“Now they have exceeded our expectations!”

Academic Supervisor, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of San Agustin (USA) AR. Antoine Geoffrey Coo evaluated the 88 percent passing rate of USA’s new Architects as higher than the 72 percent national average as 15 out of 17 first time takers passed the August 2021 Architect Licensure Examination (ALE).

“Most of the time, we are around 68-75% passing rate for new takers. This is the first time that we had this high percentage which is 88%,” said Coo.

In a remote interview, he also highlighted that USA board takers constantly met the passing rate for the past years with the help of having quality training in their two-year apprenticeship before taking up the board exam.

“So, the training of the student, the training of the person is really important, because it goes hand in hand with the learnings they get and it really reflects which students had good training in their apprenticeship from those students who did not get proper training in their apprenticeship,” added Coo.

On the other hand, two of the newly ALE-passed Augustinians talked about the struggles they encountered on their way to realizing their dreams.

“It was crazy, but more than being happy, I just feel relieved that not only me but also all of my classmates were able to overcome it and passed the exam. Considering all of the challenges in our journey, from Taal Ashfall last January 2020, Coronavirus, Delta variant, 3 canceled flights, 4 exam postponements later, finally, finally, architects na kami,” said AR. Pleiades Marie C. Arada.

Meanwhile, AR. Geufre L. Emmanuel advices aspiring architects to focus on the goal ahead, emphasizing that “What you choose to focus on becomes your reality.”

“Anyone is capable of doing all of these and be their better selves, all it takes is the right focus, taking that first step, and pouring your heart to make your dream a reality. The process will get tough along the way but as long as you have set your sights on the end goal, nothing and no one can stop you from attaining it,” stated Emmanuel.

The high passing rate of the BS Architecture graduates of the University serves as a huge accomplishment for the few architect aspirants to continue the rate they are aiming to increase in the consecutive years.