Students head West to avoid DU rat race

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The number of students applying to universities abroad has tripled this year

Don’t fret, there is life beyond Delhi University. After DU cut-offs touched the nightmarish 100 per cent mark last year, many undergraduate students in Delhi are now applying to foreign universities, to avoid the DU rat race.

Given the limited seats in DU, the number of students applying in universities abroad has tripled this year as compared to previous years.
Sujeet Peter, director, Canadian Education Centre, Delhi says, “DU cut-off has become a major factor for the number of students applying to foreign universities. Both undergraduate and graduate applicants, applying abroad, are rising in number, where students from Delhi top the list. We have already registered around 5,000 students for Canadian universities so far, which is double the number of students three years back.”
The other reason he cites is the option of specialised courses offered overseas that attracts students. Courses like Nanotechnology, Astrophysics, Animation, Aerospace Engineering, Musicology, Audio-visual technology, Ballet art, Travel and tourism are in huge demand.
Agrees Sakshi Pradhan, a Class 12 student who got 80 per cent. “After the DU cut-off last year I directly applied to University of British Columbia last year. I couldn’t get through Lady Shri Ram in Journalism course, but got through UBC in the same course,” she says.
Naveen Khurana, Chairman of The Chopras, an overseas education consultant firm, feels easier application procedure is also drawing students from India. He says, “Besides the TOEFL and IELTS followed by an interview, few universities go for separate entrances for their courses. And if you have a strong academic record and work experience, they waive off even those entrances. While in India, due to reservations and less seats, the competition is tough and makes it difficult even for 90 per cent scorer to get a college of his choice.”
Besides DU, other private universities are equally expensive, and now even middle class families don’t mind spending extra to provide their child with the best education, “Many universities in India offer diploma courses which do not hold much weightage in India, but a diploma course from abroad has more value,” says Sujit.
Parush Bhatra, a Modern School student who got through Bristol University, UK, didn’t keep Delhi University as an option after Class 12 and applied directly to universities in UK. “I feel education abroad is more analytical, logical, flexible and practical. A DU degree might boost your CV, but studying abroad and experiencing a new educational culture always attracted me,” he said adding that he has also applied for a course in Religion Studies in the same college.