Gelisim News

The 2020 YKS marathon ended with the announcement of the preference results. Following the announcement of the results that applicants are eagerly waiting for, the current excitement has started for the upcoming registration dates. Although the exam passed under the influence of coronavirus, the decrease in vacant quotas and the occupancy rate of universities compared to last year were interpreted by educators as a great success. Istanbul Gelisim University Vice Rector and Professor of Political Science and Public Administration Dr. Nail Öztaş evaluated the Higher Education Council's 2020 YKS Placement Results Report and made recommendations to applicants who will enroll at the university. Prof. Dr. Öztaş said, “Placed students do not need to lose a year. Today, universities offer various opportunities such as minor, double major and elective course pools to applicants whose hearts are left in other fields. It became very easy for applicants to nurture themselves from different fields. While the occupancy rate of state universities was 93.9 percent last year, it has 95.7 percent this year. Foundation universities also rose from 84.1 percent to 85.7 percent. While there were 57 thousand vacancies in 2020, the occupancy rate was 93.19 percent”.
 
IT’S A RESULT OF YÖK’S HARD WORK

Expressing that supply and demand problems are common in preferences, but the studies carried out by YÖK have shown results, Prof. Dr. Nail Öztaş said: “While the quota in universities was 824 thousand last year, it has reached 838 thousand this year. In the past years, we were able to have an empty quota problem. Therefore, YÖK took steps to solve these problems. In recent years, the quotas in newly established state and foundation universities have been increased and the quotas of the programs that have not been filled in the last few years have been restricted. Thus, the quotas were transferred to the department programs that are in demand, interest and correspond in the market. The numbers show that this is accurate. There is great success in occupancy rates. Vacancies decreased and occupancy rate reached approximately 95 percent.”
 
781 THOUSAND APPLICANTS PLACED IN THE UNIVERSITY
 
Stating that the number of students who are eligible to make a choice is 1 million 745 thousand this year, but 781 thousand applicants have been placed in the university, Öztaş said: “1 million 150 thousand students made preferences. There are a number of students who do not make a choice although they are entitled, and despite this, the occupancy rate was approximately 95 percent. 781 thousand of the applicants who made the choice settled, this figure was 753 thousand last year. There is an increase of 30 thousand people in the number of applicants placed compared to last year and this increase is not negligible.”
 
THE PREFERENCES OF THE NEW GENERATION ARE DIFFERENT
 
Stating that the presentation of programs and quotas in line with the expectations of the applicants also shapes the preferences, Prof. Dr. Öztaş continued his words as follows:

“There are important differences between the choices made by the previous generation and the current generation. The previous generation would have wanted departments such as civil engineering, business administration and public administration, but the current generation mostly wants departments such as new media, mechatronics engineering, management information systems, and psychology. These departments are more popular among young people than in the past.”
 
NO NEED TO LOSE A YEAR
 
Expressing that it is also very important what percentage of 781 thousand students who are entitled will be enrolled, Prof. Dr. Öztaş said: “Applicants prefer due to family pressure or other reasons, but when the registration time comes, they do not finalize it. I think students who are settled do not need to lose a year. Today, universities offer various opportunities such as minor, double major and elective course pools to applicants whose hearts are left in other fields. It became very easy for candidates to nurture themselves from different fields. The main point is that after enrollment, candidates may drop out of university due to academic or social incompatibility.”
 
THERE MIGHT BE 100 THOUSAND AVAILABLE QUOTAS

Stating that there will be many students who do not enroll, Prof. Dr. Öztaş said: “There are 57 thousand available quotas and maybe up to 100 thousand people can be granted new quotas. Last year, even in medical faculties, there were a few applicant who did not enroll. Additional placements will be made as much as the number of vacant quotas. Those who decide not to enroll can also try the chance of additional placement.”
 
STUDENTS MAY LEAVE UNIVERSITIES

Drawing attention to the fact that there have been students who left universities after enrolling in universities and that this number reached approximately 400 thousand last year, Prof. Dr. Öztaş made the following recommendations:
“After enrollment, applicant may drop out of university due to academic or social incompatibility. Academic discord means the student doesn't like his/her department. For this, academic advisors should be consulted and they should not miss the orientation programs. In social discord, people who go to a new school, a new city or a new dormitory may not be able to adapt to that environment. S/he may miss her/his friends and family, and may not be able to stand on her/his own feet. Universities can be dropped due to social and cultural incompatibility. Here, the opportunities offered by universities should be used. Psychological counseling and career guidance units should be consulted.”