Top colleges get top preference

PUNE, July 20: The Shri Sant Tukaram Vidyalaya and Junior College, Lohegaon should count its blessings that at least one student listed i...

PUNE, July 20: The Shri Sant Tukaram Vidyalaya and Junior College, Lohegaon should count its blessings that at least one student listed it as his/her first preference for admission to the science stream for standard XI.The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College at Nana Peth should pat its back as three students have opted for it as their first preference for admission to the commerce stream.

As for Abhiman High School at Pradhikaran, Nigdi, two students indeed made it proud by listing it as their first option for the arts stream under the centralised admission process to standard XI which is being coordinated for the fourth successive year by the deputy director of education (Pune division) office.

Now compare these statistics: Sir Parshurambhau College had a whopping 2,208 students listing it as their first preference for the science stream, followed by 1,868 for Fergusson College and 1,168 for Nowrosjee Wadia College.

Again B.M. College of Commerce topped among the commerce colleges (English) and had 1,821 students exercising their first option from over 35 colleges. Closely following with 1,704 preferences is S.P. College and Ness Wadia with 1,340.

The rush for the colleges is evident in the statistical analysis by the deputy director of education office. For arts (English) too, the Fergusson College had 290 first preferences, S P College 253 students Nowrosjee Wadia College 173.

As a fallout of 35,580 students vying for 32,200 seats in 101 colleges, the deputy director of education’s office had to allot 19 addditional divisions for science and six top colleges get top preference for commerce streams. Ironically enough, there are colleges which cry for students.

Several colleges have had a reasonable share of students opting for them as first, second and third choices. If the Marathwada Mitra Mandal College of Commerce had 90 students opting for it as first choice, as many as 235 sought it as their second choice.

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Fergusson College principal V.K. Wagh has urged that there be some rethinking on the issue as colleges are also opened to accommodate students from residential areas. V.G. Joshi, deputy director of education, pointed out that while colleges in periphery areas do have a limited number of students exercising their first option, several do apply for them as their second and third choice.

For instance, the Moledina High School and Junior College had only four first option students. However, 25 students opted for it as second preference.

The classes commenced on Monday but students can directly contact the principals if they have not got admission to the college of their choice.