The selection lists are out and the admission process has been declared over, but many top-scoring students of class XII have found their names missing from the admissions list of prominent arts and science colleges in the city.
Acrimonious scenes were witnessed at Loyola College on Monday afternoon when angry parents and students waited outside till late afternoon, insisting on meeting the principal. “We met the vice-principal. He said all admissions for morning courses are over,” said a student — who belongs to the SC category and has a score of 920 — later in the evening. The selection lists brought out by the college, complained students, had neither names of top-scoring ones nor many meritorious students from the Roman Catholic category.
“They offered me only B.A. (Tamil),” said Henry, a B.Com aspirant, (name changed), who has a score of 1012 and belongs to the SC category. This was after Henry submitted a third copy of his application; first, he was asked to take B.A. Economics and Corporate, both in the second shift. He was ready to take them. “Then, the lists that came out, however, they did not have my name anywhere.” Some students have been asked to opt for the evening courses. “The fee is high there. For courses such as visual communication, it is up to Rs.40,000 per semester,” said a student.
“They have said that if there are vacancies, they will call us. A few of my friends who could pay have got in. You have to be rich to get admission here,” fumed a CBSE student with 85 per cent in class XII.
The Madras High Court had on Thursday said that the recent selection lists for various courses released by Loyola College would be subject to its orders on a petition challenging the selection procedure. There is widespread discontent among students aspiring to get a seat in other top colleges too. While ‘no capitation’ boards are prominently displayed in many colleges, parents allege that irregularities dot every step of the process.
In Loyola College, for instance, most of the lists show only the registration numbers of the selected students without their names, category and marks, as mandated by the G.O. In some colleges, lists have names of the students but marks are mentioned only for some courses.
“The distinction between the categories is often not there, so you don’t get to know if the college has actually permitted reservation in its aided courses. And if the admission process is over, why are application forms still being made available in certain colleges?” asked a student at Loyola college. Admissions to aided and unaided courses in colleges are also being conducted simultaneously, contrary to instructions in the order. “I did not get any course in Stella Maris but they offered BCA. I can’t pay Rs. 30, 000 every semester,” said an SC student.
Parents say they have been spending entire days at colleges. “My daughter was very keen on getting into WCC. But even with a score of 1056, she has not got a seat,” said a parent. Officials from these colleges, however, were unavailable for comment.
