With DU beyond reach, other options beckon

It’s that time of the year when students patiently wait for the Delhi University colleges to release their cut-off lists hoping against all hopes to get admitted in their dream course and college.

With St. Stephen’s College cut-off hitting a high of 99 per cent, and other prestigious colleges expected to follow suit, students by and large are keeping their fingers crossed about getting into the top North Campus colleges.

Delhi University is one of the premier institutions of the country, known for its high academic standard and quality of teaching by eminent professors, which attracts the largest student population. However, the aggressive level of competition has killed the chances of many students to make it anywhere near their favoured North Campus college.

In a system where admission in a college is decided solely on the basis of marks, the students have suddenly stopped focusing on anything except getting a 95+ percentage. The centralised admission system only considers the cut-off criteria to enter into a DU college, often compelling students to sacrifice their course option to get into a DU college while it should actually be vice-versa.

Over the years an impression has been created that only getting into a Delhi University college will lead to success in life. Needless to say, this popular notion comes with its own set of expectations and disappointments. Often, students despite good results, fail to secure admission as they are unable to meet the cut-off requirements of their chosen college. They end up becoming victims of depression and anxiety thereby losing hope for their
academic future.

“I have always been told by my tutors and teachers to aim for a North Campus college to get better placements in the future,” says Gaurav Goel, a Class 11 student. “I don’t get the point
of studying so hard all year around and then even after securing 94 per cent I still can’t be admitted in the course and college I want,” rues Vidushi Narang, a student who appeared for the Boards this year.

While some continue following the herd by trashing their course just to be a part of the DU culture, others choose various other universities and colleges that can offer them varied courses with a better syllabus structure.

“I was never interested to pursue a course from DU. Also, I had a fair idea that I won’t be able to meet the soaring cut-offs, so I explored various others universities and colleges,” Sankalp Anand, a student pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication from IP University,
tells Metrolife.

As varied interests and career options for students increase, other recognised universities and colleges too have started offering different programs and degrees to cater to the rising student expectations and interests. Students too are giving more importance to the course than a college and are exploring different options.

Universities like Indraprastha University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Amity University and Ambedkar University are some of the universities being considered by students for a variety of courses. These universities enrol students not just on the basis of their mark sheet but also conduct an entrance examination followed by an interview.

If you cannot make it to a DU college due to any reason, don’t be disheartened. The trick is to choose the right course and diligently work towards accomplishing your dream. Companies look for competent personalities and just the name of your college on your curriculum vitae won’t do you any good. Opt for a course which you want to pursue first rather than the college which is offering it. There are any number of people who have built a better future for themselves without the DU tag and you can be one of them too.