By Robert Salonga
Daily Bruin Staff Merrick Pascual, an economics student with a
minor in public policy, will graduate this week after spending five
years at UCLA as an undergraduate. Pascual also served as the
2000-2001 president of Samahang Pilipino.
Why are you graduating after five years? I
didn’t come in with any advanced placement units, and
financially I couldn’t afford to go to summer school. I also
had other time commitments: I couldn’t take 16 units a
quarter because of work and extracurricular activities like
Samahang.
What advantages do you have by spending an extra year at
UCLA?
I’ve had the chance to apply what I’ve learned not
only through academia but through the work I’ve done with
other organizations on campus. Throughout your four years, you work
on theoretical aspects of ideas, and during my fifth year I was
able to utilize what I’ve learned in school and get out into
the community. That completed the learning experience. Academia has
contributed little to me career-wise, but through the
organizations, I’ve been able to experience things
first-hand. If you’re here just to go to school, you’re
missing a big part of the college experience. Through a lot of
resources on campus you can enhance your education. Being here an
extra year has benefited myself as well as the campus community
through the work I’ve done.
What do you plan to do after college?
I’m going to be taking a year off and applying to graduate
school for policy studies. I’m also counseling for the Summer
Readmission Retention Program, which is peer counseling to get
students back into UCLA, all while studying for my Graduate Record
Examinations. I’ve completed my experience at UCLA. I’m
comfortable here and know a lot about L.A. but look forward to
going to the East Coast for graduate school to see new environments
and gain other experiences.
How would you rate your experience over five
years?
I think it’s been the biggest growing experience
I’ve had and it’s showed through my work with student
organizations and putting on student-initiated programs. Your level
of education is dependent on how well you’re able to teach
it, and by being involved I was able to do that. I feel that now
I’m able to see things from a bigger perspective.
What is your fondest memory of your stay at
UCLA?
Seeing the growth of Samahang and the growth of SPEAR ““
Samahang Pilipino Education and Retention ““ is the best
memory I have here. Being able to provide a safe space for my
community and others, and all the programs and community service we
did have been my best memories here.
Would you recommend staying another year to other
students?
It depends on your situation. If you want to live the college
experience, I recommend staying here. But it is dependent on what
you want to gain from UCLA. If it’s only academic, you
shouldn’t. If you’re utilizing more than academia,
staying an extra year is an advantage to your experience here.
Do you have any suggestions for others looking to
graduate in more than four years, when they encounter
difficulties?
Consider the financial situation, and what you want to do
outside of academics. There are a lot of external forces. I know
the university doesn’t want you to (stay five years) because
of the extra units they’re imposing and by making summer
school more financially accessible. School shouldn’t be
solely about what you do in the classroom.
Is there anything else you would like to add about your
experience?
I was grateful to be able to take advantage of a place like
L.A., one of the most diverse places in the world. Students should
consider not just campus life, but social issues in the community.
Take the time to reflect on the diversity of UCLA ““ even
though it’s not reflected on the university level ““ and
realize there are a lot of things outside of the university to
experience and consume.