Rising percentage leaves few options

DELHI UNIVERSITY: Although first cut off lists are touted as the be-all and end-all of the admission procedure, the real yardstick to gauge a student''s entry into a college however, is the percentage at which colleges close their admission. Predictably, the cut-off rises every year and candidates have learnt to take it with a pinch of salt.
This year however, colleges closed their admissions at higher percentages.Across DU, the closing percentage rose by at least one per cent going upto to two per cent or more.
In 2003 for instance, admissions to the B Com (H) course at Hindu college closed at 88.75 per cent. This year, however, admission was declared closed at 91 per cent. Similarly, Economic (H) in Hansraj closed admissions at 88 per cent last year, while all seats were taken at 90 per cent this year. Most college and school principals, when questioned on the subject attribute this particular trend to the soaring board examination scores. Another reason is that students with good scores from across the country flock to DU for admissions.
"Good results in Class 12 is the most apparent reason. But, this isn''t the only factor. It needs to be thought about," said Ramjas College principal, Rajender Prasad. Sri Venkates-wara College principal, A S Reddy, too has similar views. "Compared to last year, the number of high scorers in CBSE boards have been higher this year," he said. He too, agreed that this isn''t the only cause.
CBSE chairman, Ashok Ganguly accepted that over the last three years, the tendency to score in the 90 per cent plus bracket has been spiralling. "Each year we see more students in the 90 per cent and above category," he said.
Ganguly further added that the scores have seen a remarkable improvement since the evaluation reforms have been implemented. "Such question papaers give everyone a fair chance to perform. The good students do well in all four kinds of questions and score high marks," he explained.
While there are no negative reports for the CBSE, school principals unanimously acknowledge the growing level of despondency amongst students since despite high scores they fail to make it to a college of their choice.
"Over the years board percentages have been rising. Today even an 88 per cent isn''t good enough. But, the fact that colleges are closing their admissions at higher percentage levels cannot be simply pegged on good board scores," said principal of Springdales School, Pusa Road, Ameeta Mulla Wattal.