Seven things to look at before you walk into a college
The admission season has started and the career counsellors are all around. It's the time when wise decisions matter a lot as one should not become prey to the fake institutions by their high decibel advertising. It's very difficult for the young students to identify the best colleges which help the students to widen their horizon of knowledge and personality development. Students will be deprived of many benefits and rights if they chose to choose a college which is not acknowledged and accredited by the respective boards.
Here are some guidelines to help choose the right institution once you have chosen a stream that is of interest to you.
1. Distinguish between a degree and a vocational course
For a degree course, make sure that your institution has been created by an act of parliament or a state legislature or been granted the status of a Deemed-to-be-University.
Vocational programmes in computers, mass media, advertising, sales training, fashion technology, banking, customer care, call centre management, aviation and hospitality do not lead to grant of degrees, but only a diploma certificate. Find out exactly what will be offered to you.
Vocational programmes in computers, mass media, advertising, sales training, fashion technology, banking, customer care, call centre management, aviation and hospitality do not lead to grant of degrees, but only a diploma certificate. Find out exactly what will be offered to you.
2. Fake universities
Despite a series of statutory professional councils responsible for recognition of courses, promotion of professional institutions and providing grants to undergraduate programmes and various awards - such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Distance Education Council (DEC), State Councils of Higher Education and so on - a large number of fake universities operate in the country.
University Grants Commission (UGC) prepares a list of Fake Universities. Check it out on the UGC and Ministry of Human Resource Development website
https://www.education.nic.in/higedu.asp or https://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/fakealerts.html
Fourteen of the 20 fake universities operate in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Ask questions to identify real institutions.
3. Tenuous foreign connections mean nothing.
Many private universities flaunt descripttors like "International faculty"... "curricula" and "foreign tie ups", "internships" and "foreign degree" in their ads. Ask for evidence to back these claims.
4. Learn to identify adjectives and superlatives in claims.
Look for adjectives and superlatives like "reputation for excellence", "centres for excellence", "exceptional faculty", "sprawling 100 acres amid lush surroundings" that do not add value to education delivery and your academic performance.
Find out the educational qualifications and experience of current faculty as they play a critical role in helping you understand tough concepts and keeping up your motivation. Check out if the college prospectus and web site list names of faculty members.
Many private universities flaunt descripttors like "International faculty"... "curricula" and "foreign tie ups", "internships" and "foreign degree" in their ads. Ask for evidence to back these claims.
4. Learn to identify adjectives and superlatives in claims.
Look for adjectives and superlatives like "reputation for excellence", "centres for excellence", "exceptional faculty", "sprawling 100 acres amid lush surroundings" that do not add value to education delivery and your academic performance.
Find out the educational qualifications and experience of current faculty as they play a critical role in helping you understand tough concepts and keeping up your motivation. Check out if the college prospectus and web site list names of faculty members.
5. Consider placement record of the college
Some universities insist on getting their affiliated colleges to post placement track record on their website making them vulnerable. Ask for evidence of claims like "100% placement", "placement guarantee". Ask for names and contact numbers of some past students from your school or city.
Some universities insist on getting their affiliated colleges to post placement track record on their website making them vulnerable. Ask for evidence of claims like "100% placement", "placement guarantee". Ask for names and contact numbers of some past students from your school or city.
6. Don't fall for high decibel campaigns
Slick advertisements in media do not assure good academic standards. An institute that uses larger size advertisements, uses too many adjectives, charges high fees but has an unimpressive placement track record may be a place you can ill afford. Unless you have the family business to fall back on. Don't follow college rankings by media blindly.
Don't get taken in by offers like 'a free laptop', 'a BlackBerry phone', 'a business suit' or a visit to a university in a foreign country. Beware of college counsellors who get paid a fat cut for each admission that they secure.
7. Consider the lineage of the institute
Find out who are the founders of the academic institution. Who are the promoters?
For instance, the first five IITs are no doubt good. While the record of the new IITs coming up is not known you can be certain that they will follow standard process. At the same time why would you join a 25-year old institution that has dismal placement record to boast of?
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