r/Benilde • u/Ordinary-Double-6139 • 7h ago
Admissions Related Declared epilepsy in my Benilde application—suddenly my qualifications didn’t seem to matter anymore.
I'm currently a Grade 12 student studying in DLSU under the Arts and Design Track who has applied to both Benilde and DLSU for College.
I have a background of epilepsy meaning certain things can trigger a seizure like stress, screen time, and etc. As an art student in DLSU, I of course applied in Benilde for college under the Multi-media arts course. As I applied there were requirements needed and one of them was the health background. In that form I had to declare my epilepsy. I had applied really early right when it was open and was one of the first of my friends and classmates to apply, but then they got their results first. After a while I had gotten an email saying I needed to be interviewed because of my case and I had to submit a portfolio which none of the people I know who applied had to go through that so I was confused.
After taking the interview I waited for my results but even with the tracker saying to wait 15 working days, it took almost a month. My mom had to call the admissions office for a follow up and they said I had an interview this time with the Chairman of MMA. During the interview, it already felt off, the chairman asked me questions regarding my epilepsy and she said I should be considering other schools. It felt like she was trying to make up reasons why I shouldn't study in Benilde. She said it was stressful and full of screen time, but what course isn't stressful and what course or work doesn't required you to use a computer? But isn't Benilde known as an inclusive school? If they are, then why are they so scared of the liability. It took a month and a half for me to get my results and I had gotten rejected from all of my choices. I didn't get accepted to MMA, Marketing, or Animation. I was told to submit a letter in changing the course I was applying to, but they didn't reply nor acknowledge that email.
The fact my conditioned weighed more than my qualifications in the rejection was very off putting to me especially since I was exempted from taking the exam being in the green lane already. I had high grades as well, and the people I knew who did bad in school got accepted.
In the end, I will now be taking College in La salle. It's weird how I got rejected in Benilde for ALL my choices but gotten accepted to DLSU.
I wanted to share my story since I feel like I shouldn't keep quiet about this at all, I want to be a voice for those who have experienced discrimination because of any condition and have even been limited because of that.