Long wait for Anna University counselling and seat uncertainity are worrying, say parents
CBSE students aspiring for an engineering seat are increasingly knocking at the doors of deemed universities, not wanting to lose time — and a chance for admission in a decent college — by waiting for Anna University to begin its counselling. The trend is on the rise because many of these universities boast of advanced infrastructure facilities and excellent placement records.
Two years ago, when D. Kumar's daughter, despite standing third in the State in class-XII CBSE examinations, did not get a seat in the most reputed colleges under Anna University, he learnt a lesson that he remembers even today.
“Deemed universities have caught up over the last few years. I am hoping my son gets into SRM or VIT merit list so that he doesn't have to wait for the single window counselling,” he says, waiting for this son to come out, after writing the SRM entrance on Sunday.
“There is little that CBSE students can choose from. Very few of them make it to the government engineering colleges through counselling. For those who cannot afford management seats, merit lists at deemed universities remain the best option,” says K.G. Pushkar, a parent. Deemed universities assert there is at least a 20 per cent increase in the number of applications received in 2012 when compared to last year.
Anna University's method of normalisation of scores of students from various boards is to blame for, say many parents. S. Vaidhyasubramaniam, dean (Planning and Development), Sastra University, feels the process of taking the maths-physics-chemistry score to normalise leads to faulty marking as there are many students with the maximum score.
Most deemed universities have scheduled their counselling sessions in May and June, much ahead of Anna University counselling or even NIT admissions through AIEEE. While these universities cite UGC norms as the reason for advancing their schedule, students say many of them give up on waiting for the AIEEE results that decide admissions to over 27 NITs.
“But what if you don't get through AIEEE? This thought worries us and therefore, we feel securing a seat in a deemed university is the safest bet, especially if you are a CBSE student,” says Karun Padmanabhan, a class XII student.
V. Rhymend Uthariaraj, secretary, Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions, has urged parents and students to be patient because there are nearly 1.6 Lakh B. Tech/ B.E. seats available under the single window system across the State. There are 525 engineering colleges under the Anna University in Tamil Nadu. “If a student applies for counselling in Anna University, he will definitely get a seat,” Mr. Uthariaraj says.
But parents are not satisfied with just any college seat. “It takes nearly five years for a college to have a good mechanical laboratory. The new colleges go for courses that do not need much investment. I want my son to get the best,” says R. Swaminathan, a parent.
The fact that most deemed universities begin their counselling procedures by mid-May and finish it off by June forces parents to book seats in these colleges. “I have already booked a seat in VIT by paying Rs. 30,000. I am willing to forego the money if my daughter gets admission in a good NIT. The fact that Anna University stretches admission till August is not good as there is no point getting a seat in some far-flung college. VIT or SRM is a much better choice,” says P. Balasubramaniam, another parent.
People are booking seats even in colleges that come under the Anna
University counselling system...the booking fee in these colleges runs
into lakhs depending on the course...
TamilNadu has always played step mother to CBSE students. I passed out of CBSE in the 90s and even after good scores, I could not get into a decent college. I am a professional in USA now but I will never forget how poor Indian system is and how it never lets good students come up this is the main cause of never becoming a competitive nation at any level.
Just because a student has chosen to study in CBSE board, he/she should not get a government seat is simply ridiculous. The deemed universities take advantage of these hopeless government policies and exploit the middle class students. We all know how substandard most deemed universities are in India. Students should not be discriminated on the basis of boards which they chose to pass HSC examinations.
Moreover, is it guaranteed that a student from TN board will serve his/her society better ??
Yes, CBSE students find difficulty in getting into anna University
colleges. The normalising factors GOD knows how they calculate. BITS
Pilani gives a factor of 1 to all the board toppers & then normalises
the other students ,marks from different boards. There is nothing
special in getting admission to Anna University. There are other
universities which bring out the personality of students. it is a
blessing in disguise for CBSE students who go to other universities.
It is unfortunate that CBSE Hr Sec curriculum neither helps in scoring high marks nor promotes problem-solving skills of students, with the result that students can't secure a seat in a decent engg college under AU counselling or a seat in a reputed deemed university. It becomes mandatory that CBSE students attend some coaching centre to develop their problem-solving skills so as to secure a good rank in entrance exams like VITEEE.
Anna University has become notorious for delaying without any valid reason. Even the examinations of B.E. final year has been postponed from April to May and now to June causing great harm and burden to the students. Students are getting dejected and disheartened because of this long wait and uncertainty. Plans of 8th Semester students are disturbed and it is so hard for them to seek admissions in M.E./M.Tech and to look for placements. Examinations to be conducted in April to give enough room to prepare for various PG courses. Delay Thy Name is Anna University.
I wonder what was wrong with my comment on Anna University messing up the exam schedule which is one more reason for deemed universities to be better option.
Not only in admissions. Anna university is turning notorious in not conducting the exams in time. Last year the exams for the final year students were over by April and the results declared in June. This year the exam stretches into mid June. What are the implications for the students. Imagine the plight of the students who might have cleared CAT or XAT and got selected to pursue MBA. IIMS and other prestigious institutes begin their academic year in June. Anna university students stand to lose a year because of the ineptitude of the university authorities. Further, many students got placement through campus interview. Now there is going to be delay in declaring results. Why should the recruiters wait for the anna university students to complete their exams whereas the students from deemed universities have completed their programme. Either the training of Anna university students may be delayed or the recruiters simply would go ahead without them. Deemed universities are better option.
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