Greater Edge: The School or The Student?

by Elpidio Estioko

Here in the US, if you are an Ivy League student/graduate, most likely you have a bigger advantage in getting a job. In the Philippines, if you are a University of the Philippines (UP Diliman) student/graduate, you likewise have a greater edge over the others.

But what really matters in the real world: Is it the school or the student?

A list of top Philippine Universities in 2025 became viral on Facebook lately, with UP Diliman at the top of the list.

Many graduates kept on bragging that they are graduates of such select universities, generating debates on the issue: Is it the school or the student that matters?

A copy of the research also came out, trying to stir this argument, which was included in an MIT News article.

In the study, Dizikes mentioned perceptions of “good” schools are heavily dependent on the preparation of the students entering them.

In said research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology economists show school quality ratings significantly reflect the preparation of a school’s students, not just the school’s contribution to learning gains.

The study finds that many schools that receive relatively low ratings perform better than these ratings would imply. Conventional ratings, the research makes clear, are highly correlated with race.

MIT economist Josh Angrist, a Nobel Prize winner who has long analyzed education outcomes, said:

“A school’s average outcomes reflect, to some extent, the demographic mix of the population it serves. Simple measures of school quality, which are based on the average statistics for the school, are invariably highly correlated with race, and those measures tend to be a misleading guide of what you can expect by sending your child to that school.”

It’s also a question of “is it a public/state university or a private one?”

In the list of the 10 top universities, two are state universities and the rest are private ones. Does that mean students in private schools excel more than those in public or state universities?

The outcome of the students’ worth after graduation is very much dependent on a lot of factors, whether in private or public schools.

For example: school sizes, teachers’ experience, salary, training, race, culture, school environment, school curriculum, student attitudes, and even the type of students enrolled in such schools.

These factors shape the outcome of students’ future after they leave their school.

If we have to analyze these factors, we can come up with a conclusion that success in education goes beyond grades, the school, and diplomas; it encompasses personal growth, resilience, and the ability to adapt to an increasingly complex world.

So, achieving student success can take a village, and what are the key factors that contribute to it? Understanding these factors can empower us to make informed decisions and provide the necessary support to foster student success.

For example, motivation serves as the fuel that propels students toward their academic goals. It’s the inner spark that ignites the desire to learn, excel, and persevere through challenges. Motivation plays a pivotal role in the quest for student success, and understanding its nuances is essential.

Another thing is the alignment of the personal interests of the individual. One of the often-underestimated factors in student success is the alignment of personal interests with academic pursuits. When students find themselves genuinely passionate about what they are studying, the journey becomes not just more manageable but also immensely fulfilling.

And… behind every successful student stands a robust support system that acts as a pillar of strength. While individual motivation and effort are vital, having a solid support network can make a world of difference in a student’s academic journey.

Finally, access to resources is a game-changing factor in a student’s journey toward success.

In today’s digital age, the availability and utilization of educational resources can significantly impact a student’s academic performance and overall learning experience.

So, is it the school or the student?

My friend and high school classmate, Atty. Mar Bravo, who retired from the Department of Budget as a high-ranking official (regional director/undersecretary), believes it’s the student, not the school.

“Ako graduate sa University of the East at sa University of Pangasinan, wala sa top 15 university pero ang sabi it’s not the song, but it’s the singer that counts. Sabi ni Gus Castillo and Danny Calacsan graduate din sila sa UE, it’s the student, not the school,” he said.

I agree with them. It’s the student, not the school.

In fact, I agree 101%. Let’s forget the ranking, just function accordingly, doing the right thing.

Question now is: Can we do that? Yes, we can!

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the Chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream, which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xlibris Publishing. For feedback, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.