Electronics or Computer Science - which will emerge as the numero uno choice among engineering aspirants this year ? With engineering seat selection process all set to commence at the Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell from June 13, all eyes are now on selection pattern.
After lying low for more than three years, Information Technology (IT) related courses have made a gritty come back in 2005 and retained their lead even last year. 
A cursory glance at the course-wise break-up of last year’s pattern shows that students have crowned computer science as the king among engineering courses.
“Last year, majority of the students who attended the counselling process came looking for computer science seats. They did not mind getting admitted to new colleges as long as they secured a computer science seat” the CET Cell officials said.
Ever since the dotcom bubble burst in 2000, electronics has been favourite among students. In fact three years back, computer science was fourth on the preference list of students and had gained the dubious distinction of having the maximum number of unfilled seats.
 If only the concessional fee category seats are taken into consideration, only 23 of the total 3,985 computer science seats available remained unfilled last year.
The  “evergreen” electronics branch did have its fans, but ended with 985 seats remaining unfilled this year.
Telecommunication proved to be a favourite among students with as many as 986 of the 1,061 seats finding takers. The branches which took the beating last year were the traditional courses like mechanical, civil and electrical which did substantially well during previous years. Last year, as many as 1,498 mechanical engineering seat remained vacant, compared to 973 seats in 2005. Similarly, civil engineering courses and electrical engineering courses witnessed a decline in preference.
What will be the trend this year.. watch this space.
Tips
* Before coming for seat selection process, all eligible rank holders should make sure that they have kept the prescribed original documents with one set of attested photocopies of all documents and a photograph along with the Demand Draft for the fee prescribed by the government for various courses.
* Even if one had registered himself before another candidate with better merit, he/she will have to wait for his turn at the admission terminal.
* Seat selection by a candidate and admission thereafter at the CET Cell will comprise of the following stages wherein all the candidates will be allowed to select a seat of their choice strictly in the order of merit:
a) registration of candidate (b) verification of the original documents (c) selection of seats in accordance with merit order (d) remittance of fees in the form of Demand Draft (e) issue of admission order
*At the seat selection hall all candidates who have registered and verified their original documents will be called for seat selection as per the merit queue. At this point the candidate should produce the verification slip issued at the verification counter and the demand draft for the prescribed fee amount, failing which he/she will not be allowed to select a seat.
*The admission order for the seat selected by candidates will be issued  to the candidates only after obtaining the candidates signature in the register and after ascertaining he/she has submitted all the required documents and has paid the prescribed fees.
*The candidates who have obtained a seat in the previous years in any discipline through CET Cell, will not be eligible for selection of a seat in the same discipline during this year. Such candidates who select seats in other discipline during this year will forfeit the seat already selected during the previous years.
SEAT SELECTION PROCESS FROM TOMORROW
The candidates, when they come for seat selection process, should arrange all their original documents and one set of attested photocopies in the sequential order given below and produce the same in the verification counter.
* CET 2007 Admission Ticket
* SSLC /10th Standard Marks Card
* II PUC/ 12th Standard Marks Card
* Study Certificate, counter signed by the concerned BEO/DDPI
* Two recent passport size photographs
The following documents should be produced only if applicable
* Kannada medium study certificate counter signed by the concerned BEO/DDPI for the candidates claiming Kannada medium reservation benefits.
* Rural study certificate counter signed by the concerned BEO/DDPI and a verification certificate obtained from the concerned tahsildar, for the candidates claiming rural reservation benefits
* Caste certificate/Caste income certificate/Income certificate obtained from the tahsildar concerned for the candidates claiming reservation benefits
* Parent’s study certificate/Parent’s Hometown certificate/ Parent’s Residential certificate/Parent’s Employment certificate/ Parent’s Cumulative Record /Parent’s Marks Card etc for the candidates claiming eligibility for government seats based on domicile/study/employment of the parent
* Duly sworn in affidavit from the parent of the candidates who claim eligibility under Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga clauses
* Identity card issued by Jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate, for candidates claiming eligibility for govt seats under Jammu and Kashmiri Migrants quota