ADMISSION NEWS

At a time when reforms are being introduced to de-stress the education system, high cutoffs at Delhi University are being seen as a setback to modernizing higher education in India.

A preview of undergraduate admissions in other countries shows that marks of 'one single examination' cannot be the sole criterion to admit students in colleges. The focus of western countries is on a 'full and rounded view of all applicants'.

Peter J Quagliaroli of Groton School, Massachusetts, said, "Admission to selective colleges and universities in the United States is based on the confluence of a host of critical factors." Students are evaluated on their numerical profile - a holistic review of their cumulative grade point average (GPA), their SAT or ACT score, their scores on various Subject Tests (SAT II) and Advanced Placement exams. Also, the student's application itself, which sometimes includes an interview, holds weightage in nearly all admissions decisions in the US.

"Students who put together an authentic application that includes thoughtful and revealing essays are certainly at an advantage," added Quagliaroli. Besides, counsellor and teacher recommendations from high school carry weight in the decision-making process. So do athletics and extra-curricular activities.

However, in the UK, there is no standard or average entry requirement that covers all universities. It varies from one university to another and depends on the type of course. Often there is a link between high demand for a course and higher entry requirements. Students apply via UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) which is a centralized application system, which allows them to apply to five institutions. The application form includes predicted grades, relevant subjects, statement of purpose and a reference letter from a professor/teacher in school/college.

"On the basis of these an offer is made to a student. The offers are conditional on meeting adequate grades in examinations. Most students in the UK follow the A level and IB pattern of education," said Kaushik Mitra, education adviser in India, University of Sussex.

While Gareth Morgan from Universities UK (the representative organisation for UK's universities), added that the UCAS Tariff is a system which allows students to use a range of different qualifications to help secure a place in an undergraduate course.