BCom cut-off at 100% in top Chennai colleges

CHENNAI: The number of students scoring centum in commerce and economics in TN Class XII board exams has increased, pushing the open category cut-off for BCom to 100% in prominent city colleges in the first merit list released on Friday. This means that even those with considerably high marks may not be able to join a top college.
The cut-off is 100% in Ethiraj College for Women and Madras Christian College, the last student in the open category having scored 400 of 400 in these two colleges. Loyola College, DG Vaishnav College and a few others have 99% cut-off.
Admission for BCom is based on the scores in four core subjects including commerce and economics, with students ranked on their score for 400 marks in four subjects.
Ethiraj College for Women has a high cut-off for other categories too - 99.75% for BC students and 99% for SC and ST students. "BCom honours is one of the most popular courses this year. So far, we had been insisting on business maths being compulsory to pursue BCom. Following the direction from the government, we have removed that condition. It is also one of the reasons for higher cut-off for BCom," said principal S Uma Gowrie.
At Madras Christian College, the cut-off for BCom accounting and finance in the self-financed stream also touched 100%.
"BCom is one of the most popular programmes. We expect the cut-off to come down in the second and third list," said Paul Wilson, principal.
BCA, BSc computer also in demand
BCA and BSc computer science are the next most sought-after, while in arts, BA (economics) attracted the most number of applications. In all, the college received more than 31,000 applications.
At DG Vaishnav College, the cut-off for BCom increased from 98% last year to 99.5%. "The main reason is good scores in Class XII. Other than commerce, computer related courses are in demand," said principal Santhosh Baboo, whose institution has got 30,000 applications for 3,000 seats. The cut-off at Loyola College is 99% with students being taken in for seven sections in commerce stream.