At a time when reforms are being introduced to de-stress the , high cutoffs at are being seen as a setback to modernizing 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, , said, "Admission to selective colleges and universities in the 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 (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 , University of Sussex.
While Gareth 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.
In , students are considered for admission based on their academic score at the high school level. A minimum average of 67% or higher for many programmes is required. For engineering programmes, a score of 85% or higher is required. "It may differ depending on the province or institution. McGill in follows the American system of scores, extra-curricular activities, community service, sports, and so on," says Ritika Nandkeolyar, second secretary advocacy programme, High Commission of Canada.
In Australian universities as well, high-school grades are required though each state has certain requirements and so do universities.
To sum up in the words of Mrinalini Sinha, who is about to leave for , "One of the reasons I decided to study abroad was that admissions are not based on one parameter, it is more holistic. Besides scores, the essays are very important, based on which admission officers assess your interests. I also did volunteering that helped my application. It is not easy to get admission in US universities but at least the admission process is more transparent and fair."
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, , said, "Admission to selective colleges and universities in the 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 (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 , University of Sussex.
While Gareth 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.
In , students are considered for admission based on their academic score at the high school level. A minimum average of 67% or higher for many programmes is required. For engineering programmes, a score of 85% or higher is required. "It may differ depending on the province or institution. McGill in follows the American system of scores, extra-curricular activities, community service, sports, and so on," says Ritika Nandkeolyar, second secretary advocacy programme, High Commission of Canada.
In Australian universities as well, high-school grades are required though each state has certain requirements and so do universities.
To sum up in the words of Mrinalini Sinha, who is about to leave for , "One of the reasons I decided to study abroad was that admissions are not based on one parameter, it is more holistic. Besides scores, the essays are very important, based on which admission officers assess your interests. I also did volunteering that helped my application. It is not easy to get admission in US universities but at least the admission process is more transparent and fair."
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