Mumbai: Degree colleges are set to begin this academic year as all three merit rounds are completed and admissions are over. But few students have still not secured a seat for their desired course in the college of their choice.
Some students are on the waitlist in well-known colleges while some are changing their preference of courses. Students claim the cut-offs have been very high for self-financed courses this year.
This has made it difficult to secure seats in reputed colleges. Also, it has increased the competition and compelled students to either change courses or opt for a small time college where the cut-off is lower.
High cut-offs make it difficult to secure seats
How are we supposed to secure seats when cut-offs are above 85 or 90 per cent?, claim students. Kshitija Pandit, a student, said, “The cut-off for Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) is above 85 per cent.
The course is supposed to be a creative field then why are we being judged on the basis of such higher marks? Why is there no scope to test out creativity or skills or interest level while securing admissions?”
Waitlist is Risky
We do not know if we will get a seat till the last minute, reveal students. Karim Lala, a student, said, “There are only 120 seats for Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) course while there are over 300 applications.
We have been kept on the waitlist. But, how is the college going to accommodate such a large number of students? Are we even going to get a seat or will the college tell us at the last minute that there are no seats?”
Overcrowding, high scores and limited number of seats
Increasing number of students, higher marks secured by students and limited number of seats for certain courses are the root cause of the current trend, claim college authorities.
A principal of a Dadar college, said, “Large number of students leads to overcrowding and we cannot accommodate everyone. Also, there are limited seats and the percentage scored by students is going higher every year. This leads to admissions being more competitive and students face a tough time every year.”
