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Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
“In case the course is shifted online, I don't see myself accepting offers,” remarks Shreeda Agarwal, as uncertainty looms large over her dreams of pursuing strategic communication in the United States. The 24-year-old Delhi resident has received offer letters from four universities in the US, but hasn't accepted either, all thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Like Agarwal, Jemini Sara Nainan, a final year student at the University of Delhi, is not sure about her admission to SOAS, London. The college has indicated that classes could be held online, sending her in a tizzy.
While Agarwal has long completed her Undergraduate course, Nainan and many others applying to foreign universities are still in their final semester of college, exams for which have not been completed in several universities.
A DU final year student, who has also received Rhodes scholarship at Oxford, said “I am a little worried about that because in these circumstances, we may not have exams (UG College) but the university has assured us that they will be formulating a policy that's as responsive and sensitive to everyone's circumstances as possible.”
With several universities considering online classes, students now feel that it is better to defer admissions for a year, rather than let go of the experience of studying at a campus abroad.
But what will students do if admissions are deferred or even cancelled? Abhishek Madaan, who has accepted an offer from Royal Holloway University of London, says that he will apply to Indian universities if the UK one is pushed back.
“If, by chance, admissions are cancelled this year then I will apply to Indian colleges. I had appeared for GATE in February for Indian universities. On the basis of its result, I can apply in May to NITs, but it is possible that many colleges may face a barrage of admissions from students who couldn't go abroad, leading to a seat shortage,” he says.
While Abhishek plans to apply to Indian Universities, DU Student Anshika feels that even if she looks for a job, the economic meltdown will ensure that she gets none. She mentions that companies that had offered placements to her batch mates have now had to withdraw their offers.
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