want to do research anymore?
• If you don’t pursue a PhD or a med degree, what realistic jobs are available in the Philippines?
• What skills do you wish you had before starting research?

I know plans can change during college, so I really want to understand what each path looks like in reality, not just in theory.

TL;DR: I’m a SHS graduate choosing between Biochemistry (UP Manila / DLSU / UST) and possibly Pharmacy (UST recon). I’m interested in research and pursuing a PhD (bioinformatics), but I’m unsure about the practicality of a research career in the Philippines vs the stability of Pharmacy.

I’m looking for honest insights on:

• Career outcomes (local + abroad)
• Research opportunities and difficulty
• Flexibility if I change paths (med ↔ research ↔ industry)
• Whether Biochem is worth it without going abroad

For context, I’m a senior high school graduate from a province, and I passed the following programs:

AdMU: BS Chemistry
DLSU: BS Biochemistry
UP Manila: BS Biochemistry
UST BS Biochemistry (planning to submit recon for BS Pharmacy)

I’m currently deciding between Biochemistry and Pharmacy. I’m interested in research and potentially pursuing a PhD, but I’m also considering a more structured healthcare path with clearer job opportunities in the Philippines.

At first, I was certain that I would pursue BS Biochem in college because I had done well in biology and chemistry in high school, and I’m interested in research. I have first-hand experience in life science research in JHS, including microbiology and computational biology, although I am not proficient in highly technical methodologies. I’m drawn to the idea of working in a lab, publishing research papers, presenting them at conferences, and contributing to research; hence, I want to pursue a PhD in bioinformatics to advance my research career. But I’m not yet sure what the day-to-day reality is like. I’ve also considered medicine for its demand and long-term stability. Along with that, I find fulfillment doing volunteer work through community service in our local organization. However, I’m still unsure whether I see myself in a patient-facing role.

I’m also considering Pharmacy as a practical option with a clear career path in the Philippines. While most pharmacists work in clinical or community settings, I'm also exploring research-related roles in the pharmaceutical or clinical field in the long term. However, I’m not sure how realistic it is to pursue research (e.g., pharmaceutical) from a Pharmacy background, so I’d appreciate insights on this.

To be fair, I think it’s too early to conclude that my vision is fixed on a research career, because a lot can change over four years in college. I’ve come across posts saying that research careers in the Philippines can be underfunded or limited, and I’m not sure how accurate or universal that is. Another thing is that I’m unsure about the available opportunities for bioinformaticians locally compared to abroad.

For students and graduates in biochemistry and pharmacy, I want to ask for your insights on my questions:

• What do most graduates from your program end up doing (with and without grad school), and do you feel the degree is practical in the PH job market?
• How well does your program prepare students for med or PhD, and how easy is it to pivot between paths?
• What GWA or achievements are usually needed to achieve a stable career in Med or PhD?
• What was the most difficult or lowest point in your program, and did it ever make you consider shifting?
• For Pharmacy graduates, how flexible is the degree if you later decide to pursue research or graduate studies?
• What are the less talked-about downsides of working as a pharmacist in the Philippines?
• How repetitive or varied is the day-to-day work in Pharmacy?

For the ones who are serious about their research career, I also have the following questions:

• How early do students get involved in actual research, and how do they usually get started?
• What does a typical day in research look like, and how does its stress compare to regular coursework?
• Do undergraduates get meaningful roles in research (e.g., publishing or assisting in studies), or mostly assist with routine work?
• What happens to students who realize they don’t want to do research anymore?
• If you don’t pursue a PhD or a med degree, what realistic jobs are available in the Philippines?
• What skills do you wish you had before starting research?

I know plans can change during college, so I really want to understand what each path looks like in reality, not just in theory.

TL;DR: I’m a SHS graduate choosing between Biochemistry (UP Manila / DLSU / UST) and possibly Pharmacy (UST recon). I’m interested in research and pursuing a PhD (bioinformatics), but I’m unsure about the practicality of a research career in the Philippines vs the stability of Pharmacy.

I’m looking for honest insights on:

• Career outcomes (local + abroad)
• Research opportunities and difficulty
• Flexibility if I change paths (med ↔ research ↔ industry)
• Whether Biochem is worth it without going abroad