Selecting colleges for higher secondary education

It is very obvious that everyone has a special curiosity about the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination after the examination has been done. When the results get published, another concerning issue is created in their mind which makes them anxious again; that is the admission. Both students and guardians expect admission to prestigious colleges to complete the next level of education.

Most of the newly SSC completed students’ desire to get admitted to renowned colleges in cities that have a strong reputation all over the country. Some students want to see themselves in non-government colleges where they can complete their higher secondary level simply. You will find a number of them desire only to have their footsteps on the college corridor. Different individuals have different expectations.

But the process of admission does not allow someone to get admitted to an exact college or institute directly as the admission process for grade XI is done through a general website where students must fill a form with appropriate information. This system allows students to choose the maximum of ten eligible colleges on the basis of priority according to their choice. From the choice list candidates get a chance to a single college based on the national merit list prepared on SSC examination result.

When a student sees a list of hundred colleges in a window to select a maximum of ten, then it becomes quite hard for them to make a shortlist of ten colleges with priority. They should be somewhat careful at this stage. Selecting suitable colleges within maximized number is not only a headache for the students but also a concern for the parents or guardians who are involved in this regard. The category, reputation, teachers, amount of cost and fees of colleges, student safety, distance from home, and transportation system have to be kept in mind while selecting the colleges.

Reputed colleges in Bangladesh are mostly government colleges. So it is necessary to keep some government colleges in the choice list if the results of candidates meet the requirement of those colleges. But all government colleges are not worth putting on the list as many government colleges in our country are not friendly when it comes to conducting classes.

I talked to government college students’ who have completed their higher secondary level education. I could understand from the conversations with those students that some colleges in cities and towns are very dedicated to teach their students and conduct classes while some colleges are not much dedicated and do not feel like conducting classes for the intermediate students. One of my conversation partners told me that when he was a student of class 12, college authority did not keep a portion to run classes for them as the college had higher education (Bachelor and Masters) courses. But teachers of those colleges have a special attraction to call pupils to private tuitions. You may find some positive scenarios in various colleges as well- “If you look at Dhaka College, it has been doing well for the last few years”, says one of my friends who was an intermediate student at Dhaka College.

There are many colleges that are considered highly prestigious in the private sector, but these are costly. Keep in mind that getting a chance for admission in big or reputed college does not guarantee that someone’s future will be brightened. We are well aware that sometimes many talented students may not get a chance to reputed colleges as their transcripts are not as rich as the weaker students.

I do not know how much the article will help those seeking admission, but I can try to put out some points in front of them. Students and their guardians must keep in mind the following factors while selecting colleges-

Every student gets admission to college to expand their knowledge by receiving a quality education. But if colleges do not conduct classwork regularly or are unable to provide quality teaching to students, the aim of the students fails. But how can they measure the quality of colleges? Though it is not possible to measure the quality within a very short time, they can ask students of those colleges or ask those who know about their targeted colleges. Checking the’ colleges’ category made by government’ which is categorized in 3 units- A, B, and C may be brought to them for initial support.

Previous public examination result histories can be considered for institutes in their possible list. They may get a basic conjecture of the reputation of their expected colleges. For this they must log on to websites where public results are published, admission aspirants may use internet search engines to find out result history or statistics.

Location and distance of college is one of the fundamental issues to think about. If there is no or quality-maintained college in certain students’ areas, they will have to get admitted to another good place where they can travel easily with no fear. Students should not be admitted to which college is too far from their home. Hours of commuting daily may not suit someone’s health and psyche, and that can impact on study negatively. And the long-distance cannot be considered for the girls as the condition of safety while traveling is still questioned.

Students and guardians must know about the probable figures of fees or cost in colleges they or their child want to keep in the choice list. If these college fees and other costs are inexpensive figures and they do not have the ability or intention to pay this much amount, they have to skip these.

It is important to think about students’ own results obtained in the SSC examination as there is no admission test. They may be GPA-5 holders, but they must depend on their luck because there are so many GPA-5 holders like them with the same expectations. And seats are limited in all educational institutions. Students and guardians should be careful to select big colleges in cities and towns. Also, applicants will not be able to select some colleges if their results are less than a standard or do not meet their requirements.

In conclusion, I want to say, getting admitted to a big and reputed college does not mean someone will be benefitted or able to make good results. Some colleges in Bangladesh are established long ago and are too old. That is why people recognize those as reputed and traditional, but the real scenario is not what we expect in some cases.

An institution does not make its students succeed; it can help by giving a learning-friendly atmosphere in its campus and classrooms. The students themselves can make their institutions great. I wish best of luck to all of them who are going to admit themselves in higher secondary levels with ambition.