For those who have not made it into their colleges of choice because of the high cut-offs, the sports and extra-curricular activities (ECA) quota offer some hope.

Admissions on the basis of the second list began on Wednesday with students migration on one hand and entry under the sports and ECA quota on the other. Unlike all the four days of first-list-admission, Kirori Mal College (KMC) was full of students standing in long queues to enroll themselves under the quota. Bhim Sen Singh, principal of KMC said, “Students turn to us for our extracurricular activities. We offer seven seats under dramatics, six under music, four under fine arts and four under debate. Every year we have all these seats full. We look forward to students coming to KMC and making the most of our EC activities."

Singh added, “Most of our commerce courses are open. Of course, it is because the cut-offs were high and we wanted to take it easy and spread the admission process over the lists, but opening our seats for students under the sports and ECA category was also one of the reasons."

Five percent of the seats of each course are reserved under the ECA and sports quota together.

Suraj Singh, applying for B Com (Hons) at KMC under the ECA quota for fine arts, he said, “I have also applied to Hans Raj for the same, but I look forward to getting into KMC.”

Geetanjali Roy, has applied for a BA Eco (Hons) under the dramatics quota. “I have got it in Miranda but will withdraw if I get it here,” she said.

Shamin Bharadwaj, a student counsellor at the help desk for ECA said, “KMC is one of the best colleges for ECA. We have eminent faculty who specialise in their stream across activities to judge the talent and admit students.”

Ramjas sold over 150 forms under sports quota and around 80 under ECA. The most sought-after sports in Ramjas are shooting, judo and athletics.

Dheeraj from Sonipat said, “I am applying under History (Hons), although the first list is closed. I am confident of getting in here through my sports background. I have played at interschool level and also participated at state level.  My certificates should sail me through.”

The Miranda House campus has grounds and courts for outdoor games and equipment for indoor games.

Sugandha, a student counsellor said, “Our most sought-after sport is soft ball, where we won a gold medal at state level last year. Also, a lot of girls take admission under athletics and basketball."

Meena Kumari, looking for admission in Physics (Hons) under ECA said, “I don’t have very high percentage but I am hopeful of getting it under ECA in Miranda.”

Indraprastha College (IP) offers swimming, shooting, martial arts, archery, squash, basket ball, table tennis, net ball, yoga and much more - all on campus.

Babli Moitra Saraf, principal, IP said, “We are proud to be the only college that offers a swimming pool for women. It is open for all, even for those who haven’t opted admission under sports. We have a fully-equipped fitness centre, courts of global standards for indoor and outdoor games. We also give compulsory NCC and NSS training to all our students.”

Sonali Kwatra, state-level swimming champion said, “I have not made it to the first list of BSc Computer Science (Hons) and don’t think will make it to the second one as well. I am so happy they have this quota where students can make use of their skill and talent to get admission in the college they want to. I hope to get admission here.”

Nitasha, a basketball champion in her school, has taken admission for BA under sports quota in IP. “I have also applied in Miranda House under sports quota. I am waiting for their trials which start tomorrow and will switch if I get through,” she said.

Kamla Nehru College on the other hand, did not issue any forms for ECA and sports but declared a specific date for students to come and give their trials and the results would be put up on an assigned date.

Minoti Chatterjee, principal, Kamla Nehru College said, “June 24 is the date for ECA entries, where we have dance and music, both Indian and western, drama, debate and fine arts. We will judge them on the spot and take decisions accordingly. We call for specialised coaches and experts to take the sports trials.”