The counseling for arts and science courses began in government colleges on Friday. On the first day, candidates who applied under special categories including Sports, Persons with Disabilities and Wards of Defense Personnel were called for counselling.
Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association president T. Veeramani said there was a demand for B.Com, computer science, defense studies, political science, public administration and psychology among students. He said that since the number of students applying under the sports category would be huge, some colleges would take a day to complete the merit list.
Admission for general category will start from Monday.
Government colleges expect that there will be demand for Computer Science, Information Technology and Bachelor of Computer Applications in science subjects.
Self-financed colleges in the city’s suburbs say admissions have been slow. The principal of a self-financing college in the city’s suburbs said that though self-financing colleges admit students without the pressure of cut offs, the demand for science subjects has been low. According to him the demand for engineering and the subsequent effects of COVID-19 had turned students away from science subjects.
According to the principals, some of the prestigious colleges in the city had a similar experience. The principal of a college in Thirukazhukundram said that BCA was received better in his college as it offered more scope to the students. “Students believe that they have the opportunity to go for higher education in affiliated programs,” he speculated.
However, independent advisor Jayaprakash Gandhi said students should opt for an engineering program instead of a three-year degree program in computer science or IT. “Students have not realized that when they do engineering there is every chance for them to get some dream offers or packages of more than ₹7 lakhs or ₹10 lakhs. But of course it is not possible in B.Sc. IT companies are definitely a priority, especially for skilled students. An engineering student can become a full-stack engineer but it is not possible in B.Sc course.
Alternatively, students may consider integrated science programs. Few deemed universities and top level colleges have started such courses and the fee structure and eligibility criteria is less as compared to engineering courses. He said that it is prudent to use the brand name of the college for easy placement.