West Bengal: Colleges seek ‘expression of interest’

KOLKATA: The glut of applications from candidates seeking UG admissions has apparently forced several colleges to ask the youngsters to submit “expression of interest” in preferred subjects and institutes so that the authorities will know their choices and can accordingly, prepare more accurate lists, sieving through the thousands of requests.
After the government waived application fees, students have been going in for as many subjects as they want in multiple colleges. The college administrations are reportedly at a loss on how to include all the names as that would require the publication of several merit lists, which in turn, will push back the admission process. The new session classes, to be held online, are likely to begin in October. “We put up the names of all candidates on the respective subject merit lists and offer admissions till all the seats are taken. From the list, the applicants get an idea about their chance of securing a seat,” said an admission official at North City College (day). “This year, with such huge rise in the number of applicants, we expect the merit lists to expand. By the time we finish with the lists, we will be well past the date set for starting classes.”
Many top-pick colleges want to “weed out” candidates who may not be interested to study in a particular subject in their institute. “As there is no cost involved, students are applying to as many colleges as possible. We are asking them to mention their preferred subjects. Accordingly, if the student finds a higher rank in a subject of his/her choice, we will know he/she will not be interested in a seat in the other subjects applied for,” said Kishor Mukherjee, associate professor of physics at Prabhu Jagatbandhu College in Andul, affiliated to Calcutta University.
Another teacher at North City College pointed out that “showing expression of interest” might not eliminate the possibility of a student quitting the course even after admission, but it would at least remove some applicants. “Otherwise, we will have to keep admitting students from the lengthy merit list even after the semester begins. How will the students joining later cope with the studies?” he said.
“The government has taken a positive initiative by allowing candidates to apply in multiple courses with no cost. Students, who earlier restricted themselves to three colleges are now filling forms for more institutions. They will be considered by all these colleges but the students will have to settle for only one institute. So, we are requesting the candidates to specify whether they genuinely want to study in a particular subject in our college or not,” said a college principal.
Even Shri Shikshayatan College, a private college, which does not have to follow the government’s diktat to waive the application charges, has also issued notification for express of interest, stating the candidates have to confirm their preference between August 20 and August 21, latest by 11.30pm.