Medical seats still vacant as admission deadline nears in Chennai
MGR University, which still has 12 seats to be filled in different colleges in the state, is also hoping to fill vacant seats by Friday.
Chennai: With just a day remaining for medical admission deadline, many private colleges and deemed universities in the state are still finding it difficult to fill some of their vacant seats.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) had set a deadline of September 30 for all medical colleges across the country to complete their admission. However, colleges are hoping that they will get an extension.
“Twenty lapsed NRI seats are left over and are all expected to be filled before Friday. The regular seats have already been filled,” said a source at Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC). The college, which started counselling for applicants from September 14, has 250 seats. “The introductory classes began last week,” said the source.
MGR University, which still has 12 seats to be filled in different colleges in the state, is also hoping to fill the vacant seats by Friday. The seats are being filled through counselling, conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME).
“Post the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet), some colleges are still continuing to collect capitation fees, though the admission process has become more tight,” said a source at Saveetha Medical College, which has approximately 150 seats. Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, has succeeded in filling 100 seats available for the academic year 2016-17.
The college, which began its classes on Monday, did not have counselling, the way it is done in other colleges. “We had our interviews, after the Neet results were out. We had no difficulties, as our process is the same every year, with the exception of Neet this year. All were Neet eligible candidates,” said Dr Sunil Chandy, director of the college.
Despite Neet results having got released by mid August, lots of seats still vacant even under the government quota. “Dental admissions were extended till September 15 and we hope that the MBBS deadline will also be extended. However, we have not received any orders yet,” said Dr Ishari K. Ganesh, chancellor, Vels University, and secretary, Tamil Nadu Private Colleges’ Association.
“Many who passed the eligibility test, the cut off for which was 118 marks, were unable to afford the fees and therefore had to give up their seats. On the other hand, there are others who can afford the fees, but are not eligible. Many of those who failed the test, got admitted in government quota,” he added.