University of Batangas Lipa City Senior High School Students and their Choice of Institution

Joe-Anne V. Buera
ORCID NO. 0000-0002-8811-6993
joeanne.buera@ub.edu.ph
University of Batangas, Lipa City
Gov. Feliciano Leviste Rd., Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines

Jobert M. Legaspi
ORCID NO. 0000-0002-2222-4254
jobert.legaspi@ub.edu.ph
University of Batangas, Lipa City
Gov. Feliciano Leviste Rd., Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines

Rose Ann D. Peradilla

ORCID NO. 0000-0003-1190-3961
roseann.deleon@ub.edu.ph
University of Batangas, Lipa City
Gov. Feliciano Leviste Rd., Marawoy, Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Choosing Higher Education Institution (HEI) is one of the most important decisions
students will make. The purpose of this qualitative research is to assess the factors affecting the
choice of institution for Senior High School students. The researchers chose University of
Batangas Lipa City Senior High School as their respondents since it is the oldest university in the
province of Batangas and one of the fastest growing universities in Region IV-A. The researchers
used the phenomenology design to gather information through a virtual focus group discussion
with the fifteen (15) volunteered Senior High School students. Structured and non-structured
questions based on the research questions were also used. Analyzed data revealed that
students' higher involvement in decision-making, pandemic-related considerations, program
offerings, and the school's reputation are the main factors influencing the choice of institution
of the senior high school students at the University of Batangas Lipa City. Based on the findings
showed in this study, it is recommended that the University’s marketing activities shall be
improved, ameliorate scholarship programs, and more program offerings to cater the needs of
the students. Thus, the proposed programs incorporated in this study shall be considered as a
basis for improvement of the University of Batangas in providing quality education and
exemplary service to its stakeholders.

Keywords — Education, decision-making, pandemic-related considerations, program

offerings, school’s reputation, Philippines