Lack of common counselling for NEET worries students

The absence of common counselling for seats under the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test or NEET in the state will cost students, vying for undergraduate medical and dental seats, dear.

Students have raised concerns about the time and money that will be spent in applying to numerous institutions.

Avlon Maria D'Souza, a student of Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar, Udupi has already got a medical seat through CET.

She however wants a better college through NEET. “The government has really made it difficult for students. Was it not bad enough that NEET has already caused so much confusion?” she asked. Avlon further highlighted the costs that will be incurred. “The cost of applying for ComedK counseling is Rs 600. I have also applied for Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal (deemed) paying Rs 2,000. If I decide to apply to more institutions, I will incur quite an expense,” she said. 

Another medical aspirant, Deeksha Chakravarty, has applied for counseling under the ComedK, KMC, Manipal, St John's Medical College, Bengaluru (deemed) and is thinking of applying to JSS Medical College (deemed). “Presently I am looking at an expense of at least Rs 10,000 just for applying,” she said. Another concern raised by Deeksha is the running around that she will have to do. “Counseling for many of the institutions will be held around the same time, and I will have to shuttle from one place to another in a short time,” she said.

NEET results were announced on Wednesday. Although there has been a directive from the Centre to states to conduct common counselling, the state government seems helpless.

An official from the Medical Education department said that in a state like Tamil Nadu, common counselling is being held although this was not possible in the state.

Colleges under the Karnataka Professional Colleges Foundation, religious and linguistic minority colleges under the Karnataka Religious and Linguistic Minority Professional Colleges Association (KRLMPCA) and the Association of Minority Professional Colleges, Karnataka respectively and deemed institutions are holding their own counselling.

KRLMPCA counselling

Applications will be available from Monday. Online applications will have to be submitted by August 25.

Medical counselling will be till September 9 and dental seats till September 10. ComedK counselling schedule is hosted on its website.