Gurgaon: City toppers have their sights set on Delhi University

The sprawling campus and fests are reasons why DU remains a top draw for students

While the city students are celebrating their results, there is an element of anxiety over the next big challenge — securing a coveted spot at Delhi University (DU). With the city not offering enough quality options for students to pursue higher education, most have set sights on DU or overseas institutes.

Students celebrate their CBSE class 12 board results on Sunday. (Parveen Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Most of the students who cleared the boards with flying colours said it’s their dream to study in DU and they had studied really hard with that goal in sight.

Tanushka Lahiri, the Humanities topper at 98% from DPS Sector 45 said that she wants to pursue undergraduate honours course in Political Science at Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College. “I take a lot of interest in the subject and the faculty is outstanding. I have been dreaming of studying in the college since childhood.”

Moreover, the parents also want their children to venture beyond the city in the quest of pursuing higher studies, as the options in Gurgaon are few and far between. The city is home to only private colleges, while the toppers have their eyes set on the more coveted institutes in the Capital and beyond.

Saloni Chhabra, joint Humanities topper and a student of Blue Bells Model School, Sector 4, said, “The DU gives great exposure and opportunities apart from academics. The experience of studying there is unforgettable as it draws students from across the country. I want to join Sri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC), which is a dream destination for all commerce students who wish to prepare for the civil services exam going forward.

Read I CBSE 12th Result 2017 highlights: More students score above 95%

The sprawling campus and fests are also reasons why DU remains a top draw for students across the country.

Simran Rawat, who also secured 98% in Humanities, said she wants to be a journalist and is eyeing a spot the National University of Singapore or Lady Shri Ram College.

“I love to write and explore places and feel these qualities would stand me in good stead with regard to being a journalist. Studying in DU is a dream come true for all,” Rawat said.

Ashika Bothra, a Humanities student at Amity International School who scored 97.2%, has already cleared her National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance test and wants to be an accessories designer.

Bothra is also a state-level Basketball player. Having cleared the boards with flying colours, she can’t wait to join her dream college.

Other students, too, said there is a dearth of quality higher educational institutes in the city, specifically for pursuing professional courses like the ones Delhi colleges offer.

“Gurgaon schools arguably offers the best schooling in the country, but when it comes to higher education, we cannot take a chance with the colleges here. I plan to pursue computer science at IIT or BITS Pilani ,” said Rishabh Rana from DAV Public School, Sector 14, who bagged 97.2% marks in Science stream.

Other top scorers of the city also revealed their plans to join Delhi colleges. “I intend to pursue Economics Honours at SRCC and that will be the first step towards preparing for civil services,” Abhishek Bansal, a student of Ajanta Public School who secured 97% marks, said.