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Education Plus
Choosing your college
MEERA SRINIVASAN & PRISCILLA JEBARAJ
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The school exams are over, and here’s what to look for before you enter the portals of your dream college
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If you have just finished Class XII, you may feel you have earned yourself a holiday. But even as you enjoy the end of examinations, it’s time to start thinking about the next step in your academic and career path: college.
You can make things easier for yourself if you sit down for some self-analysis before rushing out for applications and entrance examinations. Of course, you may have already decided on your dream career when you chose your group in Class XI or even earlier. But if you haven’t, take time to map out your talents and skills, the capabilities and qualifications you already have, and your aspirations for the future.
B. Ravishankar, Global Head of the Talent Management Group at HCL Technologies, feels students should first decide what they want to do and then work backwards.
“If they think about what they see themselves doing after five years, it would be easier to choose the course that is most appropriate for them,” he says. He points out that it makes no sense to study mechanical or civil engineering and then apply for an IT job, especially when the realty sector is growing so fast.
Aptitude
P.V. Navaneethakrishnan, the former director of entrance exams and admissions at Anna University, agrees. “The most important thing [in choosing a course] is the aptitude and career inclination of the student. All other factors such as popularity of the course are secondary,” he says, warning that “parents should not thrust their views on their children to make up for what they did not achieve in their youth.”
Once you have decided on your course (along with back-up options in case you fail to get into your preferred course), it is time to decide on your college. Mitali Dave, who has just completed Class XII, hopes to pursue B.Com. in a reputed college.
“It is not just about being with our school friends in college. After all, it is our future and once we’re admitted to a college, there is no turning back,” she says. So resist the temptation to go with the flow, and do your homework on prospective colleges.
The first thing to do would be to collect prospectuses, check out college websites and actually visit campuses. There is nothing like getting a first-hand look at the grounds, classrooms and hostel facilities to get a sense of the place you will spend the next three to four years in. “Infrastructure is not just about the buildings. Look at the labs, the sanitary facilities — some colleges are very poor on this — and the libraries,” suggests Dr. Navaneethakrishnan.
Find out about the teachers
Teachers are all-important. Find out about their academic qualifications, their reputation in research and whether there is a sufficient student-teacher ratio.
However, with exams and holidays setting in at colleges as well, the campuses may be rather empty. Talk to senior students, alumni and faculty for the inside scoop. Mitali says she has been speaking to her seniors from school now attending different colleges. “I ask them how the college does academically, whether there are opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities, what the dress code is, how active the college is in the placement scene and whether students get good job opportunities,” she says.
Rankings help
For a more objective viewpoint, look at how colleges are accredited by government agencies such as the National Board of Accreditation for technical courses and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council for others. Rankings published in magazines may also be helpful. Scan prospectuses for descriptions of course content. Especially with autonomous institutions, the different papers you will study each semester may differ even for the same course. “The new choice-based credit system gives students a wide variety of options,” says Eugini Pinto, former principal of Queen Mary’s College.
Ask about the fees you will have to pay and check for any hidden costs in the fine print, ensuring that the total charges conform to government norms.
Find out about the scholarships you are eligible for and whether bank loans are available.
Are you keen on sports, music or dramatics? It will be an extra plus if your college encourages extra-curricular activities. “Recruiters are now looking for all-round achievers, not just at your marks,” says Mrs. Pinto. Active placement cells and collaboration with industries will also give colleges an edge.
Once you’ve settled on your dream college (and some alternative options), fill in those application forms and go shopping for your college wardrobe. After all, you can get rid of those uniforms now!
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