The Hindu : New Delhi News : First `Open Day' at Delhi University draws huge crowds

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 26, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

First `Open Day' at Delhi University draws huge crowds

Staff Reporter

Percentage, high cut-offs worry most students, parents

ADMISSION BLUES: Students attending counselling session at the Faculty of Arts in New Delhi on Thursday. — Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI: Anxious to get an early start on the admission process, the first "Open Day" at Delhi University saw a fair turnout of students and their parents flocking to the corridors of the Arts Faculty building on Thursday. While some came to find out where they really stood with their marks, for others it was their first trip to the campus and a step towards making adult choices.

"Over 200 students attended the Open Day today. We are expecting many more over the next few days. We are covering colleges in all parts of the city," said Amrita Singh, a student volunteer.

Apart from general queries about the courses that Delhi University offers and especially the future after taking many of the new integrated science courses, students also wanted to know how to go about the whole admissions process. However, percentage and high cut-offs was a worry that loomed large for most students as well as their parents.

"I want to be able to take micro biology, but with 82 per cent I really don't know what my chances are. Judging by the cut-offs last year, I am not sure I will make it," said Shruti Khanna.

With Delhi having the highest number of students who have got 90 per cent marks, the apprehension that the cut-offs might be slightly higher than last year is very real for students, but as one College Principal put it, at the moment no one can say anything for sure. There is no reason to lose hope for those who have not got in the high 90s, as they would find place, said volunteers.

"There have been many queries about filling up forms. Since the forms are new, students want to know whether they can download the forms and then fill them. We have repeatedly told them that they can practice on the forms that they download, but can't submit them," said Deputy Dean for Students' Welfare Culture and Youth Affairs Suchitra Gupta.

With the new form allowing multiple possibilities of courses and colleges, students now need to only fill out one form. "The other anxiety that students seem to have is that the admissions are on first-come-first-serve basis. They think that their forms might be placed last in the stack and they might miss their chance, but we continue to reassure them that if they meet a cut-off, they will get in," said Prof. Gupta.

The DUSU has organised special sessions on career counselling. These sessions will carry on for the next two days at Hindu College.

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