Things to do before signing up for junior college admissions

So you have appeared for the Class 10 exams and your results have been declared, what do you do next?

The junior college admissions are going to take a while, but you can go to your school and collect the online admission book and start practicing how to go about it. This will ensure that you do not make any mistakes while actually filling the form. Then wait for the admission announcement. After having filled the actual online form, take a printout and go to your school and get the relevant details verified and signed by your School Head. If you have documents regarding participation ad winning awards at the national/state/district level in sports or cultural events then keep them ready. 

If you belong to a minority community, go to the institution run by the community and take your admission offline, if the junior college has started its admission process. If the process has not begun, find out what documentation is needed for the same. In case you are not taking advantage of the minority status, apply along with everybody else.

A word of caution, kindly find out the last year’s cut-off so that you do not have unrealistic expectations.

Some of you may have already taken admission in a school offering a programme of your interest. For example, if your school or any school you wish to join is offering ISC (XI and XII), start working towards the admission requirements. Of course once the results are out, these schools may have a minimum  cut-off percentage. So take advantage of the present situation and take provisional admission.

Still others may want to join a school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), check out if they are still admitting students, and if you fit the bill, take the admission. Some of you may prefer to register for the AS level offered by the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), approach a school having the course and get yourself admitted. But most schools offering international programmes usually finish their admissions before the results are out, on the basis of entrance tests and the scores of the last three years. Some schools may do it on the basis of predicted grades/scores.

Some of you may wish to join an Integrated 12th standard programme conducted by PACE or some such institute, which may prepare you for the IIT-JEE or the Common Entrance Test for Engineering/Medicine, along with the Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam. 

Yes, for those determined to be engineers, you can always join the Diploma programme and get into the degree course after your diploma without losing any years. This lateral entry is permitted.

There are students who may wish to switch from SSC to ICSE/CBSE board. Though this is permitted after a provisional eligibility is obtained, it may take a little while to adjust to the question and answer style. 

Even as you wait for the schools and junior colleges to put up their lists you can spend your time upgrading your skills. There are several online educational platforms such as NPTEL, Coursera, Edx and Udemy which offer free and paid courses that will add value in the long run. They are all FREE.

Finally a word or advice  to all students who are awaiting their Class 10 results. It does not matter what Board you are studying in — SSC/ICSE/CBSE/IGCSE/NIOS. These results do not sum your entire career or school life. It is the first of the many examinations you are going to appear for. Who really remembers the Class 10 scores?  So, if you get a high percentage — good for you, but if not, it is not the end of the world. Tomorrow is another day.

(The writer is Director-Principal of Billabong High International School, Thane.)