Mumbai’s suburban colleges take the lead in FYJC admission

High-scorers ditch sought-after colleges for ones located in suburbs.

Contrary to popular perception that first-year junior college students prefer admission to a select few top colleges, junior colleges in the suburbs have attracted a large number of high-scorers this year.

Colleges, such as Thakur College of Commerce and Science, have few to no vacancies under the general category. (HT file)

According to data published by the state education department, colleges in the central and eastern suburbs ran out of seats in the general quota for science and commerce after two admission rounds. These institutes include Thakur College in Kandivali, Nirmala College in Malad, CHM College in Ulhasnagar and Swami Vivekanand Junior College in Chembur.

Satram Verhani, vice principal, CHM junior college, said, “We are one of the biggest colleges in the city with over 4,500 students in junior college. Over the years, we are getting a large number of high-scorers, who get the best quality education without having to travel much.”

With a large number of students from the science and commerce streams preparing to answer competitive exams for professional courses, opting for a nearby college seems like the more prudent choice. “Even after scoring 97 percent, my son has secured admission in a small Malad college. He wants to prepare for JEE and also needs to attend coaching classes. He won’t get time for this if he attends a college that is far from home,” said Nikita Mehta, a Borivli resident.

However, many students are still unable to get through owing to the recent high court order blocking minority quota seats, noted Chaitaly Chakraborty, principal, Thakur College, Kandivli. “So many high-scorers are coming for admissions but we cannot surrender the minority quota seats due to the court order” she said.